Handi 7-08 guestion?

[Deerhunter#1]

As a general rule what is the best bullet weight in this handi caliber? the 120 or 139-40 grain. Thinking of getting one(Should have never sold the one I had I didnt shoot). I know every gun is different but was wandering if it leans one way or another.

[petemi]

I read somewhere recently that Remington designed the 7mm-08 around the 140 gr. bullet.  However, Loading for my wife, I tried 115 gr. Speer hollow points running at 3020 fps.  They turned out to be very accurate with mild recoil.  My deer load is a 140 gr.  I might add, both rifles are super lights.

Pete

[cjrjck]

I just picked up a 7mm08 Handi myself. Have some new brass ordered. I already had a new box of 120 grain Barnes TTSX bullets and a new box of Nosler 140 grain Partition bullets (I own a nice little Rem Model 7 SS in 708). I am leaning toward the Barnes bullets. I like them, no secret, and I can get 2900 fps with mild handloads. One suggestion I have made before is that the 308 based Handi chamberings often have generous (long throats) and I find that seating bullets just shy of the lands (sometimes way out there), makes a big difference in accuracy. Typically half the size of factory loads. Not always. Like you said, each rifle is unique.

[quickdtoo]

I've shot a few loads in my 7mm-08 Superlight, 139gr Hornady BTSP, 140gr TTSX and 140gr NP, the NP shot the worst of the bunch, just under an inch at 100yds, no pic of the target, 2790fps with 46.5gr Big Game.

Tim

[quickdtoo]

As to the long throats, I had no problems reaching the lands with lighter bullets in my other 7mm-08 barrel, I shot 130gr Speers loaded just off the lands at 2.750", and 120gr TSX .050" off the lands which is their recommendation, I have some 120gr NBTs for the overbore 270AI, but never tried em in the 7mm-08, I'll check it for ya tho.

Tim

EDIT: The 120gr NBT is into the lands at 2.863" in the Superlight barrel. 

[necchi]

I've had the best luck with 120's in mine.
Actually the Barnes TTSX 120 with a long jump an 4895 is sub moa at 200 off a bench.
Nosler 120BT a close second but group 4"s higher.

[thejanitor]

we have 3 7-08 handis and I had less luck with 139 gr than 120gr but I always tried to push them fast... the 120 recipe is quite slow but all 3 rifles shoot the 120 gr at just over 3/4 inch groups at 100yds. So I am the most happy with that accuracy over the push for speed. Just my findings.   thejanitor

[44 Man]

Pete, you have me jealous again over your superlites!  In my 7-08 I run 120 Ballistic Tips and 150 Rem corelock.  No reason, that's just what I ran into on sale so that's what I've loaded.  The gun likes them both and straingly enough, shoots them both to the same point of aim.  The 120's are loaded with a starting load and the 150's with a full load of H4350.  The 120's are very pleasant to shoot, but I need to get some Sierra 120 Pro Hunters bullets to bring the cost down.  I would use the BT's on whitetail deer any day, and the 150's for anything heavier.  44 Man