7mm-08 Bullets...

[BCB]

I know there are bullets from 100 grains to 175 grains for the .284/7mm calibers, but I am wondering what this cartridge was designed for?

I am looking for what the best bullet weight might be NOT the best bullet company!

I guess I am asking, "If I could only have one weight bullet for the 7mm-08 for white-tailed deer, what would that weight bullet be?"

Thanks...BCB

[Graybeard]

I've used the 139/140 grain weight almost exclusively in the many I own/have owned over the years. I think the 139-150 weight range is likely ideal for it. Doubt I'd go over 160 with it personally or lighter than 120 for any hunting use on big game.

Most of my on game use has come with either the Remington factory load with 140 core loct or Hornady light magnum with the 139 BTSP. Both work beautifully on deer. Most of my reloading has been with the Hornady bullet as well but I've loaded bullets by Nosler both BT and PT in the 140 grain weight. No matter what bullet I chose it still seems to be around 140 grains in weight.

[steve4102]

  140gr!  However, I also like the 160gr. 

[AtlLaw]

Actually I think you have 3 questions in there.     I don't believe you are asking the same question 3 ways... let's see:

.284/7mm calibers, but I am wondering what this cartridge was designed for?

Some cartridges were designed with a specific weight bullet in mind. Like the 175 gr. for the 7x57.  Hence the fast standard twist.  But I don't believe that's a hard and fast rule.

I am looking for what the best bullet weight might be

The "best" bullet weight depends on a lot of things; intended use being the most important in my NSHO.   

If I could only have one weight bullet for the 7mm-08 for white-tailed deer, what would that weight bullet be?

AH HA!  Okay, Now I can pontificate!     I could just say "what Bill said" but I like to explain my reasoning.   

Long long ago, for reasons long forgotten, I decided to select my bullet weight based on sectional density (SD).  I also decided that my base SD would be .250.  The smaller the game the lighter I could go, the bigger the game the heavier I would go.  Remember, this was in the days before wonder bullets and I wanted (still do) penetration!  Also remember we are told that many of the old cartridges made their reputations with heavy, read high SD, bullets: the 7x57 with 175 gr. - .310, the 375 H&H with 300 gr. - .305 and so on.

Using that reasoning we find that the 140 gr with a SD of .248 should be, and is, my preferred bullet weight.  If I wanted some more velocity I would use a bullet weighing 120 gr. (SD .213) for deer without to much reservation.  Conversely, my dedicated, always bring along no matter what the game hunted, back up rifle is a 7/08 loaded with the now discontinued Nosler 160 gr solid base bullet with a SD of .283.

As a comparison, consider the 30 caliber.  150 gr. SD = .226;  165 gr. SD = .248; and 200 gr. SD = .301.  In my 30/06 my "standard" bullet weight is 165 gr.  For our WT's I don't hesitate to use 150's.  If I were to use it for Moose I would go to the 180; or more then likely the 200 in my 300 WM.  Actually I'd use my 338/06 or 35 Whelen, but that's another story!   

[Dave in WV]

It seems the 139/140gr bullets are the standard (most common) in factory ammo. A standard cup and core type bullet weighing 140gr works well on deer.

[GameHauler]

Actually I think you have 3 questions in there.     I don't believe you are asking the same question 3 ways... let's see:

.284/7mm calibers, but I am wondering what this cartridge was designed for?

Some cartridges were designed with a specific weight bullet in mind. Like the 175 gr. for the 7x57.  Hence the fast standard twist.  But I don't believe that's a hard and fast rule.

I am looking for what the best bullet weight might be

The "best" bullet weight depends on a lot of things; intended use being the most important in my NSHO.   

If I could only have one weight bullet for the 7mm-08 for white-tailed deer, what would that weight bullet be?

AH HA!  Okay, Now I can pontificate!     I could just say "what Bill said" but I like to explain my reasoning.   

Long long ago, for reasons long forgotten, I decided to select my bullet weight based on sectional density (SD).  I also decided that my base SD would be .250.  The smaller the game the lighter I could go, the bigger the game the heavier I would go.  Remember, this was in the days before wonder bullets and I wanted (still do) penetration!  Also remember we are told that many of the old cartridges made their reputations with heavy, read high SD, bullets: the 7x57 with 175 gr. - .310, the 375 H&H with 300 gr. - .305 and so on.

Using that reasoning we find that the 140 gr with a SD of .248 should be, and is, my preferred bullet weight.  If I wanted some more velocity I would use a bullet weighing 120 gr. (SD .213) for deer without to much reservation.  Conversely, my dedicated, always bring along no matter what the game hunted, back up rifle is a 7/08 loaded with the now discontinued Nosler 160 gr solid base bullet with a SD of .283.

