Thread: Kimber 7mm08 and 120 BTs

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

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

Yes those hornady primer pockets are toiht! I have the same issue with their 308 brass.

Good to know about the hornady I'm collecting it while using factory stuff

Greetings All,
I did some load development for a friend shortly after the 7mm-08 came out. He was having problems with poor accuracy using 760 powder. I found that mostly you would get two shots together and one flyer. I used 47, 48 and 49 grains with the 130 grain projectile. Results with Dupont IMR 4895 and 4064 were much better with tighter and more consistent groups. There was not much data around at the time but Ken Waters had done a pet loads report in 1980 which was most helpful. No chronograph in those days but I note that Ken got 3,052 fps from 50 grains of 760 behind the 120 grain and Hodgdon got 3,023 fps from 49 grains of H414 with the same weight. Much more than you are getting Forestry.
Regards Grandpamac.

Greetings Forestry,
Just went back and read your second post again and see you have a 16 inch barrel. You would loose between 20 and 30 fps per inch so 160 to 240 fps less. That suggests that your 50 grain load should give from 2,800 to 2,900 fps so perhaps the Belmont 760 is slower.
Regards Grandpamac.

Thanks @grandpamac and others. I got a bit of 2208 yesterday and loaded up from 44-46gns. I know the top is over book max so will tread carefully. I see NZ Hunter was up to 48gns with the 120s and 2208 but I don’t have the case head expansion tool to push that far and know pressure and don’t really need max velocity as the 284 is for longer stuff. I would however like to get to 2800fps and sub 1”. I dropped my favourite scope on the little Kimber also yesterday (z3 3-9x36). Joel also kindly delivered some CFE223 today so that will be the next to try. Hopefully wind drops tomorrow and I can see how the 2208 goes first along with the better optics

Nice mate. If you wanted to try a couple of loads similar to yours I’m happy to send a couple of groupers your way.

Got out today for some testing. I’ll update the 16” 7mm08 here and add to an old 284 post with those loads later.

Anyway a mixed bag and still questions. The day was very hot

I had 5 Whitetail factory loads left so after bore sighting the scope using the old light at night trick I fired a couple. 2410 and 2355 fps. Adjusted up 3” and across 2.5” and fired a nice 1” group. Speeds were 2404, 2380 and 2437 so similar to last time. Was feeling ok so into the homeloads with 120gn Ballistic Tips at 71.5mm OAL to fit mag.

44 2208 Ave 2734fps but pretty ugly
45 2208 Ave 2832fps and just over 1”. This is book max
45.5 2208 Ave 2872. First two into one hole and then a flyer way left..... I let the rifle cool down.
46 2208 Ave 2898fps and decent blast. 2.5” and horizontal

Then tried some factory 139SSTs super performance
These were humming at Ave 2773fps but again a few good and then third flyer. Could be barrel temp as got very hot after 3 shots and the day got hotter

So 45 2208 is the most promising for now...

Had a look in my book and 120gr nbt 2208 @ 45gr did 2953f/s out a 22" t3 708.
Have since moved to Speer btsp 130gn 2208 @ 44gr 2844f/s with ragged hole accuracy.

Originally Posted by DBD

Had a look in my book and 120gr nbt 2208 @ 45gr did 2953f/s out a 22" t3 708.
Have since moved to Speer btsp 130gn 2208 @ 44gr 2844f/s with ragged hole accuracy.

I like this mine arrives at Brian's in January and would be pleased if it shoots like this. Kimber though not a Tikka.

Yeah Kimber barrels heat super quick, I always wait a few minutes between shots with mine. Usually quite hot by the 3rd shot otherwise.

Has anyond tried the Hammer bullets in the Kimber 7/08? Tahr got some in for me in his last order, would be nice to get a start point, load/powder.

50gn 2209 with 120 BTs has always been a fantastic load for me. Reduce and work up.

Originally Posted by nor-west

Has anyond tried the Hammer bullets in the Kimber 7/08? Tahr got some in for me in his last order, would be nice to get a start point, load/powder.

Sorry. All gone.

120 bt 3040 fps with 44gn 2206h, lapua brass, fed 210 primer 2.800 coal. Sauer 100 16.5 inch barrel. Shoots a bit over a inch but im no sharp shooter.
probably over book max.
Kills stuff.

Thanks @muka88, @Tikka7mm08, @DBD, @Danny, @Seventy Six and others for replies and advice

My brother is way more experienced than me and also says Sierra Pro Hunter Flat Base is best projectile if searching for accuracy. I’ll finish the box of SST factory and then think about my next move.

Mukka88 that load is smoking for a short barrel !