Replacement powder for Big Game in 7mm-08

[pharmseller]

I can't find Big Game to save my life. I use it in 4 7mm-08 rifles with 120 NBT and 140 NP and NAB.

I have Varget but I get much better velocity with Big Game (over 100 ft/sec) and accuracy is stellar.

I can't shoot it if I can't find it, so what are my available options?



P

 

[DrMike]

Here are a few powders based on the 120 grain Nosler BT and Big Game (48.7 grains):

Cartridge : 7 mm-08 Rem.
Bullet : .284, 120, Nosler BalTip 28120
Useable Case Capaci: 49.378 grain H2O = 3.206 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.800 inch = 71.12 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 59000 psi, or 406 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 110 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

Powder type Filling/Loading Ratio Charge Charge Vel. Prop.Burnt P max P muzz B_Time
% Grains Gramm fps % psi psi ms
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Alliant Reloder-17 106.1 50.7 3.28 3151 99.2 59000 10770 0.985 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N550 107.6 50.0 3.24 3091 97.4 59000 10455 1.004 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H414 105.0 50.6 3.28 3087 94.7 59000 10478 0.996 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 760 105.0 50.6 3.28 3087 94.7 59000 10478 0.996 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4350 110.0 50.1 3.24 3078 97.4 57880 10346 1.017 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4895 99.7 45.4 2.94 3070 98.8 59000 10025 1.009 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Hunter 110.0 51.7 3.35 3059 95.2 57027 10441 1.009 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon BL-C2 95.1 47.2 3.06 3059 99.5 59000 9830 1.011 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 203 old 102.8 47.3 3.06 3058 99.4 59000 9835 1.019 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 203B 101.0 46.0 2.98 3058 98.8 59000 9898 1.010 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-15 100.5 45.7 2.96 3056 98.3 59000 9926 1.010 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4064 102.9 45.8 2.97 3041 100.0 59000 9310 1.038 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 2520 95.3 45.7 2.96 3036 100.0 59000 9302 1.022 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H380 101.7 47.3 3.07 3036 97.1 59000 9890 1.014 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 2495 96.9 43.2 2.80 3025 100.0 59000 8943 1.044 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4350 110.0 49.8 3.23 3007 93.7 58815 9715 1.004 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 201 98.2 43.7 2.83 3005 99.5 59000 9296 1.024 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 2460 90.9 44.5 2.89 2995 99.8 59000 9043 1.029 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4007 SSC 102.9 47.5 3.08 2985 93.8 59000 9580 1.016 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V 110.0 48.4 3.14 2955 98.0 52167 9500 1.050 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4350 110.0 49.0 3.17 2947 92.7 55151 9533 1.033 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 2700 102.6 48.7 3.16 2927 93.4 59000 8976 1.021 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester Supreme 780 110.0 52.8 3.42 2897 89.6 52982 9466 1.048 ! Near Maximum !

Here are a few suggestions based on the 140 grain AB and 45.0 grains of Big Game:

Cartridge : 7 mm-08 Rem.
Bullet : .284, 140, Nosler AccuBond 59992
Useable Case Capaci: 46.790 grain H2O = 3.038 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.800 inch = 71.12 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 59000 psi, or 406 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 110 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

2 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 90%. These powders have been skipped.
Powder type Filling/Loading Ratio Charge Charge Vel. Prop.Burnt P max P muzz B_Time
% Grains Gramm fps % psi psi ms
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Alliant Reloder-17 104.1 47.1 3.05 2923 99.8 59000 10200 1.055 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Hunter 109.0 48.5 3.15 2873 97.1 59000 10123 1.064 ! Near Maximum !
Norma URP 108.7 46.4 3.01 2868 98.7 59000 9872 1.069 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4350 108.3 46.7 3.03 2867 98.7 59000 9880 1.082 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 760 103.0 47.0 3.05 2866 96.3 59000 10062 1.068 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H414 103.0 47.0 3.05 2866 96.3 59000 10062 1.068 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N550 105.5 46.5 3.01 2865 98.5 59000 9975 1.076 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4895 97.6 42.1 2.73 2837 99.5 59000 9470 1.083 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon BL-C2 93.1 43.8 2.84 2827 99.9 59000 9271 1.085 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 203B 98.9 42.7 2.76 2827 99.5 59000 9358 1.084 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 203 old 100.6 43.9 2.84 2826 99.9 59000 9273 1.093 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-15 98.4 42.4 2.75 2826 99.2 59000 9399 1.084 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 204 107.3 47.8 3.10 2823 93.7 59000 9789 1.066 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H380 99.7 43.9 2.85 2811 98.3 59000 9425 1.087 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4064 100.6 42.4 2.75 2801 100.0 59000 8693 1.114 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 2520 93.3 42.4 2.75 2800 100.0 59000 8692 1.097 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V 110.0 45.9 2.97 2796 99.5 55985 9127 1.091 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4350 108.1 46.4 3.00 2794 95.5 59000 9358 1.075 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4350 110.0 46.4 3.01 2791 95.3 58790 9357 1.076 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 2495 94.7 39.9 2.59 2781 100.0 59000 8338 1.121 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 201 96.2 40.6 2.63 2774 99.9 59000 8743 1.099 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4007 SSC 101.0 44.2 2.86 2769 95.4 59000 9209 1.089 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester Supreme 780 110.0 50.0 3.24 2757 92.8 56623 9393 1.088 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-19 110.0 47.4 3.07 2755 92.4 53029 9785 1.116 ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP 110.0 49.5 3.21 2753 92.8 48592 10475 1.152
IMR 4831 110.0 45.4 2.94 2742 97.7 51705 9421 1.142 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 2700 100.8 45.4 2.94 2717 95.1 59000 8641 1.094 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 SSC 110.0 48.7 3.16 2712 88.4 50464 9880 1.137
Hodgdon H4831 SC 110.0 48.0 3.11 2683 88.6 51903 9260 1.130 ! Near Maximum !

