First Build: Savage 7mm-08, Shilen Select Match 9 twist, first shots

[TheCZKid]

I just wanted to share about my first build. I wanted an accurate hunting rifle to hunt here in Oregon for mule deer and elk. So, when I saw a lightly used Savage compatible Shilen Select Match barrel offered here, plus a used HS Precision stock, I purchased those. Then got a matching Savage 10 short action, purchased that.
Purchased a precision ground recoil lug and barrel nut from NSS, plus their barrel vice, barrel nut wrench, and go/no-go set as well.

Got a Leupold VX-III 6.5-20-40m scope, Burris bases and Warne rings. This is intended to be an accurate hunting gun. Just got the barrel back from the Gunsmith, I had it bead blasted to take off the shine. I took him the whole rifle, thinking he might have input on other parts of the build. When he handed me the rifle, he had installed the barrel, head-spaced it in the action, and it was ready to shoot! Well, I guess I didn't need that barrel vice, wrench and gauges right now after all...



So, mounted and laser sighted the scope, and loaded some initial test loads to see how it shoots (plus get some brass fireformed). I have new Starline brass, and two kind of bullets on hand. Hornady 154 gr Interlock, had abut 144 of those, might be my final elk bullet. Got these cheap at a gun show.
The second bullet is Barnes Tipped TSX 140 gr. Heard good things about these, in the 120 also. Got those in Midway.

Loaded 20 total of the Hornady 154, with 5 sighters, and 3 each of a ladder test for Reloder 15, spread from Sierra's "accuracy" load of 38.0 grains, in increments of .4 grains, up to 39.6, which is about what they have as their "hunting" load. WLR primers. I think the actual powder(s) might end up being Varget or IMR 4064, don't now yet.

Here's my first target at 100 yards, first time I've shot this rifle. Trying to get my method down for shooting off a rest from a portable table. I'm not expecting these first groups to show any final load, but thought I might as well make it interesting while fireforming this brass. I've got to work on my shooting method for this rifle, most of the calibers I shoot don't kick!



If anyone has some input on their favorite load for 140 grain bullets, please share the powder, etc. Thanks!

 

[JB10]

No input to give, but nice looking rifle

 

[TheCZKid]

Thank you for the comment. It's somewhat of a milestone for me. I've been reloading for quite a few years, and during the last few years, mostly shooting factory rifles, by CZ, Savage, Remington, Howa, etc. More recently I purchased very some nice used customized built rifles, two on Sako actions and one a Savage. The difference in quality and accuracy I now appreciate. I see why people end up spending a bunch of money on customized rifles, and use better optics too.

So, I've been thinking I'd like to have a hunting rifle, an alternative to my 1970's Remington 700 30-06 for hunting. Was looking at calibers, and thought the 7mm-08 was right. Looked at rifles by Howa, the new Ruger Gen 2 model, and so on. Then I saw that Shilen barrel listed here, and knew a regular guy like me could actually configure and build my own rifle, on a limited budget, with a Savage action. So, the plan has now become a reality, and I don't think my "regular" friends would appreciate it as much as the fellows here on AS! I'm looking forward to finding a good load, and carrying it into the field in the upcoming elk rifle season.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

I have used factory 139 sst by hornady, called superperformance. very accurate. you may try that and if it works for you, work backwards.

 

[Fuj]

Mine was a stock 24 inch barrel and I settled on the 140 gr Berger
Hunters. I had 1/2 MOA loads with A-4064. Varget would be a good
bet with the 140's but it was not available when I tested. Nothing
wrong with R-15 as long as you get a good case fill.

 

[shrimpsauce]

My load is Berger 140 vld hunter over 42.2 of varget, Lapua brass, and a federal 210m.

 

[dusterdave173]

Great looking first build! I am sure you will get it tuned up
My first Shilen Select Match is a winner
Good Luck this season!

 

[10XSHOOTER]

Try the 150 Accubonds for Elk

 

[DGP4]

I no longer own that caliber, but when I did, I found Nosler 140 grain AccuBonds shot best with Winchester 760 (H414). A friend of mine that has a Tikka in that caliber swears by Ramshot Big Game. Hope that helps.

 

[TheCZKid]

Try the 150 Accubonds for Elk

I actually have a partial box of 91 Nosler150 grain AccuBond LR bullets as well. I'll see if I can get a load worked up for these, and still have enough to hunt with! Does anyone know if a Nosler Ballistic Tip have the same shape / BC as the AccuBond LR bullet, I wouldn't think so? I could buy some and work on a load with the BT and save the AccuBond for actual hunting.

