7mm-08 loads for a 20" barrel and a 1 in 9.5 twist

[suprane]

Have a M70 and was not going to reload, just OTC, but have made a range friend who wants to help me work up a load using his equipment. He has never worked up a load for the 7mm-08 and we certainly can look at the manuals, but wondering if anyone has a pet load for this kind of rifle. Compact, 20" slender barrel, 1 in 9.5 twist. Used for White Tails and coyotes under 300 yards. He's thinking bullet weights 120-130 gr. and I was thinking 140 + would be best, but I am just guessing. Anybody ?? Thanks in advance.

 

[gonetocamp]

I use Varget as powder in two 7mm-08s. I do not have your rifle but I load Sierra 130 gr. HPBT Matchkings in both rifles.

 

[JimKirk]

Lots of deer killed here in GA with 120 gr. Nosler BT bullets ... any of the powders that will get you around 3000 fps ... like RL15, Varget, W760, IMR 4350 ... will put you in good territory for deer out a long ways... you will have to find what works in your gun ... what works in mine ... may not shoot worth a toot in yours ...

 

[jmr40]

As far as choosing powder barrel length is a non-issue. The powder that gives best performance with a 26 " barrel will be the best choice with a 20" barrel.

There are no bad choices with regards to bullet weight, I'd use the one that shot best in my rifle. For deer and smaller I'd use 120-130 gr bullets. Elk 150's or 160's. The 140's might be a good compromise.

 

[suprane]

Does the 1 in 9.5 lend itself to lower or higher weight bullets ? Or is it one that would work with any weight ? Now it may have already been answered here, but a beginner and trying to find answers that will save me some dollars and not have to buy many bullets and powders. The range friend is generous to allow me to use his equipment, I will supply the components, but he says go light and I thought 1 in 9.5 was a rather faster twist and that would lend itself to a heavier bullet ????

 

[LocoGringo]

I did a custom build for my son in 7mm-08 with a 1:9.5 or 1:9 twist (can't remember now, got it written down somewhere) with the intention of being able to handload the heavier bullets (like 160-175 range) and keep them stabilized. I haven't experimented with handloads yet, but that may help answer your question. However, even if you have a rather fast twist rate in your barrel, it likely won't hurt accuracy with the lighter bullets. It will just mean they are twisting faster than what is necessary to keep them stabilized. I'd recommend you start with the 130-140 weight range, but that's just a complete uneducated guess. When I bought my Hornady press kit, they offered 500 bullets to go with it, so I selected the 7mm 139 grain soft points, so that's what I'm going to start with. I think the accuracy will depend more on the bullet/powder combo and the load of the powder than just the bullet. Good luck.

 

[Panfisher]

My model 7 7-08 loves 120 grain Barnes X bullets and a moderate charge of IMR 4895, have not been able to stop a bullet in a deer yet, and they shoot very well. But have also used 130 speer, 139 hornady, 140 corlokt, all have shot well, but the Barnes have been the most accurate.

 

[2ndtimer]

I had Model 70 lightweight carbine with a 20" featherweight contour barrel for a while. As I recall, the previous owner liked IMR-4064 and Speer 130 gr Spitzers, while I preferred Varget with 120 or 140 gr Nosler Ballistic Tips.

 

[93LXRag]

I load for a buddy of mine who is a farmer and hunts NC whitetails at distances up to 300 yards. His truck gun and deer gun is a 20" barreled Ruger.

The load that has worked well for this rifle is 39.5g of RL-15 and a 140gr Nosler Accubond which has a BC of .485 and SD of .248. This is right in the middle of the powder range and has proved the most accurate.

If you compare the 7mm-08 140gr. to a .308 Winchester, it seems that the 7mm bullet performs as well or better out of a 20" tube vs. a 24" WIn .308. It also has pretty much equal or better ballistics out to 500 yards.

All in all, compact gun, mild recoil and plenty of punch. RL-15 has out performed Varget and IMR 4350 in the 140 gr. weight.

Just my .02 cents.

-Steve

 

[Stony]

In my area, I don't get much opportunity for long range shooting due to the heavy wooded areas. Most of my shots are around the 100 yd. mark, but I have busted a bunch of deer and hogs with my 7/08, using 140 gr. Sierra Game Kings. I load them with 42.4 gr. of IMR4895 and get right at 2800 fps. out of my Ruger 77. I love the accuracy I get and that bullet is a performer for me.

 

[suprane]

Stoney have heard that from a good friend here also. He loves the Sierra Game Kings and has used them out to 300 yards on White tails. Will write down that formula and give that a try. Seems like my barrel like the fps to be right around 2800. Thanks.

 

[oneounceload]

My Model 7 (18.5) like 140 Noslers using 760, 4350 and 4895 as well. 120s also shoot very well

 

[LocoGringo]

Hey oneounceload, which 4895? H or IMR?

 

[jmorris]

I just worked up loads using different powders with 140g Nosler bullets, my rifle liked H380 best at near max loads.