Patty's "new" 7mm-08

[petemi]

This '08 is Patty's latest addition to her rack of Handis; a Whitetails Unlimited in like new condition.  We paid 195 for it which I thought was a steal and our dealer threw in a padded camo gun case.

I put a Bushnell Banner 4x32 with the 0-X reticle and mounted on medium Burris Zee rings.  I boresighted it and was quite pleased.  It only took 4 or 5 clicks to align the scope.

She hasn't shot it yet; I only have 4 rounds left, and I want to cook up a mild load for her.  I've got plenty of brass and 140 gr. SPs, but she'll probably do better with a lighter bullet.  Any load suggestions will be welcome.  I almost forgot to mention, she most likely won't be hunting deer with it.

Thanks,

Pete

[Dinny]

Pete,
  It's a beauty! I just wonder though, will she change her mind about hunting deer with it after she shoots it a few times? 




Thanks, Dinny

[thejanitor]

Pete I had loaded up some 115 speer hollow points for my daughter 42 gr H 4895, but I ordered some 120 gr bonded bullets for hunting. We are working on load developement yet on hers but mine likes
41.3 gr of H4895 for the 120 gr. 
41.5 gr of H4895 for a 130 gr bullet
and 39.5 gr of H4895 for a 140 gr bullet.
The bullets have been different brands so I didn't specify those, PLEASE double check the data before use.
I sure would think she would fall in love with the round.... It's like a Jr. .270, Mine is the closest to a "truck gun" I have since it has done it all.
I tried W748 and my gun didn't like it with any bullet. Have not tried it in hers.
Have fun.  thejanitor

[44 Man]

Pete, I loaded up some Nosler BT 120's in mine over 46 gr of H4350 and that's a sweet shooting load.  I'd use it for hunting as it's midrange between light loads and heavy.  I hope I have enough of those left to get the new barrel sighted in when it gets here!  (which could be soon!)    I'm hoping this new barrel with fit my .45 cr frame or the .223 without any work.  (let's see: If I wish in one hand and ...... )  ha ha.  Glad you are enjoying that gun!  We'll have to shoot each other's next year at Grayling.  I'm looking forward to that already!  (and I promise I won't shoot that AR with the noisy muzzle brake unless I go way over away from everyone else....)  44 Man

[thejanitor]

Pete- Go with 44mans H4350 info!I just shot groups with H4350 and was very impressed.
I started with 47 gr and went up to my top book of 48.5 And the lowest charge shot the tightest My book didn't go as low as his so I started there, but I am going to dig and load some as low as I can find documented and go up to 47 gr and see if the lower ones will even group better, but I am happy with the 47 gr load if thats as good as they get because they grouped better than my 120 gr bullet load I have been shooting. 
 Thanks 44man!  thejanitor

[44 Man]

I took my load info off the Hodgdon web site.....

[Austin from NC]

Nice gun, nice caliber but isn't it more like a jr. 280 than 270. : ) good luck and a light 140gr load shouldn't kick at all but whatever you decide is ok.

       Austin

[petemi]

Thanks everyone for the input.  Brent, per your PM, I measured each case and about a third of them needed trimming.  That's done and they're tumbled.  I think I'll load the 140s for my rifle and order some 120s for her.  I'm probably going to change the scope on her's to a larger variable since she likes to smack small things a long way off.  She'll only be shooting targets and the occasional small varmint around the barn, so she won't need anything like a Partition bullet.

I've got two jugs of H4895, but no H4350.  I'll have to look for it at Tony's next week.

I really don't think the '08 is a junior anything.  It's a fine cartridge in it's own right.  A lot of big elk have been cleanly taken with it at considerable distance.  I don't know if or when I'll use it on deer or larger game, because I have quite a few rifles waiting in line for their turn and so few tags.  I was seriously looking at the proposed Handi 7mm magnum, and in a way I'm glad they didn't come out.  I really don't have a need or desire to own one.  My only experience with them was with a friends .300 Win, and I thought it was more than what's needed in Michigan, not to mention expensive to shoot.

Pete

[thejanitor]

  Austin- you are right about the Jr. thing, but I thought Patty (Petes' wife) has and loves  the .270 as her main meat gitter.... So You are correct, I was just trying to sway her vote as a hunting rifle.
And since I bought the first one "for the kids" I have only hunted with my .270 once.    But we did get a second one for my daughter and it is the smaller lighter version. Hope to have some pics to share this fall.
thejanitor
 
 

[44 Man]

Pete, I agree with you that 'enough gun, is enough'.  In my reading, I've found to my surprise that the 'little' .270, comes in right behind the .300 win Mag as the most popular 'Elk' caliber.  People use what the have (that's why so many deer have been taken over the years with the 30-30) as long as the bullet is matched to the game.  Not knocking the bigger calibers, but my preference is a 'non-magnum' gun for most hunting situations.  I might need one some day, but not yet.  Enjoy that .270 and 7-08!  44 Man

[Austin from NC]

The 7mm-08 will kill anything in north america with ease and will almost match the 280. The 308 case is the best case ever designed. Why choose a magnum when you can get a lighter, handier, just as capable gun that is easier to carry and shoot because of less recoil and is cheaper to shoot. I would trust a 7mm-08 for everything shy of a charging grizzly.

       Austin