Thread: Kimber 7mm08 and 120 BTs

I tried out the Cortina method and the Kimber has 74.8mm OAL to the lands.....but the mag is only 71.5mm. I’m surprised at the huge jump but even if I load one longer you can’t eject a loaded road easily. So 71.5mm it is and hopefully the 120 Ballistic Tips don’t mind

Anyway I had Belmont760 from the 284 so have loaded up a ladder at 48, 49 and 50 grains and will try out in a few days with the Chrono. I know I should use a faster powder with the 16inch barrel but I have three full containers. I’m hoping to get about 2800fps as the factory 139 Whitetail loads were about 2430fps

The cheap Lee powder thrower is pretty accurate with the ball powder and I’d actually be happy to just throw the loads without weighing if I can get accurate load without too much pressure.

Incidentally the BSA 284 is about 80mm OAL to lands but the old Win 150 factory loads are only 71mm so that jump is even bigger.....

A few dramas with the Tikka 284 loads I’m making with very stiff bolt close but I’ll post another thread as I’ve solved that this morning

I load a lot of 120 B Tips in the 7 08 using 2208 at 3000fps they are an awesome pill

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Well the ladder testing wasn’t great and probably as expected. I was shooting at 135 yards as that was the distance between two flattish spots on the Forestry Block. A bit far for the 4x scope to centre accurately but time to try the loads

I set up the Chrono and put through a couple of Hornady factory 139 Whitetail. First was 2381 and second 2432 so about expected from the 16inch barrel. Height was good and a moved a few clicks to the right

Then 48 grains of Belmont 760
2500
2534
Error
Pretty slow

49 grns
2571
2583
2590
Still slow

49.5
2594
2620
2599
Not getting much faster

50 grns
2651
2654
2686
Around 1.5inch groups. No signs of pressure but I hadn’t loaded any hotter

So I’ll load up about 10 more so I can use while I look for some CFE223 or 2206

I shot some 1/2inch groups with the Tikka 284 at the same distance after and velocity was up to 3000fps with 140 BTs so the shooter and Chrono are ok.....

I use winchester 748 and cci magnum primers and getting 3150fps... always use magnum primers with ball powder..

Hi @Forestry,

I could sell a container of CFE223 if you're interested. I'll be in Auckland around Christmas time. It works well in my Kimber with 16" barrel. Possibly it works better with heavier projectiles though, someone who knows more might give clarification. I load the Hornady 162 ELD-M so the ogive is well off the lands.

Regards,
Joel

Yeah I’m keen for a container if we can link up - what’s the price Joel?

Thanks

Just for interest how does the Nosler online load data work. Different max loads for H414 and Win760 but same powder...I thought I was about max at 50grns
@Hindquarters - is this load and velocity for a 22inch barrel?

Message sent @Forestry

Thanks,
Joel

Yes... a 22inch barrel...another good projectile is the 130gr,speer, boattail, softpoint..I reload for 7 guys 7mm08's and this is round is very accurate and kills well out to 600m.. still using win 748 and cci mag primers

Not the BT’s but I’ve been running 120 gr Sierras in our Kimber 7mm-08 with AR2206H which produces tight wee groups.

Kids were shooting the kimber last week killing some Thar out to 355 mtrs with no problems.

A mate runs the same projectile in his 7mm-08 where I’ve seen him drop some huge red stags with it.

Another good projectile is the 120 gr Speer.

Thanks 25/08, hindquarters and Seventenths. I’ll try the CFE223 with the 120BTs and if no good, move onto Sierra or Speer for a try. I am also keen to give the Superperformance factory SSTs a go as I need some more Hornady cases anyway. At least it’s fun trying to find a good load.

be aware you will probably have to debur primer pockets of hornady factory loads....

Originally Posted by Seventenths

Not the BT’s but I’ve been running 120 gr Sierras in our Kimber 7mm-08 with AR2206H which produces tight wee groups.

Kids were shooting the kimber last week killing some Thar out to 355 mtrs with no problems.

A mate runs the same projectile in his 7mm-08 where I’ve seen him drop some huge red stags with it.

Another good projectile is the 120 gr Speer.

I also used the Sierra 120s for a bit but i did not get really Wee groups with 2208, i havnt tried any other ammo an jus shot the pack i had for the better group it produced, i shot quite a few fallow with it an then shot some sambar hinds, quatering away lung shots, no exit but considerable damage, however i wouldnt tagret a sambar stag with it myself for incase the shoulder was hit, id want a little more insurance on it.

in saying this my kimber tends to like the heavier projectile range, 150 up.. ? got to test this theory a bit more but so far 139 an 140 also not great. shooter also not great


an in sayin this im yet to try the 120 BT which has a decent following in 7mm..

@Rees you might wanna try a different powder as I’m using AR2206H with the 120 gr Sierra.

As for the 120 gr BT from my understanding there a harder projectile with a thicker copper jacket than the 140 gr BT

I used 2208 with Nosler 120gn, got 3000fps without too much trouble, cant remember how many grains off the top of my head.
They worked quite well, although the ''In" hole was always larger than the "out" hole in deer. So they do expand quite rapidly.