7mm-08 Reduced loads

[montana_native]

A co-worker of mine recently enrolled his son in Hunter’s Education and bought him an SPS 7mm-08 as his first rifle. Previously he has only fired a 22lr. I offered to reload for his son and create some reduced loads to help him acclimate to the increased recoil then gradually introduce hotter loads to try and alleviate any bad flinching habits he might develop. My question is how “light” can a load be made and still be safe? I have some old 154 gr Hornady SSTs that I was thinking of getting rid of so he could use for target practice. Thoughts on powder and charges to get started?

Any advice is welcome.

Thank you.

 

[jimbires]

I'm doing reduced recoil loads for my girlfriend in 7-08 . I'm using nosler 120 gr ballistic tips with hodgdon H4895 powder . she hasn't had a kill yet , but it is accurate . here is a link to the hodgdon website , it explains how to make these loads using the 60% rule . Jim

http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/H4895%20Reduced%20Rifle%20Loads.pdf

 

[CVH]

I also recommend the H4895 data. I load 120 BT's for my 11 year old daughters model seven youth, less recoil than my sons 243 lightweight with 85's. Very accurate as well.

 

[bozo699]

Montana Native,
You can make usable reduced loads but be careful, they make powder for that purpose. Powders like H-4350 can become very dangerous with reduced loads, I myself haven't used it but on Hodgdon's web site there calling for Trail boss for reduced loads in the 7mm-08.

140 GR. SFT SP IMR Trail Boss .284" 2.750" 11.0 1211 36,200 CUP 16.0 1472 43,300 CUP

also as others suggested H-4895 works well according to Hodgdon's site.
http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/H4895%20Reduced%20Rifle%20Loads.pdf

I copied and pasted directly from there site and take no responsibilities for anyone using the info I provided.
Best of luck to you and the young man.
Wayne.

 

[bheadboy]

Sierra offfers the following, i would use the 120's and one load level above minimum, also i would as stated above stay with the faster powders, 3031 or 4895 etc.

7mm-08 Remington
Primer: Fed 210M Test Firearm: Savage 12VSS
Case: Federal BBL Length: 26"
Twist: 1x9" Trim-to Length: 2.025"
Bullets:
#1900 7 mm/.284 Caliber (.284) 120 gr. SPT OAL 2.780

Powder/Velocity 2600 2700 2800 2900 3000 3100
IMR-3031 35.0
36.6, 38.2
39.8
41.4


748
38.2
40.0
41.9
43.7
45.5

TAC

38.3
40.1
41.9


H4895 35.8
37.3
38.8
40.3
41.8


XMR-2495 34.8
37.0
39.1
41.3



IMR-4895 36.5
38.0
39.5
41.0
42.5


IMR-4064 35.6
37.2
38.8
40.4
42.0
43.6

 

[jmd]

Go with the 120gr Noslers or even step down to the 100gr Sierra varminters if it is just for target practice. I put together a 7mm08 with only a #4. The rifle is probably around 7.5 scoped and has very little recoil with 120grainers & max charge of RE15. You could also try to add some weight to the stock or a muzzle brake for reduced recoil.

 

[wboggs]

I have several rifles that give 1/2" groups at 100yds using H4895 and a light for cal Nosler BTs.

 

[Albany Mountain]

I would NOT use the 60% rule other than for cast bullets without calling Hodgdon first. If you read the statement from Hodgdon:

For years H4895 has been the top choice of cast bullet shooters. For this type of shooting, loads are reduced even more than the hunting loads listed here. To create this type of target and plinking loads, we recommend our 60% rule with H4895:

I looked at this wording closely when trying to come up with a H4895 reduced load for 260 Remington with 107 match bullets and came away not trying it at 60% (which ended up at 24.4 grains which is out of line with their posted loads for similar calibers).