Thread: Powder options for 14 inch barrel

Guys, loading for a 14 inch bushpig in 7-08. It does not like the 162gr ELD-M's, so currently using 120 Sierra Pro-Hunter.

For some reason it shows pressure signs even at the low end of the 2208 ladder. Starting load is supposed to be 42.5, I am using 40.0. It is not filling the case, so not optimal.

Would a faster or slower burning powder be better ? My brain says faster, something like BM2 or 2207, but with BM2 I am likely to fill even less of the case... Is there a faster burning powder that comes in larger granules, or are you then getting into pistol powder territory (Trailboss) ?

Curious to hear your theories about what is better for very short barrels... faster or slower burning powder, and why ?

@Dorkus

His loads are slow but super accurate

Try 4064 nice and bulky and 139/140 grain bullets, a full case is not necessary with medium and fast powders

@ebf knows a hell of a lot more about reloading than me so I am probably of little use to him. All I can say is I didn't have pressure issues at all with 2208 and 120 SPH.

I don't have all my test data anymore but did settle on the 120 SPH over 45.5gn 2208 @2650fps out of a 14" tube. I didn't get super accurate with the SPH but did manage better than MOA performance (I think about 0.7 from memory).

Tried ADI 2206h?

H335

ADI4350 seems a good all rounder

Originally Posted by dogmatix

Tried ADI 2206h?

Yup, did not get any better speed with it than 2208...

Thanks @Dorkus, I'm way slower than that with the 120's at the moment.

Might be best to redo things on my side, probably made a stupid dyslexic mistake along the way

What kind of pressure signs are are you getting? Is it new brass?

40gr is too low. You might run into trouble having a powder charge that is below minimum. Someone here will be able to explain better the risks associated with that but it is one of the cardinal rules in the re-loading manual: Don’t go lower than minimum charge.

I learned a valuable lesson this weekend developing a load for my 18” 308. New Lapua brass was giving tight bolt and injector swipes every fourth shot or so. Consulted one of the guys on here and he told me to neck size only and go again with the once fired cases... no pressure signs at all and half MOA accuracy.

46gr AR2208. 150gr GameKing.

15" Sako DPT can,Lapua 308 necked down.139grn Hornady sp(2820)Fed 210. 44.5grn ar2208.2750 fps.♧@100

You are probably blowing half the powder out on the ground, You only need 1800fps to get jacketed bullets to expand so just look for the most accurate load,

Just checked the Hornady manual 7mm08 in a 15" T/C 4064 gives the highest velocity with 139 gr and 162 gr max loads 42.3 and 39.5 and 43.0 with 120gr

Any chance it's a problem with your scales? .

@ebf I have a 15" 708, i run CFE223 with either 120gr prohunter, 120 NBT or 140 NBT, its goes good. Near on 2900 fps with 120 NBT