reloading the 7mm08 for deer
- Thread starter toddrod
- Start date
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highstandard40
Well-Known Member
Ask 20 people and you are likely to get 20 different answers. I have hunted deer since 1984 with a Rem 7-08. I started with the Sierra 140 Pro Hunter. It was very accurate and I killed a lot of deer with it. Meat damage was more than I would accept. I switched to the Sierra 160 Prohunter and results were much better with usually the "hammer of Thor" effect on deer. An occasional deer would run off though and leave a faint blood trail. I switched again to the Sierra 150 Pro Hunter as a compromise (notice a Sierra trend here). These were indeed a good compromise in regards to terminal performance, ie meat damage vs blood trail. Three years ago I switched again to the 154gr Hornady SST, again very accurate in my rifle. First deer I shot with it was an 8 point at over 350 yards. I've taken several more since then with these bullets and I like it better than all the previous bullets I tried. I did do load development with several other bullets including Nosler, Hornady, and Speer but the accuracy was not there in my particular gun. Most of my bench work was done many years ago and there are many new options out there that I have never tried. I will say that I am not a fan of the 140 gr and lighter bullets. At my age, I want a bullet that expands just enough to get the job done and has the weight to punch through the other side so in case the deer runs, I can expect some kind of blood trail. I hate tracking with a flashlight, on my hands and knees, through a briar thicket.
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What rifle are you shooting, Todd? My Ruger compact likes the Barnes 120 gr HP or Bal Tip. No factory loadings in any bullet weight above 120 gr would print much less than 1" groups. 1st load with the 120 and H-414 got me right at 1/2 ". As I increased the powder, the group shrank. Last outing gave me 1/4" @ 100 yards.
highstandard40
Well-Known Member
With a 9.5" twist, that should stabilize bullets heavier than 120 grain.
Gator 45/70
Well-Known Member
Don't know if you need any brass, I have a few pieces around here and you've always been more than fair in your dealings with me ?
bayoupirate
God of Thunder
Hornady SSTs. 139grain.
I'll send you the powder and load when I get to my book.
Great Choice!
I'll send you the powder and load when I get to my book.
Great Choice!
So far I have test loads ready with 120g Barnes TSSX with reduced charges of IMR 4895. I also have multiple test loads with IMR 4985, and H380, with Hornady 139g Interlock SP bullets. I just got a pack of Hornady 139g SST Interlocks today at Cabelas. will be loading some test loads with this tomorrow with the powders mentioned.
