Elk load for 7mm08?

[pw]

Hey gang, I have been reading your forum for a while but this is my first post. I am in need of an elk round for my sako A7 7mm08 with a 22.5 barrel with a 9.5 inch twist.

I realize the 7-08 is on the light end for elk but this is what I have and I want to get the most out of it with the best round possible.

 

[280man]

I dont have specific data but I would stick with a 140gr Barnes X

 

[XTR]

I'd use a 140 class bullet, I'm partial to Accubonds, but I'm sure the Barnes is good too. You should be able to load it up to about 2800 pretty easily. If you can get H4350 start at 47gr and work up. You'll get to a compressed load before you get too much pressure.

My Lyman 49th says you can get 175s up to almost 2600 but I've never loaded then in my 7-08. They'd do the job too.

 

[bheadboy]

7-08 is easily enough for Elk if you keep your distnace below 300, with a 150gr at 2700fps as most will give 1600+ft lb 300, the only variable is the bc of the bullet you use.

the nosler partition should give 1640fp at 4000ft elevtion etc.

i have friends that have taken elk with 7-08 rem 140 corlok at 250, drop in tracks.

bob

 

[pw]

Are the Berger or Hornady worth it and if so what would be a good choice from these manufacturers for elk with a 7mm08?

 

[s100whunter]

If you had to use a hornaday it would be the corelock,but nothing will beat a partition

 

[Erik Cortina]

Barnes 140 TTSX

Hornady makes a bonded bullet that should work as well.

 

[XTR]

I'm sure the legions of Berger fans will be here soon, but if I were shooting at elk I'd shoot partitions. When I posted above that I'm partial to Accubonds it's what I use on white tails.

 

[bheadboy]

i have used nosler partition on elk, moose, griz, caribou, and never had a reason to change, they are accurate, penetrate well and do a lot of damage,.

Bob

 

[ebb]

I would use a 338 win mag. Just don't sound like enough horse power to me.

 

[Jet]

Barnes 140 TTSX

Hornady makes a bonded bullet that should work as well.

What Erik said

 

[L.Sherm]

Try some WW760 with a 140 Part. use this combo in a 24" Rem. 7mm-o8 I get 2950 fps and it shoots very well. Basically you have a 280 rem. which I have shot about half dozen elk with and done the job.

 

[fredhorace77]

Barnes 1st. choice

 

[bheadboy]

PW, the 7-08 is not on the light end as you may think, any round producing 1500ft lb of energy at 300 yd is more than enough to take an elk safely. many have been taken with 30-30 factory ammo, --250sav. 243. 6mmrem etc. - these may be considered on the light side but may have worked well with good placement and reasonable distance.

as to the need for large magnums (and i have used the 300wm), it is sort of like squirl hunting with a 30-30 when the 22lr will do just fine, some folks - they just are not needed, but the industry has fun selling a lot of them for the $, now go for dangerous game, Canadian or Alaskan monsters them more horsepower is desirable.

my school room mate has lived 50 years in Ankorage and hunted everything legal using a 7mm rem mag and 175 factory. never lost an animal and has taken every species in Alaska and Idaho.

Boib

 

[pw]

Gang, thank you very much for the impressive feedback. After doing a bunch more reading based on your thoughts I am leaning towards either a bonded like the Accubond, Interbond or Scirocco OR expanding "solid" construction like the TSX, GMX or E-Tip. Once again I will be loading this for elk in a 22in 7mm08 and looking at shots under 300 yards. I also will be above 7000 ft and temps could get cold.
What are your thoughts for bullets / loads with these constraints?
Thanks again!
PW

 

[bheadboy]

150's with IMR 4895 at 40-41 gr what ever your rig likes.
h414 velocity's are faster but i am not sure it is as temp insensitive
Bob

 

[TheOtherZilla]

IMO only one bullet to use on big game. Nosler Partition. For the 7mm, 140 grain does the trick

 

[L.Sherm]

Once again don't sell the part. short they are as accurate to 300yds as most bullets out there and will put the smack down on elk. If you don't use a ball type powder in your 7mm-08 you can't get enough powder in the case to reach it's full potential as far as FPS

 

[5spd]

My son dropped his elk at 246 yards last year with his 7-08 using my hand load with a 139g Hornady interlock bullet at 2754 fps, 44g W760. I shot was all it took.

 

[Drop Port]

Gang, thank you very much for the impressive feedback. After doing a bunch more reading based on your thoughts I am leaning towards either a bonded like the Accubond, Interbond or Scirocco OR expanding "solid" construction like the TSX, GMX or E-Tip. Once again I will be loading this for elk in a 22in 7mm08 and looking at shots under 300 yards. I also will be above 7000 ft and temps could get cold.
What are your thoughts for bullets / loads with these constraints?
Thanks again!
PW

I like heavy for cal. and with limiting shots to 300 and under a 160 NAB would be my choice. It performs like a partition only better, especially in the faster cartridges you wont blow the nose off like a partition. The 7-08 is a great cartridge at 300 and under you should have no problem, I've seen what they can do at 500+ with a 175