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7mm-08 Powder For Cold Weather

Hello,

I’m going to be working up some loads for deer hunting up in Minnesota this November. I have some Nosler 140 grain ballistic tips on the way, and Winchester large rifle primers in hand. The white tails in this area aren’t huge, and 100 yards would be considered quite a long distance shot in the forest. Rifle is a Winchester m70 featherweight.

I’m spoiled for powder choices currently, and wondering if anyone has any preferences for powders to be used in potentially cold weather, likely in the teens. I live in the desert southwest, so I don’t have much cold weather experience or a chance to develop loads in the cold.

Powders I have already:
Varget (this would be my normal choice except for possible cold weather ignition concerns)
IMR 4350
Accurate 4064
IMR 4895

Any thoughts on which of these works best in the cold? I’m mainly concerned with reliability and don’t care so much about losing a bit of velocity while hunting . Also don’t care if I’m getting the max velocity or accuracy out of my rifle since shots are short range.
 
I've been using 4064 with 140s & 150s for more years than I want to admit. Never hunted with a 7-08, but spent hours at the range year round in northern PA. WLRs were outstanding on sub-zero mornings in 7x57 with 4350 which has a slightly larger capacity case. Per Winchester they were to be used for magnum or standard rifle until the late 80s/early 90s when WLRMs were introduced.
 
Hello,

I’m going to be working up some loads for deer hunting up in Minnesota this November. I have some Nosler 140 grain ballistic tips on the way, and Winchester large rifle primers in hand. The white tails in this area aren’t huge, and 100 yards would be considered quite a long distance shot in the forest. Rifle is a Winchester m70 featherweight.

I’m spoiled for powder choices currently, and wondering if anyone has any preferences for powders to be used in potentially cold weather, likely in the teens. I live in the desert southwest, so I don’t have much cold weather experience or a chance to develop loads in the cold.

Powders I have already:
Varget (this would be my normal choice except for possible cold weather ignition concerns)
IMR 4350
Accurate 4064
IMR 4895

Any thoughts on which of these works best in the cold? I’m mainly concerned with reliability and don’t care so much about losing a bit of velocity while hunting . Also don’t care if I’m getting the max velocity or accuracy out of my rifle since shots are short range.
Shoot a email to Hodgdon.
 
Hello,

I’m going to be working up some loads for deer hunting up in Minnesota this November. I have some Nosler 140 grain ballistic tips on the way, and Winchester large rifle primers in hand. The white tails in this area aren’t huge, and 100 yards would be considered quite a long distance shot in the forest. Rifle is a Winchester m70 featherweight.

I’m spoiled for powder choices currently, and wondering if anyone has any preferences for powders to be used in potentially cold weather, likely in the teens. I live in the desert southwest, so I don’t have much cold weather experience or a chance to develop loads in the cold.

Powders I have already:
Varget (this would be my normal choice except for possible cold weather ignition concerns)
IMR 4350
Accurate 4064
IMR 4895

Any thoughts on which of these works best in the cold? I’m mainly concerned with reliability and don’t care so much about losing a bit of velocity while hunting . Also don’t care if I’m getting the max velocity or accuracy out of my rifle since shots are short range.
Varget will work in the cold. It is an extruded powder with a good chemistry.
Nothing wrong with any of the others for that matter.

What you want to avoid, is ball powders of low fill ratio and weak ignition in the cold. That tends to be a recipe for hang-fires and performance problems.

Make sure the bolt, firing pin/spring, ignition, etc., are in good shape and avoid low quality lubes and over-lubrication and you will be fine. A very light film of synthetic lube is all you will need.
 
They do advertise Staball 6.5 as good for extreme temperatures both hot and cold. It's about as perfect as it gets for 7-08.
I just finished working up a load for my buds 7-08, with 139 Hornady SST's, and that powder.
It was easy peazy to hit on a sub MOA load @ mid 2800 fps with a little room to grow.

He went out and hammered this nice buck with it. jd
IMG_5184.jpeg
 
I have hunted big game in cold weather in North Central PA using reloads for the 243 Win and 308 Win. But let me define "cold weather"; temperatures below freezing to about 20 degrees or so but not below zero.

I agree with post # 4, avoid Ball Powders.

