7mm08 accuracy?

[TrxR]

We have local benchrest matches here that are shot at 100yd and a couple of 200yd shoots. They run a so called sporter class. The rules are basically an all factory rifle with hunting style stock shot off front bag only. Was wondering how accurate a 7mm08 would be for this?

They also have a open class which I'm still finishing up a 30br for.

Both classes are for score.

 

[DumpHollow]

I'm not sure that the caliber is as limiting as the rule itself, mandating an all factory rifle with sporter style stock. What are accuracy requirements for the 10-ring? If you have a 7-08, why not just try it? What are you competing against? Are there other rules bounding the class such as case capacity, weight or rifle cost?

 

[TrxR]

I'm not sure that the caliber is as limiting as the rule itself, mandating an all factory rifle with sporter style stock. What are accuracy requirements for the 10-ring? If you have a 7-08, why not just try it? What are you competing against? Are there other rules bounding the class such as case capacity, weight or rifle cost?

Not sure what all the others are using for calibers. I do know a couple are using 223 and I can't remember the 10 ring size . No other rules on the rifle and no limit on scope magnification either.

Don't have a 7-08 right now but was thinking of one that might work for that class as well as for hunting, kind of a dual purpose rig.

 

[DumpHollow]

I've always enjoyed club level sporter rifles matches with hunting rifles. The 7-08 became my favorite deer rifle caliber. I shot 243's, as our club had a minimum 6mm cal and 30-30 case capacity rule for those matches. That was before I embraced the 7-08. I currently have a couple 7-08's that I would shoot in such a match. That being said, the parent 308 win would be a good candidate also.

 

[7887mm08]

It's as accurate as you'll let it be. Start with a good platform and your off to the races!

 

[Intheshop]

Slight tangent but I feel it's relevant;

Been handloading about 50 years. Nowadays it's pretty much cast only. If I made an XY chart with,ease of tunability going up the left side.....

And factory chamberings across the bttm....

There would be a cpl standouts. The 7-08 would be right up there,contending for top honors. It's that easy to get one tuned with a variety of bullet weights,and styles. I have 1/2 dz,more or less.... factory rigs in this chambering. With a shooting range out the back door of our, pretty durn nice machine shop(just sayin,am spoiled/blessed in this respect but.... I'm not "playing" with these rigs).

Very best of luck with your project.

 

[CharlieNC]

Slight tangent but I feel it's relevant;

Been handloading about 50 years. Nowadays it's pretty much cast only. If I made an XY chart with,ease of tunability going up the left side.....

And factory chamberings across the bttm....

There would be a cpl standouts. The 7-08 would be right up there,contending for top honors. It's that easy to get one tuned with a variety of bullet weights,and styles. I have 1/2 dz,more or less.... factory rigs in this chambering. With a shooting range out the back door of our, pretty durn nice machine shop(just sayin,am spoiled/blessed in this respect but.... I'm not "playing" with these rigs).

Very best of luck with your project.

Interesting , where did you get the ease of tuning data?

 

[Intheshop]

Seat of the pants but,that's why I used the cast as an example in this.

Ease of tuning,in this would be how "quickly" a new rig can be dialed in. If,you're committed to.... all the winners use this chambering,don't rock the boat... you probably won't notice the difference. But chasing X's and bugholes with cast out of,basically factory rigs..... any tuning issues rise to the surface,more.

Tough to put into words.

 

[Longrange57]

At 100/200, will be hard to beat a BR.....however I've had several 7-08's that shot darn good! Can't speak for sporter and factory rifle, but I used 8.7 twist barrel on one of mine and used the 150 scenar bullet and it delivered. I'm sure theres other bullet options. I also used large and small primers....could not tell any difference. Varget was go to powder. If running low on Varget, I used N140. Fantastic cartridge! Hope you can find the components you need! Good luck and happy shooting!

 

[Laurie]

I used a Savage PTA based 7-08 in short / mid-range FR-Class for several years. I still have it, but the competition has got too 'hot' for it now in mid-range at any rate with 284 Win ballistics virtually the minimum necessary on a tricky, windy range.

It's capable of exceptional precision with a load combination it likes. A lot will depend on how the chamber in the rifle you have in mind is throated. The standard SAAMI 2.800"-COAL designed for short-action repeating rifles is very limiting because of the constraints placed on the use of heavier, hence longer, bullets - ie those over 140/145gn. (However, recent factory rifles in whatever chambering tend to come shall we say 'generously throated' no matter what SAAMI specifies.) My rifle is chambered for the 168gn Berger VLD and Sierra 160 TMK/ Hornady 162 ELD-M right on the 3-inch COAL mark. There are some lighter / shorter 7mm match bullets around such as the 130gn SMK if COAL is a constraint. My favourite 200/300 yard load was a mild one using the superb, if lowish BC, 150gn Lapua Scenar-L over Lovex S065 (Shooters World 'Long Rifle' in the US) loaded in elderly and very well made Winchester brass given some batching and preparation. As always, bullet to barrel compatibility is variable and crucial of course.

