7mm-08 load data

[JDBraddy]

Just took a Rem 700 varmint in 7mm-08 as part of a trade deal, already had some RCBS FL dies, might keep it if I can get it shooting well, have ordered some 150gr SMK's, Hornidy 162gr BTSP's, Have Varget, H380, H322, and Win748 on hand. If any of you guys use 7mm-08, what loads are you getting good results from? Hopefully you can save me a lot of expeimentation.

[Bob Mc Alice]

Use 38 to 40 grains of Varget with the bullets you have chosen. That rifle with that recipe will be accurate. If you don't have time to spend at the bench skip the other powders.

[Jerry G]

The 7-08 goo-roo has just spoken.

Got any snow out there at CRC to shoot in Bob?

[GregG]

One word of caution win748 is temp sensitive. Until varget and vit powers came out it was used as a standard in Ar rifles. Many found shooter found out the hard way the power is temperature sensitive with blown primers, etc.

[JDBraddy]

Thanks Bob, 39.5gr Varget with 150gr SMK's, Fed 210 primers, at 2.80 OAL is consistantly printing around 0.5 MOA from the bench at 200yds. Smallest 5 shot group at 200yds measured 0.79".

[jask]

I shot both standard and hunter rifle in 7.08. with a 168 grain bullet, federal primers, and 4064 39-40 grains, they both shot really well. I used a Denver precision scale and weighed the charge to a tenth of a grain.

In a heavy barrel rifle, you will get a tight grouping every .5 grains and every .4 grains for a light barrel.

[JDBraddy]

So Farr, the 150SMK is the only bullet I've tried, what others should I try.

[Snake]

I like RL15 at 38grs with 150 MK's; under .3 5 shots at 100....about .5-.6 at 200 (3 shot). Also 44 grs of RL19 work well. Both loads useable through 175grMK's Try 168 MK's...and 175's. I have had good results with Nosler 120 gr ballistic tips through turkeys...no, no, on rams....OMalley and I are experimenting off the bench with sierra's 150 SBT hunting bullet on rams...so far so good even at our range.

[Bob Mc Alice]

You could do well on all targets with that load alone. But, also try the 130 and 168 SMK, too. My own C-P load is 37.0 Varget with the 130 SMK. My turkey load is 40.0 Varget with the 150 SMK. But...my Douglas barreled match guns hate Varget with the 168 SMK. Six inch groups at 500 meters at best. I use 40.0 grs of IMR 4895 and stay around two inches at that distance. Odd, they have similar burn rates. I discovered this back when the barrels were new.

Seven years and 4000 rounds each later I got the exact same results when repeating this test last March. IMR 4064 was my favorite propellant for all match loads before Varget hit the market in 1995. I burned up plenty of RL-19 with 168's, too.

I meant to add that I have several 700's with factory stainless and carbon barrels that do very well with heavy bullets and Varget.

[Snake]

Bob, I like XMR 4064...its less heat sensitive and a little slower than the IMR.....

[JDBraddy]

I was almost out of Varget, so I went to buy some more, and no one had any locally. I wound up buying some RL-15, some RL-17, and some power pro 2000-MR. I tested 150gr SMK over 40gr of RL-15, fed-210 primer, 2.80 OAL today, it printed a ten shot group just over two and a quarter inches at 300yds and averaged 2594fps, with the spread ranging from 2560fps to 2640fps.

[DennisC]

Gotta ask...how close to SE Texas was that shop with RL-15? Did they have more??

[Jerry G]

The RL powders are heat sensitive. Watch close when it is hit out if you are loading near max.

[JDBraddy]

Gotta ask...how close to SE Texas was that shop with RL-15? Did they have more??

It was Trainer-Hale Shooters Supply in Marion Tx, bordering north-east San Antonio, http://www.trainerhalesupply.com/ and yes they had plenty of one and five pound containers.

[JDBraddy]

The RL powders are heat sensitive. Watch close when it is hit out if you are loading near max.

Living in south Texas, that's good to know, Thanks! JDBraddy