Which bullet is THE long range bullet for whitetail deer for the 7mm-08?

[AROKHUNTER]

I want to build a 7mm-08 to deer hunt with that will be a 400-700 yard gun. This will be primarily a stand/blind rifle. I will be using a Savage action with a magazine length of 2.950" and I want to use a barrel no longer than 24 inches. I would like to use a bullet in the 160-168 grain range.

I would like to hear any sugggestions, or advice for this set up. Also, personal experiences with the 7mm-08 and bullet performance making shots farther than 400 yards would be appreciated.

 

[dfry]

I want to build a 7mm-08 to deer hunt with that will be a 400-700 yard gun. This will be primarily a stand/blind rifle. I will be using a Savage action with a magazine length of 2.950" and I want to use a barrel no longer than 24 inches. I would like to use a bullet in the 160-168 grain range.

I would like to hear any sugggestions, or advice for this set up. Also, personal experiences with the 7mm-08 and bullet performance making shots farther than 400 yards would be appreciated.

162 gr. Amax or 160 Accubond. For those ranges you are correct, 160 gr bullet. The amax is great at long range on deer and the 7mm-08 doesnt stress it at close shots either. In my experience the 162 Amax is perfect in the 7mm-08. The lighter bullets will shed to much speed and energy at longer ranges. I've killed several west Texas whitetails at 500+ yds with an old match rifle with a 25" barrel. Most never took more than a step.

Dave

 

[msinc]

I don't know if I can say there is one that's a standout....168 Accu-Bond LR works good and shoots accurate, but you gotta have enough twist to stabilize it. Most 7mm's are 1-in-9, you really should run a 1-in-8 or 8.5 for this bullet at those distances. As far as killing goes, I have had good results with Nosler Partitions and Speer grand Slams, but neither are really known for their extreme long range accuracy. I have also had good results with Hornady SST bullets. They are accurate and they definitely kill, but they are hard on meat. Every deer I have ever shot with them got good penetration, but exploded inside and did not exit. I saw every deer fall.
Overall though I have used the good old Nosler Ballistic Tip more than any other long range bullet. They have always been very accurate when you need to get out there, they are always available and they kill good too.
I should add that I prefer longer barrels for the free velocity. I also hunt out of a tree stand so barrel length is not an issue for me. The shortest barrel I have on any of my rifles is 26 {factory} on my customs I like at least 28.

 

[Sniper338]

Id do a 1:8.5 twist personally as well.. ive had good luck with AMAX bullets.

 

[284winner]

+1 for the 162 Amax BUT if the 162 eldx will shoot in your particular gun, give it a go.

 

[watercam]

Better make sure what ever bullet you choose will have enough velocity to expand past 400 yds.... JBM Ballistics can tell you.

 

[stacy]

140 GR NOSLER BT HAS WORKED WELL OUT TO 400YDS BUT AT YOUR DISTANCE THINK I'D STEP UP TO A 280 OR 280 ACKLEY

 

[AROKHUNTER]

I'm thinking that y'all are right. I've ran the numbers through JBM and the 7mm-08 loses the necessary steam for proper bullet expansion once you exceed 300-400 yards with most bullets. I may just step it up to the 7mm Rem Mag and be done with it.

 

[NickB1075]

I'm thinking that y'all are right. I've ran the numbers through JBM and the 7mm-08 loses the necessary steam for proper bullet expansion once you exceed 300-400 yards with most bullets. I may just step it up to the 7mm Rem Mag and be done with it.

I think the shooting a 130 or 140 class bullet would give and maintain sufficient velocity for expansion. Bullet construction and design are paramount. Besides the obvious that you have to put the bullet where it needs to be for a clean kill.
I have had good luck with Barnes bullets in my hunting rifles. The 140 ttsx has worked great so far. I don't have any "long range" results from it yet but out to 300 it dropped a doe in its tracks. Also put down a 350lb black bear without any problems. That was only 40 yards but it worked great.

Nick

 

[AckleymanII]

Couple of things come to mind, first the length of the magazine for use of long vld tip bullets. Second thing is to go to AI on the 7/08 AI, there is no down side. Either case in the savage, you will end up with a single shot.

 

[rifleman700]

I run a 150 LRAB in my 7-08AI but would not hesitate to run the 150 eld-x or 162 eld-x. My son runs 162 Amax's in his straight 7-08.

 

[284winner]

The 7-08 with H4350 easily can obtain 2750 with the 162s thru a 24" barrel. Don't be so quick to jump into a gun that will use 30-40% more powder than you'll need and beat you up more in the process. I can get 2755 with 47.2 grains of H4350 in a 24" barrel without compressing the load still get 48.2 grains in a case with the 162 @ 2.90 oal. You will still have an impact velocity of 1850 fps at 700 yards with the 162 Amax. Any of the Hornady or Nosler accubonds will expand just fine at those impact velocities. Do a bit more research before heading the way your considering. My numbers are solid and proven. Although I wouldn't use my 7-08 for those ranges simply because I'd use a 284 or 6.5-284, it will get the job done effectively.

