Need accuracy loads for 7-08

B

bigdog1

New member
Just got a new Ruger American Compact in 7MM08. This will be primarily for my 12 year old grand daughter's Elk, Deer, and Javelina hunts. Also for my daughter-in-law's deer hunt and soon to be my go to coyote rifle. Need load Ideas for bullet weights from 100g to about 150g. Have installed muzzle break to reduce recoil for the ladies, and have a thread protector for when I use it.

Also would like feedback on the accuracy of the Ruger American. I also have one in 223 Predator model that I haven't gotten to shoot yet.
Thanks in advance
Dave
 
I have been shooting a 7mm-08 since 1984 . I have only recently (5 yrs or so) been reloading for it.
I love the hornady 139 gr. interlock soft points. 3 different rifles love that bullet and varget powder. They all shoot the same load with great accuracy and put the deer and black bear down for good.The only other bullet I have tried was when I wanted to work up a softer load for my son and that was with the sierra 120 prohunter.Same powder charge as the 139 gr.I have tried several different powders imr 4064 imr4895 all with the same results. I picked varget because I use it for 2 other calibers and it made things easy using the same powder.I don't think you could make a bad load for the 708 seems to shoot everything good GOOD LUCK!
 
120 gr sierra pro Hunter over reloader 15. Or a sierra 140gr game king over reloader 15 again. 1/2-3/4" groups in 2 7mm08's I have.
 
I run the 120g nosler HBT hand loaded to 3000 fps for antelope/deer out here. I fail to have a reason for anything heavier. Its darn accurate.
 
Originally Posted By: 5spdI run the 120g nosler HBT hand loaded to 30000 fps for antelope/deer out here. I fail to have a reason for anything heavier. Its darn accurate.

Man! That's a super quick load, there!
 
A BB fun flattens Washington Black Tail Deer. LOL Just Kidding. Thanks for the info, I will try it.

Those Big Muleys on the dry side are another story all together. I got one in the Trinity Wilderness that weighed 282 lbs field dressed.

Dave
 
A buddy of mine is using 120gr nosler Ballistic tips and 140 gr Banes TTSX IN HIS 08, both are super accurate! He uses the BT for deer and the TTSX for Elk and Moose and they drop em in their tracks!!! I don't recall off the top of my head what powders he's using for both bullets.
 
I load for my 12 yo son's 7-08. Him and a buddy both use it. I've settled on 48.5 of H4350 and a 120 TTSX. My son shot a small moose with it last year, and it worked perfect. We tried the 120 Sierra on deer, but 2 bullets failed to pass thru @ 120 yards. We now use those bullets for practice.
 
Originally Posted By: pahntr760Originally Posted By: 5spdI run the 120g nosler HBT hand loaded to 30000 fps for antelope/deer out here. I fail to have a reason for anything heavier. Its darn accurate.

Man! That's a super quick load, there!
I just saw this after all the time its been posted...yea 1 shot & the barrel is burned...hahah
I fixed it.
 
I have been reloading 7-08s for two decades now. Great round.

My old "go to" load used to be a 140gr Partition over 46gr IMR4350. Killed many deer with that load.

I now use 120gr TSXs over 44gr R-15. Faster, recoils less, kills equally well.

Last year the 120TSX penetrated this bucks neck, then broke it's back. 4 holes, bullet still passed through. It was a 105yd off-hand shot. I was walking and he saw me first.

Notice the bullet holes:
32D03183-63FE-4637-83CA-96189D1A1A74-2821-00000414EF92F195_zps7fc4a2e1.jpg

9B9A2687-ECEE-4B1A-B8B6-27D0D3F5037B-2821-00000414D8DF2E30_zpsf79fc864.jpg

40547B32-22C2-41F8-B032-0A865E42C539-2821-000004150A55CB6B_zps4f51de38.jpg
 
I have always had good luck with 120gr nosler Ballistic tips and H4895 and H414, both loads would shoot 1/2in.in my Remington 700.
 
I like the 145 grain Speer BT spritzer with 47 grains of IMR4350. But my favorite is 162 grain Amax with 42.5 Reloder 15. Hornady just don't make them fast enough. Never available anymore.
 


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