7mm-08 for 500 yard F-class ?

[NZ_Fclass]

Curious how 280AI gets outclassed by the 284 and the SAUM, etc. Not shooting F-Class but my 280 with 180s and a 32" barrel get 2920fps pretty easy using H1000, switched to N165 and speeds pretty much the same. Can get them to 3020 if I want to be hard on the cases. 280AI I'm guessing can get to 3100s. Is it just an accuracy thing?

Is it a culture issue? The good oil is that short fat cases shoot better than long skinny ones =certainly easy to tune - or is it that we haven't grown up with the '06?
There were a few shooting the 30/338 for a while, at a time when F=Class was just taking off, and FTR was the norm (TR rifles with a scope - 15x Weavers were common). Soon the 6.5/284 was the "bees knees" - but the introduction of high BC 7mm projectiles and excess throat erosion killed the 6.5 and the 7mm ruled. Still does.

 

[ATFIV]

Don't overlook a 140 vld and some IMR 4064.

 

[Keith Glasscock]

You're wrong, I love the answer.

I can live with that.

 

[Sandstorm]

I think he's asking due to Brass availability. I could be totally wrong.,but my
vote is to try a 6BR at 500 yds or Dasher as they both do quite well.
I can see the desire to use up the rest of the 180 Hyb's and go with a 7mm.
Its a tuff call because I really like the 284 Win and had to force myself to switch...painful

 

[9146gt]

To which I can only add my race car days saying that applies to this sport as well…
Speed cost money…. How fast do you want to go…?

I have worked on Indy Cars, Sports Cars and Rally X at a high level for a long time. Easiest and cheapest way to go faster is to replace the spacer ...between the seat and the steering wheel.
Tom

 

[Sandstorm]

Easiest and cheapest way to go faster is to replace the spacer .

Couldn't have said it better..100%...lol

 

[swd]

A straight 7/08 might barley make 2600 with 180's but I think it would be really hot load. And it would only get you Dasher/BRX performance with more recoil and more expense. For 500 yards just go with a Dasher or BRX and enjoy everything the mid size 6's do. They are VERY effective at that range. Crazy accurate and easy to shoot.

 

[Evlshnngns]

I'm stashing the pieces for a 7-08 30° improved on an 8 twist for 180s. Mine will be for steel at 6-1000yds. Thought about doing a 308w and 185-215gr. Its kind of like the tank game, lobbing heavies.




If I want more speed, rechamber the barrel to a 284 or prcw or 7mm-338lm or 284-50bmg...

The OP already knows a 6 or 6.5mm will do the job at 500.

 

[Fire Dog]

I have worked on Indy Cars, Sports Cars and Rally X at a high level for a long time. Easiest and cheapest way to go faster is to replace the spacer ...between the seat and the steering wheel.
Tom

"YEP! This here Custom Built rifle is a real winner.... If I do my part.......!"
Cringe...

 

[Fast14riot]

Kinda hard to beat the 6.5s on a 308 case, especially AI'd. But, I am kinda partial to them. 140s at ~3000fps with minimal drift. 150+ at 2800 and shoot inside the 7mm 180s just fine.

 

[Fuj]

For what it's worth, West Texas Ordnance claims to get over 2700 fps
on their 7mm SAW with the 180's.

 

[std7mag]

I'll give my take on it. Take it for what you will.

For me, I like to pair the bullet with the capacity of the cartridge.
For the 7mm-08 and 7mm-08AI, the case capacity just doesn't lend itself to bullets heavier than 168gr.
And those only if the chamber is throated for them.

As @Fuj said, the 130gr Sierra MatchKing was a great bullet for the 7mm-08 and 7mm BR.

But the 140gr Berger VLD is a good bullet for the cartridge and range described.

My Stevens 200 with the factory 22" sporter barrel in 7mm-08AI with the 140gr Berger VLD netted me 2,832fps with a variety of powders.
H414, IMR 4350, PP2000MR.
RL17 was the speed demon at 2,916fps.
PP2000MR was the go to with ES-6, SD-2.

I shot a 600 yard F-Open match with that rifle.
173, 173-1X, 173-2X.
First time shooting 600 yards, first time shooting prone, first time shooting that many rounds.
It was also the last hurrah for the barrel as it had approximately 6,000 rounds down the barrel.

 

[Fuj]

Kenny.....Where is that range at ?? Looks familiar......

 

[std7mag]

Kenny.....Where is that range at ?? Looks familiar......

Gary,
It's Reade Range.
I need to renew my membership there.
Unfortunately my interests have gone from the short range Benchrest towards the F-Open.

Was debating on a 25 caliber for it, but leaning towards the 7mm-08AI as it's a platform I know well.

Doing a barreled action is no problem. Once again I'm looking for a stock.

And I have the desire to build a 280AI hunting rifle first.
Kenny

 

[Evlshnngns]

7mm creedmoor going 2685 with 180grs in the video above. Start at 8:30 for the details.

 

[holstil]

I tried 7-08AI in two barrels with 180 Berger hyb. 172 Amax 168 smk, 155 smk, and 155 bcb custom. I found they all shoot very well, In the end, I couldn’t justify shooting it over the dasher or 6br for 600yd br for accuracy.
I do have another 7-08AI for steel I’d like to try one day.

Those amax performed very well at 300 yds. Have to sort them.

If you’re interested, I think I still have a thousand or so of those 155 Bob Cautiers (spelling?) They’re moly coated. Wicked high BC.

 

[Heman]

I tried 7-08AI in two barrels with 180 Berger hyb. 172 Amax 168 smk, 155 smk, and 155 bcb custom. I found they all shoot very well, In the end, I couldn’t justify shooting it over the dasher or 6br for 600yd br for accuracy.
I do have another 7-08AI for steel I’d like to try one day.

Those amax performed very well at 300 yds. Have to sort them.

If you’re interested, I think I still have a thousand or so of those 155 Bob Cautiers (spelling?) They’re moly coated. Wicked high BC. View attachment 1620812View attachment 1620812

Cauterucio way back when I started the 280 I had some of his 177s and 189s. But decided at that time I needed to learn how to shoot more than pay money for really fancy bullets.

What speed did you get on the 7mm08 AI with the 180s? How long was the barrel and what was the load?

 

[Sniper338]

Instead of cartridge, find the bullet you want to shoot first. Then figure out what cartridge will make it do what you want.

You don't see certain cartridges because either it's been tried, or it's been tried by someone that couldn't make it work. Alot left in the trigger hands no matter what cartridge you experiment with.

 

[holstil]

Instead of cartridge, find the bullet you want to shoot first. Then figure out what cartridge will make it do what you want.

You don't see certain cartridges because either it's been tried, or it's been tried by someone that couldn't make it work. Alot left in the trigger hands no matter what cartridge you experiment with.

I think more like the kind of bullets for the discipline you want to shoot. Hard to bank on a specific lot of bullets to shoot that may not do well in your setup.

The 7-08 has been around a long time and tried countless times by many talented people. Yes it’s very good. Personal preference if it’s the right choice for you. Heck, the 308 held a very small group record for awhile at 600yd br.

I wanted to see if I could get it to shoot with the 6 mm’s I gave up when the cost of components started shooting up and I make my own 6mm bullets.

 

[holstil]

Cauterucio way back when I started the 280 I had some of his 177s and 189s. But decided at that time I needed to learn how to shoot more than pay money for really fancy bullets.

What speed did you get on the 7mm08 AI with the 180s? How long was the barrel and what was the load?

I’ll see if I can locate my notes. It’s been a little bit.
I wanna say 2375 was about as fast as I got with them in a 26” barrel?
The 7mm BC numbers are compelling.