Whats wrong with the 7mm08?

[Fordnutter]

When you compare the figures of a 7mm08 launching a 162gr Amax @ 2,700 fps (which should be achievable) this compares very favourably to say the 6.5x47L with a 123gr Amax @2,950 or 140gr Amax @ 2,700 fps. Yes it has more drop but it does have more energy, the same if not slightly better wind drift at 1000yds. So why not the boring old 7mm08 for medium & longer range hunting? As long as I haven't got the ballistic figures wrong - what am I missing here....why the 6.5x47 or 260 Rem over the 7mm08?

 

[bheadboy]

if the shoe fits wareit, the 7-08 has a great reputation for accurcy, and plentyof energy for med to long deer hunting as is. i have friend who have taken elk at 300 with rem factory loads.

Bob

 

[bigcatdaddy]

I love it so much I'm assembling one! Shoe fits for me.

 

[jonbearman]

Not a damn thingLOL.I just put one together myself.I have an encore pistol and it shoots fairly well.So I needed a savage to make a switch barrel rig out of,so I did it.Havent even shot it.

 

[people]

You are not missing anything. It is a good option.

 

[smoking-brass]

I shoot a 7mm-08 in F-class mid range out to 600 yards....it holds it's own with
other calibers....it's a good shooter and is nothing to turn a nose up at.

 

[Fordnutter]

I don't use the magazine & single load only so will throat the chamber to seat the the 162gr Amax or 168gr Berger well out so they are clear of the neck junction. I don't want a sloppy chamber either with 10 thou neck clearance so I emailed PTG regarding a suitable reamer for the 7mm08. They came back recommending a .315 NK with 0.170 Freebore, 1'-30 lead. Does this sound about right for what I want to do? I think I'll use Lapua 308 brass, neck it down...maybe have to slighly neck turn to clean up & allow enough clearance.

 

[FroggyOne2]

Why don't you use Lapua 243 brass and neck it up?

 

[ChrisNZ]

Agreed, very good brass. Necking up .260 would be easier still but quality brass is less certain. Either way, you won't have the problem of short necks from necking down .308 cases

Chris-NZ

 

[HillbillySniper]

I agree with you I don't see anything wrong with the 7mm08. I've been doing my homework on building a 7mm08AI to shoot the 162gr Amax. From what I've read the AI will be very close to the 260 shootinf the 140gr Amax or 140gr VLD.


Hillbilly

 

[jimbires]

just thought I'd mention that Norma makes 7-08 brass . I just got 100 for about $90 - $95 . I haven't used any , so I can't say anything about it's life span . it does measure nice . Jim

 

[Fordnutter]

Thanks for all the input guys. 7mm08 it is so will have a play with some seating depths of the projectiles I want to shoot then send off some dummy rounds to Trueflite for a new barrel & thoating to suit my supplied dummy rounds. It will be intersting to see how it shoots.

 

[RJinTexas]

When your in need of a great hunting round for the 7mm-08 don't forget the old tried and proven 140gr Partition.

RJ

 

[Reddrum]

I have been tossing around either a 7-08 or a straight 284win to shoot either the 168Berger or 162Amax as a (( long throat life )) 7mm medium/long range white tail thumper -- best I can figure / from a 24" pipe mag feeding from a short action the ( All things considered - powder room after bullet intrusion, component availability etc. etc. ) the 7-08 is winning.
Think about it and run the numbers ( again - all things considered ) Run the numbers.
I would go 10twist for these pills ( a little x-tra velocity ) and will stabilize either of these pills.

A .316G7 @ 2750fps would still maintain over 1K energy @ 800yds. - plenty for DEER funerals or steel ram knock downs @ 550yds. / Would need 20.6min. of up from 100zero ___ I like the sound of this more all the time!!!!

And then if you were to improve chamber the 7-08 to a 30 or 35 degree shoulder and staighten out the body taper a little--Hem - 2800 maybe -- here I go again

 

[Fordnutter]

Reddrum,
It will be interesting to see how much speed I do get from the 24" barrel with 162 & 168grainers. The dummy rounds that I sent the gunsmith for setting up the throat are in excess of 3" long so we are definately going to maximise the powder capacity by keeping all of the projectile shank within the neck. A live round will be too long to even clear the ejection port - but I'm not bothered as I'll just pull out the bolt if I need to unchamber. A single shot is all I need ;D

 

[Reddrum]

Fordnutter

If you use IMR8208XBR you will have room to back em in the case and still get low to mid 2700fps w/ 162Amax - not optimum as the bearing will be below the n/s junction but will feed from a S/A mag - but sounds like that is not your concern ( Just food for thought )

 

[Fordnutter]

Well got my rifle back from Trueflite with a New ultramatch 1-9" SG twist barrel in 7mm08. Have loaded up some rounds to break in the barrel with & see how hot we can go pressure wise - hope to get out in the next week or so. I've necked down some Lapua 308 Small primer pocket Palma brass, neck turned to fit & loaded from 45 through to 48.6gr of H4350 in .2gr increments behind the 162gr Amax. Interestingly enough due to my very long OAL keeping the projectile out of the powder space only the 48.6gr load is barely compressed. I don't think I'll get quite this far but there's nothing like a little optimisim.

 

[Fordnutter]

Managed to break in the barrel this afternoon. Pleasantly surprised that I got the 162grainers up to 2,770fps with no pressure signs. I'll have to load some up slightly hotter to see how fast we can get these going safely in my long throat. Not sure how much more powder I'll get in though... Starting to comPress the powder.... Have to try a drop tube or maybe varget instead.

 

[FilippoMo]

I wonder if you have VV N550 to try in this caliber combination,
sincerely
Filippo

 

[FroggyOne2]

Back in the day, I had a 7-08 and tried VV550 when there wasn't any data, tried to expolate some, eh.. got it wrong and set the bolt face back 10 thou.. well, I will say VV550 would work, but even today there is limited info as to loading data with N550 and the 7mm-08.