7mm-08 Loads for Encore

[bartrak]

Ok I have a new 7mm-08 Encore barrel what are some good loads for it ? I will be primarily using it or deer hunting. It is the 24" blued version.

[Graybeard]

There really is no better than the factory Hornady Light Mag loads using their 139 grain BTSP. The RP factory 140s are also excellent. If you're looking for reloads I've yet to find one that will match the above two so have given up trying.

[xphunter]

Load I used to use on a 14" was H-4895 with  120 & 140 grain NBT's.  Sub quarter MOA Accuracy and worked great on pd's,  mulies and antelope

[Hawkeye]

On factory loads I used the Federal Power shok in 140grn and the Fusion 140grn. They both shot around 1.5" at 100 yds from my 15" Encore. My neighbor has only shot 120grn factory Remington from his 24" barrel with good results on whitetail.
I used the same loads as Ernie for a while. I ran out of 4895 and tried Varget. It seems to work better for my 15" Encore, 16" XP100 and my neighbors 24" Encore rifle barrel using the 140grn Ballistic Tips and 150grn Sierra HPBT Matchkings.
I started at 38grn on the Varget and went up to 39grns and that is where my XP and the rifle shot great with no pressure signs. This is below max and if you try Varget you should start low and work up according to the reloading manual. On the XP100 16" barrel I get 2370fps and on the Encore 24" barrel we are getting 2670 fps. The Encore rifle barrel is a TC Custom shop. I don't think that has anything to do with how it shoots but it is avg. 3/4-1" groups at 100yd and 1.5" at 200yds with the 140grn BT's.
I have only taken two whitetail with my 7-08 but plan to use it on antelope, coyotes and prairie dogs this year and maybe hogs if I can find the ones that are tearing up my hunting place.

Mike

[Bill In SC]

Bartrak:

Using 139 grain Hornady's I have found H4895 to be the ticket...   Makes ragged holes with 3 shot groups at 100 yards. 

Varget also works well with the bullet with a about 100 fps slower, but still shoot less that 1.0 @100.

H4895 also works well with the Nosler 140BT's, but I have found that the Hornady's group quite a bit better.

Another good combination is the Sierra 140 grain "Pro Hunter" and Varget.  Makes little bitty groups.

For some reason, it seems the barrel I have handles "Flat Base" bullets better than "Boat Tail".  I have found this be be true with other barrels also.

Check you load books and work with the information above and I think you will be happy with what you find.

I have used the Hornady and Sierra bullets to harvest Whitetail here in South Carolina, and they have performed perfect.  Normally a "Bang/Flop" if you put it in the right spot.

Bill

[skarke]

Go on the Hodgdon website and look at their youth loads with 4895.  Shoots very accurately in my kid's Bergara, and easy on the shoulder.  Drops whitetails like you ran over them with a car.

[yooper77]

I recently picked up a inventory clearance 15" T/C factory blued 7mm-08 barrel from midwayusa for $190.49.  I bought it to replace my 10" T/C factory blued 7mm-08 barrel. Using the 10" barrel I've had good results using IMR-4064 with 120, 139/140 & 150/154 grain bullets.  I even tried some 175 grain bullets for short range bear loads.  All of these loads performed well.  Now I have to see how much difference the 15" versus the 10" will offer.  I truly like the 7mm-08 in the Encore pistol.  I use once fired 308 Win brass I have been collecting over 10 years ago, now I am so happy I did since the prices are so high.

thank you,
yooper77