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

[TheCZKid]

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.

Thank you for the input.
I have gotten good input and recommendations on the effectiveness of the Barnes TSX or TTSX bullets, so I feel comfortable with that being my bullet choice. The Berger hunting bullet would be my next option, based on reports here.

 

[7887mm08]

Been shooting a 7mm08 since 1984. Currently own 3, all factory rifles with no mods.
Varget and the hornady 139interlock soft points are my go to.
3/4" easy at 100 with all 3 rifles. Imr 4064 is my second choice.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

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.

View attachment 1591404
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.

Does it have the accutrigger now?

 

[TheCZKid]

Does it have the accutrigger now?

No, it's got the factory trigger, and it breaks like a board. I've gotten used to good triggers now, with the other rifles I shoot, so it's very noticeable how poor it is.

 

[std7mag]

Thank you for the input.
I have gotten good input and recommendations on the effectiveness of the Barnes TSX or TTSX bullets, so I feel comfortable with that being my bullet choice. The Berger hunting bullet would be my next option, based on reports here.

If you're going to be using a monolithic bullet in the 7mm-08, I would recommend using a 120gr or lighter.
Velocity is your friend with a mono bullet.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

No, it's got the factory trigger, and it breaks like a board. I've gotten used to good triggers now, with the other rifles I shoot, so it's very noticeable how poor it is.

I haven’t tried a Timney in a Savage but there triggers seem very nice in Remington 700’s and AR’s.

 

[TheCZKid]

The gunsmith that bead-blasted the barrel recommended a Timney, I'll be asking him about the cost to have him put one it. I'm sure it will be money well spent. I think it's a model 631 fits the old Savage models: 10,11,12,16,110,111,112,114,116,210

 

[dryhumor]

Looking through my notes. I’ve shot Speer 145s, Berger VLDH 140s, and Sierra 150 TGKs. Using IMR4064 and H4350. The 150 TGKs and 4350 really worked best.

 

[TheCZKid]

Quick question: After shooting the test rounds, this barrel has a HUGE amount of copper fouling in it. About in the middle span length-wise of the 24" barrel, maybe 10" with a ton of copper build-up.

Curious if that's normal? It's a Shilen select match grade, and it looks smooth and has no chatter, etc, the rifling is very nicely done. It just takes a lot of effort to get it clean again, using some various copper-fouling removing solvents. My regular calibers tend to be in the 17 to 22 range, and I just don't see this in them, and they shoot a LOT faster typically. So, shooting 25 +/- rounds out of a 7mm is new to me, and not experienced with it.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

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.

Doug, your 'regular friends' approve!
The rifle turned out excellent, and your caliber of choice is spot-on too. My custom Ti 7-08 Ackley has overtaken my .270Win as my mulie favorite; less powder (and weight) for about equal field performance.

Don't overlook the 120gr 7mm bullets for deer either. My friend and master riflesmith Darrell Holland shoots the 120's and "shoots 'em in the face". I'm getting right at 3,400 fps with Barnes 120gr TTSX and Varget with .5 MOA accuracy. Wicked combination, accurate and laser-flat shooting.

I'm using the Barnes 130gr TTSX for the few times I take the 7-08 AI out for elk, much favoring my .338-06 Ackley with the Nosler 210gr Partition for the large critters.

By the looks of your targets, I'd say you're about there. The 40.0 - 40.8 Varget loads are all "right there", right now. Good job, that rifle is field ready.

 

[TheCZKid]

Thanks Rick!
By my "regular friends" I was talking about the ones who wonder why anyone would spend over a thousand dollars on a rifle!?! (Of course, I don't tell them that didn't include the cost of the scope!)

The rifle feels good while shooting it, and the bolt cycles smooth, as good as I hoped it would. Now, I'm realizing the only turd in the punch bowl is the trigger, needs an upgrade. After shooting only nice triggers on my other rifles, it really stands out as needing attention.

I keep hearing reports that are making me think I would be very happy with the 120 grain bullets, because of the speed. The Varget is doing well in this application, seems well suited.

