Best weight/brand ammo for 7mm/08

R

RoscoeP

Regular
Rating - 100%
8   0   0
Location
Comox, BC
Well I recently purchased a Sako finnlight in 7mm/08. I plan to reload but start out with some Federal premium ammo. Was thinking 140-160 grain bullets, maybe Nosler. Not sure what is available? I saw some Barnes bullets on there ammo and it was more expensive than there ammo with the Nosler partition bullets.
This is my first 7mm/08, didn't exhist last time I went hunting. I have owned a 30/06, couple or 3 270's a 243, 222, 338 and a few 22's. I have a fixed power 6x Leupold scope, always wanted one since reading Jack Oconners articles in Outdoor life in my younger days. Only reason I didn't buy another 270 is that I wanted a short action rifle.
Anybody having good results and tight groups with the Federal premimum or recommend a good handload once I have some empty brass. I will mostly be hunting deer and maybe moose or elk. Thanks for any insight on this topic. Cheers Roscoe
 
winchester supreme 140gr ballistic tip works well in mine for factory ammo. 140 grain accubonds would be great for handloading a "do everything" bullet.
 
Last time I checked all the factory loads but one were loaded with 140 grain bullets. The 7mm08 is certainly capable of handling heavier slugs, but the cartridge is optimized for 140 grains. If it were me, I'd pick a cheap, accurate 140 gr. cup and core bullet for targets and deer, and a premium bullet like the TSX or Noser Partition for elk or moose. Federal loads both.
 
I've been reading everything I can get my hands on regarding Hornady's new Superperformance ammo. So far, bullet weights being equal, this stuff will outperform by 100 to 200 fps, or more. It matches performance of their Light Magnum ammo (or Federal's High Energy), but without the extra recoil and muzzle blast, and is relatively unaffected by external temperatures. It also doesn't shed velocity nearly as much in shorter barrels.

For a 7mm-08 I'd be trying out these first...

http://www.hornady.com/store/7mm-08-Rem-139-gr-GMX-Superformance/

The GMX is a monolithic copper alloy bullet, somewhat similar to the Barnes TTSX.
 
my tikka 7-08 really loved the federal premium stuff... hand loading is the best way to go, gives you lots of flexability to load down for varmints, or up for moose. I have settled on 140 gr. noslers, use the cheaper ballistic tips for practice, and partitions or accubonds for hunting. They all have the same POI in my rifle.
 
I'd stick with 140's myself, just about anything bullet-wise should do fine for deer. Only need the premiums when you need the extra penetration (moose or elk) or are driving them quite a bit faster (7mm Rem Mag), in that case I'd use the Barnes bullets.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom