20 inch 7mm08 barrel...too short?
- Thread starter vpsalin
- Start date
I have a Micro with 20 inch, and an A7 with 22 in, they're both great shooter's for hunting, but that's about all I can tell ya. Ask Kelly, he's da man with 7-08 info! His combine has to be in the machine shed for the season, by now!
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
The only difference is a bit of loss of powder burning efficiency. Like loose 15-30 ft/sec per inch of barrel.
Length does not effect accuracy.I'd start at H4350 burn rates and maybe go faster from there.W760/H414 or Varget , RL 15 , just to make that burn in the shorter barrel.You will likely be taking your loads to full case capacity with the 20" so you'll have to be mindful of that also.
You will still get all the kapow you need for 300 yards, just work up your loads and pay attention to pressure signs, stringing and velocity.
I have shot 20" to 26" barrels in 7-08 , it is a pretty efficient cartridge so you'll be able to make it work.
What bullet type or hunting would you like to do?
SO realistically, will a maximum of maybe 60 ft/sec at the muzzle have a real impact on game getting?
Length does not effect accuracy.I'd start at H4350 burn rates and maybe go faster from there.W760/H414 or Varget , RL 15 , just to make that burn in the shorter barrel.You will likely be taking your loads to full case capacity with the 20" so you'll have to be mindful of that also.
You will still get all the kapow you need for 300 yards, just work up your loads and pay attention to pressure signs, stringing and velocity.
I have shot 20" to 26" barrels in 7-08 , it is a pretty efficient cartridge so you'll be able to make it work.
What bullet type or hunting would you like to do?
SO realistically, will a maximum of maybe 60 ft/sec at the muzzle have a real impact on game getting?
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
Ok, just checked some numbers.
Even with a regular old core-lokt Remington 140gr bullet @ 2700 ft/sec zeroed for 260 yards will give you:
3.78" + @ 100 yards
3.39" + @ 200 yards
3.75" - @ 300 yards
Plenty to do what you want it to. That means dead deer if the cross hairs are in the middle of the vitals out to 300.
Hope that helps.
Combine is parked now there is only time left for ice fishing and chasing deers!
Even with a regular old core-lokt Remington 140gr bullet @ 2700 ft/sec zeroed for 260 yards will give you:
3.78" + @ 100 yards
3.39" + @ 200 yards
3.75" - @ 300 yards
Plenty to do what you want it to. That means dead deer if the cross hairs are in the middle of the vitals out to 300.
Hope that helps.
Combine is parked now there is only time left for ice fishing and chasing deers!
paperslayer
Regular
- Location
- Chilliwack
XP100 was common in 7-08 and it is/was a pistol.
I have a Remington Model Seven Stainless Synthetic in 7mm08 and love the little rifle! I bought it for hunting Stone sheep while in Northen BC, but turns out to be a sweet deer rifle to 350 yards. I handload as well but have never worked up a load for this rifle yet, was going to look for info on loading for a 20" barrel this winter, so Thanks Kelly!!!!
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
The 160's may be a touch heavy.
If it is close range target as you say I'd use something lighter to not handicap you with the factory twist rate.No need for that heavy of a bullet unless you are going WAY out!!
Sierra has a 130gr Match King that may be the ticket for short range plinking for you and the MK bullets are very forgiving in my experience.
You may find a hunting bullet that will be accurate enough for your target work as well.
7-08 factory rifles just seem to have a sweet spot for 140 grain bullets from my experience, always good accuracy and enough velocity.
My second M700 BDL in 7-08 grouped well under MOA and pushed 139gr SST's to 2860 ft/sec with no pressure signs.
Nosler BT bullets have good accuracy and are reasonable to tune also and could do double duty game/target bullets.
If I was in your shoes my first go would be the 140 Game King as it has the same profile as the Match Kings but in a pointed soft point for hunting, it may be your bullet for both , but there are so many options out there that it is impossible to figure them all out.
If it is close range target as you say I'd use something lighter to not handicap you with the factory twist rate.No need for that heavy of a bullet unless you are going WAY out!!
Sierra has a 130gr Match King that may be the ticket for short range plinking for you and the MK bullets are very forgiving in my experience.
You may find a hunting bullet that will be accurate enough for your target work as well.
