Thread: Kimber 16in 7mm08 loads

Hi

Just got this rifle to try out. I’ve mounted a Weaver 4.75x40 and sighted in yesterday.

I know there are lots of bushpig posts but I need some factory advice as well as hand loads.

I tried out some Hornady Whitetail 139s yesterday and they were clocking 2430fps. This is a loss of 50fps from the factory indicated velocity in 24in barrel. I was expecting at least 2550. My theory was I’m using the same bullet in my 284 handloads but I’m not happy with the velocity in the 7mm08. I was hoping to maintain 1000ft/lbs to 400yards and this won’t crack it. Accuracy was ok.

In order to get consistent cases for reloading I was thinking about trying Factory Superformance 139SSTs next. Has anyone chronographed these in a 16inch barrel for comparison??

Next question is Powder for reloading. I have 120 Ballistic Tips and was thinking CFE223 or 2206. I also have RE16 from the 284 I can use but not sure if this is so good in the short barrel. The RE16 is quite bulky and mag length pretty short

The Kimber is brilliant - super light with the DPT can and then trigger is excellent.

Rel16 I think you run out of space in the 7mm08. My 7mm08 kimber in full length so not much help. Most factory ammo runs slower that the box says. Usually in the 50 to 100fps slower range.

A friend uses win760

I'm running in my 20 inch Kimber 7mm-08 the following

41 gr AR2206H behind a 120 gr Sierra in Privi Partisan cases, Federal large rifle primer... goes very well but that load hasn't been through the chronograph yet.

Sorry to clarify for the Hornady Whitetail ammo I meant losing 50fps PER INCH vs factory 24inch velocity. I was expecting more like 30fps per inch in the 7mm08. Hopefully the Superformance Powder is more efficient in the factory SSTs and the 16inch velocity will be over 2600fps

CFE 223 will give you the best velocity. 2206H just more temp stable. Try both and go with what gives best accuracy. Personally I don't subscribe to the 1000 ft/lb theory but use 2000fps impact velocity instead. This was a figure I got from a Sierra bullet tech and relates to there gameking and prohunter bullets. Funnily enough it equates to 1000ft/lbs or more for bullets 120gr and over.

Cfe and 120nbt will be lethal but 2206h and 120barnes ttsx should get you 2900ish so plenty out to 400

Sauer 100 16in 7mm08 44gn 2206h and 120nbt have been getting me 2900,(shoots a inch, does the damage)

managed to push that sst upto 2720 before preasure at 44.5 gn 2206h(most acuuate in my rifle)

150 eldx 2600 at 43.2 gn 2206 (terrible groups)

Been using 145 speer spbt at 2500 for fellow with good results,

Im going to try 2209 soon to test the theory that fast powder arnt necessary in a short barrel when i get round to it.

I was really hung up on muzzle volocity and 1000ftp when i first started with the short barrel but have decided that it is 300m rifle and made piece with it.😁

Good luck

Im going to try 2209 soon to test the theory that fast powder arnt necessary in a short barrel when i get round to it.

I'm going to do the same, looking at reloading tables 2209 gives the best velocity from 130Gr to 145Gr in a 24in barrel (out of the ADI powders).
I've done a bit of research, even down to which primers to use. I just need to test the theory.
I'll make a new post when I have finished but my barrel is 20 Inch so my not be too relevant.

I'll be following this as I was going to start a similar thread.

I'll be running the 160gr TMKs out of a model 7 with a 16" barrel and unsure as to which powder to use? Benchmark 8208 of 2206h?

2206h or 2208. Wouldn't bother with 2209 in such a short barrel in that cal. You could try it and see though

I did manage to get some 2208 after we spoke, i will get around to that as well.

So has anyone here put a chrony over Factory Hornady Superperformance 139SST ammo in a 16inch barrel??

I tried a few factory loads

Fed blue box 150s went 2350 wahwahh

Remington corelock
Went 2500

Superformance 139 went 2650

Thanks Muka88. That’s exactly what I was looking for. Based on that I’ll try the Super performance Factory for accuracy and then move onto handloads with some good suggestions above.