 

[stacy]

I'm thinking that y'all are right. I've ran the numbers through JBM and the 7mm-08 loses the necessary steam for proper bullet expansion once you exceed 300-400 yards with most bullets. I may just step it up to the 7mm Rem Mag and be done with it.

GOOD CHOICE !!!!

 

[MrMajestic]

You will not have a problem with enough velocity to promote expansion with the 162 grain A-Max. On the other hand at close ranges and or heavy bone will cause them to come apart. It's a fine line we walk....if you don't push them at Magnum velocities the sheer weight of the heavy 7 and 30 caliber A-Max's will help with adequate penetration even at closer ranges.

 

[284winner]

Not familiar with the Nosler LR Accubonds. Haven't heard good or bad only that the BC numbers are inflated some. If they are anything like the Gen I accubond, it's a great bullet. Think I'd give the 150s a shot in a 7-08 for curiosity sake.

 

[timeout]

I'm thinking that y'all are right. I've ran the numbers through JBM and the 7mm-08 loses the necessary steam for proper bullet expansion once you exceed 300-400 yards with most bullets. I may just step it up to the 7mm Rem Mag and be done with it.

Go with the REM Mag. What's a little more powder amongst friends? The guys at the powder plant have families to feed too.

 

[onelastshot]

For the distances you're talking about, I'd consider rethinking your game plan and consider a cartridge designed for the longer ranges. The distances you're talking about, 600 800 yards is a long poke. As someone else mentioned it would be good to consider the 6.5-284. It's a well known long distance cartridge and has the legs to do what you want to accomplish.

As far as bullets for the 6.5-284, it's really important to find the bullet your rifle likes. Accuracy by far is the most important consideration when hunting these kinds of distances, and only your rifle will tell you what will be the most accurate combination for you.

 

[AROKHUNTER]

I did not realize that it was possible to get over 2700 fps with the 162 AMAX out of a 24" barrel.

I thought about the 6.5x284, but I haven't run the numbers yet. I didn't know if it would have the necessary energy at my desired yardages for proper bullet expansion.

I have a 7mm-08 AI reamer at the gunsmith's shop, so that's an option too.

I was wanting to stay with the 7mm-08, or possibly the 7mm-08 AI, because I already have all of the brass and dies for either.

Free bore would be another question for the 162 AMAX, ELD-X, or Accubonds.

 

[johnfred1965]

here is a link for 7mm08 as a hunting round, from Ballisticstudies.com


http://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase/7mm-08+Remington.html

He has literally shot hundreds if not thousands of caliber/cartridge combos on live game in his research.
The entire website is a fountain of knowledge, if you want to research the .284 or 7mmRM you can find them there too.

 

[284winner]

I did not realize that it was possible to get over 2700 fps with the 162 AMAX out of a 24" barrel.

I thought about the 6.5x284, but I haven't run the numbers yet. I didn't know if it would have the necessary energy at my desired yardages for proper bullet expansion.

I have a 7mm-08 AI reamer at the gunsmith's shop, so that's an option too.

I was wanting to stay with the 7mm-08, or possibly the 7mm-08 AI, because I already have all of the brass and dies for either.

Free bore would be another question for the 162 AMAX, ELD-X, or Accubonds.

It's tough to go wrong with any 7mm cartridge. With the ballistics that many of the 7s bullets produce it's on top of the pack for performance. The real question is what are the objectives of this particular gun. 400-700 yards is doable really with this caliber. Despite writings published on many cartridges that tend to put low end numbers out for safety reasons just as reloading manuals do, this cartridge is adequate for your ranges. Sure there are other much better choices as mentioned here. I suppose if I were building a gun to use from 0-700 yards I too would probably go with the 284 win and end my search. You could extend your range and go heavier on the bullet if needed also. All cartridges have limitations so it's all a matter of use. I love the 08 and my preference is one in a 22" barrel for deer at ranges to 300/400 yards although where I use it shots average much closer. Another experience I have is going from a 22" barrel to a 26" barrel adds much more than 35 fps. Max velocities are 2625-2650 in a 22". Max velocities are 2700-2780 in a 26". I have to believe in a 30" they'd be 2850 +. This is the same in a 308 and the case capacity is about identical. The info on that ballistics studies data is from a 2007-2011 publication. Recently some fantastic bullets have arrived for the 7mm that literally amp up all of the 7 cartridges to another level of performance. Whatever you decide on, good luck. The 7mm cartridges are an ideal lineup for deer. Just realize each ones limitation.