Of the powders which seem to be likely to be good, I'm grateful I do have enough Varget, IMR 4064, W760 and RL-15. I'm more restricted by volume of bullets than anything else, and they're expensive. But easier to get than powder right now.

Thanks for your input, guys, I'm looking forward to taking it out with a new batch of tests soon. I'm assuming that using the once-shot brass would be better than new brass in working up a load. I wish I had some cheap bullets to fireform more brass with.

 

[nakneker]

I’ve always had good results with H4350, 140 grain bullets and the 7mm-08. Most of the Barnes I’ve shot in a variety of rifles like some jump, the accubonds I’ve used like a to be right of the lands, .005 or so. I don’t know what range your shots might be but if they are gonna be inside of 350-400 I wouldn’t over look the partition for elk. Barnes TTSX, Accubonds, Partitions are all good elk medicine. I’ve had an easier time tuning accubonds and partitions, Barnes seem like the rifle either loves them are hates them but if your rifle likes them they are a solid option.

H4350 and 210Ms have produced good results in that chambering in those bullet weights for me. Good luck, neat rifle!

 

[TheCZKid]

I do have IMR 4350, but not H4350. I'm hoping the Barnes will perform well. Thanks for the input.

Being a new rifle to me, I don't know what it likes. In my old Rem 700 30-06 I ended up needing to move the AccuBond bullets closer to the lands, and it went from a somewhat crappy load to a pretty tight group.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

I just wanted to share about my first build. I wanted an accurate hunting rifle to hunt here in Oregon for mule deer and elk. So, when I saw a lightly used Savage compatible Shilen Select Match barrel offered here, plus a used HS Precision stock, I purchased those. Then got a matching Savage 10 short action, purchased that.
Purchased a precision ground recoil lug and barrel nut from NSS, plus their barrel vice, barrel nut wrench, and go/no-go set as well.

Got a Leupold VX=III 6.5-20-40m scope, Burris bases and Warne rings. This is intended to be an accurate hunting gun. Just got the barrel back from the Gunsmith, I had it bead blasted to take off the shine. I took him the whole rifle, thinking he might have input on other parts of the build. When he handed me the rifle, he had installed the barrel, head-spaced it in the action, and it was ready to shoot! Well, I guess I didn't need that barrel vice, wrench and gauges right now after all...

View attachment 1590385

So, mounted and laser sighted the scope, and loaded some initial test loads to see how it shoots (plus get some brass fireformed). I have new Starline brass, and two kind of bullets on hand. Hornady 154 gr Interlock, had abut 144 of those, might be my final elk bullet. Got these cheap at a gun show.
The second bullet is Barnes Tipped TSX 140 gr. Heard good things about these, in the 120 also. Got those in Midway.

Loaded 20 total of the Hornady 154, with 5 sighters, and 3 each of a ladder test for Reloder 15, spread from Sierra's "accuracy" load of 38.0 grains, in increments of .4 grains, up to 39.6, which is about what they have as their "hunting" load. WLR primers. I think the actual powder(s) might end up being Varget or IMR 4064, don't now yet.

Here's my first target at 100 yards, first time I've shot this rifle. Trying to get my method down for shooting off a rest from a portable table. I'm not expecting these first groups to show any final load, but thought I might as well make it interesting while fireforming this brass. I've got to work on my shooting method for this rifle, most of the calibers I shoot don't kick!

View attachment 1590386

If anyone has some input on their favorite load for 140 grain bullets, please share the powder, etc. Thanks!

good looking build!

 

[10XSHOOTER]

I actually have a partial box of 91 Nosler150 grain AccuBond LR bullets as well. I'll see if I can get a load worked up for these, and still have enough to hunt with! Does anyone know if a Nosler Ballistic Tip have the same shape / BC as the AccuBond LR bullet, I wouldn't think so? I could buy some and work on a load with the BT and save the AccuBond for actual hunting.

Of the powders which seem to be likely to be good, I'm grateful I do have enough Varget, IMR 4064, W760 and RL-15. I'm more restricted by volume of bullets than anything else, and they're expensive. But easier to get then powder right now.

Thanks for your input, guys, I'm looking forward to taking it out with a new batch of tests soon. I'm assuming that using the once-shot brass would be better than new brass in working up a load. I wish I had some cheap bullets to fireform more brass with.

