Whats wrong with the 7mm08?

[Fordnutter]

N550 is obtainable here in New Zealand but quite pricey though. I'll see how i progress with the H4350 & may try Hybrid V100. If I end up with 2,800 fps with consistent, great accurracy I won't need to go any further. Otherwise I should have gone 284 unstead of the lil'7mm08

 

[CJ6]

Brass wise Lapua is making 260 or the 308 Palma(if you want the SR primer)

 

[Fordnutter]

Managed to get out again & found the limit with H4350 & the 162 Amax at 2,840fps! Started getting sticky bolt lift & slight plunger marks - though the accuraccy fell of at these speeds. Best grouping seemed to be around the 2,770 - 2,800 fps so will now play with seating depths to see what improvements can be made. If I can't get sub 1/2" moa I might try the 168 Berger VLD's next. So it looks like a long throated 7mm08 will definately get 2,800 fps with no serious pressure signs

 

[Fordnutter]

Do the Amax's have a preference of being jumped or jammed?

 

[FroggyOne2]

I have found that for at least my rifles that I have shot the AMaxes in, have liked to jump.

 

[jimbires]

Ford Nutter , I've been following this thread with interest . I'm working up a load for a 7-08 too . I'm using the 168 Bergers . measuring off the bullet tip my OAL is 2.870 , I want to feed out of my magazine . I'm using norma brass . I'm using a CCI 200 primer . I'm using Reloader 17 powder . last Sunday it was about 40*F outside temp . with 45.4 grains I got 2802 FPS . with 45.7 grains I got 2799 FPS . with 46.0 grains I got 2812 FPS . I've got a chrony beta chronograph , I know it's not the best but it gives you a good idea . I only shot one of each but none of these showed any pressure . my quickload says the velocity should be 45.4 grains 2789FPS , 45.7 grains 2806FPS , 46.0 grains 2823 FPS . my loads are best so far at the 45.4 and 45.7 grains . 46.0 wasn't as good . Jim

 

[Fordnutter]

Jimbires,
That's serious performance from the 168gr Bergers at mag length. When I have some time I'll have to try Reloader 17....not sure if my small primer pocket brass with CCIBR4 primers will be hot enough to ignite that powder properly. In saying that I'm running 48+ grains of powder & having no ignition issues & single digit ES spreads. I've been told that both reloader 17 & hodgon V100 normally can gain you an additional 100fps over H4350 in the 7mm08. Definately worth investigating when I get some time. Let us know how you get on in the accuraccy department - I'll be interested to see if reloader 17 delivers for you.

 

[jimbires]

Ford , I'm in the middle of working the load now . I'm trying a method I stumbled on over the winter . a guy on another forum had a big write up on how he does this , so I figured I'd try it . so my targets only have one shot of each powder charge on them . but here is what it shot over the past weekend . the top five shots are in about a 5 inch group . Jim

 

[FroggyOne2]

Looks like your node is somewhere between 45.4 and 45.7 grains.

 

[jimbires]

Thanks , that's exactly what I thought . this is the first time I've did this one shot ladder , so far I'm kind of sold on it . Jim

 

[rover31]

Can I jump in here?
Just to comment on the ladder test.
I did the same thing for my 308. Worked great! I then did an OCW test.
5 shot group of the powder charge I am deciding on at 100 or 200yds.
So for you that would be 45.4, 45.7 something in between and then for giggles I would go .2 over and under also.
I had dramatic results, and it was very apparent on what my gun liked.
Watch pressure signs as you are doing this. Oh and it must be all done at the same sitting. Don't try one or two loads and then come back another day or time. conditions change.
Good luck
This kind of stuff is so fun!
T

 

[Fordnutter]

Well I had a chance yesterday to try out some reloader 17 with the 7mm08 & 162gr amax. I think I'm getting somewhere now - found two distinct nodes that shot very well allbeit not at super fast speeds. I started at 43gr & worked up to 46.5gr which gave 2,830 fps with no signs of pressure. For curiosity sake I'll have to try at few more higher increments to find where the limit is in my long throat is. Accuracy was very average at 2,830 (1 moa) so whether or not I can hit the next accuracy node before hitting pressure is the question. The very interesting thing is that at the same speeds as the 2209 loads the reloader17 ran at far lower pressures.

