7mm-08 reduced loads - What powder is OK

[haeffnkr]

Be VERY careful with Blue Dot!!! I will also suggest a Limbsaver recoil pad. I have worn out shoulders and my 7mm RM went from unbearable to not feeling the recoil.

OK ... limbsaver is a good idea.

What am I to be careful about when using blue dot?

thanks haeffnkr

 

[moorepower]

OK ... limbsaver is a good idea.

What am I to be careful about when using blue dot?

thanks haeffnkr

Hangfires and overcharging.

 

[ncageneral]

Years ago, I started my oldest daughter out with a Sierra 130 SSPB, it's been discontinued, and a starting load of Varget. Thats probably hard to come by now, but it shot very well and produced MV around 2550 fps, and recoil was minimal. Killed deer like the hammer of thor, and shot a lot flatter to 300 yds than I expected. My son still has a 100 round box full of those loads and I won't load an adult load for him, he's 26 now, til they're all gone. He doesn't see the problem. Paul Box consulted on this well before reduced recoil loads were a thing. Good luck!

 

[Treerat-sniper]

Blue dot is good for use in smaller cases, I've used them in .223 quite a bit. Google up Red dot "the load" for larger cases. I've used these in .308 quite a bit, haven't tried in my 7/08 though.

 

[haeffnkr]

This and a few similar threads from seafire is where I read about blue dot. https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/2612182/1

Yes treerat-sniper 223 and blue dot was a great combo I read about also.

 

[SQ54]

duPont Handloader’s Guide
7mm-08
Hornady 139 gr. 2.800” COAL
IMR 4831 (max) 46.0 (C) 2645 fps 38800 cup

Reduce not more than 10% and work up as necessary for accuracy.

For 140/150 gr. cast bullet:
If you have Red Dot use 13.0 grs.
If you have Unique use 10.0 grs.
Do not use additional fillers with either of these powders. Neither are position sensitive.


It will work in your 7mm-08.

 

[haeffnkr]

duPont Handloader’s Guide
7mm-08
Hornady 139 gr. 2.800” COAL
IMR 4831 (max) 46.0 (C) 2645 fps 38800 cup

Reduce not more than 10% and work up as necessary for accuracy.

For 140/150 gr. cast bullet:
If you have Red Dot use 13.0 grs.
If you have Unique use 10.0 grs.
Do not use additional fillers with either of these powders. Neither are position sensitive.

View attachment 1297966
It will work in your 7mm-08.

thanks for the post. Any idea what the MV is for the 13 grains of red dot in the 308?

Do I need to make any changes if I plan to use jacketed bullets?

thanks !

 

[SQ54]

thanks for the post. Any idea what the MV is for the 13 grains of red dot in the 308?

Do I need to make any changes if I plan to use jacketed bullets?

thanks !

I think I did chrono that load once but don’t really remember it. 1350 comes to mind but I’m not sure.
if shooting jacketed, I would favor the Unique. Start at 10 grs. and work up half gr. at a time looking for accuracy. Make sure when you start with the jacketed that the bullet exits the barrel at 10 grs. I haven’t tried it but am pretty sure it will be fine. You mentioned a 120 gr. bullet and that is the one I would try with Unique. I shoot a 160 gr. cast in .30-06 over 18.0 grs. of Unique that shoots about 1” at 100 yds and is about 1800 fps. That is the starting load and also the “accuracy” load. You will have to weigh each charge as Unique doesn’t go through a measure well.
Unique is a rifle powder and always has been.

 

[SQ54]

If you decide that you want to get into casting, which I highly recommend by the way, then this will work well in your 7mm-08

RCBS 2 Cavity Bullet Mold 7mm-168-SP 284 Cal, 7mm (285 Diameter) 168

RCBS Bullet Molds are machined from solid cast iron blocks to exacting specifications to ensure accurate, clean, repeatable castings cast after cast....

www.midwayusa.com

I would use the 10 grs of Unique with this and be happy.