7-08 factory rifles just seem to have a sweet spot for 140 grain bullets from my experience, always good accuracy and enough velocity.
My second M700 BDL in 7-08 grouped well under MOA and pushed 139gr SST's to 2860 ft/sec with no pressure signs.
Nosler BT bullets have good accuracy and are reasonable to tune also and could do double duty game/target bullets.
If I was in your shoes my first go would be the 140 Game King as it has the same profile as the Match Kings but in a pointed soft point for hunting, it may be your bullet for both , but there are so many options out there that it is impossible to figure them all out.
The short barrels will limit your velocity some. Having said that, I've hunted with a Rem 788 in this caliber, with an 18" bbl (maybe 18.5", hard to remember) for decades, and everything I shot with it died. I've used it on the steel gongs at the range at 500 meters, and the single longest shot on a deer I've ever taken (from a rest, prone on top of a hay bale, a shade under 415 yds). Deer died. That was with 139 gr Hornady bullets, forget the powder charge. In my rifle, those Hornady's are scary accurate. I use 150 gr bullets for moose, though I've used the 139's too because they were what I had. I think the 7mm-08 is one of the best all around cartridges out there, and I have a lot of cartridges to choose from. FWIW - dan
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
I've got a short barreled 788 in 7-08 that I've played around with on and off for a while, its a nice rifle to shoot. I haven't noticed any loss of accuracy with 160 gr Game Kings, and since I have more 160s than I do 140s or 150s, that's what I tend to load. Heavier bullets tend to use less powder than lighter bullets, when the same powder is chosen, and the lighter powder charge combined with a lower muzzle velocity tends to give up[ less velocity when the barrel is short. Remington's 1:9.25 twist will stabilize bullet weights up to 175 grs without issue.
You should like it a lot, Gary! I have one, but she's not the best shooter around, with factory ammo. We'll have to play with some reloads and see if she will smarten up. If she won't, I've been trying to find some info as to whether or not it can be made into a 7x57 Mauser. Q: Anyone know if it's possible? I love that cartridge, but I can't find any rifles that interest me. A BLR would be very exciting to me. Good luck with your's. Get a hold of Kelly the combine pilot out there in Sasksquatch country (post # 11), he has some mighty fine recipes for the 7mm-08.
Last edited:
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
It's fun to play with, has so many applications and ability to go from gopher to elk/moose without missing a beat.
People that say it's no good or too light likely haven't used or tried a rifle chambered in such.
The 150 grain Scirocco II looks like it was the most accurate for hunting bullets that I tested(in the latest rifle) , followed by 140 Accubond.The SC II's have very high BC if longer shots are going to be in the cards for your hunting situation.
People that say it's no good or too light likely haven't used or tried a rifle chambered in such.
The 150 grain Scirocco II looks like it was the most accurate for hunting bullets that I tested(in the latest rifle) , followed by 140 Accubond.The SC II's have very high BC if longer shots are going to be in the cards for your hunting situation.
Last edited:
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
My hunting rifle this year is a 19" 7-08 on an Axis. nice and compact/light.
I am using Varget behind a 154gr SST. have not confirmed but load data suggests 2600fps and drop out to 450yds is pretty much bang on using that velocity. Ballistic program suggest an impact velocity that should be very useable on any big game. Sure made a smack on the boulder shot.
Shot a deer at maybe 50yds. Expansion was perfect and it was a bang flop. Recoil was mild and so was the noise (had ear muffs on). I am really liking this set up
Just picked up a Ruger American in 30-06 for S&G. Initial impression of the rifle is very positive. Can't wait to launch some lead after putting on a muzzle brake. This will be clear cut shooter if the accuracy is up to the reviews.
Jerry
I am using Varget behind a 154gr SST. have not confirmed but load data suggests 2600fps and drop out to 450yds is pretty much bang on using that velocity. Ballistic program suggest an impact velocity that should be very useable on any big game. Sure made a smack on the boulder shot.
Shot a deer at maybe 50yds. Expansion was perfect and it was a bang flop. Recoil was mild and so was the noise (had ear muffs on). I am really liking this set up
Just picked up a Ruger American in 30-06 for S&G. Initial impression of the rifle is very positive. Can't wait to launch some lead after putting on a muzzle brake. This will be clear cut shooter if the accuracy is up to the reviews.
Jerry
