which bullet to use??

powder burner

powder burner

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Im gonna use my 7-08 for moose this year. Im plannning on using 160gr sierra's. Whatcha think? I figure they should do the trick. I also loaded up some 175gr as well.

i know 140gr sierras are lightning on deer. :)
 
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303carbine said:
If you're going to use a heavier bullet like the 160 in the 7-08, make it a Nosler Partition.
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That's like wiping before you poop; if your projectile is moving slower, use a bullet that doesn't expand as well at lower velocities?

todbartell said:
Id go premium as well, like a 140-150 grain TSX, 140-160 grain Nosler Partition, or 140 grain Accubond.
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Eagleye said:
X2!! Eagleye
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WHY?

A 160 out of the 7-08 is going to be moving at maybe 2650fps at the muzzle. That bullet isn't going to stress at all and will likely perform as well as a 140gr Partition out to 300 yds. One of the more successful elk hunters I know used a 7x57 with the 160gr Sierra pro-hunter and he never had an issue; nearly a ballistic twin to Powder Burner's rig. Premium bullets weren't a need until high velocity cartridges made bullets turn inside out, just ask John Nosler.

PB if the Sierra floats yer boat friend, at the reasonable velocity likely with your 7-08, giver. And make sure we get a good picture of you with your moose.

(P.S. This doesn't mean I am going to stop using TSX's in my .270 or Accubonds in the .338, but still;))
 
the 140 Sierra out of my 260 wasnt supposed to get too stressed when it hit the side of a mulie at 2200 fps impact velocity. It penetrated about six inches before coming to a rest, retaining 30% of its weight.

When it comes to hunting, why scrimp?

BTW a 160 Nosler @ 2600 fps will expand fine out to about 350 yards. Partitions open up as well as any bullet, Sierra included. What they do better is retain the shank to ensure deep straightline penetration through muscle, bones, and goo
 
I would choose a 150 Horn. My experience with them in .284 & .308 caliber is they are constructed for slightly more velocity than either the 7-08 or 308 can muster & tend to hold together & perform like a cheapy premium bullet :p

I can't comment on Sierra's as I haven't much experience with them in hunting conditions.
 
Sierra makes a wonderful deer bullet, excellent match bullets, and "super duper" varmint bullets. BUT their construction leaves something to be desired on moose and elk sized game. In my experience they open quicker and penetrate less than any bullet except the Nosler Ballistic Tip. The Sierra boat tails tend to shed the jacket if they hit bone and then penetration is very limited. If you are working up a new load specifically for moose, I'd also suggest you consider a 150-160 gr. premium like the other posters already said, or at least a Hornady Interlock, Speer Hot core, or Remington Core Lockt. On side rib shots to the lungs nearly anything works, but if you err by 6" and hit the socket end of the scapula / humerus a Sierra might not penetrate into the lung cavity. Good hunting!
 
The 140's are sierra prohunter spitzers. I have shot 2 deer with them and both times they exited.

I jellied the lungs on my last one. I would think 160gr is a good start for moose?
 
160 grain sure, make sure it is one of those Sierras that has the partition in the middle, I think maybe a company in Oregon makes them for Sierra now?
 
2 deer doesn't exactly give you the experience you need to make an informed choice. See my previous post - if you take broadside lung shots nearly anything will work. But, if a Sierra bullet is not placed just so, you could cause messy problems for both you and the moose. Your 7mm-08 is an adequate caliber for moose, but just barely. Why handicap yourself by using deer bullets? Use a bonded bullet, partition, copper hollowpoint, or some other premium that will not break up when it hits bone. A bullet heavier than the standard 140 grain is good, 160 grain is probably the best balance of energy/penetration. Your 175 grain bullet will be going pretty slow in that caliber.
 
but slow and heavy for caliber is a good recipe for effectiveness on larger game

the 7x57 Mauser has killed alot of big big critters with a 175 grain bullet at around 2300 fps. I'd use a Hornady before a Sierra Gameking though :D
 
senior said:
I can't comment on Sierra's as I haven't much experience with them in hunting conditions.
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well I can, and will say save them sierra's for the range. Very accurate bullets but my experience in 243 and 300 win mag is there is not alot left to weigh after impact. The only time I would shoot one at an animal is if you can't get anything else to fly accurately. My 2 cents
 
Powder - I use 140gr Sierra Game Kings in my 7-08. Two moose and 2 cow elk so far. Both moose were one shot, each elk I put a second into it. I've used Game Kings for over 40 years in all calibres so I think I have the experience. I wouldn't trade one box of Sierras for all the Nosler Partitions on the planet. I used a Partition on one animal, that was all the experience I needed.
 
Nosler Partitions are known worldwide as arguably the most dependable hunting bullet design ever created.

Sierras? known for their accuracy, thats where the good points end
 
If the .308 can drop moose why cant the 7-08? (dont tell me the 308 cant because I have witnessed it more than once,)

Anyways, Im having some 160gr nosler partitions loaded up for me.
 
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