Author Topic: 7mm08 (Read 3355 times)

jdl41389 · « **on:** February 15, 2014, 10:30:35 PM »

Just bought my son a handi in7mm08 thought ammo would be readily available but not so only that I have found locally was 55.00 with tax. I can't even find any brass for reloading.what gives I canine just about anything else even some of the more odd stuff
Like 30/40 and 6.5 grendel and many others just not 7mm08.

JDL

jeepmann1948 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 15, 2014, 11:12:11 PM »

7-08 brass is very easily formed from 308 brass one pass thru the full length resizing die and its done !Lots of 308 brass out there as well.
If the headstamp is an issue jut color the head with a marker .If using plastic tip bullets they are different colors anyway.
George

jdl41389 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 15, 2014, 11:47:28 PM »

Yeah George I read that somewhere but wanted to hear it from someone I had some confidence in.Will243 brass work as well
I'have some on hand.

Thanks JDL

wtroger · « **Reply #3 on:** February 15, 2014, 11:50:07 PM »

Powder valley has some it is Nosler and runs a $1.00 a piece. They do have priv-partizan ammo in stock 140 gr sp for $17.00 a box

cwlongshot · « **Reply #4 on:** February 15, 2014, 11:59:39 PM »

George is of coarse correct, brass for the 7/08 is easily made form ANY 308 class case.

Personally I prefer to use MILITARY brass. It lacks the caliber designation and s usually superior to commercial brass. Especially if you look for older LC Match brass.

CW

mechanic · « **Reply #5 on:** February 16, 2014, 12:12:19 AM »

The problem is not brass, as you can use the ones suggested without issue. I'm having trouble finding projectiles. I can find heavier bullets, but lighter ones seem to have dried up.

Ben

jeepmann1948 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 16, 2014, 12:16:53 AM »

Midway shows to have some in stock:
http://www.midwayusa.com/find?sortby=1&itemsperpage=24&newcategorydimensionid=20646&statuses=In%20Stock&statuses=Available&statuses=Closeout%20Special&searchscope=
George

cjrjck · « **Reply #7 on:** February 16, 2014, 01:03:57 AM »

I've used .243 and .308 brass to make 7mm08 brass. Both work but there are some potential minor problems. Sometimes the necks are a bit short when necking down from .308. You really won't notice it if you use all necked down brass. Sometimes the necks get a bit thick and require turning. You will notice that because they become hard to chamber.

Some bullet options:

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/9-3401
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/8-SPEER-1629
http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/sportsmans/Nosler-284cal-120gr-Ballistic-Tip-Reloading-Bullets-/productDetail/Bullets/prod9999007051/cat100138?avad=55963_c602a7e7

cwlongshot · « **Reply #8 on:** February 16, 2014, 02:01:34 AM »

Quote from: mechanic on February 16, 2014, 12:12:19 AM

The problem is not brass, as you can use the ones suggested without issue. I'm having trouble finding projectiles. I can find heavier bullets, but lighter ones seem to have dried up.

Ben

What do you need Ben?

PM me

CW

jdl41389 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 16, 2014, 03:25:05 AM »

I tried running both 243and 7mm08 thru a set of Lee 7mm08 dies and I found that the 243 cases came out. Better.The 308 brass all had little bulge right bottom of the neck right at top of the tapper.I don't know if this will chamber or not.the 243 brass looks perfect.
As far as projectiles go bass pro in Spanish fort ALhad plenty in 7mm even had some Remington accu tip on clearance wish I would of bought more they were only 14.95 for 100.

JDL

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #10 on:** February 16, 2014, 05:56:17 AM »

That little bulge shouldn't hurt if they will chamber okay. The first firing will clean it right up. Sounds like your good to go with the .243s tho.