As a comparison, consider the 30 caliber.  150 gr. SD = .226;  165 gr. SD = .248; and 200 gr. SD = .301.  In my 30/06 my "standard" bullet weight is 165 gr.  For our WT's I don't hesitate to use 150's.  If I were to use it for Moose I would go to the 180; or more then likely the 200 in my 300 WM.  Actually I'd use my 338/06 or 35 Whelen, but that's another story!   

And the answer to the question was
I want to hear about the 35 Whelen
You may want to find another brand of glue for your Gluelets
I think the fumes are getting to you 
Mike

[longwinters]

Well, I've had 3 different 7m-08s of 3 different manufacturers.  All 3 loved multiple weight bullets...ie were very easy to load for.  Excellent accuracy with 120s, 139/140s and 160s.  Never did much with 150s...don't know why.

But like everyone else has said the 140 gn bullet rules in the 7m-08.  It gives it, IMO, the best over all advantages in accuracy, penetration, velocity and recoil.

Long

[AtlLaw]

And the answer to the question was

Question?  what question??   

Oh yah, what longwinters said!     

[jhalcott]

 SHEESH! I've got the 7TC/U, 7BR, 7IHMSA.&-08 AND .280 Remington to feed. I just got 400 139 hornady sp's for them. HOW am I going to add ONE grain to each of them to make a better bullet? Actually the 139/140 grain bullet does extremely well on white tails from Maryland to Maine in MY experience. I've used 120's for groundhogs and small deer(crop raiders) & 145 and 154's for deer/bear hunting. For Silly wets the standard load was a 150 at about 2250 fps (15" barrel) that also worked on deer. HMMM! still seems like a 139/140 would do anything you'd NEED a 7-08 to do!
  BTW Merry CHRISTmas!

[Tom W.]

Dunno what the hell AtlLaw said, but the 140 grain bullets seem to be the best for whitetail...

[John R.]

I've shot deer with bullet weights from 120 grs. to 150 grs. In my opinion the 140 gr. is perfect for the 7mm/08. My present set-up is a 140 gr. Accubond with Varget.

[cwlongshot]

I have had the 7mm-08 since it came out in 1984 in a Ruger 77. (Its gone now  )  I have shot many many different handloaded bullets and one factory load. The 140Cor-Lokt Remington, is a good load. Handloaded, the 140 Solid Base Nosler, (no longer avail) the 140 BT Nosler, the 130 Speer, the 175 Hornady RN and the 154 Hornady RN. For deer and bear how I hunt the 154 RN has proven to be my favorite by far. I do admit to a strong affinity to RN bullets.

 There is no real down side to the RN inside 300 yards and it mushrooms well yet now that its a interlok design, it holds together very well to-boot.

CW

[mountainview]

BCB,
Like many in the above posts, 139 or 140 grain is what I've settled on (good to excellent accuracy using different powders) in my rifle and found it to work very nicely on whitetails.

[BBF]

Rems. original and only load was a 140 gr PSP. That should give you an idea what the bullet weight and intended game type was.

[jhalcott]

 I pulled a half dozen factory 140 bullets when the cartridge was new. Those bullets were 139 grains and LOOKED a lot like the Hornady bullet.

[Graybeard]

I pulled a half dozen factory 140 bullets when the cartridge was new. Those bullets were 139 grains and LOOKED a lot like the Hornady bullet.

I never pulled one but they do offer bulk 7mm 140 grain CL-PSP bullets so I can't imagine they buy too many from Hornady to load in it. That's not to say it never happened tho. I've always suspected their plastic tipped bullets are really made by Hornady for them. So who knows how many others they might get from Hornady as well.

I do know for sure those Remington 140 factory loads work and work well and get darn near the same velocity as the Hornady Light Mag ammo I now use. They've sure never let me down and my second best whitetail buck ever was taken with one at close to 200 yards from an original Rem Model Seven with the short 18.5" barrel.

[AtlLaw]

I've always suspected their plastic tipped bullets are really made by Hornady for them. So who knows how many others they might get from Hornady as well.

Funny,    I've always thought that the Rem 35 cal. 200 gr. PSPCL  looked an awful lot like the same cal/wt bullet put out by Hornady.

[Steve P]

I think the consensus is @140 grain bullets for the 7-08.  My vote is here also.  I will not go heavier than a 150.  I have 7mm mag and big 30s to do that.  I want 7-08 for light recoil but just a little more power than the .243.

Several comments on who is loading whose bullets in the few prior posts.  I walked thru an ammunition factory last summer and saw Hornady, Remington, CCI, and Federal being loaded within a few feet of each other.  Lots of horse trading in the ammunition business.

It does seem funny why it doesn't always shoot the same.......   (different brand / different recipe)

Good shooting!  Enjoy that 7-08.

Steve

[BCB]

Thanks to all who replied...

My thoughts were at the 139/140 grain range also.  I did have a friend many years ago while I was in college and I believe we got his to shoot well with the Hornady 139's--But that was a long, long time ago.  He had a Model 7 Remington...

Thanks again...BCB