It looks as if you have some options to test.

 

[wvchevy3]

According to Ramshot there is none to be had along with hunter. They said none is expected until late in the year from Belgium. Best chance to find any is from a small shop. I have been looking for a year now for Hunter..but no luck. Try RL-15, RL-17 ,IMR-4350, AA-4350 ,AA-2700.According to Ramshot/Accurate burn rate chart AA-2700 is close to Hunter just a tad bit slower. I have never used any but i checked onlne and it is available.Lee

 

[pharmseller]

I found a 5lb jug of R-17, I'll give that a try.

Thanks for the help.


P

 

[wildgene]

...you might give CFE 223 a try if you find some, it's been much more available than Varget, & it's a lot cleaner, course just about anything's cleaner than Varget...

 

[jimbires]

I'm well pleased with RL17 in my 7-08

 

[pharmseller]

I'm well pleased with RL17 in my 7-08

Please tell me more about your load(s).


P

 

[pharmseller]

Range day today.

43.0 grains Varget got me 2825 ft/sec with 140 NAB and excellent accuracy. Safe in my rifle etc.

I haven't tried Varget with 120 NBT but 50 and 51 gains Big Game gave me bugholes. I didn't chrono the 50, but 51 gave me 3100 even.

I have a bunch of Varget, too.


P

 

[jimbires]

I use a 140 gr Berger VLD hunting , CCI 200 primer , Norma brass , 49.0 grains of RL17 . the last I shot it through my chrony the velocity was , 3077 , 3077 , 3080 . I shot 48 , 48.5 , and 49.0 a couple of times to see if 48.5 was opening up because of me, it was always a bigger group . I decided on 49.0 . the extreme velocity spread is good , it's accurate , and has good velocity . I adjusted my quickload for the norma case capacity , I'm about one grain over max . I get good brass life , and I have no problems shooting in warmer weather . I feel this load is safe in this rifle . the Berger VLD bullet has a short bearing surface . I'm sure this has a lot to do with the velocity I'm getting without pressure signs . since you are using a Nosler bullet , and maybe a different brand of brass , you may not be able to achieve this velocity safely . as always start low and work up . while working up loads I've found RL17 to be predictable . I think you'll like RL17 .

here are 200 yard targets from this day .
49.0 grains


48.5 grains


48.0 grains


the whole target . I was messing with my other 7mm-08 rifle on the big lower bullseye. I use IMR4064 with a 139 BTSP Hornady in it . I keep thinking about trying RL17 in it too , but shooting like this I hate to switch . velocity is around 2800 .

 

[pharmseller]

Wow, 3077! I'm happy with 2850!



P

 

[jason miller]

I tried rl17 with the 140 Berger, 150 lrab, and 162 amax. I have notes somewhere if you'd like specifics, but I think I ran them up to about 3025, 2875, and 2775 with no pressure signs. Some of that brass has probably been fired half a dozen times. Primer pockets are still tight, and I haven't annealled them. My gun didn't like the 140 or 150 combos very well at any velocity with rl17, but it does well with the 162's at right around 2700. It has a 22" barrel. Seems to me that the 7mm-08 is one of the cartridges where rl17 really works like it was hyped up to.

 

[7mmhunter]

I have had great luck with RL-17 and 120 BT. Am away for the weekend or would look up load. BTW 4350 shot best with 140BT

Good Luck

 

[SJB358]

I found a 5lb jug of R-17, I'll give that a try.

Thanks for the help.


P

I think you'll like 17 in the 7-08. I am running 17 with the 150 PT in my son's 7x57. Excellent speeds and accuracy has been very good for me. I would think it should be as good as Big Game is for you. Good luck and post up your results.

 

[Wincheringen]

I'm in the same boat, Big Game is an excellent powder for the 7/08 and even worked really well in my 22-250. I got a 5lb jug of RL17 so hopefully that works when I run out of BG.