Thread: Short barrel 7mm08 loads

So we've had all the 308 short barrel loads, how about the short 7mm08 loads?

I'm about to head down this path and thought I'd ask how others had got on? Thinking about going to 15 inches, so I can keep the standard Tikka stock intact.

Projectile will likely be the 162 ELD-X at this stage.

If you're planning to run a DPT can, you'll need basically 16" to clear the forend.

CFE223 will give good vels with a 120 TTSX in such a barrel. Still plenty of killing power out to a solid 300yds.

Mine ran well with 150gn eldx and 2208 at 15" outta a model 7 action

Originally Posted by dannyb

Mine ran well with 150gn eldx and 2208 at 15" outta a model 7 action

Sorry mine was 17" not 15 as earlier stated but yeah was a deadly load still

ADI pistol data is taken from a 15" barrel:

Data – Pistol – ADI World Class Powders and Ammunition

My old 18inch 7mm08 loved the 162gr and 41gr 2208.
Tikka with a long action mag and bolt stop.
Worked a treat from 10 meter out to 600 meters

Ah yes powders on hand are 2208, IMR 4895, IMR 4064, 2206h, w760. Everything I don't already have in the cupboard is fairy dust at this stage I believe

I'm having a bit of success with the IMR 4895 and 162 ELD-X at the current length so hopefully that'll work when it gets shorter

Thanks @Steelisreal hodgdon have a pistol section as well and my Lyman manual has a pistol section with rifle cartridges listed as well, curious as to real world experience.

My loads for 16inch Kimber are

Factory 139 Whitetail is 2450
Factory 139 Superperformance SST is 2750fps
120 Ballistic Tip with 45gn 2208 is 2830fps

Tried 120 Ballistic Tip with 50gr 760 and got 2700

Originally Posted by Forestry

My loads for 16inch Kimber are

Factory 139 Whitetail is 2450
Factory 139 Superperformance SST is 2750fps
120 Ballistic Tip with 45gn 2208 is 2830fps

Tried 120 Ballistic Tip with 50gr 760 and got 2700

Jeez that superformance really is something else isn't it?
Amazing stuff

I loaded 2206h and 162eldx. Was a hot load but fast from an 18" barrel and quite accurate. Wont post the load publicly as only takes 1 Muppet to go straight to it without working up. Pm me if you want it

162 amax with rl17 from a 17" tikka at 2530fps. Pretty warm but comfortable as

Not sure what the point is trying to run a long/ heavy for calibre bullet out of such a short barrel, slower MV means worse BC.

Better to push something that's a bit shorter a lot harder and faster

Originally Posted by caberslash

Not sure what the point is trying to run a long/ heavy for calibre bullet out of such a short barrel, slower MV means worse BC.

Better to push something that's a bit shorter a lot harder and faster

Makes it an all rounder. A 162 amax doing 2500-2600 from a short 708 is lethal up close and out to 500~ depending on the shooter. A little barnes or soft point will go faster up close but be out of steam a lot closer.

Originally Posted by caberslash

Not sure what the point is trying to run a long/ heavy for calibre bullet out of such a short barrel, slower MV means worse BC.

Better to push something that's a bit shorter a lot harder and faster

Yeah same reasons @superdiver said, also I don't have any light bullets and now is not the time to go shopping for bullets

I understand that is one approach, the light and fast bullet, but I'm familiar with the 162 ELD-X and I've got enough to keep me going for a while so I'll be a little boring and stick with what I know works.

Twist rate is 9.5 so should be fast enough to make the most of the high bc but I'm more thinking about the bullet construction than that, big tip and hollow.point for expansion, good penetration etc.

Originally Posted by caberslash

Not sure what the point is trying to run a long/ heavy for calibre bullet out of such a short barrel, slower MV means worse BC.

Better to push something that's a bit shorter a lot harder and faster

Run the numbers on a 162 eldm at 2500 fps vs a 120 NBT at 3000fps. A short barrel doesn’t necessarily make lighter pills run better, they both lose the same amount of performance by shortening the barrel. Pros and cons to both just depends what you’re wanting to achieve.