7mm-08 Brass Switch

[MattM]

I worked up a load for my wife’s 7mm-08 Savage using Hornady Brass. The brass is getting worn out and I was finally able to buy some Lapua brass for this rifle. I was wondering if switching the brass was going to affect the load I worked up. In other words, do i need to rework the load up? I’m mainly trying to save on components as they are hard to find right now. I appreciate any info. Thanks!

 

[Field_2_Fork]

I worked up a load for my wife’s 7mm-08 Savage using Hornady Brass. The brass is getting worn out and I was finally able to buy some Lapua brass for this rifle. I was wondering if switching the brass was going to affect the load I worked up. In other words, do i need to rework the load up? I’m mainly trying to save on components as they are hard to find right now. I appreciate any info. Thanks!

Unfortunately the case volume will certainly be different between the two, there could be quite a change in both how the load shoots and the pressure generated.

Definitely recommend reworking the load, start from a lower powder charge and work your way back up. Any change in components and this should be done, especially one as major as brass.

I'm about to start on a 7-08 for my wife as well, I'm curious what your load is? I was thinking of trying some 120TTSX. I shot a few the other day with a middle charge of IMR 4895 and was pretty surprised at how hard it was kicking. Rifle is a Sako A7.

 

[Homerange]

I worked up a load for my wife’s 7mm-08 Savage using Hornady Brass. The brass is getting worn out and I was finally able to buy some Lapua brass for this rifle. I was wondering if switching the brass was going to affect the load I worked up. In other words, do i need to rework the load up? I’m mainly trying to save on components as they are hard to find right now. I appreciate any info. Thanks!

If your load for the wife is relatively tame then you might be able to drop it into Lapua brass however it will still require further tuning.

 

[358WCF]

There is a significant difference in the internal capacity with the lot of Lapua '06 I have compared to Hornady & WW. I backed off 3 gr or about 5% & it still locked the damned bolt. Maybe 7-08 wont be as drastic, maybe it will. Since you're asking you dont know either. Saving components is foolish for the small amount of stuff you will use to be sure the load is safe. Back it off 10% & fire a few for effect. Do you have a chronograph?

 

[MattM]

I figured the load would be need to be reworked. The load is relatively tame….168 gr Berger over 36.5 grains of H4895. It runs at about 2591fps in the rifle with 9sd. I started with the powder and then went to seating depth test. During the seating depth test it printed 2 groups that measured .337 and .341. I have a different load for a 140 grain Sierra using the same powder and Hornady brass.

I haven’t measured the difference in what the different brands of brass will hold for case capacity. Since there is that much of a difference than I agree, the load needs to be reworked from the beginning.

I appreciate everyone’s input and feedback. You guys are a great resource to learn from!

 

[Flycaster1977]

Unfortunately the case volume will certainly be different between the two, there could be quite a change in both how the load shoots and the pressure generated.

Definitely recommend reworking the load, start from a lower powder charge and work your way back up. Any change in components and this should be done, especially one as major as brass.

I'm about to start on a 7-08 for my wife as well, I'm curious what your load is? I was thinking of trying some 120TTSX. I shot a few the other day with a middle charge of IMR 4895 and was pretty surprised at how hard it was kicking. Rifle is a Sako A7.

I just put together a load of 42 grains of norma 203b and the barnes 120 ttsx. Exceptional accuracy and good velocities. Should hit like a freight train. The upside is it doesnt kick much at all. Reloader 15 would produce similar results.

 

[std7mag]

When I had my 7mm-08AI, I had loaded up some 120gr Hornady HP Varmint bullets using PPU cases.
A friend of mine was loading up 308 for himself at my place, and had extra 7.62 Nato cases that I could have.
After the first round, I pulled all the bullets, dumped the powder, deprimed, and threw all the 7.62 cases in the recycle bin.

Lesson learned!!