Today was a great day. My girlfriend passed the firearms/hunter ed coarse and I want to buy her a graduation gift. I am thinking about the Remington Model Seven Youth Synthetic Rifle 7mm-08 Rem. She finds it very difficult shouldering all of my rifles including my shotguns. I am also concerned about felt recoil. What do you guys think of this gun and is it suitable for moose. I would like to handload for it. Any suggestions on a good moose load. I am leaning toward the TSX and undecided on powder selection. Your thoughts please.
7mm-08 Moose load
- Thread starter lackeyse
- Start date
7-08
I have a model 700 in 7-08 I have it loaded up to the max with 140 grn TSX they are a great shooting bullet out of my gun and would drop a moose no problem, I just wouldn't make any long shots. As for recoil i think your girl freind will be able to handle it no problem. Just load up some light rounds and let her work up to the max loads.
F/D
I have a model 700 in 7-08 I have it loaded up to the max with 140 grn TSX they are a great shooting bullet out of my gun and would drop a moose no problem, I just wouldn't make any long shots. As for recoil i think your girl freind will be able to handle it no problem. Just load up some light rounds and let her work up to the max loads.
F/D
I have a friend who felled a cow elk with one shot at 494yds with the 7-08 and a 140gr TSX. It penetrated through and did a lot of soup mixing inside. I'd use one on Moose broadside out to 400 yds. I believe he was using Varget.
7-08 worked fine on a couple of moose for me. It was before I knew about Barnes, so I used 162 hornadys and a heavy dose of H414. It did great, but I'd try a 140 TSX in hopes of cutting down on the recoil. I might even be tempted to try a 120...
You could not find a better gun for your lady and the barnes will kill the hell out of a moose. I lost my model 7, 7-08 the first time my wife pulled the trigger. She can shoot 1 1/8'' groups with it, her only complaint is the short bbl makes it a little loud, small price to pay for the reduced weight.
good luck!
I've heard that 140-grain bullets with H414 is a magic combination in this cartridge, so I'd try the 140 TripleShock with this powder or any powder of similar burning speed (i.e., Winchester 760, H4350, IMR 4350, Vihtavuori N150 and N550, Reloder 15, etc.).
I've heard a number of people report good luck with H414/Win 760 (almost identical powders), so that's where I would start, unless I were really concerned about temperature sensitivity, in which case I'd go with H4350 Extreme or the Vihtavuori option.
I've heard a number of people report good luck with H414/Win 760 (almost identical powders), so that's where I would start, unless I were really concerned about temperature sensitivity, in which case I'd go with H4350 Extreme or the Vihtavuori option.
I just finished up a bunch of 140 TSX over 41.5 of Varget that shoot well under an inch. I'll let you know how they work, though I'm only going after deer this year. I generally prefer bigger bores and leaded bullets, especially for moose. I have a whack of 375 partitions for the ole 378, and more partitions for the 338, as well as a box of .338 250 gr. Interbonds that I've had for a couple years and never used.
People react differently to recoil. My wife took the muzzle brake off her 12 pound target rifle so she could shoot a match with it (no brakes allowed in matches). She got badly bruised - by a 308!!!
A moose bullet requires good sectional density - or the Barnes approach with a solid bullet. The 7-08 or the 260 rem would do the job.
I have both calibers and would opt for the 260 rem, I think. The 6.5mm bullets can be had in all lengths and the lighter ones would be great plinkers as she practices.
A moose bullet requires good sectional density - or the Barnes approach with a solid bullet. The 7-08 or the 260 rem would do the job.
I have both calibers and would opt for the 260 rem, I think. The 6.5mm bullets can be had in all lengths and the lighter ones would be great plinkers as she practices.
I posted an ad in the EE section looking for a bolt action rifle that would work well for her. I am thinking that I may end up buying new and taking the gun to my smith and having him cut the stock and install a limbsaver recoil pad on it. Perhaps a nice savage in 7mm-08, .308 or .260 rem would fill the bill. Maybe even a model 7 with a wooden stock
The main thing is that the caliber must be suitable for moose at ranges relative to her ability, which won't be very far.
The main thing is that the caliber must be suitable for moose at ranges relative to her ability, which won't be very far.
Just back from the range today. I tried out 7 different powders with the 160gr Nosler Accubond and found that 43.0gr of H4350 was really accurate. The other combos gave me less than stellar groups of 2.0 to 3.5 inches while the H4350 grouped 7 shots at 0.9". Out of my 24" barrel gives MV of 2620fps average.
I know you stated the 140gr TSX was your preference but if you have the time try 160gr in whatever make of bullet you choose. The twist rates on most 7MM-08s are 1 in 9.5 and seem to favor 160gr bullets.
As for effectiveness on moose, don't worry. Out to 300yds will be no problem, and 300yds is a long shot for most hunters....... including myself.
If you have ballistic software here are the specs for the Accubond; weight= 160gr, ballistic coefficient= .531, sectional density= .283, muzzle velocity= 2620fps(24" barrel).
Enjoy.
I know you stated the 140gr TSX was your preference but if you have the time try 160gr in whatever make of bullet you choose. The twist rates on most 7MM-08s are 1 in 9.5 and seem to favor 160gr bullets.
As for effectiveness on moose, don't worry. Out to 300yds will be no problem, and 300yds is a long shot for most hunters....... including myself.
If you have ballistic software here are the specs for the Accubond; weight= 160gr, ballistic coefficient= .531, sectional density= .283, muzzle velocity= 2620fps(24" barrel).
Enjoy.
