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

[TheCZKid]

@ CZKid,.
If ever wanting, a Heavier Big Game Bullet, try the Hornady 150 Gr., ELD-X's with, a hefty charge of, StaBall 65 or RL-17, in your 7mm-08 for, an Elk / Moose, Bullet. My son shot, a really nice, heavy Bodied 5 x 6 Bull at, a quartering angle, thru,. Shoulder Blade ( Clipped ) thru Lungs, into rear Ham, breaking / severing, the Femur Bone with, 67 grains of Mushroomed, Bullet Left at,.. 247 Yards. ( If, you Rifle likes them, the 162 gr. X's, are great, too ! )
The 7-08 is a great, ACCURATE, "All around", Big Game, "Cartridge choice" For,.. "Hunters" !

I do have a partial box (91) of Nosler AccuBond LR bullets, I think I got them from a gun show sometime in the last year. I wasn't wanting to initially start load development with those, as I had only new unfired brass, and never shot the rifle, but now that I've got some 2x and 3x fired cases I'd be open to seeing if I could find a load for those as well. I have used some Hornady 154 Interlock as my fireforming bullets, and still hope to get a better final load for those, as I've got over 100 available.

 

[bobcat93]

Congratulations on your build.
Shes a beauty

 

[cb186]

I found N-150 to be best in my 7-08's with 140 VLDs.

 

[Treerat-sniper]

Another H4895 w/140s fan here. Shot one hog with it in 7/08 & it became a switch barrel rig. It's currently a .358 Win for IA deer.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

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.

I would not be looking for a lower node, but be working around the 41.6 and up, looking at bullet seating depths and neck tension. I only have one Savage, and it has the Timney insert. I like it, even for range shooting - has a Tru Flite barrel in 6mmSLR in an XRS stock.

 

[TheCZKid]

I would not be looking for a lower node, but be working around the 41.6 and up, looking at bullet seating depths and neck tension. I only have one Savage, and it has the Timney insert. I like it, even for range shooting - has a Tru Flite barrel in 6mmSLR in an XRS stock.

I decided that 40.1 was a good load, and stable. It's a slightly compressed load at the seating depth that tested as accurate, and the 40.6 was not as accurate. I didn't test load any at 41.6, as that would not fit into the case with Varget. Elk season starts on the 30th, so that's my load for this year. Found a couple good areas on Sunday with lots of fresh elk tracks, got 2 trail cams out. Hoping to get some pics of activity soon.

 

[ATFIV]

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!

7mm-08 loves IMR 4064
Lapua Brass
140 vld or classic hunters
Fed or Cci primer
You'll likely see a lighter almost starting load shoot well and the top end of the curve

 

[TheCZKid]

Today was day two of five day Elk hunt, central Oregon. Last night, at 9:51 I got some pics on my trail camera, very encouraging!

I think he saw the little red LED blink when it detected motion...



And then Smile for the Camera! Nice 4 x 5.



Started snowing early this morning, and I got out there, found no tracks by the time I arrived, had about 4" accumulation. Walked in about 2.5 miles through the area we know they tend to be, bus saw no tracks crossing the logging road. Going back early tomorrow morning, try, try again!

 

[TheCZKid]

Well, after-thoughts on the rifle, after elk season has ended.

First thing is I didn't really keep in mind how heavy this set-up was going to be, while lugging it many miles in the snow. As it sit's now it's just under 10 pounds with big scope. Dang... Without the scope it's 8 pounds 9 ounces. Not terrible, most of the weight is in the barrel, and the stock is not a light version either.

Next, the scope I installed was way too long, Leupold VX-III 6.5-20x40mm. It's a great sage rat scope, but not so much a close-quarters option. Talking with Rick in Oregon, a member here, he recommended a much shorter scope, for better FOV, like the Leupold VX-III 1.5-5x20mm worked well for him, for close encounters of the elk kind. That makes a lot more sense, and helps to reduce problem #1, weight. I'm going to look at LPVO scopes with illuminated reticles, light in weight, so if you guys have some favorites you can suggest, that would be a plus.

Last is, I could use a nicer sling, as this one kept wanting to walk off my shoulder as I walked along the trail. Suggestions on a good carry sling would be appreciated.

I also realized, my non-stainless action was very prone to rust with the snow and rain, so I wish I had opted for a stainless action instead. Oh well, maybe that can come along and replace this one. Or I could get it Cerakoted perhaps.

 

[dryhumor]

I use an early Steiner P4XI 1-4x24 on my 6br. The illuminated dot has different levels of brightness. Model 5201 seems like.

Very nice glass, very clear when shooting time begins an hour before sunrise.

 

[Treerat-sniper]

I'm a big fan of Leupold LPVOs on my deer rigs. My 77/44 has a now disco'd 1.5-4 shotgun/muzzleloader scope (thick reticle). My Savage .358 has a VX-III 1.5-5 & my 336XLR in 35 Rem has a Freedom 1.5-4. The Savage had the same problem as yours, overweight with a bigger variable! I switched to the VX3 & didn't look back. Most of the time I have my scopes set at 2x... for the deer drives we do, I rarely turn it up, most of the shooting is close range & quick snap shots.

 

[TheCZKid]

I'm a big fan of Leupold LPVOs on my deer rigs. My 77/44 has a now disco'd 1.5-4 shotgun/muzzleloader scope (thick reticle). My Savage .358 has a VX-III 1.5-5 & my 336XLR in 35 Rem has a Freedom 1.5-4. The Savage had the same problem as yours, overweight with a bigger variable! I switched to the VX3 & didn't look back. Most of the time I have my scopes set at 2x... for the deer drives we do, I rarely turn it up, most of the shooting is close range & quick snap shots.

That seems to be the consensus, I've been shooting almost exclusively through long scopes, for load development, at sage rats, etc. in the 4.5-27 or 6.5-20, 2-25 range. So, it's a bit of an adjustment in thinking to go to the LPVO, but makes total sense.

On the last day of this season, I though, "what if an elk came out right at the end of those trees..." and I realized, I'd have an image of his kneecap! Not good, so over the winter I'll be on the hunt for one. There's a lot of options out there now, but my focus will be maybe 1-6 range, and light in weight will be a real plus.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Doug, in all the elk hunting I've done with my .338-06 Ackley and the Leupold 1.5-5X VX3 aboard, all shots taken were less than 75 yards in the timber. The only exception was the 5pt bull shot across the canyon at 175~ yards from a sitting position with the scope dialed up to 5X. Dead bull.

I recall many years ago when scopes first became 'normal' on hunting rifles, almost all were 4X or less and deer/elk hunters had no problem bringing home meat. No one complained about not enough magnification, they didn't know any better after using irons for their entire lives. Now some hunters are re-learning the magnification lesson after toting their 20X variables in the timber with frustration and lack of elk coming home.

Now you're on the right track, buddy! Good luck with the low-power quest.