7mm-08, suitable bullet weight for coyotes and +300 yd target shooting?

R

RonR

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Pardon any ignorance on external ballistics, any intimacies of the 7-08’s best capabilities, and longer range target shooting.

From what I’ve read here my understanding is that light and fast is the way to go for varmint shooting yet from what limited reading I’ve done regarding long range shooting, heavier bullet weights are preferred to limit effects of wind. To me the distances and variables involved are the same for where I live…and that’s what’s got me chasing my tail a bit.

Is it simply explained as the lighter bullet weight the less damage to the hide? (all bullet types and construction as well as shot placement set aside for the moment)

Any suggestions on what’s worked well in their 7-08s, with the above considerations, for a longer range option and a varmint selection is appreciated. If 140gr is just the sweet weight for this cartridge, and there may be an offering that done admirably for both situations, then please share that as well. I’m looking for some direction.

Regards
Ronr

Of note
- Savage bolt action rifles, not precision models.
- Sophomore reloader, starting into year 3
- Neck turned brass ( primarily to fix/create reloading process repeatability…and yes on paper and in my head it’s making a difference in accuracy…even in our little hunting rifles :cool:)
- All the Sierra offerings in 140gr flat bottom and boat tail have shot well. Nosler 140gr BT’s and AB’s are also accurate. 139 SST’s have worked well at the range…on deer/hunting, emphatic not so much, in our experiences.
- Do not have other experiences with other bullet weights
- I have no experience using Bergers, but preference here is to use less sensitive bullets
- Reloading for hunting applications using 140gr bullets has been very successful at the range and in the field this year. Range results are creating the desire to shoot 300 yds plus as a challenge for myself, our firearms and the reloading process to see how it stacks up.
- To be truthful, for myself 300 plus yards, at this point is far. I’ve made hunting shots at that distance and over but comfort and reliability is within that range for sure.
 
I would suggest that for true varmint shooting the whole cartridge is smaller, including the bullet and powder capacity, but with still enough powder to get high velocity. The idea is to keep costs and recoil lower, while still using the higher velocity to minimize wind drift. You don't really have that choice with a 7mm-08.

I hear what you say about Berger Bullets, but they are by far and away my preferred choice. Why? Because they give you all the essential information about their bullets while the other manufacturers pretty much keep you in the dark. My suggestion is to read this link about Form Factor. It is a quick way to identify bullets that have good long distance performance. A lower FF is better than a high FF. It compensates for high BC values of heavier bullets and at the same time, gives credit for the extra velocity you will get with lighter bullets.

So have a look at the Berger Quick Reference Chart and in particular the bullet weights and what the Form Factor is. Also consider the twist required of each bullet compared to what twist your barrel has. And for what it is worth, the Berger Hybrids are said to be less sensitive than the VLD versions.
 
If the accubonds work well, use em, they won't do too much pelt damage and you know how they shoot.

Don't over think this one. :)

My 150gr SC II's bonded in 7/08 have taken from coyotes to deer , accuracy is nearing that of SMK.

Bullet weight has zero to do with hide damage.



Exit hole is dark smudge on neck 6" away from leading leg at a 45*.Entrance was at base of tail, caught him running away and on the up swing of his step.

Use what is working, no need for change.Costs? How many coyotes does one shoot in a year?
 
Kelly Timoffee said:
If the accubonds work well, use em, they won't do too much pelt damage and you know how they shoot.

Don't over think this one. :)

My 150gr SC II's bonded in 7/08 have taken from coyotes to deer , accuracy is nearing that of SMK.

Bullet weight has zero to do with hide damage.



Exit hole is dark smudge on neck 6" away from leading leg at a 45*.Entrance was at base of tail, caught him running away and on the up swing of his step.

Use what is working, no need for change. Costs? How many coyotes does one shoot in a year?
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Ahh...sound advice. Kudo's. I was overthinking things. :redface: Good catch and good lookin yote.

