Pretty happy with this new rifle...

[Silverado]

Thanks to catnthehat, I solved my problem of only having a really nice rifle for hunting with (and worrying about) via the addition of another rifle.

This one's a 700 Mountain Rifle LSS in 7-08.

I was doing some load development, thinking a 140gr for Deer and such, and a 160gr for Moose, possible Elk, and Bear.

I haven't done a darn thing to this rifle; it's box stock.

Here's the 2nd load I tried with the 140's (Nosler Accubonds)



And here's the 1st load I tried with the 160's (Accubonds too)



Both are 3 shot groups at 100 yards. I think my load development is finished, don't you?

[catnthehat]

Take the action out, throw the trigger away and put in a jewel, bed the action, put a set of lightweight Talleys on, throw that POS Zeiss away and put on a Leupy in 3-9X, get rid of the laminated stock and go with a Macmillan, and get rid of those no-good boolits and jam some barnes triple shocks in there .
VOILA!
You've just built a decent rifle - with almost enough parts for another!
Cat

[Dick284]

Dont bite your tongue Cat.
So you did sell the raffle rifle eh.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by Dick284

Dont bite your tongue Cat.
So you did sell the raffle rifle eh.

In a new york minute!!
What do I need a bolt action hunting rifle for, anyway?
Cat

[Dick284]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

In a new york minute!!
What do I need a bolt action hunting rifle for, anyway?
Cat

Well if they all shot like that who'd need anything else?

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by Dick284

Well if they all shot like that who'd need anything else?

Every Bubba I know has a rifle like that - but I never see them at the range!
Cat

[Dick284]

Good thing my name aint Bubba.
Else you'd have to eat your words.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by Dick284

Good thing my name aint Bubba.
Else you'd have to eat your words.

All present "Bubbas" exlcuded!
Cat

[Dick284]

Silverado:
Why 4895?
For hunting loads something a tad slower may give you a bit more gitty up go than 4895. Of course that's if the accuracy remains.
Stick with the 140's you dont need a 160 to kill moose. Trust me

[Silverado]

Well, Varget didn't give the same accuracy, I don't have any 4320 around, and 4350 is a bit too slow I think...

What I have on the shelf is IMR4895, IMR3031, Varget, H4198, IMR and H4350, IMR7828 and H1000.


Plus I've been playing with QuickLoad, and 4895 makes all the pretty graphs and charts look just right!

All in all I'd say the proof is in the shooting. I'll have to chrony the shots to be sure, but QL gives calculated velocities of 2795fps for the 140's and 2630 for the 160's.

[Silverado]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

Take the action out, throw the trigger away and put in a jewel, bed the action, put a set of lightweight Talleys on, throw that POS Zeiss away and put on a Leupy in 3-9X, get rid of the laminated stock and go with a Macmillan, and get rid of those no-good boolits and jam some barnes triple shocks in there .
VOILA!
You've just built a decent rifle - with almost enough parts for another!
Cat

I have that, it's called a Force LTR. Shoots pretty good, too. (6 V-bulls @ 800 down at Homestead if you recall...)

[Dick284]

Well ther you have it, someone actually looking at the accuracy aspect first.
Love your approch.
Good shooting.
Are you bringing it to Ponoka?

[Silverado]

As I've said with my tactical rig, I can dial clicks all day long. I don't need that extra 100fps either way.

The ballistics of both those loads have over 1500lb/ft of energy out past killing range as well. That plus accuracy equals meat, period.

I may play with H4895 for the temperature stability, if I can get the same kind of groups.

Yes, that rifle will be my tool at Ponoka next weekend!

Stick with the 140's you dont need a 160 to kill moose. Trust me

I agree,I have taken enough elk and moose with 140gr bullets to know that you don't need a heavier bullet.By the way,my last model 7 in 7mm-08 also preferred 4895.

You know, if you get rid of that "no good" thin walled barrel you wouldn't have that one "flyer" in your groups.

[Dick284]

Originally Posted by 700TI

You know, if you get rid of that "no good" thin walled barrel you wouldn't have that one "flyer" in your groups.

It's a hunting rifle, and last time I checked you should only be needing but one shot. Maybe two if it goes bad, and by the time you need a third it better be a 2yd. finishing shot.
If a hunting rifle will put the first two in the same spot every time, it's the perfect hunting load, and rifle.
If you want nice tight 5 shot groups join up in BR or Palma, or F-Class.

Dick, see that smile after the sentence. That means I was kidding. I actually own one of those "no good" thin walled rifles (mines a 700ti) They are fantastic guns.

[Dick284]

I do now..
Opps

Originally Posted by 700TI

Dick, see that smile after the sentence. That means I was kidding. I actually own one of those "no good" thin walled rifles (mines a 700ti) They are fantastic guns.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by stubblejumper

I agree,I have taken enough elk and moose with 140gr bullets to know that you don't need a heavier bullet.By the way,my last model 7 in 7mm-08 also preferred 4895.

I prwefer a 160 or 165 in a 308 sized case myself, depending on where or not it is the 308 , 708, or 260.

Of course, any body who knows me knows I like big bullets going slow over the
light bullets going fast for hunting.

Cat

[LongDraw]

I have been working on a load for my 7-08 and it seems to like H-414 pushing a 140 TSX the best. 2930fps and accuracy under .5 moa for 3 shots. This is my first 7-08

[Silverado]

I loaded up some TSX's for a friend of mine with H4350 that shot under .5 in his rifle as well. I think those TSX's are a great bullet.