 

[jimbires]

thanks for the update . I haven't made it back out yet . between rain all the time and trying to get a spring gobbler my extra time is thin . when I get at it again I'll let you know . it looks like RL17 could be a good powder choice for the 7-08 . thanks Jim

 

[Fordnutter]

Ok so now I'm curious enough to want to try some 180gr Berger VLD's in the 7mm08 with Reloader 17. Does someone who have access to Quickload able to run this scenario for me with say an OAL of 3.03"?
I realise the Berger will be seated well into the powder space but it's more an out of interest to see how fast they can be pushed safely from my 24" 1-9" twist barrel.
The Alliant website lists a MAX load of R17 with the 162gr at 44gr yet a 175gr is also 44gr... hmm doesn't quite sound right to me. I'm thinking of working up probably from 42gr to an optimistic 45gr in my long throat - Any quickload predictions here are welcomed

 

[TonyR]

Ok so now I'm curious enough to want to try some 180gr Berger VLD's in the 7mm08 with Reloader 17. Does someone who have access to Quickload able to run this scenario for me with say an OAL of 3.03"?
I realise the Berger will be seated well into the powder space but it's more an out of interest to see how fast they can be pushed safely from my 24" 1-9" twist barrel.
The Alliant website lists a MAX load of R17 with the 162gr at 44gr yet a 175gr is also 44gr... hmm doesn't quite sound right to me. I'm thinking of working up probably from 42gr to an optimistic 45gr in my long throat - Any quickload predictions here are welcomed

QL says a max load of 43.0 grains at maximum case pressure of RL-17 will give you 2600+ fps from a 24 inch barrel with a 180 VLD seated to a COAL of 3.03 inches. Start at 39 gr and work up slowly. I haven't had much experience with QL and RL-17 so start low and work up very carefully. Other very experienced shooters who have used RL-17 have reported that excess pressure can sneak up on you with that powder.

QL says you should get similar results with about 1 grain more of N550.

Please let us know your results

 

[scout1]

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

Wow Reddrum, 20.6 MOA up from 100 yards zero to 1K with a 162 A-max running 2750 fps. Thats about where I'm at running the 162 out of a WSM at 3220 fps to 1K from a 100 yard zero. What altitude are you shooting in, cause I'm at sea level and I think I might need to move over to where you live.

 

[JCHEDJ]

Sep 6 2011 14:00 pm

AMAX 162 gr....OAL 2.875 "
source Hodgdons reload center
http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

2 rifles (A) Remington Heavy Varminter 24 " 1 in 9.25 " twist
best oal 2.850 = 1/4 inch 3 shot groups at 200 yds
H 414 ( 45.o grs Win mag rifle primer) ( 2711,2725,2750,2728 fps@200yds)

(B) Remington with Shilen Sendero 1 in 9 " twist...still developing loads that will stabilize at 1,000 yds
Varget ( 39.3 grs) Hornady AMAX 162 gr 2.875 in OAL
200 yds 3/4 in groups ( 2610 , 2676 , 2598 fps )
Temp 81 F Wind NE 5 mph

Biggest problem AMAX bullets tumble at 1,000 yds ( 1 out 3~4 will tumble)

Have shot 3 at 2.880 in OAL not much difference at 200 yds

 

[jimbires]

I forgot about this thread . I gave up on using the Berger 168's . I couldn't get good velocity and good accuracy to come together . when I slowed the velocity down the accuracy was pretty good , but it was slow . here is a 400 yard target,you can see the velocities and the needed elevation adjustment .

I switched to the Berger 140 hunting bullets and ran a couple ladders . I ended up with 49.0 grains with a velocity of about 3075. it shoots this load well . the last time I shot this load through the chrony the speeds were 3077,3077,3080,3077,3081 . this load needs 7.0 elevation at 500 yards .
100 yards .

200 yards the pulled one is for a different target

the whole target , showing pulled shot .different rifle shooting the big center spot . Jim

 

[H2OBUG]

Jim
That was 49.0 of RL-17 over a 140 Berger VLD???

OAL??any Freebore??

 

[jimbires]

yes 49.0 grains of RL17 . this figures out to be about 1.5 grains over quickload max when the case capacity and COAL are considered . 2.845 COAL off the tip . I'm just touching the lands , and I can feed from my magazine . this load shows no pressure signs in my rifle , case head expansion less than .0003 ( CORRECTED ) , and the primer pockets seems to be doing well after 4 and 5 uses . *** use this load with caution it could be to hot for other rifles *** Jim


9/16/11 I corrected my case head expansion from .0002 to .ooo3 above . I have had a couple cases that went over .0002 expansion , maybe .00025. none have went over .0003 . wanted to clear this up . Jim