Bullet choice for a 7 08

powdergun

powdergun

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Gun; Weathery Vanguard S2
Cartridge : 7 08

Question: For the purposes of hunting deer what would the best choice of a bullet be between 120gr or 140gr. The gun shoots well with 140gr but I was wondering if switching to 120gr might give me better results in terms of trajectory and accuracy.

Note: this is not a question about premium. Vs fast expanding bullets just some input about bullet weight in this cartridge


Thanks
 
Only way to find out is to try it.
Save your brass even if you don't reload.

Myself, I'd stick with the 140gr...........just because........... :wave:
 
The 120gr Nosler BT gets a lot of positive reviews on 24Hr Campfire. I've never shot game with them, but will try them when my 7/08 comes back.

140gr NBTs, 139 Hornadys and 154 Hornadys will also be on the list.
 
Hornady (my favorite make of bullet) 139's or 154's ...

3shots-0.jpg

154hornady-0.jpg
 
My 788 loves Noslers. I've had the firearm for over 20 years and I've shot all bullet weights, but I have shot mostly 140gr bullets. Seem to get the job done. Barnes seem to shoot quite well in this gun too.
 
I also shoot a VGII (Sporter) 7.08

It don't seem to matter too much what you put down the spout, it shoots more accurate than I do.

In factory loads I have got sub-moa with Hornady American Whitetails (139 grain interlock) and Federal Fusions (both 120 and 140 grain).

I have been loading Nosler Ballistic Tips (140) and Partitions (140) as well as Swift A-Frames (140) over top of 41.5 grains of Varget and am likewise getting sub-moa groups.

I'm not a velocity junkie so don't worry that my above loads make just a hair over 2800 fps - the Partitions/A-Frames are my moose load.

Unless you are trying to hit Bambi out at 300 or 400 yards it won't matter a whole lot which bullet you pick. The difference between the impact point of a 120 grain going 3000 fps and a 140 doing 2800 fps is about an inch @ 300 yards - further than most of us ever shoot, at least when deer hunting...

If you shoot statistics and chronographs that might matter to you, but if you shoot 4 legged critters, the difference is far less than most are good enough to shoot.
 
Am partial to hornady SST, everything except my 7-08 is running hornady, but being the hypocrite I am.... My 700 mountain loves the Barnes 145 LRX running around 2800fps. I do like thier claimed ballistic performance. I am very happy being between .6and 1.0 in a rifle that weighs under 7.8 lbs with optic, bullets, and bipod and sling.....sweet.
 
I have had good luck with 140 gr accubonds and varget. Haven't tried ballistic tips but they would be fine as a deer bullet, sierras seem to shoot well out of any rifle.
 
With factory twist rates the 140's are the cat's pajamas.

You can go lighter or heavier for more specific applications but a 140 @ 2800 + ft/sec is a damn versatile projectile and not too hard to get to shoot out of a 7-08.
 
I would try the 140 Accubond first. The likelihood of it shooting well is high, and it just works so well at 7-08 velocities.

I personally like the Nosler Partition, but that bullet is not really needed at 7-08 speeds, although it will work well.

I am not fond of the SSTs, but the Interlock is a decent cup&core bullet

The new "Hunting" Ballistic Tips have been toughened up considerably, and should work well, but I have not yet used them on any game,
so that is conjecture. A sectioned bullet shows very attractive jacket thickness, compared to the earlier BT offerings.

The 7-08 does not need any monometal bullet to kill well, and I am hesitant to endorse them for the 7-08.

Just my opinion, of course, others may not agree, and that is fine. Regards, Dave.
 
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