7mm-08 favourite recipes

[Prairiekid]

I recently picked up a 7mm-08. Because it’s been difficult to find components I picked up some factory Barnes 120 TTSX. That way at least I have everything if things get worse.

I will likely stick to the TTSX line but would consider the 140 Accubond if it comes back into stock.

What do your 7mm-08? I’m using it for deer and it’s going to be exiting a 20” barrel.

[brewster29]

I have done a lot of testing with H414, IMR 4350, Rl17, Rl19, and most loads were slower than the manuals out of my 21” barreled 7-08. Last tests were 140 NBT at 2850-2870 pushed by CFE223, with great accuracy. Very happy with that, now will try the same with my fave 7/08 bullet- Barnes LRX 139 gr.

Strangely enough, my 22” barreled Tikka 7-08 is slower by 50-70ish fps with the same loads.

[sage 13]

Load for 3 different 7mm-08s tried various bullets the best out of all 3 has been H 4350 and 145gr speer BTSP taken moose, elk, deer, mountain goat, and wolf.

[Prairiekid]

Why do you prefer the LRX 139 over the TTSX?

[brewster29]

They are supposed to expand at lower velocity and have better b.c.

[Dick284]

Varget, 4064, 4895, standard primers, and you’re off to the races.

Great loading, and is adequate for closeish moose and elk.

[lone wolf]

Most accurate load I found for mine was RL-19 and 140 grain Accubonds. I would not feel under-gunned for elk or moose at reasonable ranges.

[Prairiekid]

Originally Posted by brewster29

They are supposed to expand at lower velocity and have better b.c.

Have you used the LRX at a variety of ranges on game? The only reason I ask is that most of game I have shot has been still hunting and within 40 yards.


Thanks for the loads guys. I look forward to testing this new to me Finnlight out. It seems like I can find some bullets. I'm not sure about powders, I'll need new stuff as all powder I have is for the 25.06

[Jerry D]

I would use varget and 120gr ballistic tips. They are tough and would be fast with the short barrel.

[Pioneer2]

Win 760 and mag primers

[Dean2]

Originally Posted by Prairiekid

I recently picked up a 7mm-08. Because it’s been difficult to find components I picked up some factory Barnes 120 TTSX. That way at least I have everything if things get worse.

I will likely stick to the TTSX line but would consider the 140 Accubond if it comes back into stock.

What do your 7mm-08? I’m using it for deer and it’s going to be exiting a 20” barrel.

Best load depends a lot on what powder you have or can get. If you pull up the free online Barnes data you will find a whole bunch of loads that will push that bullet over 3000 fps, some to nearly 3200, either of which is plenty fast enough for good ballistics and expansion to any normal hunting distance. I have never found 7-08 picky about loads. Pretty much any powder I tried shot good groups. If I have a choice of powders I always try to pick the one that produces the highest velocities and I lean towards the slowest burning one that produces within 50 fps of the highest velocities.

[Worm]

H4350 and most 140 grain bullet have worked very well in mine. Using TTSX right now as we do hunt moose and elk occasionally.

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[Faststeel]

i was given some excellent advice from a seasoned 7mm-08 loader a few years back. This fellow was convinced the Winchester 748 powder was to go to product, so I followed his advice was pleasantly surprised with accuracy I got with every single bullet weight I tried from 110 TTSX to 139 hornady, 140 TTSX. All 1/2 moa in every instance. Additional bonus in the Win. 748 powder is fairly easy to come by.....FS

[teledogs]

I tried a few premium bullets but had my best results with 120gr TTSX & Varget. Unlike most my 7-08 was picky to find a load for and picky with factory ammo as well.

[Cooeylover]

Benchmark and 139 grain Hornady SST. Clover leave at 100yds.

[hawk-i]

Originally Posted by Cooeylover

Benchmark and 139 grain Hornady SST. Clover leave at 100yds.

139SST's with either varget or 4064 does a great job on moose as well with the 7-08.

[Outcast]

I prefer Ramshot Big Game with a 140 accubond.

[mindoutside]

Working on 140 great accubonds with RL19. Slower than the manual by a lot but I have a short barrel.

Going to try it at longer distances in a couple weeks and see how it looks

[TangoKilo]

145gr Barnes LRX over Varget in a Lapua case is absolutely magical!!

[Prairiekid]

When you guys are looking at loading data, does a compressed load concern you at all? I have never used one before.

[brewster29]

Lightly compressed is not an issue.

Yesterday I tried 139 LRX and CFE 223, as per Barnes 140 load data. Got very good velocity (2900) from my 21" barrel, good accuracy. CFE is easier to find than many powders.

[mindoutside]

Originally Posted by Prairiekid

When you guys are looking at loading data, does a compressed load concern you at all? I have never used one before.

Using RL 19 for me had a compressed load aswell. Did some research and apparently it's ok. I found out using a drop tube basically nullifies the fact it's compressed because it "organises" the granuals of powder and my bullet never actually compressed the powder.

I think the main precaution though, is to be very particular with weighing the powder and not volume measuring.

[Prairiekid]

Originally Posted by mindoutside

Using RL 19 for me had a compressed load aswell. Did some research and apparently it's ok. I found out using a drop tube basically nullifies the fact it's compressed because it "organises" the granuals of powder and my bullet never actually compressed the powder.

I think the main precaution though, is to be very particular with weighing the powder and not volume measuring.

Thanks. Yeah I definitely always weigh my powder, actually double check it as well.

Now to find powder, it seems almost everywhere is sold out. Which was expected. Is there any estimates of when powder might be in stock again?

[Dick284]

Originally Posted by Prairiekid

Thanks. Yeah I definitely always weigh my powder, actually double check it as well.

Now to find powder, it seems almost everywhere is sold out. Which was expected. Is there any estimates of when powder might be in stock again?

Late 2022

[pikergolf]

Originally Posted by Prairiekid

Thanks. Yeah I definitely always weigh my powder, actually double check it as well.

Now to find powder, it seems almost everywhere is sold out. Which was expected. Is there any estimates of when powder might be in stock again?

For powder, make yourself a list of shops that carry powder. Check each of those places every day, if they get powder in it won't last long. I have managed to buy 15lbs of assorted powder in the last month for myself, family and friends. But I was checking every day.

[Prairiekid]

I can do that. But if any one or two people in the Calgary area want to split a 8 lb container of CFE 223, send a dm.

[sillyak]

My 7mm08 is pretty finicky and really likes Berger 140 Hunting VLD. It's weird that Accubonds were not doing well (normally I find them easy to get a good load) but the normally finicky VLDs were really good and consistent.

So that's what I use. I have shot a moose, deer and antelope with them. They are pretty fragile, like a ballistic tip, but they do work.

[Prairiekid]

I found some CFE 223 at Reliable in Vancouver.

[Prairiekid]

Not exactly the place for it, but since I started the thread I figure it's probably ok.

I have used a AWS scale off Amazon in the past, it worked fine. What are people using for a weigh scale? I am looking to replace the AWS for reloading because it's had a rough life.

[WHMS]

Has anyone experimented with StaBall 6.5 powder? I picked up a couple pounds and have a good variety of bullets from 120 - 150's to test out.