Looking for good deer/pig bullet for 7mm-08

[Questor]

Hello:

My son is getting his first bolt action big game rifle soon and it'll be in 7mm-08. Game is whitetail and feral hogs under about 200#. Can you recommend a good bullet and powder that'll give us a good place to start?

Thanks.

[Graybeard]

We've been using the 7-08 since shortly after it came out. To be honest I've yet to find a reload that worked as well as much less better than factory ammo and I've tried. W760 gave me the best performance both accuracy and velocity wise of those I've tried but Varget is a close second and might be an even better choice as it's not temperature sensitive and W760 most certainly is.

As to bullets we've used more Remington 140 Core-locts than all others combined I guess. With them we've shot about every thing from feral cats/dogs to deer to hogs to exotics. They work perfectly in the 7-08. We've used more Remington factory loads than any other I guess and that is still what Faye takes with her to the field in her old Rem 7 that I got back in the early '80s. I used it first then our oldest son and now the stock is shortened and it is her go to bolt gun.

My current favorite 7-08 load tho is the Hornady Light Magnum with the 139 BTSP not the SST bullet. It generally shoots sub MOA in all guns I've heard of, gets you a bit more velocity and that bullet is just as good as the RP 140. If you want a tougher bullet go with the Nosler PT in either 140 or 150 grain weight. I personally have no need for any other than those for use in 7-08 and I've now had over 25 years use of it behind me.

[beemanbeme]

42grs H4895 140gr Rem Core Lokt. (I didn't know they made store bought ammo for the 7-08  )
I don't know what range you're shooting at but since moving to Wild and Wonderful West Virginia, I've  shot a couple of deer (hundred pound variety) with the Hornady 154gr Round Nosed bullet. It will flat tump a deer over and should be point blank out to 250 yards or so.

[steve4102]

140gr Nosler Partition seconds, Ramshot BigGame, Varget, R-15.
160gr Nosler Partition seconds, Ramshot BigGame

[cwlongshot]

Like Beeman, my favorite is the Hornady 154 RN bullet. Only I load it with IMR 4064 powder.

I have used it since late 1984 when I bought my Ruger 77 in 7mm-08. My brother has it now and is still shooting the same loads I loaded more than 10 years ago for it. Never more than a wiggle from anything he shoots with it.

I have tried it at the higher velocities of the 280 with very good results as well!!

 CW

[John R.]

I've been shooting the 7mm/08 for 23 years now, and have shot just about every weight bullet they make. I keep coming back to the 140 gr. Right now I'm playing with a 120 gr. Barnes Triple Shok. I'll let you know how they work out.

[Questor]

Sorry about the false alarm! I ended up getting a 308 instead because the rifle we wanted wasn't available in 7-08. That's the problem with being left handed-- less selection. In any case, thanks for the info.