Nothing more to be said for this thread but if you had a suggestion for a match king weight, what would it be? I do want to tinker a bit after all and see how well we can things.:)

Regards
Ron
 
Just a a couple items for thought-I would go as light for calibre as possible so you don't need to holdover or dial-up while in the fray. If you zero at 200 you are able to put a crosshair on a coyote's back and get'em at 300. Second is I have made a couple 450 yd shots with a 50 gr Blitzking out of a 22-250 so I wouldn't over analyze bullet choice unless you routinely get shots over 500 yds.
 
I have some 130's and 150's , the 150's I settled on , if you come up to PA or I go down I can give you the 130's to try.I would pick which one shots best , probably get a solid 2900 ft/sec with accuracy out of the 130's.

RonR said:
Ahh...sound advice. Kudo's. I was overthinking things. :redface: Good catch and good lookin yote.

Nothing more to be said for this thread but if you had a suggestion for a match king weight, what would it be? I do want to tinker a bit after all and see how well we can things.:)

Regards
Ron
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blauber said:
Just a a couple items for thought-I would go as light for calibre as possible so you don't need to holdover or dial-up while in the fray. If you zero at 200 you are able to put a crosshair on a coyote's back and get'em at 300.
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Yup...should be flatter. Noted. :)

remington jim said:
110 Barnes TTSX at 3100 will work well for you and NOT so well for the Yotes ! RJ
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Sounds like some experience talkin. ;) Also a consideration...if I ever get a sale I'll try them out.

Regards
Ron
 
Kelly Timoffee said:
I have some 130's and 150's , the 150's I settled on , if you come up to PA or I go down I can give you the 130's to try.I would pick which one shots best , probably get a solid 2900 ft/sec with accuracy out of the 130's.
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I'll take you up on that if you are around. I get up there a few times a year. I have a half box of 139 SST's for trade G: :d No offense HTH, just having a bit of fun with these emoji things. (x reload has a great selection of .284 Sierra's that I've ordered for in the past so there's no trouble ordering for myself again.)

Regards
Ron
 
I think the 708 makes a good varmint cartridge especially when using light projectiles, -120gr.

if you can find something in the 90-110 gr range in the HP variety you might find it a little laser , an 300m isn't a huge long way , with a good scope.. seems a lot further for me wit ha 2-7x but id imagine with a good 4-12 or so the trajectory wold be sweet an the wind drift difference? minimal? unless in wild wind? not really my forte here though , just .2c

WL
 
If you're saving pelts you want a bullet that expands immediately. The hornady v-max has worked well for me when saving hides and the varmint grenades were stellar in my 243.
You can't have it both ways though.
If you've got a 9 twist I'm using the 139 grain and 162 grain amax in my 7RM and the 162s are a great longer range option. 175 grain are even better though but you need at least a 9 twist for those.
Anyway for varmints and saving pelts you've gotta get the right bullet for the job. A hollow point fast expansion bullet is what you want. They aren't going to be great for long range though.
But if you aren't saving pelts and don't care if they are damaged you can use whatever bullet you want to. If saving the lelts you need a bullet made for rapid expansion.
Good luck
 
Your in Saskatoon.
So am I. I've got some 139 amax if you wanted a few. I'm sure I can dig up 10 or so and just give them to you.
inbox me.
And if you want a someone to keep you company I'm always ready to head into the field.
 
I know you guys don't believe me ,or think my meds aren't balanced, but a medium weight bonded bullet is easy on pelts and hard on organs.

140 AB or 150 SC II , well, that pretty much works at any distance , wind drift is less and the 7/08 just likes 140's in factory offerings.

a 140 at 2850 + ft/sec isn't flat enough for you here? ;)

What is an average coyote ? 14" from spine to brisket, out to 300 that leaves every option open IMO.

I see it this way, as soon as that projectile leaves the barrel it is dropping, gotta compensate one way or another.If you have a known accurate load , use it.Want to change performance, change bullet construction not bullet weight.



