162grn bullet for a 7mm-08

[ddross]

Has anyone loaded a 162grn Hornady interlock for a 7mm-08? I am specifically looking at a load for elk. Is this too heavy of a bullet for the 7-08? If not what are everyone's recommended loads and powders fora 162 grn bullet?

IMR-4895 seems to be a good powder as does 760 for the 7mm-08's heavier bullets. Is this a correct assumption? I have a pound of IMR-4350 on the shelf for my son's 30-06 that I could use, but I want to avoid compressed loads at this time. I am a very novice reloader just so everyone knows and do not think I should be trying compressed loads yet.

The rifle I am loading for is a Savage 7mm-08 if that matters.

Thanks

 

[NCsmitty]

The 7mm-08 is a great cartridge, but like most '08 based rounds, they suffer from being used in short actions and from having a very short neck on the case.

I'm not sure if your Savage is a true short action, but trying to use a long 162gr bullet in a short action magazine causes the bullet to encroach deeply into the powder space, limiting performance.

If you select the 139-140gr Hornady Interbond or the Nosler Accubond they should prove to be a good choice if they are accurate in your rifle.
Speer's Grand Slam 145gr flat base will give you better case capacity by not setting so deep in the case.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=519380

Any of the powders mentioned will work. Look at www.hodgdon.com for their load data.

NCsmitty

 

[Funshooter45]

I would think the 139 gr Hornady Interlock would be about perfect if your rifle shoots it accurately. I have taken a few elk with my 7 mm mag using that bullet. I have one 7 mm mag that shoots the 139-140 gr bullets best and a different rifle that likes only the heavy 162 gr bullets. So I shoot whatever bullet is the most accurate. I have seen no difference in effectiveness on mule deer or elk with the 139 gr bullets compared to the 162 gr as long as I make a good shot. That was for 7 mm mag, but I think it would be the same thing for the 7 mm 08 as well. The velocity would definitely be better in the 7-08 if you use the 139 gr bullet.

 

[DanTheFarmer]

ddross,

I've loaded up 25 rounds, 5 rounds of 5 different weights of H414 (same powder as Win 760). I used the data from the Hornady chapter of the "One Book/One Caliber" series of load books.

I'll let you know my results.

I loaded this to see if I could develop a load suitable for moose, another big critter like your intended game. I'm in New Hampshire and our Fish and Game Departments website lists recommendations for equipment for moose hunting. It doesn't list the 7mm-08 at all but its near ballistic twin, the 7X57, is on the recommended list. It also recommends at least a 150 grain bullet and 2200 ft-lbs at a minimum, 2600 ft-lbs as adequate, and 3200 ft-lbs as preferred. If I meet my velocity target with good accuracy and no over-pressure signs the 162 grain Hornady bullet/H414 powder combination will exceed the "adequate" threshold. Again, I'll keep you posted.

Good Luck. I'm new to this too so be sure to get your load data from a reputable source and check and double check.

Dan

 

[CZ57]

Check out data for Hunter at www.ramshot.com.

 

[GooseGestapo]

The 162gr Interlok will be ok. You won't be able to get enough powder in the case and still seat a 162gr A-max and still have decent velocities.

My rifle (Rem. M7 in 7mm08) doesn't shoot well with H414. It's most accurate with IMR4350. I have however been getting excellent results with RL17, but haven't tried any 162's yet. I've also seen temperature sensitivity with H414. I suggest using a magnum primer with it if you are going to be late-season hunting elk. (temps below 32degF.)

The 139gr Hornady's do shoot real well, and are certainly adequate for elk, but personnally I'd use a 150gr. This is the best "compromise" bullet weight in the 7mm08.

I get within 70fps of the 139-140gr bullets with the 150's.
My rifle is more accurate with the 150's also.

A friend used my M7 to take a large 6x6 bull in Colorado in '05. He used 140's (Nosler Partitions), and got complete penetration with golf-ball size exit holes. He shot the elk 4 times simply because the guide told him to keep shooting. The first shot took out the heart, so the subsequent shots were unneccessary. The 4th shot was with a 140gr Sierra "Pro-hunter" flat base. It was lodged under the skin on the far side after taking out a shoulder.

My first choice would be the 150gr Nosler Partition over 45.0gr of IMR4350 or equivalent of RL17. This gets 2,700fps from my 20" bbl, and will do anything you'd want a "small bore" rifle to do.

 

[ddross]

clarification on seating heavier bullets

Sorry for not responding sooner. I have been under the weather these past few days.

NCSmitty:
I think I need some schoolin' about seating bullets of heavier weights. I measured the length of the two bullets I have. The 162 grn Hornady Interlocks are 1.317" long while the 139 grn Hornady gmx's are 1.419" long. I would attribute the difference to the rounded nose of the lead tipped interlocks versus the very distinct plastic point of the GMX's. My Lyman 49th Edition states a 139grn jacketed SP should be 2.750" OAL, while the 162 grn jacketed BTSP should also be 2.80" AOL.

What confuses me is I should be concerned about seating a heavier bullet that is shorter, but has a longer cartridge over all length. Does this make sense? I just wonder what I am missing?

I think I will attempt a few 162 grn loads to see how they do. If I am not comfortable with my end product then I will decide whether I want to shoot them or not.

Dan the Farmer:
I am curious to see how your loads turn out. I purchased the 162 grn bullets to use in my 7mm Mag so maybe I need to so maybe I need to get a little more accomplished with my 7m Mag loads before I work on 7mm-08 loads.

I also tend to think the 150's GooseGestapo has mentioned may be the best upper end weight bullet to go with. At least until I get some more experience with reloading.

Thanks again for the information everyone.

 

[DanTheFarmer]

Good Morning,

Well, I'm 0 for 2 on developing loads for 162 gr in 7mm-08.

I first tried H414 from 44.0 to 46.5 grains, per the Hornady section in "One Book/One Caliber". I got great velocity with charges more than 45.8 but the accuracy wasn't very good. The range was busy that day and I had a lot of distractions so this is worth retesting to see if the problem was me.

I next tried Reloder 19 in weights of 47.5 to 49.0. I got good accuracy but only at the lowest weights but there the velocity didn't meet my goal (2690 fps to get 2600 ft-lbs., this is listed as "adequate" by NH Fish and Game for moose).

Next I'll try H4350 and also fiddle with seating depths and retry the H414.

By the way, I'm quite new to reloading and I shied away from compressed loads as well. I did finally try some and had no problem. I read my Lyman #49, paid attention to my technique, and have some successful loads I wouldn't have had otherwise.

Good Luck.

Dan