Later you might want to try this

288-150-FN-F2 4 Cavity GC | NOE Bullet Moulds

noebulletmolds.com

Aluminum moulds are a bit more difficult to cast with however.

 

[Cloudchaser]

I shoot a light load of Rx15 and 140gr. accubonds....mild recoil and excellent accuracy..

 

[243winxb]

IMR powders. 4198 or 4895 i have used reduced.

Last tried-- 6.5 Creedmoor -4198-26 grs- 140 gr Barnes Match Burners. Br 2 primer. Hornady brass. (Tested 23 to 30 Grs)

IMR single base powders are very forgiving, when reduced. Have shot many 30-06 173 cast & jacketed bullets, with IMR 4895.

 

[SQ54]

IMR powders. 4198 or 4895 i have used reduced.

Last tried-- 6.5 Creedmoor -4198-26 grs- 140 gr Barnes Match Burners. Br 2 primer. Hornady brass. (Tested 23 to 30 Grs)

IMR single base powders are very forgiving, when reduced. Have shot many 30-06 173 cast & jacketed bullets, with IMR 4895.

https://imrpowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/h4895-reduced-rifle-loads.pdf

 

[243winxb]

https://imrpowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/h4895-reduced-rifle-loads.pdf

If you read the OPs very first post, he can't find any H4895.

 

[SQ54]

If you read the OPs very first post, he can't find any H4895.

Yes, and that is why I listed data for IMR4831, because he said that he had that. IMR4831 is not normally thought of as a powder for 7mm-08 and as you can see the max charge results in less than 2700 fps. And, you can’t get enough IMR4831 in the case to get high pressure. Reducing it by not more than 10% would give more reduction in velocity which is what he needs.

I put the link to Hodgdon’s data sheet on H4895 there for you because of your statement that “IMR single base powders are very forgiving, when reduced”, because that isn’t necessarily true and could lead someone to a serious accident. Especially with the slower powders like IMR4350 or IMR4831, as well as others. That is why I have emphasized reducing not more than 10%. That can lead to detonation which can destroy a firearm and cause serious injury or death to a shooter. All discussions on reduced loads need these caveats. I agree that IMR4198 can be used to create “reduced” loads, but it needs to be very specific what exactly you are reducing. I use IMR4198 in the .338 Winchester Magnum with a 200 gr. Speer to create a deer load that duplicates the .33 Winchester in velocity. But, I am using published data to do it. The duPont data sheets are easily available on ebay for a few dollars. They list loads for all of their powders in each cartridge listed. My load in the .338 WM is reduced velocity and also accurate and kills deer and hogs like a hammer. Reduced loads is a thinking man‘s game, don’t you agree?

 

[243winxb]

detonation

Only double based powders containing Nitroglycerin can be induced to detonate. https://discover.dtic.mil/

The duPont data sheets are easily available on ebay for a few dollars.

Maybe i should start selling mine. (Formerly supplied by DuPont) MAXIMUM LOADS LISTED.

 

[SQ54]

Only double based powders containing Nitroglycerin can be induced to detonate.

That is incorrect.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Do not reduce any loads with a powder other than H4895. Remember there will be a kid shooting this! Shoot a lighter bullet or a different gun- do not use reduced loads with any powder besides h4895! Reduced loads will blow up a gun just like a severe overcharge. Just wait for the correct powder please.

 

[243winxb]

Reduced Loads-

Hodgdon has data for the 308 Win (4 powders) & 300 AAC Blackout (8 powders, using Hornadys 190 gr Sub-X bullet. Velocity in the 1040 fps range.

An experenced reloader, with over 50 years at it, knows by now , what works & what doesnt.

Always best to follow published data for you younger "kid".

 

[243winxb]

Hodgdon 308 Win data, using 190 gr bullets (2 different) with Benchmark powder. 13.4 grs 190 gr Sub-X & 39.5 grs 190 gr BTSP.

 

[243winxb]