7mm08 ideas

Hey folks I've got a good mate of mine who has asked me to reload for him due to factory 7mm08 ammo shortages.


He will supply components etc and I'll do the load development both on the bench and then do the range work to follow up.

So my query is.

What projectile?.

Rifle is a Tikka t3 22" with a dpt and a vx5 3-15x44.

Game: red deer.

Distance: 150-500y

Things that come to mind are: 154gr ssts, 150gr ballistic tips, 150gr Tipped gamekings.

For powder I was going to run IMR 4166. Cases are no worry and for primers I was thinking tried and true federal large rifle.

This rifle isn't a hunting rifle but is a farm rifle so gets used frequently hence he doesn't have the time to reload.

Just thought I'd ask incase I've missed something in my homeworking.

Cheers folks

I think @dannyb had the right idea with the 150 ELD-X. Bullets in that weight range offer a good balance of speed, mass, and BC for the 7mm08.

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Originally Posted by Pommy

I think @dannyb had the right idea with the 150 ELD-X. Bullets in that weight range offer a good balance of speed, mass, and BC for the 7mm08.

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Correct I am running 150gn eldx over 2208 powder, norma brass and federal large rifle primers, I'm only running a 17" barrel but I got great accuracy and consistent velocity.
From memory 2635fps you should do better with a longer barrel but this load carries plenty enough energy out to the distance you state you wish to shoot out to.
I sacked a couple fallow with them a couple weeks back at 300+ yards both bang flops.
From what I've witnessed using the 145gn eldx in multiple 270 cal rifles I expect they will be just as effective on reds, I haven't had the opportunity to shoot any reds yet but I will as soon as we're allowed out again :D

140 NBT

Ive been running the 162gr eld in my 18inch 7mm08 with 41gr 2208 @2530fps for years. Taken fallow and goats from 10meters out to 602meters.

The 120gr BT are also a good choice.

Have since rebarreled to a 7mmCreedWhore ��

If you can get 140nbt definitely that. Bugger all 7mm pills around at the moment but did find a few packs of 140 pro hunter's and 140 gamekings. Probably a better bet as cheaper, great killers and you get 100 to a box

What seems to be consistent among various 7mm08 rifles is the 140BT and 162 ELDM. 2208 powder for both.
Of course hard to get atm.

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I done the same for a couple of guy's in the last couple of weeks both Tikka and 20"
I used 2208 and 150grn eldx both shot very well.
I would have normally used 140 Nosler ballistic tips and 2208 but these were almost impossible to find
I think you will be limited by what bullets that you can find.

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Originally Posted by 25 /08 IMP

I done the same for a couple of guy's in the last couple of weeks both Tikka and 20"
I used 2208 and 150grn eldx both shot very well.
I would have normally used 140 Nosler ballistic tips and 2208 but these were almost impossible to find
I think you will be limited by what bullets that you can find.

Sent from my CPH1903 using Tapatalk

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I too was looking at 140gn nbt's completely unobtainable in the current climate, so far so good with the eldx

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Originally Posted by dannyb

I too was looking at 140gn nbt's completely unobtainable in the current climate, so far so good with the eldx

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Gun works has some but only one per customer


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Just done up a load with rl17 and 162amax, id suggest try find the eldm and crank those out. My rifle is exact replica to what youve described except 17" bbl

162 Eldm or 150 eldx sitting on 2208 or rl17 gets the job done nicely. A few of thoth those projectiles about at moment (be quick) power might be harder to come by.

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Originally Posted by buzzman

Gun works has some but only one per customer


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I'm already committed I have 250+ eldx now that was part of my research when I started load developement I wanted something I had the ability to stock up on

From memory the 7mm 150gn ballistic tip was designed with 7mm Rem Mag velocities in mind.
The 140 will do what you want, providing it groups well enough.

139 sst in norma brass
Large rifle magnum primers
43.5 gr 2206h
2890 fps
18 inch barrel with gunworks suppressor
Remington model 7

You don't have to fuss too much. Its a very forgiving case.

2206, 2208, W760, H414, R17, CFE223 have all worked for me over the years.

120 Sierra, 120 Nosler BT, 130 Speer, 140SST, 140 Nosler BT, 140 Interlock, 140 Berger have all performed pretty much within the same sort of envelope.

I don't have a particular favourite amongst those combos. Have used the 120 Nosler BT the most.

Currently using 140 SST and R17 for a solid 2800 fps from a 18" barrelled A7. Shoots bug holes. Kills 'em good.

I've been using the factory Precision Hunter ammo in mine, red hind at 50m and a couple of fallow at 280m all died. Found projectile in red after it had gone through onside shoulder blade and out ribs on offside, exited bother fallow. I've been building up components and will be loading 150gr ELD-X, ABLR and Sierra game changer, after trying them all I'll pick which ever is best. Because of the lower velocity I feel confident with the relatively soft bullets at all ranges.

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Originally Posted by dannyb

Correct I am running 150gn eldx over 2208 powder, norma brass and federal large rifle primers, I'm only running a 17" barrel but I got great accuracy and consistent velocity.
From memory 2635fps you should do better with a longer barrel but this load carries plenty enough energy out to the distance you state you wish to shoot out to.
I sacked a couple fallow with them a couple weeks back at 300+ yards both bang flops.
From what I've witnessed using the 145gn eldx in multiple 270 cal rifles I expect they will be just as effective on reds, I haven't had the opportunity to shoot any reds yet but I will as soon as we're allowed out again :D

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Those deer didn't move anywhere under their own steam once hit.

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Originally Posted by Happy Jack

Those deer didn't move anywhere under their own steam once hit.

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Gravity certainly moved them :D

140gn BT and 2208 powder. Proven deer killing combo.

Definitely go with the 140gn BT in the Tikkas, powder supply may be problematic, I use a hot load of win760 for 2760FPS out of a 17" barrel

Yeah I've never seen a Tikka that wouldn't shoot the 140grn Nosler ballistic tips well.
2208 will get you 2800fps from a 20"

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I used 140gr nbt with 2209 and 2208 and took animals from 10 to ~500 with them in tikka 708, had a 19" barrel. That combo took a lot of animals

Hey folks cheers for the replies.

I've ended up getting some 154gr sst which will do the job nicely.

I'll also load some 150gr Gamekings as a backup load.

My mate is sorting through brass so may have some federal once fired 7mm08 to trade for Hornady 7mm08 brass if anyone is keen.

As always I appreciate the prompt replies- I try to share my experiences to help others albeit I'm not a experienced reloader.

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Originally Posted by distant stalker

I used 140gr nbt with 2209 and 2208 and took animals from 10 to ~500 with them in tikka 708, had a 19" barrel. That combo took a lot of animals

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Ditto.