7mm-08, 20" barrel

[DShortt]

Anyone have experience with 140gr bullets in a 7mm-08 with a 20" barrel?

Not trying to set the world on fire, this is just a Savage Axis. I like it because it's short and light. Completely factory at this point. Only worried about shooting out to 250 yds tops. Thinking since I'm leaning towards a 140gr bullet and it came with a 20" barrel, a faster powder *might* be worth looking at, but not sure. Anyone been down this road already?

Thanks for looking.

 

[chop house]

watching with interest

 

[Just Say Moe]

My sons R700 has a 22 inch barrel and have had no problem getting >2800 fps with 140BT's and IMR4064. Longest kill was 125 or so yards. Wouldn't hesitate with a 300yd shot.

My brother shoots the same load out of his 24inch 700 and has made >200 yard kills. I'm not sure of his velocity.

 

[Woollybugger]

Anyone have experience with 140gr bullets in a 7mm-08 with a 20" barrel?

Not trying to set the world on fire, this is just a Savage Axis. I like it because it's short and light. Completely factory at this point. Only worried about shooting out to 250 yds tops. Thinking since I'm leaning towards a 140gr bullet and it came with a 20" barrel, a faster powder *might* be worth looking at, but not sure. Anyone been down this road already?

Thanks for looking.

Hodgdon near max book loads of Varget and 140 ballistic tips have worked well in my 7-08 mountain rifle for 30 plus years

 

[bozo699]

I have several 7-08’s but I think 22” is my short one I’ll have to check but a full house load of Varget works great in all of mine with a 140 accubond. MR2000 works really well also especially with 168’s. Really haven’t found any combo in my Tikka t3 that wouldn’t be a accurate hunting load
Wayne

 

[waverly]

My first one back in the early 90’s was 20 inches. I used RL19 and 139 Hornady BTSP. I later changed to Varget and still use it. I don’t remember the velocity but it was somewhere around 2750. I always considered it a 300 yd. rifle. Lilja #5 10 twist.
About 6 years ago I put a new barrel on. Still Lilja #5 10 twist but finished at 22. I use Varget and 140 Accubonds. It’s still my favorite hunting rifle. I have shot this one to 500 yds, but primarily use it in tree stands in tighter places. It still points and shoots better than any other rifle I own.

I have considered a can but would probably cut it back to 18-20 inches if I did.

Waverly

 

[dryhumor]

22” barrel 9 twist Brux SAAMI chamber.

140 Berger VLDH
BR2
39 IMR 4064

Shot very well. Not as well as 150 TGKs and H4350, but they were neck and neck.

 

[Tedk]

Friends Remington 788 with an 18 1/2" bbl liked 139 hornady spire points with 39 grains of Varget. Best group at 200 was 1 1/2" off of bags, of course

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

My son's 22.4 inch, 7mm-08, Tikka shot, 150 grain ELD-X's with RL-17, very Well and got,. 2,800 - 2,850 FPS ish,. IIRC.
He shot a Nice, big bodied, Heavy Horned, 5 x 6 Elk in the So. Idaho Desert at, 247 Yards.
Great accuracy, Penetration and a Nice, 114 grain, Mushroomed Bullet

 

[shoot4fun]

Mine is a Rem M7 and I think the barrel is 22" though it looks and feels shorter.
My best accuracy and DRT performance has been with N140 and the Speer 130 grain Spitzer BT. I've taken many deer, coyotes and antelope over the years and never had to go look for anything that ran off.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

A 22" to 22.5 inch 7-08, IS "Perfection" for, a Hunting Rifle,.. IMO !
My sons rifle, Weighed LESS than, 7.5 Pounds with, a Burris 4.5 x 14 Scope, in DNZ aluminum Rings.
T'was like,.. carrying,.. Nothing ! Great Rifle for, serious Back Country, "Bivy" Hunts !

 

[DShortt]

I appreciate all the responses.

Has anyone tried H4350 in a short barrel 7mm-08? 140 grain bullets?

Have plenty of Varget, so that's definitely on the list to try.

 

[Seanshooter]

I have never had much luck with h4350 in any of my 7-08 barrels, Varget has shot well, but not as good as it is in the 308. Big game and SW long rifle have been my go to powders for 140’s for accuracy. For speed cfe223 and power pro 2000mr are hard to beat and can give you some good accuracy loads. I want to say without looking at my notes that my 20” tikka load is 45gr of big game with 140 ballistic tips @2740, it’s a stupidly accurate.