Another thread on loading the 7-08

yodave, this is the problem when going by the numbers in the loading charts.

You stated this,----"so what they show in this book for RE-15 is..... minimum 37.5 2549 FPS......max 42.0 2829 FPS and a 96% fill ratio."

With a 130 grain Speer bullet, 42.6 grains of Re 15 gave me 2631 fps, about 200 fps less than the book shows. Most likely Re 15 will safely give the velocity they show, but it will likely take in the order of 45 grains to do it.

Those great groups shot by sniper58 with a 140 grain bullet were with 44 grains of 4064, at a velocity of 2942.
Hodgdon on line shows a maximum of 40.5 grains of 4064 with 140 grain bullet, for 2770.
However, P. O. Ackley's book of reloading, which obviously goes back quite a lot of years, shows 44 grains of 4064, giving 2910 fps. But that is not his maximum load! He shows 45 grains as being maximum.
The discrepancies in loading books are not always that great. I pointed out previously that Hodgdon on line shows 47 grains of H414 as maximum, with a 130 grain bullet, for 2925 fps.
For me, 47 grains gave 2848, which is not that great a difference.
All this just pints out that loading manuals are just a guide, not the final word.
 
Hey Bruce, I shoot a .270 Redding which is obviously not a 7-08, but similar. I have had best results for accuracy/speed combo with H414 with 130gr pills, (Varget in 2nd place. RL15 makes them go fast too, but higher pressure.) My best results with 140gr pills came with H414 and IMR4350, with H414 leading the way again.

Like you , I planned to try LVR with this cartridge but I have not done so yet. I'll let you know how it goes. I have no Superformance to try at this point.

FYI, I had some good results while fire forming w/ IMR 4320 and 130's, real fast and just over M.O.A.
 
On the other 7-08 thread I posted a 3 shot group using 41.5 grs of Varget with a 140 gr Nosler Accubond. Over the crony it averaged 2715 fps. Another load I liked was using 39grs of IMR 4895 Same bullet, primer and brass. Didn't crony this one yet. I will eventually try some 4064,W760/H414 and see what happens.
 
powder burner said:
Would love to get 2900 fps from a 140gr.
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I expect to do that with my 22 inch barrel. One or two posters on this thread are doing better than 2900, with great accuracy.
If you have a normal strength bolt action rifle, I don't see why you can't get over 2900 fps also.
 
Bringing this back up for you Bruce.........

42.0 grains of H4895 with 140 grain sierra's shows as 2810 fps on the magnetospeed, no pressure signs and easy extraction. I may add a bit but I don't think I need to. I just got a second 7mm-08 so will be playing again soon with the loads
 
yodave said:
Bringing this back up for you Bruce.........

42.0 grains of H4895 with 140 grain sierra's shows as 2810 fps on the magnetospeed, no pressure signs and easy extraction. I may add a bit but I don't think I need to. I just got a second 7mm-08 so will be playing again soon with the loads
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Thanks for bringing it back.
The rifle is stored in my gun room and I got thinking about it recently, thinking of tweaking things up for the fall hunting season for her.
And while I try to get the most efficient, plus maximum safe velocity loads, I always drop the charge back for the loads I either give, or recommend, for the grand daughter.
 
Nothing wrong with them at all, just had tons of luck with those two(H4350 and W760). Always a great balance of velocity and accuracy.

Getting 2900 + ft/sec with reasonable accuracy was always achievable for me.I have gone over 3000Ft/sec with 140's in a 26" barrel , but accuracy was diminishing after 2860 ft/sec.

Did try Varget , wasn't the ticket for my rifles.YMMV

SuperCub said:
What about IMR4350 or R15? I have those in stock.
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SuperCub said:
What about IMR4350 or R15? I have those in stock.
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Paul, I think there is about enough difference between H4350 and IMR 4350, to stick in your eye.
I don't have any of the H variety on hand now, so my figures are with IMR4350 and jibe completely, with what others have posted for H4350.
I am not recommending that anyone else do what I do, but I use the two varieties interchangeably. Also, if you can get it, Norma 204 will interchange with 4350. I use the same charge of N204 as I would 4350. The big advantage with the Norma is that it is denser, thus doesn't take up as much space in the case. The charge of 4350 that worked very well, completely filled the case to the top of the neck. Same weight of N204 just started to come into the neck. Also, the velocity is often a little better with the Norma and it is always an accurate powder.
With the 7mm-08 I have been disappointed with R15. I think it would be good with heavier bullets, like maybe 160 grain or heavier, but with the 140 grain class it is pretty slow.
For 140 grain class of bullets, I think the best powders are Norma 204 if you can get it, or use 4350 and put up with the huge compression, or H414, or 4064. I would put H414 first, then 4064, but either is about as good as it gets.
Bruce
 
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