7-08 loads for deer hunting

[Flycaster1977]

120 ttsx or 120 nosler ballistic tip over 42-44 grains of reloader 15 has been dynamite on deer for me.

 

[Dwight]

I have been killing deer with my 708 since 1982 and it is awesome. One shot kills are easy, recoil is easy, trajectory is great. My preferred for the past 15 years has been the Barnes 140 TTSX at 2800 fps. Always blast right through both shoulders easy on deer. I settled in on Varget powder about 20 years ago. Shoots great in any temperature weather. I have recently tested the 120 Barnes TTSX and it shoots in the 3000 fps range and a little less recoil. They shoot really nice. Nothing beats 708 for deer.

 

[ATFIV]

IMR 4064, Lapua Brass, Br2 primer
Berger Classic Hunter or 140 vld
I've seen multiple rifles hammer at the low end 36-37 and at the higher end
40+

 

[Zero333]

42.5 Varget with whatever 140 gr bullet.
Easy Peasy fill your freeze.

 

[Dwight]

42.5 Varget with whatever 140 gr bullet.
Easy Peasy fill your freeze.

Yes I have verified the same. That is a safe and accurate load in my rifle.

 

[K22]

I think everyone should own a 7-08.

I have given one away and rebarreled my other one to 7-08AI, but have been killing deer with them for about 25 years now.

My favorite loads are a 140 grain Nosler BT over 47.0 grains of H4350 and a CCI 200 primer. That load was leaving that 22" Browning barrel at 2725 fps. Plenty for any thin-skinned game to 400 yards.
My current 7-08AI load is a 150 grain Nosler Accubond Long Range over 48.5 grains of H4350 and a CCI200 primer. That load is producing 2790 out of a 20" barrel.

It's one of the great calibers I never owned but wished I had. Just about perfect in my view for eastern white tail. I knew a few fellows that shot Hunter's Silhouette with this rifle and did exceptionally well hitting rams at 500 meters.

I truly believe if more new shooters understood the capability and value of this cartridge, there wouldn't be as many 6.5 Creedmoor sales.

 

[Orr89rocz]

Yup never understood the 6.5 creed as a youth gun, the 7-08 was perfect. Hell even the 243 or 260.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

IDK about,.. THAT,. I've Replaced My .243 Win. Tikka ( my grandson, abscounded with,.. IT ) with, a 6.5 Creedmoor Tikka 24" bbl.,.. W/ 130's going, 2,800 + FPS and SUB, 1/2 MOA to 3/4 MOA on My "Bad" Days and w/ LOW Recoil ! IF hunting Elk, PAST 500 yards,..then a 7mm-08 would be, a "Little" Nicer and then, AGAIN,.. "maybe",.. NOT !
I'd not be, afraid to use, a 143 gr ELD-X bullet at, 2,735 FPS for, an Elk at, "Reasonable" ranges !

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

Most Creedmoor "Haters" have NEVER shot, the awesome Lil', .. 6.5 Creed !!!
It Punches,.. way, WAY above, it's weight with,.. the Right, loads !

 

[nockhunter]

I have had the same experience with my 7x57. 140g B-tips over a good charge of IMR4350 (2800fps). Great bullet and speed combo for deer, 7-08 or 7x57.

Mike