44 Man · « **Reply #11 on:** February 16, 2014, 08:16:38 PM »

Most of what I shoot in 7-08 is with re-formed Fed 308 brass. I was having the same problem after my old 7-08 Rem brass started splitting the necks. I found 3 boxes of 308 at the range someone had left and made my 7-08 from that. Yes, a little bulge at the neck until the first firing, but that took care of that. After I spilled powder all over, I realized that the Fed cases had less capacity than the Rem 7-08 I had been using. But that was an easy correction using H4350 powder. Since that powder requires compressed loads at max loads, it was easy to develop a nice load with the powder just to the base of the neck. I thought about .243 brass (of which I had a good quantity of scrounged once fired) but I have a friend who shoots .243 so I donated that to him rather than converting that. I do have my eyes out for another 50 or so of the Fed 308, but I'm pretty good to go. I'm ok with having about 100 rounds available at any time for this caliber. I dearly love my 7-08 superlite Handi! One of my favorite right after my 30-30 Topper. 44 Man

hoytcanon · « **Reply #12 on:** February 17, 2014, 01:29:35 PM »

Lots of local brass and bullets North of the border... I have three 7mm-08 Handi's and they get a regular work-out.

Swampman · « **Reply #13 on:** February 17, 2014, 09:21:15 PM »

Those odd cartridges can be hard to find and expensive to shoot.

VT30-30 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 17, 2014, 09:56:20 PM »

I guess their must be a lot of odd cartridges today. In the gun store I work in their is no 243 Win, 22-250, 270 and of course
22 LR & 22 Mag. And that's just a small list. Yup lots of odd ones!

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #15 on:** February 18, 2014, 03:16:50 AM »

7mm08 around here isn't an odd cartridge. And they cost the same as .243 or .308, I don't see what is odd about it.

Quote from: Swampman on February 17, 2014, 09:21:15 PM

Those odd cartridges can be hard to find and expensive to shoot.

twentynine · « **Reply #16 on:** February 18, 2014, 05:25:14 AM »

Plenty of 7mm-08 here, Remington core locks, PPU 140gr psp.

Just got one myself, weatherby vanguard 2, 3-9x50mm scope. I used PPU to break in and zero the scope, shoots good, 1-1/2 groups at 100 yards with no messing around. Sure it could have done better with a little more time and effort on my part. My gun will be used for deer hunting, 1-1/2 groups, 2-1/2" high at 100 yards is the ticket.

I think PPU cost me $16.95 a box.

Looked some up online found PPU for $16.50 + shipping. Done a estimate on shipping and handling, total to my door is $26.50. Good ammo, and a source for brass.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #17 on:** February 18, 2014, 05:37:44 AM »

Same here, the local Bimart and SW both have it in stock, lots available online as well.

Tim

http://ammoseek.com/ammo/7mm-08-remington

Swampman · « **Reply #18 on:** February 18, 2014, 07:57:15 AM »

Quote from: Badnews Bob on February 18, 2014, 03:16:50 AM

7mm08 around here isn't an odd cartridge. And they cost the same as .243 or .308, I don't see what is odd about it.

Quote from: Swampman on February 17, 2014, 09:21:15 PM
Those odd cartridges can be hard to find and expensive to shoot.

.30-06, .243, .308, and .30-30 are usually less than $20.00 a box. If you can find 7mm-08 (not easy) it's usually close to $30.00. That's why I sold my 7mm-08s.

cudatruck · « **Reply #19 on:** February 18, 2014, 08:29:52 AM »

Watch that ppu brass. we had problems with it in 7.62x54r with loose primer pockets after just one re load at medium loadings.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #20 on:** February 18, 2014, 08:47:12 AM »

I would sure like to know where you are buying ammo that cheap at Swampy Cuz ya ain't doing it within 150 miles of where I live, And every where I've looked 7mm08 cost the same as any other common caliber.

Swampman · « **Reply #21 on:** February 18, 2014, 08:52:02 AM »

I've never seen 7mm-08 for less than 30% more than normal cartridges. Most big box stores have common caliber centerfire rifle ammo for less than $20.00 a box.

twentynine · « **Reply #22 on:** February 18, 2014, 10:08:43 AM »

I live in Gonzales, Louisiana we have a local Cabelas outfitters store, PPU right off the shelf $16.95. Remington Corelock was $27 or $28. Plenty on hand, 5 or 6 boxes of PPU, 10 or so boxes of Remington. They might have had some Federal but I don't remember the details.

