Will need advice on hunting ammunition in 7mm-08 for my first deer hunt. If not any advice on bullet selection so I can reload after my surgery. Thank you everyone.
Charles

As good as any and better than most , personally I like barnes TTSX out to like 450 and NBT for longer hunting ranges

I have used a 7-08 for deer hearers in Pa for about 30 years. I have mostly used Sierra 160 gr spitzer boatails. Most of the factory offerings back then were 139 or 140 gr loads, and I saw from others using them they did a lot of meat distruction. I have shot a lot of deer ofer the years with this bullet and have never experienced a lot of excessive damage. A good placed shot doesn't hurt either.
The worst mess I ever had was on a big old horse of a buck I had to shoot twice with a 150 SMK. There is a reason they advise you not to use them for hunting. Al Foust

Idholton,
Do you use the lighter weight bullet (120gr) because of the higher weight retention of the copper alloy design? Also, Barnes' web site talks about complete penetration on deer sized game. Does that raise a red flag to anyone? I would hate to cause property damage or worse to wound or kill another hunter. Am I being too paranoid since I will be out in the middle of the woods?
Charles

I usually shot 140's even in barnes many do shoot lighter ones though , yes barnes ( or any monolithic) will penetrate like a freight train ,that's what I want , but I guess if your in a more populated area it could be of a concern . But one of the first rules of gun safety , know your target andwgat is beond for me that is never shot a deer that your don't see ground or a good "backstop" behind . Don't shot a deer that is skylighted.

Idholton,
Thank you for the quick reply. I was wondering what our fellow members thought about the Remington Core-Lokt 140gr, Nosler AccuBond 140gr and Hornady American Whitetail 139gr? These are in stock at a local gun shop.
Charles

Just got home from the gun shop. They only had one box of the Hornady left. As for getting .22lr good luck everyone.The owner was telling me that the Norma, Nosler and Lapua ammo sell out very quickly because shooters want ammo and good brass for reloading. Powder and bullets are also hard to find or are non existent at this time. His advice was buy whenever you can and check on the web.
Charles

140 Nosler ballistic tips work well on deer, there perfect for broadside shots through the ribcage, avoid shoulder shots, to much meat damage. Many of the 7mm bullets are designed for 7mm magnums, sure they kill deer but they may run 400 yards before tipping over. I start counting when I make the shot, most of the time the deer is taking it's last dirt nap before I get to four.
Nearly all of these have been shot with a 7-08, most of them only once.