7mm-08 Load Development

[MattM]

I’m working on a load for my wife’s 7mm-08. It is a Savage Axis with a sportier barrel on it. I’m using H4895 pushing a 140 gr Sierra GameKing and loading to 0.010” off the lands. I started at 33.5gr and increased by 0.5gr until I reached 38.0 gr. I did not see any signs of pressure and my chronograph measured 2676FPS for the top charge (38.0gr). All groups were shot from 100 yards on a rest.

I was hoping you guys could help me look at the groups to narrow down where the accuracy node might be for this bullet/powder/rifle combo. Thanks in advance!

 

[grovey]

Not a pro by any means, but IF it were me, and I was sure of no pressure issues I'd lean on it some more, but I'd only work up from there in 0.2 gr increments. Sierra's max for that bullet and powder combo is 38.4, but all that depends on the capacity of YOUR brass and YOUR specific chamber.
Also.... can you load those rds from the mag at that length? If not, and from your bullet choice I'm assuming it's a hunting load ...? your gonna have to rethink your loading length, and if you end up seating deeper you'll have to back off your charge some and work back up. If that isn't an issue I'd do a coarse seating depth test before shooting any higher charges. I'd load 3 groups of 3 shot groups at a lower charge like 35.0 grs. Load 0.005 jump, 0.015 jump, and 0.020 jump. You have a group at 0.010 jump already, so that would give you four reference points to look at.

 

[Murray Brook]

In the three 7mm/08's i've owned I have gotten better accuracy and velocity with 140 gr bullets when using powders in the burn rate range of H-414/W760. I believe H-4895 is a bit on the fast side.

 

[Homerange]

Personally I wouldn't risk beating the wifes shoulder up using 140's instead drop down to 120's and you can still comfortably take deer @ 250 yds.

 

[Nature Boy]

Using the cortina method I’d say 2 nodes

1. 33.5 - 34.0

2. 37.0 - 37.5

I assume you’re limited to mag length given this is a hunting rig?

 

[kolar55]

In the three 7mm/08's i've owned I have gotten better accuracy and velocity with 140 gr bullets when using powders in the burn rate range of H-414/W760. I believe H-4895 is a bit on the fast side.

I have to agree here. 760 works very well in my Savage 16 weather warrior 7-08 with 120 or 140 Nosler ballistic tips. I have had good luck with IMR 4350 and 4320 also.

 

[1holeaddict]

I run Varget with the 140 grain Accubond or Partitions. I tried the Ballistic tips and also the SSt's but accuracy was not as good. I also run 4350 in one with the 140 Partitions.

PS: Sierra bullets like a running start before they hit the lands or they love to live in them...

 

[joe12180]

https://sierrabulletsblog.com/2017/06/01/long-range-load-development-2/

 

[MattM]

Thank you for the replies. Right now the bullet seating depth is not limited by the mag length...I can go longer if needed. I just started at 0.010” off the lands as a starting point. I will play around with the loads in the 33.5-34.0 and the 37.0-37.5 range and then look at seating depths.

If I don’t find a winner I will look at running a different powder. Would H4350 be a good choice? Heard a lot of great things about it. I want to stick with the 140 grain bullet as my wife is using this for Mule Deer as well as Elk.

 

[Sekora]

I had good luck with H4350 in mine but tried different powders when it was hard to find. My gun shot really good with Varget. Both are worth looking into IMO.

 

[centerlineseal]

Thank you for the replies. Right now the bullet seating depth is not limited by the mag length...I can go longer if needed. I just started at 0.010” off the lands as a starting point. I will play around with the loads in the 33.5-34.0 and the 37.0-37.5 range and then look at seating depths.

If I don’t find a winner I will look at running a different powder. Would H4350 be a good choice? Heard a lot of great things about it. I want to stick with the 140 grain bullet as my wife is using this for Mule Deer as well as Elk.

We have found H4350 to be very accurate behind 120 Nosler BTs and 140 Berger VLD Hunts. Fairly stout loading in both a Tikka and Remington VLS. Still working on bullet seating depth for 140 Nosler Partitions.