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #23 on:** February 18, 2014, 10:12:05 PM »

Quote from: Swampman on February 18, 2014, 07:57:15 AM

Quote from: Badnews Bob on February 18, 2014, 03:16:50 AM
7mm08 around here isn't an odd cartridge. And they cost the same as .243 or .308, I don't see what is odd about it.

Quote from: Swampman on February 17, 2014, 09:21:15 PM
Those odd cartridges can be hard to find and expensive to shoot.

.30-06, .243, .308, and .30-30 are usually less than $20.00 a box. If you can find 7mm-08 (not easy) it's usually close to $30.00. That's why I sold my 7mm-08s.

I run the gun counter at our store, the only ammo on the shelf priced at $20.00 a box on the shelf is 30-30 and some Magtec 308, 50 rd boxes of 150gr FMJ's are $42.00. OUR cost on 243, 7mm-08, 30-06, 270 act is over $20.00, sometimes way over for premium bullet ammo. When hunting season hit, 243's, 30-30's, 308's, 22-250's and 7mm-08's were the ones we ran out of. Still have no 243, 7mm-08 and just got in 22-250 ammo. 7mm-08 is popular for hunting, as it should be. DP

petemi · « **Reply #24 on:** February 18, 2014, 11:35:46 PM »

Don, it wasn't too long ago .30-30 was ten, eleven bucks a box. What's happening today is exactly why everyone should reload. I guess my question is if I can reload .356 or .358 for example for lets say 15 to 20 bucks a box. Okay, premium bulltets maybe 25 bucks.....Why are they 55 bucks a box of 20? Are they trying to tell me the ammo manufacturers can't make ammo cheaper than I can???

I see it as just another engineered shortage. They do it with gasoline, propane, etc. Why not ammo?

Pete

jdl41389 · « **Reply #25 on:** February 19, 2014, 02:12:36 AM »

Pete I agree that's why I took yours Anne others on ts site and started reloading .But still can't find 7mm08 ammo or brass locally except the premium loaded stuff at. 55$ per box.guess I just wait until some comes available.I did make some out of 243 brass just so son could shoot his new handi and it shoots real well except cases ocasionly stick so I am going to polish chamber and see if that don't fix it .

JDL

Swampman · « **Reply #26 on:** February 19, 2014, 09:23:38 AM »

That's why I never buy ammo in a gun store. Walmart, Dunham's, Academy, Bass Pro, Dick's Sporting Goods, etc. all have normal centerfire ammo for less than $20.00 a box. That includes Winchester, Remington, and Federal. Frequently right before hunting season it's $14.95 a box. They never discount 7mm-08.

twentynine · « **Reply #27 on:** February 19, 2014, 08:44:37 PM »

One more quick google search reveals PPU available at $16.50, 140grn psp, American whitetail by hornaday for 22.95 139grn. Couple others under $30.

The only thing I have purchased in the last 3 year that was priced under $20, was some 30-30 150grn corelocks.

7mm-08 is available, the price and availability is comparable to other rifle calibers. Whether it is walk in or catalog order, I don't see the price inflated by 30% on 7mm-08. The variety of ammunition may not be as wide a selection as 30-30 or 30-06, but several different rounds are available.

If you think 7mm-08 is price inflated, for Goodness sakes don't look at the prices of 35 Whelen ammunition. 35 Whelen ammunition cost 2.5 times what 7mm-08 cost. And thats for plain jane 250 or 200 grn Remington core locks. Don't even look at the 180 grn Barnes.

I do not reload, I have no reloading equipment. My ammunition is always bought over the counter. I'll make an offer, I'll save my 7mm-08 brass and send it to some one.

Swampman · « **Reply #28 on:** February 19, 2014, 09:20:38 PM »

For the same reason I don't shoot those odd calibers either.

the_spotdoctor · « **Reply #29 on:** February 19, 2014, 09:34:57 PM »

Quote from: Swampman on February 17, 2014, 09:21:15 PM

Those odd cartridges can be hard to find and expensive to shoot.

Lack of knowledge and misinformed maybe.