Author Topic: reloading the 7mm/08 (Read 863 times)

gerry@fundy.net · « **on:** May 25, 2004, 01:39:10 PM »

I'm just starting to reload for my 7mm/08 and am looking for advice on which powder to use. I have 139 gr. Hornady bullets and would like to use a powder I already have. I have IMR 3031, 4064, 4895, and 4350. I also have H4895. Has anyone experience with any of these powders in 7mm/08?
Gerry

smoky · « **Reply #1 on:** May 25, 2004, 03:35:02 PM »

Varget by Hogdon is a great place to start. I haven't seen any 7-08's that it didn't show good velocity and accuracy in. I load it in my 7-08 ackley improved.

I have also had good luck with Accurate Arms 2520.

Sierra pro hunters shoot well in my 7-08 as well do Nosler Ballistic tips.

Load Safe,

Smoky

smoky · « **Reply #2 on:** May 25, 2004, 03:39:56 PM »

Gerry,

Sorry I didn't read your post all the way through to see that you were asking about specific powders.

I haven't used any of these, but I hunt with two fellows who shoot other 7mm calibers being the 7 x 57 and the .280. The fellow with the 7 x 57 shoots 4895 and the .280 guy shoots 4350. Both of them print good groups with the 139 gr. Hornady bullets. I don't exactly how they will work in your 7-08 but I would certainly try those two powders using the appropriate charges of course.

longwinters · « **Reply #3 on:** May 25, 2004, 04:50:31 PM »

I have just worked up a load with the 139 gn Interbonds for my Encore 24" in 7m-08. 46gn of IMR 4350 works great. But this is at the top of Hornady's loads so start out lower and work up.

long

jhalcott · « **Reply #4 on:** May 25, 2004, 05:25:49 PM »

gerry, I tried those in my rem 788 but got much better results with 748 and 760. maybe it was the 18" barrel.Some powders were faster than 748 or 760 but few were as consistant .None were more accurate than 748.

ricciardelli · « **Reply #5 on:** May 25, 2004, 05:53:55 PM »

http://stevespages.com/284_8_139.html

mcrae555 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 26, 2004, 10:04:08 AM »

Gerry

I use a 7mm-08 for all my big game hunting. I have the Remington Model 700 classic in 7mm-08 and it loves 139 grain Hornadys over a load of IMR 3031. My experience with the 7mm-08 is that it will shoot all the powders listed in my reloading manuals well. I have never really had a bad combination yet. It is allot like the .308 in that it doesn't seem to be all that picky when it comes to powder. I have lots of IMR 3031 so that's what I use.

McRae

De41mag · « **Reply #7 on:** May 29, 2004, 06:33:24 PM »

Gerry;

I think that 3031 and 4064 should do the trick. I've used 4064 out of my Remington and my Ruger with very good results.
Sometimes I play with oddball stuff and found that the Hornady 139gr. Flat point that supposed to be used for the 7-30 Waters works very well.
Both my rifles shoot spire points good if I seat them to almost 2.795" which is .005 shy of the max COL.
Good Luck and keep us posted of your results. :grin:

Dennis

KYODE · « **Reply #8 on:** May 30, 2004, 01:57:34 AM »

i shoot a 15" encore handgun in 7mm-08. i only had to try one powder(after it was recommended to me). H4895 shoots excellent

Tom W. · « **Reply #9 on:** May 30, 2004, 10:25:00 AM »

My son asked me to load up some rounds for him, using 140 gr. Sierra GameKings. I loaded up 5 rounds each of 5 different powders, and had him shoot them for groups. I used all of the IMR powders that you had listed.The best load turned out to be 42 grains of Varget with a CCI 200 primer. He, my oldest grandson, and my daughter -in -law are all shooting cloverleaf groups @100 yards.

gerry@fundy.net · « **Reply #10 on:** June 01, 2004, 12:02:40 AM »

Well guys, someone has recommended at least one of each of my powders. I guess I'll just have to try them all. Thanks for the input.

I just bought this rifle at a gun show and bought on impulse, mainly because of the beautiful custom made stock. I tried it it out with factory loads and am not impressed. When I noticed it didn't eject, I examined the bolt and found no ejector. on examining the receiver (Savage 110, left hand), I found that the bolt was not the right one for that rifle although it works OK and is headspaced properly. The bolt appears to be from an older Savage and the ejector had to be removed in order for the bolt to fit the receiver. I was told it had a Lilja barrel but when removed from stock, I noticed it is a Shaw barrel. It is glass bedded forward of the receiver and not free floated. I am hopeful that glass bedding the receiver and free floating the barrel will help, along with some good reloads. I'll try the reloads first.

Thanks again for the input.
Gerry