7mm-08 shooters; bullets and weight

[MCG]

There are doubtless many 7mm-08 shooters on this discussion board.  I'm looking to build a 7mm-08 rifle, and will use either sierra matchking or hornady bullets, maybe berger??  I was just wondering, what are the heaviest and lightest 7mm bullets being used, with velocities, for the various targets?  thanks

[jbeckley]

I just finished shooting out a 7-08 barrel, it was a Krieger with a 9 twist. I used Sierra 150 MK for c,p,and t, and a 168 Sierra MK for r.  I have used a 140 Sierra SPBT with a reduced load for c,p,t, and a 168 Berger for rams, also using a reduced load.  Never lost anything with the 140 or the 168 Berger, but I didn't use them  that long.  I personally never have used a 130, but I have spotted for a gentleman that did and they weren't wind friendly.  You will have to ask someone else about the Hornady's.  My .02 worth is that just about everyone used to start shooting with a .308 and then move to a 7-08, some stayed with a 7mm, and the others moved to a 6.5 of some sort, other than the shorter barrel life a 6.5 is hard to beat.  Jim

[Arizona Jake]

I've used Remington 140 gr. PSPCL's for practice and Sierra 140 gr. SPBT's for C, P & T, loaded with 36 grains of Varget to an approximate velocity of 2600 fps for competition. I use the same load in my Hunter class 7-08 rifle.

For Rams, Sierra 168 gr. HPBT Match bullets with a maximum load of of Varget work well in my Tikka, using thinner-walled Winchester brass. Velocity is around 2650 fps. Other shooters use IMR4350 or H4350 for this bullet weight.

I'm sure Jim and others will agree that the Sierra 168 gr. bullet pushed to a muzzle velocity of 2600 fps is as effective as anything on rams.

[yankee]

Current 708 is a Tikka. It likes Sierra MK 130 or 150 for CPT and am shooting 168MK for Rams. It also shoots the 175 MK very well and is a little flatter shooting than the 168.  Velocity in the 2500 to 2600 range is enough to get the job done.

[CB]

Lightest I've tryed: 110 Speers (not good) 130 Speer FB worked incredibly well at 2750fps (nicely priced) 130MK also good at same velocity or shade less, cost little more, little better accuracy, not as solid a hit on pigs. Next up 150MK, while it doesn't have starwars BC it is one accurate bullet, arguably one of THE most accurate in 7mm, launch at 2600-2650 or so and you'll have no excuses for missed turkeys, (Oh well you'll find something ) for Rams it's a tad light and soft, has rung a bunch of em. On up is the 162AMAX, launched at 2500-2550or less it's a ram slammer, speed it up to 2600 or better and your percentage of ringers will go up, though not badly. It's just not worth the extra pounding for inch or so wind drift. In the same class is the 168MK, It seems to be a tad more accurate day to day than the AMAX albeit a tad more wind sensitive, the 2600 figure posted above sounds like a good ram thumper. A plus for the MK is it's ability to shoot well as the barrel throat gets worn at the 3000rds point +or-. I've noticed the Amax groups opening up a bit around that point and the MK's will usually give me a few hundred more rounds of shooting well. 175MK? haven't honestly tryed them on rams, we've shot them at 1000yds and have NO complaints, on rams except on the toughest of ranges,it's more than I can shoot, used the 175GK some time back on a shot out barrel to get through one more match. (the rounded ojives on the Sierra bullets is why they're so easy to shoot, the secant or VLD style front end gives high BC numbers but "finickyness" at times to get them to group), hit rams like a 20# hammer, hit me with a 12. As I really haven't used the 175MK on rams cant' say, do know they're accurate, and sure got the mass. Last few years I've used 162's mostly with some 168's and shot the same load all the way out. WAY simple, even tryed same bullet with reduced velocities for short line, shows promise, but still not as brain friendly as one load all the way out. Don't stress over ram knock down, best way to never ring one----don't hit any!!
 Carroll