What Bullet For 7-08

[SporterII]

With magazine limitations of 2.880", The 162 Amax looks to be taking up too much case. It is the only bullet I have bought and am just getting a look for the first time.
I need something to use past what my 'heavy' 223 is good for and have a 24" 9.25 twist Remington in 7-08.

What are you guys using?

 

[turbo54]

Re: What Bullet For 7-08

24" barrel 7-08 with 162amax loaded to 2.880" should go ~2750fps with ~45gr H4350.

...oughtta be at least a <span style="font-style: italic">slight</span> performance improvement over the 223...

 

[SporterII]

Re: What Bullet For 7-08

That is encouraging Turbo. To my untrained eye it did appear to sit low into the case. I have H4350 on the way and Federal 210M primers.

 

[turbo54]

Re: What Bullet For 7-08

Varget and Reloder 15 are both worth a try. Honestly, the case capacity of the 708 and the 165ish weight bullets could really use a powder that burns faster than H4350 but slower than Varget. Regardless, both perform well, though Varget will be pressure limited, and H4350 will generally be case capacity limited.

And by the way, I was being sarcastic when I said the 162@2750 should offer a "slight" performance boost over 223. In fact, there will be night/day epic difference. The 162 is a great bullet, and 2750 is plenty fast to make for great ballistics.

 

[gcoulsey]

Re: What Bullet For 7-08

I'm working up a load right now for my new Bartlein barrel,
So far I've got a nice node at 45.1grn H4350,
Running 2760fps, (28" 1-8.5 twist) seated at 2.90"
(AICS mags, front plate removed, and modded feed ramp)

As Turbo said, I've run out out of case capacity before hitting the next node up, still early days yet though, and I'm going to try viht n550 next, it's a little more dense so should be able to squeeze in a few more grains without compressing too much.

I've also got some 2000mr on back order to try

 

[SporterII]

Re: What Bullet For 7-08

A 'nice' node and 2760 sounds like a winner, I'll take it.
Front plate comes out of the mag?That too is interesting. Thanks.

 

[gcoulsey]

Re: What Bullet For 7-08

Front plate removal is easy, just carefully drill out the two rivets and slide the front plate out.
To take fully advantage of the extra mag room, you may have to use a dremmel (or something similar) to remove the overhanging lip of the feed ramp on the action. Quick and easy job

Keep us updated on your progress with the 162's mate, I've got some 175 SMK's to load up and try too

 

[Buzzsaw]

Re: What Bullet For 7-08

Am I wasting my time with a 1-10 twist i my 7mm-08 with the 160ish bullets? I'm good with 120's and 140's. I have lots of 168's and 162's from my 7mmWSM.

 

[turbo54]

Re: What Bullet For 7-08

No personal experience with the 160+ bullets from a 1:10 barrel, but I've definitely read where a number of other folks say it's working for them.

 

[pipeinspector]

Re: What Bullet For 7-08

If you guys don't mind me asking, what kind of groups are you getting from your 7-08s? I have between 200 & 300 rounds through my new GAP with 22" barrel and 8 1/2 twist. I still haven't found a recipe this gun likes. I am using winchester brass with 210M primers and mostly 162 Amax & 162 Hornady BTHP but I have also played a little with the 175 SMK and even a little with the 180 VLDs that I use in my STW. I have tried H4350 with no success and also RL-15, IMR 4064, Varget, & Benchmark with Benchmark performing the best & Varget the next best. At 100yds in an indoor range my 5 shot groups are averaging 0.7 to 0.8" with the Varget averaging in the 0.7" better than the others and the Benchmark averaging in the 0.5" neighborhood with the 162 Amax. My next attempt is going to be H414 and possibly BLC2. I think in an indoor climate I should be able to get my groups tighter than what I am currently getting. I also tried Federal Premium 140 Nosler Ballistic Tip factory loads to see if lighter bullets might group better but those groups averaged 0.9" I would appreciate any tips since this is my first 7-08.

 

[gcoulsey]

Re: What Bullet For 7-08

Still early days for me.. Only x80 rounds down the barrel, including x20 factory 140grn federal fusion I used to zero scope and break the barrel in.
(The fusion ammo grouped 1.5" at BEST during breaking-in etc)

As soon as I got on my 162 amax/h4350 test loads the groups tightened up a lot,
Only shooting pressure tests/OCW at 100yrd, but the worst 'scatter groups' were 1"...
The tightest (x3 shot OCW groups) have been one-raggy hole groups.

I managed to load up x10 rounds of raggy-hole node, (45.1grn) and try them at 400 yards quick before I had to finish for the day, and they grouped .7MOA
I'm sure they would have been a bit tighter if I hadn't rushed the shots so much,
I was mostly interested in how the elevation dope matched my ballistics app and chrono data.
Which turned out to be bang on the money @6.5 MOA elevation for 400yrd.

I'm leaving that alone for now, and going to try N550

 

[7mmRM]

Re: What Bullet For 7-08

pipeinspector,

Give IMR8208 a try. It works well in quite a few of the local shooters 708s with 162s.

I tried it in mine, with good results, but H4350 works a bit better.

 

[pipeinspector]

Re: What Bullet For 7-08

Thanks 7mmRM, I will give the 8208 a try. Do you know where a good starting point would be for a 162 A-max?

 

[Nortex]

Re: What Bullet For 7-08

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Buzzsaw</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Am I wasting my time with a 1-10 twist i my 7mm-08 with the 160ish bullets? I'm good with 120's and 140's. I have lots of 168's and 162's from my 7mmWSM. </div></div>

I run the 162's out of a 1:10 but as Turbo pointed out it may not be the norm.

 

[7mmRM]

Re: What Bullet For 7-08

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pipeinspector</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks 7mmRM, I will give the 8208 a try. Do you know where a good starting point would be for a 162 A-max? </div></div>

Start at 39. I went all the way to 41.5.

 

[Heman]

Re: What Bullet For 7-08

I shoot a 280 Rem and shoot 175gr SMKs for NRA LR. I've thought about a 7mm-08 for mid-range but was wondering what velocity it can push those bullets at or are they to heavy for it?

 

[19Scout77]

Re: What Bullet For 7-08

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gfunkUK</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Front plate removal is easy, just carefully drill out the two rivets and slide the front plate out.
To take fully advantage of the extra mag room, you may have to use a dremmel (or something similar) to remove the overhanging lip of the feed ramp on the action. Quick and easy job

Keep us updated on your progress with the 162's mate, I've got some 175 SMK's to load up and try too

</div></div>

Rivets? Not spot welds??

I strongly suggest you weld the holes closed after you remove the plate, otherwise you risk having the bullet tips catch in the holes which will cause a feeding issue.