7mm-08 loads w/heavy bullets

[diggler44]

Well my new 7mm08 build will be done within a week so i am ready to start load development. so i was wondering what experiences you guys have with the heavy target bullets. I would prefer to use rl17 because i have 10lbs and it worked great out of my 284. I would also prefer to use 162 amax.

My barrel is a 9 twist 3 groove benchmark 24"long on a defiance repeater action. i have the chamber set to seat 162 amax 2.9" coal just kissing lands. is it unrealistic to think i can get 2750fps out of this combo. I don't like to run hot loads for consistency reasons.

thanks scott

 

[TonyR]

QuickLoad says that 2746 fps is velocity at max pressure for that combination. If you have a fast barrel, you might get there. Just be careful as you work up the grains.

 

[750k2]

I bet you get it.
I just worked up one in my McGowen 25" 1-9"
Nosler brass, Rem 9 1/2m, Older lot of IMR 4064 39.0 and 162 A-Max.
2725fps. I'm jumping .010" @ 2.900
Used 4064 for the same reason (stock pile) - RL17 should net you a little
more fps. The 24" might hamper it a little. Go 1/2gr at a time til you flatten
a primer. 3 groove are said to be fast - time to find out ;D

 

[broncman]

What would the starting load be for RL17? I have been loading a 162 Hornady SST in front of a slow lot of Varget and get to 2630 fps. I had to up the Varget quite a bit compared to my old lot. Would love to try the RL17 as I have a large jug of it and it is now my man powder for several other rifles as well.

This is in a Sako A7 stainless.

 

[diggler44]

well it took 44.5gr rl17 to get to 2675fps no pressur signs, but 47.8gr of h4350 got me to 2750fps with good accuracy so i will be saving the rl17 for my 6x47 i guess.

 

[coyotehunter]

I have a 7mm08 that I use out to 1000 yds. I'm shooting the 162's at 2910 fps using reloader 17. Its a fast barrel for sure but I've seen two others get mid 2800's.

 

[diggler44]

how much rl17 are u using to get that velocity with what length barrel?

 

[trailrider121]

Any updates using RL-17 with 168's. Has it been temp stable.

 

[coyotehunter]

Sorry its taken so long to get back on this subject built me a new 6mm super lr and have been having fun with it. I started working my load up from 43 grains all the way to 47 which shot an average of 2910fps. I have found since then that the gun shoots better at 46 grains which give me right at 2850fps. It is shooting well at this velocity. Start at a lower charge and work your way up with a chronograph and see how it does. Whatch for pressure signs and work up a half a grain at a time. What I normally do is work up till I get the slightest signs of pressure and back down in 2tenth increments till the pressure goes away. So far I have had great results using this procedure. I have recently tried some Reloader 17 in my 6 super behind some 107 sierra's and I am getting some impressive results.

 

[trailrider121]

Well I finally got to test some loads, however did get any chrony speeds. It was a little windy 15mph test was shot at 100 meters.

Savage 7mm-08 22" barrel.

1st load: 168 gr VLD,RL-17,cci BR2, .010" off the lands.

43.5, 44, 44.5, 45 grs.

So i went back and did some more testing with both powders.

I loaded up some H4350 seated .010" off the lands,and tested them,found a good node between 45.6,45.8,and 46grs. All three rounds went .716" and chrony them at 2620 fps avg. @ 12' from muzzle. I tested out to 46.5grs but hit a scatter node at 46.6grs. I might see another node at 46.9- 47.1grs. I might test higher but might see pressure signs, I would work very carefully.Hodgdon shows 47.2C max at 2637fps.


I also tried RL-17 out but really didn't see any good nodes, plus the speed wasn't there. The highest was 44grs @ 2570 fps with no signs of pressure at all, so I'm going to push it higher. I shot 45grs in previous target and looks to be a scatter node as well,I did it see pressure signs at 45 grs so I'm going to push it high to 46grs,slowly..Stay tune...

 

[Fordnutter]

Hmmm.....I've been following this thread with interest. In my long throated 7mm08 & the 162gr Amax I've had it up to 2,850fps with both ADI2209 (H4350 I think) & Reloader 17 in my 24" barrel. The 2209 loads were heavily compressed & not really that consistent & pressures were getting up there. Reloader 17 straight away gave the same speeds with less pressure & far better accuracy in my rifle. Just out of interest I'm going to load up some 180gr Berger VLD's so see what accuracy & velocity can be had - probably just a fun excercise as I don't think there would be enough speed to get them to expand on game. I think 2,600 fps maybe more can be had in my case as the start on the boat tail is just above the neck shoulder junction (no magazine feeding here) so it doesn't protrude into the powder space much.