7mm-08 powder

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thefoxandthe.243

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What powder are people using for 7mm-08? I’m going to be loading 139gr hornady sst and was thinking of using viht n540?
I load .243 for foxes with 58gr hornady vmax with n140 powder and although I could use the n140 for 7mm-08 too, I see n540 propels them faster and I could also use the n540 to load the .243 once I use what n140 I have.
TIA
 
I use 140 behind 139 bullets in 708. 140 shoots very well but I belive its probably slightly too fast, you'll do better with 150. A look through vihts data will show greater velocity potential and a fuller case (less empty space) with 150, which is what we strive for.
End of the day it's what's available these days!
I try and stay away from the double base powders (540) they show great velocitys but will harder on your rifle.
 
I had a 7mm-08 on order for ages before Tikka changed the Super-varmint format, had al the dies etc and was going to use RL15.
 
JTO said:
I had a 7mm-08 on order for ages before Tikka changed the Super-varmint format, had al the dies etc and was going to use RL15.







I wanted a sako 85 in stainless with either a laminate stock or synthetic with a 22 or 24 inch barrel, apparently sako have stopped taking orders on the 85. Obviously the 7mm08 isn't very common at all and I shoot left handed which makes it harder to get one.
I ended up buying a .22-250 sako 85 hunter which is being rebarrelled at the moment in 7mm-08. Not my first choice but I'm getting it cerakoted too and will be on the lookout for a different stock
Click to expand...
 
Reloader708 said:
I use 140 behind 139 bullets in 708. 140 shoots very well but I belive its probably slightly too fast, you'll do better with 150. A look through vihts data will show greater velocity potential and a fuller case (less empty space) with 150, which is what we strive for.
End of the day it's what's available these days!
I try and stay away from the double base powders (540) they show great velocitys but will harder on your rifle.
Click to expand...

I don't pay much attention to Double VS single based. Post Number 7 is very interesting.
www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

RS 62 vs RS60

I’ve recently run up some loads with RS62 and still not quite at the velocities I was trying to hit (around 2850fps) for a 6.5CM with 24” barrel. I’m loading 123gr fox copper, and 120gr and 140gr Sierra SP’s. the 120’s and 140’s of can load up a little more as there is room however the fox...
www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk
~Muir
 
I've always used 120 Gr Nosler B/Tips in 7-08 and used both RL15 and Varget to build accurate loads. When my Varget runs out I will switch back to RL15 and check loads with latest powder lots to ensure consistent results. When the Noslers run out - 100 plus to go, then I have Yewtree 124 Gr waiting in the wings!
 
Used to use n140 with 139gn Hornady, Nosler, etc in 7mm-08 to fairly good and consistent results, although I felt I couldn’t quite acheive the velocity I was looking for.
Tried Varget with 120gn, again with good results but was getting a lot of damage. Went back to 139gn using Sst’s which I was getting the velocity, but again with a lot of damage.
Tried reloaded 17, but again wasn’t overly enamoured with the result. Was going to try reloader 15, but got some Rs52 which is now my go to powder with 130gn Fox Classic Hunter lead free bullets. I’m seeing good velocity ( actually easily achieved in excess of 3000fps with no signs of pressure) along with good accuracy and good terminal effects.
was going to try some more load development with this, but I’m hanging onto the br2 primers I’ve got, as they’re a bit like hens teeth to try and find at the moment.
My advice would be to try and find some Rs52 if you can, otherwise stick with n140 or n540 if you prefer.
If you’re careful in keeping the barrel cool whilst doing your load development, Using double base powders in normal staking conditions is never going to be an issue.
 
When mentioning velocities you really need to consider barrel lengths. It makes a huge difference.

My 19.5” 7-08 is only getting 2720fps with 140gr nosler BT. I’ve got quite a few deer with it. I’ve not been hindered by the low velocities. Bullet performance has been adequate as our @Ronin likes to term things that do what they should.

I’ve been using varget and will probably move onto N150 as I didn’t like the feel of N140 when I tried it. The recoil was too snappy.
 
Hi Scotch_egg,
Know what you mean as regards N140. I was shooting it out of a 21 3/4” barrel at the time and using soft points, found a couple of hits on Roe, which just pencil holed, without much expansion at all. This was in cold weather though. When I tried to push them a bit harder I started getting a few signs of pressure, so looked for alternative powders/ bullets.
 
I would go to the various powder manufacturers own websites and look at their data for the 7-08.

This data will have been pretty carefully researched and corroborated using proper testing etc.

Then cross referencing this with the bullet manufacturers to cross check.

This will give you a pretty good idea of what works.

Use these as basis for min and max loads and work up from there.

Note that choice of other components, in particular case can make quite a difference.

Most views from SD members will be based on the above types of source data. Not that their data and advice is wrong, but I would go to trusted manufacturers data first.

But at the end of data what’s available often dictates what you end up using.
 
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