7MM 08 reloading?

[Siiri]

Hello,
I just got a 7mm 08 Savage Edge XP, and I plan to start reloading for it soon. I am also new to reloading, my boyfriend and I started together and he knows more than I do.

I have Reloader 19, and for bullets I have Hornady 100 GR and Nosler 150 GR. How much powder would you recommend for each bullet? I am also looking to reduce the recoil, but I’m not sure yet if I need that or not since I have not fired my 7mm 08 yet, that’s tonight’s job. I also mostly just do target shooting and I’m thinking about deer hunting. This will be my first season if I do go out and try to get a buck.

All your tips and techniques will be much appreciated!
Thanks!
Siiri

 

[bheadboy]

Siiri, the 7-08 is a great round for target and deer hunting. my experience goes back 35 years with the cartridge. my 1st one was a wildcat before it became a factory loading

-stay with the 140gr SIerra sbt or Nosler bt the are great in this cartridge.
-with a 22 inch bbl the RL 19 is most likely slower burning than you may want.
- you can down load the 140s for target, and reduce recoil off the bench
-you can near max load and take deer very easily with a well placed shot out to 300-350yds if you hunt that kind of country and are proficent.
-i personaly load R/P brass, 9 1/2 primers and Imr 4064, Varget, or xmr 4064 in the low 40 gr area. all shoot very well and have killed well over 70 deer.,

Good luck

Bob

 

[camac]

The Rel 19 might be a bit slow for 100gr as Bob said but will work well in the 150's. Unfortunately that is where the recoil will get ya.
Start at 46 gr and work up (should get to around 48). If you want to try in the 100gr then ignite with a hot primer (magnum) and start at around 49gr. But personally I would use the 100's on targets out to 100 yards and try a faster powder like Bob recommended. This will be the mildest recoil load.
120g Nosler Ballistic tips with Varget are a fantastic mild load that will work on target and deer.

Another good trick for those lighter framed people who do mostly target shooting with the odd hunt is to pack some weight into the rfile for the range. I am not sure of the Edge XP stock design but sometimes it is as simple as taking off the butt recoil pad and pouring in some lead shot (make sure you don't get any shot in screw holes by blocking them up with something first (screws etc). If you do this you might find you can use the better ballistic coefficient bullets (heavier and more recoil) at targets at longer range without the recoil effects. Rip the lead out when you go hunting with same load and the adrenaline won't let you feel the kick.

 

[RonAKA]

For reduced recoil loads have a look at this link:

http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/Youth%20Loads.pdf

You can create your own by taking 60% of the max load list for H4895, for the bullet you choose. Read the cautions by Hodgdon in the previous link though.

You can find Hodgdon load data here:

http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/Youth%20Loads.pdf

For 100 grain bullets I make that to be 60% of 45 grains, or 27 grains. For 150 grain bullets that is 60% of 40.5, or 24.3 grains.

For full loads H4895 is probably ideal along with Varget for 100 grain, and close to ideal for 150. If you want to stick to one powder, suggest you go with H4895.

 

[necchi]

I'm with bheadboy,
120-140grns work well in my 22" 7-08,,
,,powders I've had better success with are H4895 and Varget ,,
,,tried RL-15 and 4064 but thetwo I mention where both a bit sweeter

The gun is for my teenage son so I have been carefull with the recoil.
Good bullets I've used;
Nosler 120 B-tips
Barnes 120 TTSX
Hornady 139 BTSP

 

[1000yardstare]

Lakehead_Siiri, hello from a fellow Canuck. Do you know Barb Finlayson, an old flame from the Port?

Anyhoooo......I have a Stevens 200 in 7mm-08. Great load is 120 VMax, 49.5 gr H414, chronos at 3000 fps. Put 3 in 1 3/4 inch at 300 metres. Milder recoil with the lighter bullet.

I have put socks of lead shot in hollow butts of heavier recoiling rifles for working up loads off a bench. Try it if you find the 7-08 a little stiff. But take the lead out for hunting. It will throw the balance of the rifle off as well as being more tiring while walking through the bush.

 

[bozo699]

Siiri,
Glad to see you out here posting again I bought my wife a 7mm-08 browning a-bolt I load 139 hornady interlocks and nosler 140 accubonds with 40 grains of varget a federal 210m primer in several different brands of cases with excellent results 1/2 to 3/4" groups @ 100yards that is a fairley mild load @ about 2671fps.
My wife has no problems with the recoil. I have a Tikka T3 and a TC Encore pistol in the same caliber so I load all them the same so I can pack one box of bullets for all three guns,My Tikka shoots the best but all three shoot under 1" @ 100 yds.I think you have picked a great little hunting rifle. I think I remember in one of your previous posts your boyfriend shoots a .308 win if he does or any varable of the .308 case (ie....243 .260 .7mm-08 .308 .338federal ) Be very carefull you dont get your ammunition mixed up it could get ugly. Good luck to you Siiri and keep us updated on how your new rifle performs for you. Oh for around $20 you can buy a slip on recoil pad for your gun that will help with recoil.
Wayne.

 

[Siiri]

Siiri,
Glad to see you out here posting again I bought my wife a 7mm-08 browning a-bolt I load 139 hornady interlocks and nosler 140 accubonds with 40 grains of varget a federal 210m primer in several different brands of cases with excellent results 1/2 to 3/4" groups @ 100yards that is a fairley mild load @ about 2671fps.
My wife has no problems with the recoil. I have a Tikka T3 and a TC Encore pistol in the same caliber so I load all them the same so I can pack one box of bullets for all three guns,My Tikka shoots the best but all three shoot under 1" @ 100 yds.I think you have picked a great little hunting rifle. I think I remember in one of your previous posts your boyfriend shoots a .308 win if he does or any varable of the .308 case (ie....243 .260 .7mm-08 .308 .338federal ) Be very carefull you dont get your ammunition mixed up it could get ugly. Good luck to you Siiri and keep us updated on how your new rifle performs for you. Oh for around $20 you can buy a slip on recoil pad for your gun that will help with recoil.
Wayne.

My boyfriend has a Savage .270.
I took my gun out last night and the recoil doesn't hurt at all and that was with a 140 gr bullet, just factory stuff right now.

 

[bozo699]

Siiri,
That is great I figured you could handle it and I am glad he is shooting something you can't get mixed up easly. You know Siiri dry firing your rifle can be very good training for you. What I mean is make sure your gun is empty of any ammo,then close the bolt and aim @ your target when your on target pull the trigger, wherever the cross hairs were when you herd the click after pulling the trigger is just about where the bullet would have gone. You will probably will notice you are off quite abit @ first but keep practicing It is inportant to shoot live ammo also but this is very good practice and is much cheaper with no sore shoulder. My wife and I do this before each shooting sesion. Hope this helps some.
Wayne.