Load requests (2) for 7mm-08

[critter44]

I have some grandsons who are of age to begin hunting (deer) I would like some of your favorite loads for the 7mm-08 and deer sized game. I'd also like some 'reduced' loads or 'low recoil' loads to begin breaking in the youngsters to centerfire.

Thanks!

[Graybeard]

It's been far too long ago to remember the specifics of the load but I loaded 100 grain bullets for my wife's 7-08 for her to practice with to keep recoil down for her. Just look in any load manual for loads for such light bullets. You'll need to work them up for your rifle anyway as what I used in hers might not be accurate in yours. Start at the start loads and stop as soon as you get one accurate enough for practice that's what I did.

For hunting you might want to use 120 grain to keep recoil down for them. I just went with factory 140s for my wife and did the sighting in for her and then only let her shoot it enough to verify my sight in worked for her and then she shot it with them only on game and did all practice with her 22LR or the light 100 grain loads.

I think that's a good plan for your situation also.

[critter44]

Thanks for the info. The 100gr ones sound like a good start. I've got all summer to get rigged up. I need a project anyway.

[cwlongshot]

I used to load the Speer in the 7-30 waters for my wife to keep recoil down. Worked well for a couple deer too.

 For a reg load, I LOVE the ezxcellent Hornady 154RN interlock bullet.

CW

[blacknwhite]

I use 120 grain sierra pro hunters and 43 grains of IMR 4895. That's my deer load and it is accurate and kills deer stone dead. Be careful because this is near if not at a MAX load. I would reduce that powder charge to get them used to the rifle.

[BBF]

Every bullet weight from 100 to 175 gr can use H-4895 according to the Hodgdon manual. That powder can be used to download cartridges to 60 % of maximum shown. (The H type, not the IMR type)
i e  45.0 gr max for the 115 gr Speer HP can be safely reduced to 27 gr. without any filler material.That would be a real mild load.

Accuracy isn't all that important when you break in a new shooter. Depending on where you shoot, a metal gong is something most youngster like to hear or a big balloon filed with water. I don't recommend pumpkin or similar since I don't like the idea of wasting food.

[critter44]

Good info folks. Thanks and keep it coming.

[Idaho_Elk_Huntr]

I load the 150 grain Barns TSX with 40.5 grains of Varget, Rem Large rifle primers and WW brass. These loads are for my wife and daughter. My daughter has been shooting this load since she was 8 in a Model 7 Remington and does well with it.. Wife has taken Deer, moose and an elk this year with it.

[PA-Joe]

You can also start with a 139 gr bullet and 36 grains of 4064 powder. Good to 150 yards. Equals a 30-30 load.

[LHitchcox]

The Nosler 120 Ballistic Tip would be a good place to start. They will perform well at reduced velocity (A friend of mine uses them in a 7-30 carbine). The Hodgdon reduced load data will have little recoil and will still be in the realm of 7-30 loads.

Leon

[steve708]

The Hogdon website has reduced loads for starting youth out.

I gave my 11 yr old son an encore rifle in 243 for his first rifle, I loaded it with the min. load of Varget behind a 95 gr. btip.  Very accurate and mild recoil.  I have a 708 bolt action I load it with Varget also, seems like the 308 case family really likes this powder.

Good luck and I commend you for getting kids shooting and hunting!!