7mm-08 finally coming together!

[mattri]

Have a 7mm-08 that has been pretty tough to tune. It is on a Savage PTA, 30" CBI barrel with 1:9 twist. I've tried a lot of different bullets, powders, loads, seating depths etc and it never shot badly, but it never shot that great either.

100gr Sierra Varminters shot well, but nothing for long range work. I'd pretty much resigned myself to using it for prairie dogs next month and then re-barreling it when we got back.

Then I ended up with some Sierra 175 MatchKings. Hadn't tried them before because I thought they'd be too heavy for the 7mm-08 case and they recommend at least a 1:8.5 twist. Anyway, figured I had nothing to lose, here's how they did-

3 shots @ 200 yards.


5 shots @ 200 yards.


4 shots @ 300 yards. I forgot to mark a bullseye so I just aimed for center of the plate, then used that shot as a point to aim for with the next 3.


3 shots @ 600 yards.


These aren't competition winners by any means but they're about as good as I can shoot and are at least a place to start. Thanks to everyone who has helped along the way, have gotten tons of good feedback and suggestions from lots of different members here.

 

[Terry]

What is your load?

 

[mattri]

44.5gr of R17 in ww cases, CCI200s and the 175sjust off the lands. 2800fps with SDs in the high singles digits.

 

[Terry]

Good work.

What will you use it for?

Terry

 

[mattri]

We're headed out to wy in a couple of weeks. Going to use the 100gr varminters on prairie dogs, and the 175s for some steel at 1k, maybe farther.

Right now 600 is the farthest we have to shoot around here so that's mostly what its for.

 

[17 rem savage]

Mattri,

Glad those bullets are working out, Im also shooting a 7mm-08 with a 9.25 twist so the trade worked out great for both of us. Nice shooting by the way!!!

 

[mattri]

Thanks! Funny you should mention trades, just posting some 130gr SMKs in the classifieds now.

 

[calib]

that is pretty sweet out of that cartridge

 

[mattri]

Thanks, I think the R17 and the 30" barrel are a good combo. When its time I may rechamber the barrel in 7mm-08ai just for kicks.

 

[holstil]

2800fps with 175's in a 7-08, nice, very nice. 8)