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7MM 08

1K views 9 replies 9 participants last post by  m77user 
#1 ·
Anyone have any good load data for the 7mm-08. Wanting to reload some for my son. He shoots a savage axis
 
#3 ·
Their are several in my reloading manuals, i get my data from Nosler, Lyman 49, and Hornady. So if you have a manual it won't be hard to find one. I usually shoot Nosler Partition 140gr bullets for hunting, with Varget powder or IMR 4064, but i can't remember my loads off hand.
 
#4 ·
Matching the bullet weight to the barrel's twist rate may be more important than with the .30 caliber and larger rounds. Increased bullet weight makes the bullet SLIGHTLY longer in .30 caliber, but often it is not enough to alter stability. In a .284" diameter projectile, a modest jump in weight can make the projectile long enough that it needs a higher twist rate to stabilize well.

Consult a chart that matches twist rate to best bullet weight, and work from there.
 
#5 ·
Use to be the Hornday 162 gr a-max was a great bullet for the 7-08 for long range targeting. But they have come out with new bullets as well as their competition. So all that has changed. Hard to say which is best for "your" rifle. The only way to get a good load is to find it yourself. Technique in case managment, bullet sorting, powder type and grain consistency, etc, etc is part of the hobby for "THE" load. The highest bullet ballisitics may not be the best for you. Then again, may be it turns out to be great for yours. Even receiver torque can come into play. The bench rest you use, etc, etc. Here is where a bit of OCD is your friend.
 
#7 ·
It's not a commonly shot nor very long-lived cartridge (though a very worthy one, in my opinion), so the lore of the "classic load" hasn't developed for it, yet. With other cartridges, you can sometimes refer to original loadings (like the .30 cal M2 load for .30-06, or the 42.5/IMR-4895/150gr. FMJBT for .308 Winchester/7.62x51 NATO) and try loads above & below those until you find a "sweet spot" for your particular firearm. I don't think there IS such a "classic load" for the 7mm-08, but perhaps those who shoot and reload for nothing else can advise you better. You might try the various bench-rest websites for initial data, and see what works for them in which rifle with what case length, twist rate, barrel length, moon-phase, etc...
 
#9 ·
Started my son out when he was 14, Benchmark was my final choice in powder. A little less recoil than Win 760. Both powders perform well for me with 139gn SST’s though. H335 was ok.
 
#10 ·
I have 3of them. A Savage Axis, Remington 7 and a Ruger American. The Savage is the most finicky of the 3 and also the most acurrate. The Ruger will digest just about any load but prefers Nosler 140 Accu bonds and the Remington is okay. The Savage prefers IMR 4350 behind Hornady 154s and shoots sub MOA with them. The Ruger likes H 414 the best but does well with IMR 4350 along with several other powders. I have not hunted for the last 2 years as eyes and legs no longer work as well as they once did. My grand children now have the benefit of the use of the 7 08s. Whatever you decide on good luck and make many great memories through the coming years.
 
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