The BT's won't have the same shape. But, They will help you find pressure. Not the same but close.

 

[TheCZKid]

I found in the past the BT matched the regular AccuBond, so I was able to test with cheaper bullets, that was a nice discovery. But the LR is a longer skinnier bullet, now they need to come up with a Ballistic Tip LR!

 

[Savagenut71]

Varget and rl22 as well as 4831sc will tighten those up nicely

 

[coldboremiracle]

Nothin beats the feeling of a new gun! I love the 7-08, there is so much to play with there. And it'll give the elk hell. That 9 twist is good I suppose, and those 154's will for sure put em down. I would for sure work on the load a bit more though, I'd be surprised if you can get it to shoot significantly better than the groups shown. Also, curious about your scope mounting. Why so far back?

 

[TheCZKid]

Yeah, having a new rifle is a fun thing! Last night I loaded a big ladder test with Varget, ranging from 38.0 grains up to 42.2, with Barnes 140 TTSX bullets. Most are in once shot brass, so I'm hoping that will help with the accuracy. Using WLR primers, as a best guess on what will work well, I do have Fed 210 and CCI 200's, but we'll see.

The scope is set where it's right for eye relief for me. It gives me the full view at 20x power when standing or sitting, it does look odd in the photo.

That first target was just my first shots with new brass, an initial outing to see how it shoots. I'm certainly looking for tighter groups, hopefully from this next ladder with Varget. I've heard good reports with other powders, and of those I have IMR 4064, IMR 4350, W760 and IMR 4895, but Varget seems to be high on most lists. If the wind is low I'm hoping to maybe get out today to shoot the new batch. That's a LOT of components in this one test!

 

[TheCZKid]

Results of the above mentioned Varget ladder test, with Barnes 140 gr TTSX bullets loaded to 2.80" COAL, WLR primers. Most shot in 1x fired cases (unless noted). First two loads I just wanted to cover the lower end charges, 38.0 and 39.0. I started the ladder more from the 40.0 up to 42.2 grain range.

Looks like I hit pay-dirt starting at 40.0, and the node goes to 40.8 grains. Very happy to see the barrel can shoot! On the 40.4 load the first two were in the middle hole, third dropped down, I was a bit excited, so I may have contributed to the last one being lower. But .44", .49" and .56" is excellent for my second outing with this rifle.

Now, I'll do another ladder in smaller increments, from probably 39.5 to 40.8, see where the middle of the node is. I'm just jazzed, it seems to like the bullet and powder combo.


The first two groups were high, and I over-corrected down 2 moa and .5 right, next went back up .5 moa, the rest I kept the same. Interesting at 41.2 the groups POI went quite a bit higher, and stayed high.

I'm wanting to upgrade from the stock trigger now, want to make sure I get one that is correct for this model. Far as I know it's a Savage model 10, made 2002. I'm thinking of a Timney or Rifle Basix, not sure, never did this before. If you guys have some input on the correct trigger, I'd appreciate it.

 

[std7mag]

I'm shooting a Stevens 200 with a 22" Savage Axis II barrel reamed to 7mm-08AI.
My original 200 barrel I reamed to 7mm-08AI. Took it off after 6,000+ rounds.

RL15 & Varget gave me good accuracy, but low on speed with the 140gr bullets. So I didn't shoot those powders that much.

IMR4350, H414, PP2000MR all gave me 2,832fps with the 140gr Berger VLD.
RL17 was the speed demon at 2,916fps.
The Alliant PP2000MR was my go to powder. ES-6, SD-2.

BigGame until recently was hard to find in my area, so I haven't tried it yet. I do have one friend that shoots it with a 139gr SST in his model 7. Shoots well & has taken many white tail.

A friends Grand Father uses the 139gr SST with IMR4064. He gets good accuracy and has also taken many deer with it.

The 150gr ABLR is very different in form compared to the Ballistic Tip.
After seeing their terminal performance on deer the other year, I don't use them for hunting anymore. They penciled through.

After seeing 3 deer shot with Barnes and long track jobs, only recovering 1 deer 600 yards away, I don't use them either.

My go to bullets for hunting are the Ballistic Tip and the Berger VLD.
Both put deer down quickly. Furthest "track" has been 20 yards when shot well.
If I do a mono bullet , I'd go with Hammer or Cutting Edge.
Actually I am hunting with the 130gr Cutting Edge MTH this year.
I'll post results when I get them.