7mm-08 Deer Load

[TGP]

my favorite deer load is a 140 grain Bal. Tip and a full load of Varget, many a deer shot, all one shot kills

 

[wolfman]

What is the required minimum velocity for the Barnes TSX and TTSX to ensure expansion?

I really can't say, as I've never had one not expand, but then again I haven't taken a shot past 100 yards either.

 

[Santee116]

I shoot the 120 TTSX over RL-15 @ 3000 fps. I also shoot the 140 Ballistic Tip over Varget @ 2850.

No complaints on either, both work well for deer and hogs.

 

[284winner]

mmcu is spot on. If shots are 100+/- or maybe say up to 300 - 400 max, you should take his advice. I also agree on any 160 +/- round is an awesome 7mm bullet but for whitetails up close, 139 - 140 partition design is a great choice.

 

[alf]

Here's the results of a 120 BT at 3175 from 150 yards....

 

[bheadboy]

you sound like me and my family, friends hunting in the Ga. woods, and on occasion over a bean field.

the 7-08 for me started in 1973 when Jerry Hart sold me a 7x243, rem 600 -- love at first sight,

the following 7 7-08's I bought for sons and friends and grand children all did the job cleanly with the 42gr imr 4064 and rem brass, 9 1/2 primers and 140 Sierra game king, and a few 140 Nosler bt though the 139 hor was tried it was not as clean a killer, the Sierra never needed a 2nd shot unless the first was badly placed. the Nosler was not good on shoulder hits, all shot in the .500 to .600 when seating was tuned and bedding attended to.

Bob

 

[AckleymanII]

you sound like me and my family, friends hunting in the Ga. woods, and on occasion over a bean field.

the 7-08 for me started in 1973 when Jerry Hart sold me a 7x243, rem 600 -- love at first sight,

the following 7 7-08's I bought for sons and friends and grand children all did the job cleanly with the 42gr imr 4064 and rem brass, 9 1/2 primers and 140 Sierra game king, and a few 140 Nosler bt though the 139 hor was tried it was not as clean a killer, the Sierra never needed a 2nd shot unless the first was badly placed. the Nosler was not good on shoulder hits, all shot in the .500 to .600 when seating was tuned and bedding attended to.

Bob

I know that my family and friends has killed 100+ deer with this load:
Remington 700's
Rem brass
9 1/2
Speer 130g BTSP
42g of IMR 4895
Accurate and fast, deer slayer and a half!
DEER DO NOT RUN!

 

[tydaws]

140 Nosler Ballistic Tip over a healthy dose of IMR 4350 is my pick

 

[sbhooper]

About any standard bullet works great for deer. Shoot what your rifle likes. Personally, it would be the Hornady 139 Interlock, Nosler BT, or the Speers. They all will work great. Stay away from the SST at close range, as they dynamite. The Partitions and Abs are fantastic, but not necessary. Bergers perform much like the SST at close range. Mono-metals are not necessary, either, unless you just want to spend the extra money on them.

 

[Cold Bore]

my advice is , don't over think this .

Probably the single best sentence in this entire thread.

For 100 yard shots out of a treestand at a whitetail-sized animal, there is no rocket science involved.

I used to shoot 140 grain Ballistic Tips.

Then I found myself in a situation where I had to buy a box of factory ammo for an upcoming hunt.

Grabbed a box of Federal Fusions, and after using them for about a decade now, have never looked back. I don't even bother to load for my 7mm-08 now, I just keep shooting those Fusions.

 

[Drakehammer]

I use the 140hpbt Sierra game king in mine. Haven't recovered a bullet yet. Expands well, but tapered jacket holds together and penetrates well. Shots from 75yds to 280 so far. Very accurate bullet. Used varget for powder, Lapua brass.

I know the thread is old but I'm wondering about performance with this bullet. My 7mm08 loves the 140 Sierra hpbt. Can you tell us about your shot placement and was it DRT or tracking involved.
Thanks.

 

[fremont]

140 Sierra PH over Varget. At least that's what I use every autumn.

 

[FryeGuy]

None of the deer I shot dropped where they stood. I aim behind shoulder usually, for heart/lungs. I will say I didn't track any of them either. Less than 10-15 yards. One of the hits was very high, and it still went down quickly. I haven't recovered a bullet yet. The one I hit high was also at 240 yds, she went about 20 yds. Very embarrassing, I missed her twice, finally sat down and used my knee to stabilize for rest. Didn't realize how far it was.

 

[Terry_M]

No need to add this but, as previously stated many times, 125-140 gr with a vast assortment of powders and primers will do the job you're after. Personally I shoot 162 A-Max over 48gr H4831SC, but 40gr Varget is just as accurate (only slower) and 36gr IMR 3031 is under an inch at 100 as well. You really can't go wrong with a 7-08 on deer or elk from 100-500yds with just about any bullet/powder combination.

Good luck and God speed.

 

[CTK]

I would echo the idea not to overthink. I would go with the quick expanding bullet that shoots best out of your rifle. I am hunting my son with the 120 BT. If I were hunting whitetail in your conditions, I would avoid the Accubond and similar. A stout bullet is not needed and can leave a tiny blood trail. They will do the job surely but are unnecessary for whitetail. You will not overtwist a 120g bullet with your rifle. A high BC bullet is also unneeded for your application. Change the formula to 300y shots on mule deer and bullet selection becomes important for the 7-08. My 2cents.

 

[7887mm08]

I have shot a 7mm08 since 1984. I have pretty much only shot the hornady 139 gr. bullet. I bought the same tikka the first they came out.
I don't think a better bullet is made! Its only a whitetail, yeah they have the will to live but they fall with any well placed bullet from any caliber gun.
Anything more than a cup & core bullet is overkill on a whitetail deer. The hornady is one tough , accurate bullet try it with some varget and FIRE UP THE GRILL!

 

[FryeGuy]

If the 140hpbt bullets shoot good, use them. If not try the sierra 120spt, they do a great job too. I helped skin a couple deer this year that were shot with the hornady 139 bullets, they do a great job as well. I agree, don't over think it, and any super fancy bullet is overkill

 

[mbp708]

Try the Berger 168 Hunting VLD and RL17. Getting 2750 out of my 22" bbl 7-08. Tried the 140 Hunting VLD and was getting too much expansion and no exit. I believe the VLD and the Nosler BT are both great bullets for deer as long as they're not pushed too fast

 

[CTK]

Try the Berger 168 Hunting VLD and RL17. Getting 2750 out of my 22" bbl 7-08. Tried the 140 Hunting VLD and was getting too much expansion and no exit. I believe the VLD and the Nosler BT are both great bullets for deer as long as they're not pushed too fast

That is smoking fast for the 168 in a 22" 7-08.

 

[JLT]

I have shot a 7mm08 since 1984. I have pretty much only shot the hornady 139 gr. bullet. I bought the same tikka the first they came out.
I don't think a better bullet is made! Its only a whitetail, yeah they have the will to live but they fall with any well placed bullet from any caliber gun.
Anything more than a cup & core bullet is overkill on a whitetail deer. The hornady is one tough , accurate bullet try it with some varget and FIRE UP THE GRILL!

Couldn't agree more. IMO, the 139 gr. Hornady and the 7-08 were made for each other with respect to medium game. I've had nothing but good results with this bullet. Gotta like the price, too.