7mm-08 barrel length** update**

[trailrider121]

I plan to purchase a new Criterion barrel for my savage 110 7mm-08. I plan to shoot 162-168 bullets at a maximum range of 700 yards. Most of the time it will be a target rifle but plan to hunt deer as well.

I'm thinking of going with a Criterion Varmint barrel which is a .800" at the muzzle and was thinking 22" barrel will get me there. Will a 22" barrel be good enough to 700 yards? I'm just getting into long range shots, so i figure a little short barrel will be easier to handle in the field.

 

[sobrbiker883]

Re: 7mm-08 barrel length

how fast is "good enough" to you?

 

[Who Dat]

Re: 7mm-08 barrel length

It should be fine, there is really not that big of a velocity loss with using a reduced barrel length between a 20 and 26 inch. If you look at most reloading data it will tell you the barrel length and twist rate and the show the velocity for each bullet weight, type powder, grains of powder, primer and case. It has been a long arguement for a long time, but the longer the barrel the longer the burn time of the powder and the gases for a better velocity, this is very important for the gents that are shooting out to and past 1000 yards. The 7mm-08 has better reach then the 308 and a lot of steel plate shooters like it for knocking down those long range steel rams. Also look at the lighter bullets and the Berger line of bullets. I have a 7-08 in a Browning BLR and my wife has a Remington 700 in that caliber. Just remember you are going to have to work up your own data if you cannot find reloading data for a 22 inch barrel, you are going to need a chrono.It is a good round, trust me it will knock an elk down!

 

[trailrider121]

Re: 7mm-08 barrel length

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sobrbiker883</div><div class="ubbcode-body">how fast is "good enough" to you? </div></div>

I hoping for at least 2650- 2675fps. Also really thinking of going with Berger 168 gr VLD. For shorter ranges i might go with 140's vld as well.

 

[sobrbiker883]

Re: 7mm-08 barrel length

I got 2723 avg with 162 Amax's out of a 22" Douglas using IMR4895. I had to load long (worked in the original Seekins single stack mags) at 2.925" but they shot well.

 

[TEAMSENDIT]

Re: 7mm-08 barrel length

22" will be fine in the 708 the key is the bc of the bullets not the speed. you should still get around 2700fps with the 22".

great all around cartridge i love mine.

 

[trailrider121]

Re: 7mm-08 barrel length

2700 fps would be perfect. I had a 308 win but just got bored with it, really digging this 7mm-08.Its a perfect all around rifle. Now i'm going to find out how much more weight going from sporter to varmint barrel with same length, if its 1lb. I'd be cool with it. Thanks for the pointers.

 

[BobinNC]

Re: 7mm-08 barrel length

trailrider,

PacNor Barrels has a barrel weight calculator that I find very useful.

PACNor weight calculator

 

[sandwarrior]

Re: 7mm-08 barrel length

I like the longer barrel because you can get more speed. Or at least you can get the 2700 without stressing your brass so bad. Use RE-19 or RE-22 with heavier bullets and you'll see what I mean. I'm getting 2700 with 175 SMK's and 180 Bergers.

 

[trailrider121]

Re: 7mm-08 barrel length

Hey thanks for tip on the Pacnor calculator, it says going from a sporter to a varmint barrel with same length its almost 2 lbs. adder. So my rifle will be 10 to 10.5lbs with varmint barrel, dang... Decisions are tuff..

 

[Who Dat]

Re: 7mm-08 barrel length

Team Send It, is right BC makes a huge difference for long range shots. I did not include that piece of info, my post was getting a little winded. The higher the BC the further the reach.

 

[mwroseberry]

Re: 7mm-08 barrel length

I'm currently running a 26" barrel with a 1 in 8 twist. My competition load is as follows.

162g Hornady BTHP (w/amp jacket)
47.2g H4350
2.870 OAL
CCI 200
Winchestor brass
2775fps

For under 700 and also good for hunting I would probably go A-max

162g A-max
47.2g H4350
2.904 OAL
CCI 200
Winchestor brass
2700fps

The A-max loses stability past 1000yards for me and the BTHP holds stability at to atleast 1250 (as far as I've tested to date). Both rounds are .02 off the lands on my barrel, and the Ogive on the BTHP is much different.

Going from a 26" down to a 22" I'm assuming with the same load you're probably going to loose 100fps off those load ups. If you are wanting to run the heavies at the slower speeds you're going to want to go with a 1 in 8 twist like mine to hold stability.

PM me if you have any other questions.

Good luck,
Merritt

 

[trailrider121]

Re: 7mm-08 barrel length

Thats what i figure Bullet BC helps with long range. I might just go with 24" barrel and if I dont like it,I can have it cut down to 22" and have re-crown.

mwroseberry,
Hows that 47.2gr working for you?

 

[pwc001]

Re: 7mm-08 barrel length

I am getting 2650 out of a Rem 700 18" 7-08 with 162 Amax's. Using H4350, still trying to push them a little harder, just have not had time to work on it.

 

[mwroseberry]

Re: 7mm-08 barrel length

47.2G is my competition load. Shoots 1/2moa all day long at 100 and 2.75" groups at 500. Im very happy with it and have no trouble with the 1165yrd target at TVP. With my twist being so tight you may need to tune that a bit for your rifle.

Good Luck,
erritt

 

[Icallem]

Re: 7mm-08 barrel length

This post caught my eye, as I have a 7-08 ordered with an eighteen inch barrel. Looking at next year getting it, so I thought I would get a barrel for a savage and start messing around with the 7-08. I called Jim @ Northland and he was against the 18" barrel as he thought I would be giving up to much. I do 70% of my shooting from 100-500, other 30% on out to 900 yards. I just looked on JBM and the difference between MV of 2650 and 2750 is less than 1 moa @ 500 yards.
Should I rethink the 18 inch barrel?

 

[mwroseberry]

Re: 7mm-08 barrel length

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Icallem</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This post caught my eye, as I have a 7-08 ordered with an eighteen inch barrel. Looking at next year getting it, so I thought I would get a barrel for a savage and start messing around with the 7-08. I called Jim @ Northland and he was against the 18" barrel as he thought I would be giving up to much. I do 70% of my shooting from 100-500, other 30% on out to 900 yards. I just looked on JBM and the difference between MV of 2650 and 2750 is less than 1 moa @ 500 yards.
Should I rethink the 18 inch barrel? </div></div>

I would never go below 22 inches on the 7mm-08. One big help on this caliber is the velocity. I don't see why a 20" wouldn't work fine if you stayed with lighter bullet weights and faster powders but you don't be able to run the heavies which is where the 7-08 really shines. JMO.

Good luck,
Merritt

 

[flyboy]

Re: 7mm-08 barrel length

I'm running a Rock 8.7 at 24". With H4350 at 49.5g, I'm getting 2800fps. Its pretty hot and would not work in most guns but I'm jumping the 162 amax .050" and that's how I get away with it. If you never intend to go beyond 700, then most any speed you get from 22" will be a marked improvement over the 308.

 

[7mmRM]

Re: 7mm-08 barrel length

I get 2700 with 162s outta my 22" 708. Awesome chambering.

 

[trailrider121]

Re: 7mm-08 barrel length

Here's the first shots with new criterion barrel. Break it in...

Loads using 162 amax, win brass, cci br2 primers, .020" off the lands, with H4350 46.6- 47.2 grs. at 100 meters.

Just for kicks loaded some 168 vld's.