Ryefulman said:
If you're saving pelts you want a bullet that expands immediately. The hornady v-max has worked well for me when saving hides and the varmint grenades were stellar in my 243.
You can't have it both ways though.
If you've got a 9 twist I'm using the 139 grain and 162 grain amax in my 7RM and the 162s are a great longer range option. 175 grain are even better though but you need at least a 9 twist for those.
Anyway for varmints and saving pelts you've gotta get the right bullet for the job. A hollow point fast expansion bullet is what you want. They aren't going to be great for long range though.
But if you aren't saving pelts and don't care if they are damaged you can use whatever bullet you want to. If saving the lelts you need a bullet made for rapid expansion.
Good luck
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Although I have a rifle for every occasion, so I wouldn't be using a 7-08 for dogs, I like to use one load that works well. If it were me I'm afraid I would be inclined to agree with Kelly. I would be using 140 ABs because I like the performance of these bullets on game and the practice on dogs is directly transferrable over to the big game you'll hunt with this rifle. Becoming infinitely familiar with one rifle and load has a lot of benefits and at 7-08 velocities with 140s you will find very little hide damage and instant dead dogs on pretty much any body hit. My 7-08 loves 140 gn Sierra flat base bullets, so that is what I use.
Back when I was a kid, I had two rifles, both 700 BDLs. One in 243 which I loaded 80 gn bullets to about 3200 fps (this was long before the proliferation of chronographs) and the second was a 7mm RM with 160s loaded to about 3000 fps. If you look at the exterior ballistics of these two loads you will see that they are virtually identical to 400 or so mtrs. In other words, it didn't matter what rifle I shot the hold on game, large or small was exactly the same to a 1/4 mile. Although I shot my 243 100 times more than my 7 RM the practice I got directly correlated to my 7 Mag. So lead, follow through, hold over, and feel were as though I was shooting one rifle all the time.
 
A load that has always worked good in my 7mm/08 is the Speer 145 gr match. With a max load of WW760/H 414 I get 2898 ft/sec in my 24' barreled Browning BBR. Accuracy is great out to at least 450 yrds. Not sure how this bullet would work for you on yotes though.
 
WhelanLad said:
I think the 708 makes a good varmint cartridge especially when using light projectiles, -120gr.

WL
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I know you are a fan of the -08 Whelan...I am picking up what you are putting down. I am akin to Kelly's and C-fmbi way of thinking right now. I'll be very honest...the Woodleigh bonded bullet in 140 will get a serious go in my rifle and it's on the bucket list. I even found a site sponsor that carries them. Next to the Swift SCII's of Kelly it's gonna get tested.

Kelly Timoffee said:
I know you guys don't believe me ,or think my meds aren't balanced, but a medium weight bonded bullet is easy on pelts and hard on organs.

140 AB or 150 SC II , well, that pretty much works at any distance , wind drift is less and the 7/08 just likes 140's in factory offerings.

a 140 at 2850 + ft/sec isn't flat enough for you here? ;)
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I think your meds are fine. ;)

c-fbmi said:
...I like to use one load that works well. If it were me I'm afraid I would be inclined to agree with Kelly. I would be using 140 ABs because I like the performance of these bullets on game and the practice on dogs is directly transferrable over to the big game you'll hunt with this rifle. Becoming infinitely familiar with one rifle and load has a lot of benefits and at 7-08 velocities with 140s you will find very little hide damage and instant dead dogs on pretty much any body hit. My 7-08 loves 140 gn Sierra flat base bullets, so that is what I use.
Click to expand...

That is sound logic C-fbmi and it resonates loud on this end. Now that I've thought about it I think the translatable experience is what I'm really after. You and Dogleg both have the same success regarding flat based bullets if I recall correctly in this cartridge. The Sierra prohunters are surprisingly accurate for me with Varget let alone other suitable powders for this caliber FWIW.

Thanks all for the responses

Regards
Ron
 
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