Thread: Powder choice for 7-08

Hi Tean,

I have recently had my 7-08 chopped to 18 inches in the hope to turn it into a bush pig..

Looking at building up load for the bush pig and was looking for recommendations on powder would suit this length barrel.

Look forward to your thoughts.

What bullet weight do you want to go with?

140gr Nosler BT with 2208 or 2206H should do well

Was thinking either 120 BT or 140 BT

I'm using 45gr H335 with a 120gr NBT in an 18" barrel. Getting approx 3000fps load to 2.810" base of case to tip of projectile.

140 gr Nosler BT (P/N: 28140) with 41.5 gr of 2208 is working ok for me.

+1 for 2208

Weirdly the 120 NBT is a harder projectile than the 140 NBT. To make the 120 they got the 140 cup and cut it shorter, so the 120 jacket wall is thicker at the tip than the 140 jacket. I've posted a cross section pic of the two on here before. It's on my computer though, and I'm on my phone.

CFE 223 works well for 120Gr and short barrels
2208 for 140Gr or higher

If you can’t get cfe223, blc-2 is the same in my 708 with both 120 and 140. I use 120.

H414, 2208 and 2209 is what I use in 7mm08.

I load for a mates T3 cut back to 18 inches
43 gr AR2209 behind a 120 gr Sierra (#1900) which has been great on (Fallow, big bodied reds, thar) all the way out to 300 mtrs.

I run the same projectile & powder in my Kimber.

As Stug says the 120 gr NBT is a tougher projectile still

I had 2208 in my 18inch tikka running the 140 at 2650 no pressure signs. Great combo, killed well out to 450 which is as far as I ever launched it. Shot into half an inch

Anyone tried the 162eldx out of a 708? Have 2208 and those to load in a mates gun. Will be chasing reds and rusa mostly. Only a 20" bbl

Originally Posted by superdiver

Anyone tried the 162eldx out of a 708? Have 2208 and those to load in a mates gun. Will be chasing reds and rusa mostly. Only a 20" bbl

I shoot 162gr ELD-M through a standard barrel tikka (22.5" I think). They do 2550 fps in the load I'm using (41gr 2208). Good groups, I've pegged a couple of deer with them and they seem to kill as good as anything else. All pass throughs so far with reasonable damage. ELD-X would be similar with more expansion I'd expect.

My usual choice for in the bush is 140gr TTSX doing 2780fps. Iv'e also got 120's doing 3000 fps for fallow etc.