reloading a 7mm-08 sako 85

[mikeboehm]

i loaded up some 120gr barnes ttsx in my sako using IMR4064. my best group was .9" @ 3151fps average.

7mm-08 with 22" barrel
120gr ttsx
45gr imr4064
fed 210m
win case
2.253" coal (using a comparator kit) which is 50 thou off the lands

people are saying the velocity is high because the pressure is too high. im not seeing any other pressure signs. any way to see if its still a safe load to use or should i dial it down a grain or 2

 

[Kelly Timoffee]

What load did you start at for development?

How was extraction as the loads increased?

 

[sunray]

Hodgdon shows 3017 fps and 50,000 CUP with a Nosler 120 using IMR4964, but max is 43.9, so you are a bit high.
Barnes bullets need Barnes data but their site doesn't show IMR4064 data. No pressures either. Their manual might though.
I suspect you're ok, but I'd send Barnes an e-mail and ask about it.

 

[mikeboehm]

i started at 41gr and worked up. extraction was the same throughout. bolt opens easy primer looks good. i sent barnes an email. lets see what they say

 

[Kelly Timoffee]

I can get 3000+ in a 7-08 of mine with 140's without pressure signs, longer barrel mind you but I would guess you aren't exactly in danger.

 

[Gatehouse]

You should just go ahead and use it, as you want to.

 

[Tyrone223]

Warn people at the range who are sitting at benches beside you that you're shooting overloaded handloads, just to give them a heads up?

 

[Tabacco Brook]

You are shooting a very strong and well built rifle, and you are seeing no signs of pressure so I would'nt be overly concerned.
I bet that 120gr barnes at that speed should set a deer on his ass real quick,...drt,...sounds like fun to me.

 

[Trm82]

I shoot a 85 finnlite which has a 20.5" bbl with the 120ttsx and cfe223 @3250fps with no pressure and have had zero issues so I would just use your load. And don't worry about warning people beside you that you have a hot load.