To use any of the excellent heavier 7mm bullets from the 175gn Sierra MK upwards, you need yet more freebore than my rifle has, twist rates may become an issue too.

You can see what the rifle / cartridge can do here:

http://www.targetshooter.co.uk/?p=3624

part of a series of H4350 alternative powder tests I did in 2020. The barrel count was rather over 2,000 by this point, so precision was a little below its original best.

 

[Longrange57]

Laurie, Thats a great article!

 

[10XSHOOTER]

How about the original 7mm BR?

 

[Laurie]

Laurie, Thats a great article!

Thank you! (Just starting to write up H4895 and H. VarGet alternatives using a 223 Rem F rifle.)

 

[CNC-Dude]

Not sure what all the others are using for calibers. I do know a couple are using 223 and I can't remember the 10 ring size . No other rules on the rifle and no limit on scope magnification either.

Don't have a 7-08 right now but was thinking of one that might work for that class as well as for hunting, kind of a dual purpose rig.

What I'd want to know is how good everyone else can shoot. A 6.5 Creedmoor would be a tough contender....

 

[Clancy]

I’ve got two and had my share of 7-08 rifles. They would NOT be my pick for accuracy and certainly not in a sporter.

6.5x47 was my first thought, and then I saw it had to be all factory with a sporter style stock. A 308 unlocks the potential to shoot custom made, lightweight, flat based bullets.

I think you’d have a hell of a time outshooting a tikka sporter given the parameters. At least, I’d sure hope I didn’t have to shoot Remington 7-08 against a guy shooting a tikka 308 and 110-120 grain benchrest bullets.

 

[TrxR]

Most of them are shooting 222 or 223 and I think the 10 ring is 1/2" . It's three separate target and 5 shots per target.

These are good shooters that also shoot 30br, 6ppc and 6br in our open class which is close to heavy varmint for score rules. They all shoot open class 22lr and sporter 22lr so they shoot pretty much every weekend.

 

[JEFFPPC]

I had several 708s back in the silhoutte days I had several. The could be accurate but a bit fussy to tune and pretty particular. There is aclub in central pa than runs a popular sporter class at 100, 200, 300 yards. .223 dominates it. Find a 7 or 8 twist .223 you will do well.

 

[TrxR]

223 might be the answer. I've got 1500 pieces of IVI 556 brass here I could sort

 

[cjames]

I have shot sporter class matches before. Different clubs have different rules. The one I shot at had to be a factory cartridge but if could be a rebarreled rifle. #4 barrel biggest profile you could have. If you want to shoot a "deer rifle" caliber I would advise 6.5 Creed. I have 2 very accurate 7mm-08s and that is my favorite shot action deer caliber but I think the 6.5 would be better for competition. For just shooting competition I would recommend a .223. Or maybe even a .222 rem. for 100 - 200 yrds.

 

[DumpHollow]

I used a Savage PTA based 7-08 in short / mid-range FR-Class for several years. I still have it, but the competition has got too 'hot' for it now in mid-range at any rate with 284 Win ballistics virtually the minimum necessary on a tricky, windy range.

It's capable of exceptional precision with a load combination it likes. A lot will depend on how the chamber in the rifle you have in mind is throated. The standard SAAMI 2.800"-COAL designed for short-action repeating rifles is very limiting because of the constraints placed on the use of heavier, hence longer, bullets - ie those over 140/145gn. (However, recent factory rifles in whatever chambering tend to come shall we say 'generously throated' no matter what SAAMI specifies.) My rifle is chambered for the 168gn Berger VLD and Sierra 160 TMK/ Hornady 162 ELD-M right on the 3-inch COAL mark. There are some lighter / shorter 7mm match bullets around such as the 130gn SMK if COAL is a constraint. My favourite 200/300 yard load was a mild one using the superb, if lowish BC, 150gn Lapua Scenar-L over Lovex S065 (Shooters World 'Long Rifle' in the US) loaded in elderly and very well made Winchester brass given some batching and preparation. As always, bullet to barrel compatibility is variable and crucial of course.

To use any of the excellent heavier 7mm bullets from the 175gn Sierra MK upwards, you need yet more freebore than my rifle has, twist rates may become an issue too.

You can see what the rifle / cartridge can do here:

http://www.targetshooter.co.uk/?p=3624

part of a series of H4350 alternative powder tests I did in 2020. The barrel count was rather over 2,000 by this point, so precision was a little below its original best.

Laurie,
Great work! I printed off EU Compliant 2,3,&4 but couldn't find #1 on the website.

Thanks for sharing.

Fred