7mm-08 - Pros/Cons heavies
- Thread starter WhelanLad
- Start date
Here are some of my friends bullet tests with water jugs
These bullets are left to right 139gr SST @ 1,850fps; 139gr Interbond @ 1,826fps; 139gr Interlock@ 1,910fps; 140gr Accubond @ 1,930fps
Up till now, I used 1800 fps as the cut-off point for my rifles, that is, once the velocity drops to 1800 fps or thereabouts, that would be the maximum effective range for that cartridge. Judging by that test, I'm going to have to revise that up a few hundred fps. Shooting at longer ranges, where there is more chance for error in bullet placement, together with a bullet that barely expands, would be a bad combination. The Accubond didn't do too badly though.
WL Going to heavier bullets in a 7mm08 certainly compromises the powder capacity of the 7mm08 in a short action rifle. In my opinion you want to find a "middle weight" bullet that will give you the best compromise. I have found that the Barnes TTSX 140 gr bullet will out penetrate many 160 and 175 gr cup and core type bullets. The Nosler 140 gr E-Tip bullet is very similar. The very best bullet for heavy game in the little 7-08 case may well be the 150 gr Nosler Partition. Short enough not to compromise case capacity yet heavy enough to penetrate on heavier game. Also the fragile nose of the partition is pretty much guaranteed to open up at lower velocities. Hope that helps.
It all depends on the bullet. Partitions need 1800+, while interlock and interbond both call for 2000+. I think the solid copper ones need even more...
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
A very nice test of bullets, however some of these lead cored bullets will not perform well at closer ranges and higher velocities from my experience, especially the SST , the mono metal have velocity limits as well.
Most loaders are pushing those projectiles 2800 to 2900 ft/sec out of a 7/08 and they can and will totally fragment.The bonded bullets IMO give you the best and widest range of application vs velocity.The bonded core holds together at all ranges and velocities(within reason of course) and the SP or polymer tip initiates proper rapid expansion.
My choices for projectile for the 7/08 for the widest range of parameters (on game performance and ballistics , widest range of reliability related to velocity):
139-150gr in the following
1.Bonded - Best all round - excellent penetration and expansion
2.Partiton or A-frame style - Very good,don't like loose core of Nosler my feeling only- good expansion
3.Cup and core soft point/tipped interlock style - Good expansion , good penetration
4.Mono metal - excellent at high velocity - good expansion , poor at lower velocity - poor expansion.
5.Cup and core ballistic tip style (SST , Ballistic Tip) excellent ballistics, far too rapid of expansion at close range/high velocity.
Most loaders are pushing those projectiles 2800 to 2900 ft/sec out of a 7/08 and they can and will totally fragment.The bonded bullets IMO give you the best and widest range of application vs velocity.The bonded core holds together at all ranges and velocities(within reason of course) and the SP or polymer tip initiates proper rapid expansion.
My choices for projectile for the 7/08 for the widest range of parameters (on game performance and ballistics , widest range of reliability related to velocity):
139-150gr in the following
1.Bonded - Best all round - excellent penetration and expansion
2.Partiton or A-frame style - Very good,don't like loose core of Nosler my feeling only- good expansion
3.Cup and core soft point/tipped interlock style - Good expansion , good penetration
4.Mono metal - excellent at high velocity - good expansion , poor at lower velocity - poor expansion.
5.Cup and core ballistic tip style (SST , Ballistic Tip) excellent ballistics, far too rapid of expansion at close range/high velocity.
Here are some of my friends bullet tests with water jugs
These bullets are left to right 139gr SST @ 1,850fps; 139gr Interbond @ 1,826fps; 139gr Interlock@ 1,910fps; 140gr Accubond @ 1,930fps
I was googling some numbers. 2000fps for hornady interlock/interbond, and the old tsx. 1800 fps for partition, ballistic tip, accubond, and the newer tipped tsx.
To my surprise, the accubond long range claims no maximum velocity, and a minimum of 1300fps. Obviously that's crazy low compared to other options, so maybe that's the ticket the OP is looking for?
To my surprise, the accubond long range claims no maximum velocity, and a minimum of 1300fps. Obviously that's crazy low compared to other options, so maybe that's the ticket the OP is looking for?
Those numbers do make it seem like a very logical choice for my needs, especially in a lighter projectile / or even 140gr would suffice. I used them in the 308 and they always mushroomed well from 10 to 200m.. an as mentioned with those numbers, 1300fps is way out there! goin off the photos from the test, the accubond opened well an even lost petals it seems?
the only downside to the Partitins in Australia is this - around $80 for 50 pieces. I shoot quite often and cant justify that every so often, and the TTSX is around the same money if not more. E tip isn't very common although is around $75 / 50, accubond 140 $60 / 50
im paying $38 for 50 woodleighs
the woodleighs recommended impact Velocitys are -2000-3000fps, im wondering how they would go in a test of lower velocities (wilbars mate should test em
)im a tin arse if you havnt picked up lol
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hometownhero
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Toon Town, Sk
No problems with the sst for me. Shot last deer at 39 yards with Hornady superformance. Speeds were high 2900. Huge hole in the boiler room and dead in 3 steps. Couldn't ask for a better bullet for deer.
hometownhero
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Toon Town, Sk
Yup exited. I know it expanded very violently. Exactly what I was looking for. Buddy shot a deer same distance with a 7mm rem mag and 140gr winchester grey box. We had to track that thing 50-100 yards through the bush. The hole on both sides of the deer was 7mm in diameter.
Soft animals get soft bullets. Hard animals get hard bullets.
im paying $38 for 50 woodleighs
the woodleighs recommended impact Velocitys are -2000-3000fps, im wondering how they would go in a test of lower velocities)
One of the site sponsors sells Woodleighs at 140gr and I'm going to give them a go next year. The top stickly thread regarding .264 Bullet Test Results shows impressive results for them. The price is about the same as AB's. I never considered them before Whelan, believing supply being the critical factor.
Willbar, thank you very much for sharing those bullet results. Tremendous information.
Kelly I'm following your reasoning and experience. The Swift bonded bullets also look impressive albeit a little heavier.
Regards
Ron
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
If you like to compare numbers , the Swift drops 8.0 MOA at 100 and an SST 7.6 MOA @ 100. The Swift doing 2750ft/sec and the SST 2850 ft/sec at muzzle and 1974ft/sec and 2014ft/sec @ 500.
So when it comes down to how they shoot it really isn't a factor, again, what matters to me is on game performance.Pick your application and choose the right bullet.
I stopped using SST's a while ago, maybe they are better now but I have something now that doesn't need fixing.
The last SST "failure" was a heart/lung shot about 150-175 yards away that ruined both loins on a white tail.Then I decided on a better on game performing bullet for all round use.
Although I never complained about the accuracy of the Hornady.
So when it comes down to how they shoot it really isn't a factor, again, what matters to me is on game performance.Pick your application and choose the right bullet.
I stopped using SST's a while ago, maybe they are better now but I have something now that doesn't need fixing.
The last SST "failure" was a heart/lung shot about 150-175 yards away that ruined both loins on a white tail.Then I decided on a better on game performing bullet for all round use.
Although I never complained about the accuracy of the Hornady.
Yeah 10-4 on that mate
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
What type of wound channel would you say it created? You best kind of guestimate?
hometownhero
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Toon Town, Sk
What type? Huge would be the best discription. Should have taken pix but I could put my fists side by side and pass them through the animal. There was no blood to bleed out it was in a pool where the deer was standing. The heart and lungs were complete mush