I also removed all bolt greases and lubes on the bolt, especially inside the firing pin assembly. You're not going to create excessive wear on the bolt for the few shots you are going take hunting big game. If you are concerned about corrosion, I simply wiped the bolt off with a cotton flannel cloth containing a sparse amount of Hoppe's Gun Oil (mineral oil) when returning to the cabin after a day's hunt.
 
With my 7-08, 760 w/cci250 primer. I tested it from 75F to -10F, 30fps difference, which won't make squat for difference inside of 300yds. With the powders avail these days, I'd maybe use Staball6.5 for a ball powder, if you aren't a velocity hog, Varget, IMR4064. IMR4350 and H4350 both work well with 140gr & up velocities were mediocre for me with, what I had. 760 does get good velocity if using the mag primers with it.
 
With my 7-08, 760 w/cci250 primer. I tested it from 75F to -10F, 30fps difference, which won't make squat for difference inside of 300yds. With the powders avail these days, I'd maybe use Staball6.5 for a ball powder, if you aren't a velocity hog, Varget, IMR4064. IMR4350 and H4350 both work well with 140gr & up velocities were mediocre for me with, what I had. 760 does get good velocity if using the mag primers with it.
I like W-760 myself for the 7-08 also (160-162 grn bullets)
I have not tried in weather down in the teens though
So its good to read someone else has and had good results
Will stick with my W-760
 
I run N550 in my 7MM-08 with spectacular results. Speeds are 2824fps cold or hot outside, it’s very temp stable and accuracy has been amazing, shooting in the .1s and .2s consistently.
 
I have been using Varget in my 7mm08 for 20 plus years. I live in upstate NY. Did alot of hunting in the
Adirondack mtns. Many days of below zero temps. NEVER had an issue whatso ever.
I do work up my loads in the summer when its warm out.
 
I would try Varget based on the powders you have on hand. It is single based and deterrent coated for temperature stability. The IMR powders you have are single based but not deterrent coated for temp stability. Not sure about the Accurate powder.

Personally, I use RL16 in my 7mm-08 with 139 grain flat based Interlocks. (that's what shot the best). My first 7mm-08 liked RL16 and 140 Accubonds.

RL16 is double based and deterrent coated for temperature stability. I have taken three caribou in subzero weather with RL16 and it seems to work okay. I don't generally hunt when it is colder than -20F. I've done it before but it just gets uncomfortable and if my snowmachine breaks down, I really don't want to have to walk too far in those temperatures.
 
Hello,

I’m going to be working up some loads for deer hunting up in Minnesota this November. I have some Nosler 140 grain ballistic tips on the way, and Winchester large rifle primers in hand. The white tails in this area aren’t huge, and 100 yards would be considered quite a long distance shot in the forest. Rifle is a Winchester m70 featherweight.

I’m spoiled for powder choices currently, and wondering if anyone has any preferences for powders to be used in potentially cold weather, likely in the teens. I live in the desert southwest, so I don’t have much cold weather experience or a chance to develop loads in the cold.

Powders I have already:
Varget (this would be my normal choice except for possible cold weather ignition concerns)
IMR 4350
Accurate 4064
IMR 4895

Any thoughts on which of these works best in the cold? I’m mainly concerned with reliability and don’t care so much about losing a bit of velocity while hunting . Also don’t care if I’m getting the max velocity or accuracy out of my rifle since shots are short range.
Temps during rifle deer season rarely get below upper 20s in Minnesota. Any of the powders listed will be just fine.
If you were using ball powders in near zero or below Temps that would be a different story. I live and hunted Minnesota all my life.
 
Temps during rifle deer season rarely get below upper 20s in Minnesota. Any of the powders listed will be just fine.
If you were using ball powders in near zero or below Temps that would be a different story. I live and hunted Minnesota all my life.
That’s my hope! I’ve been to the family deer camp twice before, one year it was very mild and one year I’ve never been colder in my life! Although living in Arizona, that’s not saying much.
 
I shot a 7-08 across the course for a few years and my go to powder for the 140, 150 gr bullets was H4895. Excellent accuracy and consistency, but since its availabilty is questionable, I think Varget would be my next choice or the IMR4895.
 

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