I know there's other powders that would give me some more speed, and maybe I'll end up looking at those too, but bullets are expensive! And that's the limiting factor to me, is affording buying a bunch of nice hunting bullets, and using a lot for testing. But, once I get to a good load, I won't shoot many more after that, just when I go hunting, so it's worth it. Beats the heck out of buying off the shelf ammo!!

I've already got the next round of test loads ready to go. Varget 39.8 - 41.0, with 4 foulers / tests using the 154 Interlock and 40.0 of Varget combo, just for giggles.

 

[TheCZKid]

Quick note: based on what folks said about the merits of the 120 grain bullets effectiveness, I looked on Midway and found they have Barnes TSX 120 bullets on clearance for $27.46 per 50 box, so I snagged 3

Barnes TSX (Triple-Shock X) 7mm, 284 Cal (284 Diameter) Bullets 120

These revolutionary bullets from Barnes are made of 100% copper and contain no lead. When the bullet expands, four razor-sharp cutting petals are...

www.midwayusa.com

 

[TheCZKid]

Okay, tested the 140 gr TTSX with Varget, ladder shows promise about the 40.0 and 40.2 loads, I'll try another set at 40.0, 40.1, and 40.2. 2x shot brass and WLR.. The load at 40.4, fist shot was high, last two touching, don't know why.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Doug, that 40.6gr load looks purty dang good for a deer rifle. I'd call it good and tweak the seating depth a bit both ways and see how it shakes out. You may "be there" now, and be able to save those spendy boolits for what they're really for......hunting!

As I mentioned a while ago, my Ti 7-08AI likes Varget the best also with the 120gr TTSX. Do you know the velocity of your 40.6gr load with the 140gr?

 

[TheCZKid]

The speed of the 40.6 is 2771 fps, and a low SD of 8.08. I was leaning to between the 40.0 and 40.2, as both surrounding groups are tight, in the "node." I don't know why that one high flyer happened in the first round of 40.4, otherwise it would have been a string of 4 loads in a row of tight groups. Thank you for the seating depth suggestion, have not done any tweaking there.

 

[nockhunter]

I've killed a bunch of deer with the Nosler 140g B-tips in my 7x57 (verry similar to 7-08), Varget should do you well and maybe one of the 4350's also. For bigger animals try the 160g Sierra SBT.

Mike

 

[TheCZKid]

Another first, I just upgraded the trigger from the poor stock one to a Timney 631-16, nickel coated, to match the trigger guard and barrel. I was worried it would be difficult to install, but the Timney instructions were great! I have it set at 2 lb 10 oz right now, very little over-travel, breaks very crisp... what a nice upgrade!

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Lookin' good there, Doug!

In regard to pull weight, I've found over the years that for my deer rifles, a 3lb. pull is about right. When deer hunting, I usually wear thin deerskin buckskin gloves For my elk rifle, it's set at 4lbs for use with winter gloves during cold weather.

Many years ago while elk hunting in NE Orygun, it was very, very cold, and snowing. While crossing an open spot I heard noise in the timber 50 yards or so away. I flipped the safety off, and my trigger finger caressed the trigger ever so lightly I could not even feel it and I had an AD into the ground. I got back home and adjusted it from 2.5lbs to 4 lbs and have never had an issue since.

There's triggers for bench use, varmint shooting, deer and elk. To me they all have their own "ideal" pull weights for each occasion.

 

[TheCZKid]

I figured while testing loads, I'd enjoy the 2 pounds 10 ounces, feel the difference from the stock trigger for a bit. So far, the last couple years have not had any gloves on in deer or elk season. I'm hoping to test those seating depth loads in a couple hours.

 

[rickt300]

Okay, tested the 140 gr TTSX with Varget, ladder shows promise about the 40.0 and 40.2 loads, I'll try another set at 40.0, 40.1, and 40.2. 2x shot brass and WLR.. The load at 40.4, fist shot was high, last two touching, don't know why.

View attachment 1592318

I have seldom seen such a difference in grouping within .2 grains. As for the copper fouling You may have to clean a couple times with a good abrasive to smooth things up.