7mm-08 – accuracy load development results…where are my pressure signs?

[RonR]

Ya pretty much follow data for 140gr AB, Nosler brass, Fed Match primer and max load of Big Game should produce desired result.

There is some debate about temperature stability of Big Game....but I try to do most load development in Fall when temps are just around zero.

The next time I have some $ room in a mail order, I'll get a can. But that day may never come lol.

Not that a person wants to open a can of worms regarding temp "insensitive" powders vs. others...from my own limited experience I believe there is merit.

In this case for this load I'm not too concerned because the intent is shoot this load during warmer months.

Regards
Ronr

 

[chrismc]

RonR, i have a hunting rifle and had a semi-target rifle in 7-08. The semi-target rifle (Cooper MV) was an enigma - but it shot 120gm SMK's over a mellow load of H414 (41-ish grains) into 1/4-3/8 MOA groups up to 200 yds more often than not. Out to 500 it stayed well under MOA, usually 3/4 MOA. After 500, meh. Just Meh. After 500 rounds of tying to find the perfect load, i gave up and then spun on a 6mmBR barrel and couldn't be happier with groups.
I did find with the 7-08 target loads, that the heavier amax shot very well but real slow. I also tried a bunch of other target bullets and powders, but couldn't figure the beast out other than 120smk's. Definitely H414, Varget, and R17 were my goto powders - i also tried H4350. 4064, and 8208, but in my rifle they didn't work near as good as H414 and Varget. R17 i gave up on as there was none avail at that time.
This was one of my rifle/caliber combos i couldn't figure out - total enigma.
My hunting rifle shoots H414/140 NAB real good, still have that one in the safe.
Keep us posted!

 

[RonR]

RonR, i have a hunting rifle and had a semi-target rifle in 7-08.

The semi-target rifle (Cooper MV) was an enigma - but it shot 120gm SMK's over a mellow load of H414 (41-ish grains) into 1/4-3/8 MOA groups up to 200 yds more often than not. Out to 500 it stayed well under MOA, usually 3/4 MOA. After 500, meh. Just Meh. After 500 rounds of tying to find the perfect load, i gave up and then spun on a 6mmBR barrel and couldn't be happier with groups.

I did find with the 7-08 target loads, that the heavier amax shot very well but real slow. I also tried a bunch of other target bullets and powders, but couldn't figure the beast out other than 120smk's. Definitely H414, Varget, and R17 were my goto powders - i also tried H4350. 4064, and 8208, but in my rifle they didn't work near as good as H414 and Varget. R17 i gave up on as there was none avail at that time.

This was one of my rifle/caliber combos i couldn't figure out - total enigma.

My hunting rifle shoots H414/140 NAB real good, still have that one in the safe.
Keep us posted!

Thanks for sharing. By others accounts H414/W760, Varget seem to provide good results. Make the count 4.

"but real slow"...that's what's at the back of my mind and keeps me up a little bit... I believe there are some results like that on this end coupled with some chrono numbers that I just have to put away for now (for my minds sake) regarding a couple other powders. I'm not deviating from Kelly's comments that 760 is the stuff, based on results, cause it's staring me in the face but I'm gonna be testing that out in the future to see what gives. Kelly's suggestions and advice has been money.

My next step is to ladder the condensed range as in 10 or so shots to see what shows because these first ladder steps were coarse Then to some longer distances based on those findings using Mystic's techniques.

Again thanks for sharing good stuff like that.

Regards
Ronr