What powder for a 20” 7mm-08?

[Peakbagger46]

I’m going to be loading up some 140g AccuBonds for the wife’s 7mm-08. Applicable powders I have on hand are Varget, Rel 15, and IMR 4350. Which one should I start with?

 

[frankmako]

no question it is varget. next is 4895.

 

[Peakbagger46]

Awesome. I like the temperature consistency of that stuff.

 

[jmr40]

The same powder you'd use with any other barrel length. That isn't a factor in powder choice.

I don't load for 7-08, but do for 308. Varget or RE15 work great for me. Any of the 4350's are not ideal for 308, but they appear to be a top choice for 7-08 based on my load manuals. If you can find any H4350 it is also very temp resistant. As is RE-15.

 

[Bwana John]

4350

 

[Patocazador]

I load for 7-08 in a Rem. Model 7. With 120 gr. I found that H-4895 is the most accurate in my rifle. RL-15 is good too.

 

[cheygriz]

Why use extruded powder when many good ball powders are available? Try H335, H380, or H414,

 

[STCL01]

I am loading 140 accubonds in my wife's Model 70 featherweight 7-08. I finally found a load that was acceptable. I will try and remember to look tonight and see what the load is.

 

[George P]

I have had success with WIN760, IMR 4064, 4350 and 4895

 

[LNF150]

I load for 7-08 in a Rem. Model 7. With 120 gr. I found that H-4895 is the most accurate in my rifle. RL-15 is good too.

^^^good medicine^^^
This is the load I'm using for December white-tails out of a T3x. Had good luck with this load in a rem. 700 too.

But for 140 grainers using a middle of the road load of RL-15 from the nosler data also does great groups. Have used 140 gr. on top of Big Game powder which seemed more like shooting a laser beam, very accurate. IMO overall the 7mm-08 isn't overly picky about rifle powders (within reason), but the individual gun is the one that will tell you what combination bullet/powder it likes.

 

[Peakbagger46]

Thanks guys. Rifle is a TC Venture compact that hasn’t been shot yet. For the given purpose (deer and elk) 1.5 MOA for three shots will be more than good enough.

Of course more accurate is more fun...

 

[Commo]

I really like both IMR 4451 and Ramshot Big Game for 140-grain AccuBonds and Sierra GameKing bullets. In my Sako 7-08 with 20.25” barrel they chrono around 2650 fps at the muzzle and are equally accurate..

Commo

 

[Ks5shooter]

Imr 4064 in my Venture weathershield 7mm-08 with Hornady 139 gr SST's at 150 yrds.......

 

[bluetopper]

You won't venture far from the best if you use BLC-2.

 

[Mowgli Terry]

I have had good results with RL-17 in 7mm-08 with 154 gr. bullets. Reloader 17 is right in there with 4350's. Ditto, Remington 700.