A new rifle to shoot! The 7mm-08!

[@jimanderson1154]

Use Varget, Varget or Varget. One of them should work well! My current load is a Barnes 120 TTSX at 3011fps.

[@hopefulballistics]

Sweet, thanks!

[@JamesM-l5g]

Hahahahaha

[@cobjread]

I like those bullets in my 7mm-08 too, and have gotten similar velocity using IMR-4064. I've noticed that seating depth makes a big difference too. Savage 110.

[@trevorkolmatycki4042]

Optimum powder selection is affected by bullet weight and barrel length. Both Varget and H4350 are desirable 708 powders. I think you will find that the faster burning Varget is optimum for lighter bullets and shorter barrels in 708 and H4350 is optimum for heavier bullets and longer barrels in 708. Cheers!

[@bradpetersen5595]

I shot 120 grain Barnes bullets was getting 3050 but have to find a new powder was using hodsgins 414 but they don't make it anymore. Use the 120 grain bullet in my 7 mag also getting 3600 out of it.

[@charliebelle6693]

Factory test velocities are based on a 26" barrel. We shoot 140 Nosler Accubond over 37 grains of IMR 4895. It shoots right around an inch in 2 Brownings and 2 Tikkas that I load for.

[@hopefulballistics]

Thanks

[@trevorkolmatycki4042]

Boy that looks familiar. Seeing that rifle triggers memories. The first rifle I ever purchased back in the 90’s was a Savage 111 in 300WM. Looks just like your 11. It was the cheapest rifle in the store and came with a garbage scope. It always shot respectable but not stellar groups. The stock was crazy ultra flexible though. Over the years I floated the barrel, bedded the stock, and upgraded the trigger with some cheap kit. Then I proceeded to ignorantly cook out the barrel with spicy AF RL22 loads back when I thought speed was everything. I used to always say “This rifle eats pressure for lunch!” If I recall, I was getting 3200fps with 180gr interbond bullets with no clear pressure sign on the brass. Then one hot summer day I had a case head separation that left the case stuck in the chamber. Back in those days we didn’t know anything about controlling for shoulder bump and didn’t fully appreciate that high velocity is a sign of pressure. I replaced that rifle with a Sako A7 in 300WSM back during the WSM craze which was one heckuva step up from the old savage 111. Last year I got a borescope and discovered that all my rifle bores are in great condition but boy oh boy that old 300WM Savage 111 is fire cracked to high heaven and the throat is pretty close to completely worn out. Cheers!

[@hopefulballistics]

Thanks for sharing this, take care!

[@trevorkolmatycki4042]

@@hopefulballistics ​​⁠​​⁠Youbetcha!… don’t give up on that old Savage… there is plenty you can do to tighten it up… Assuming the barrel is in good condition… which I wouldn’t assume via a cheap borescope… I would focus on the stock… it is the weakest link in that rifle… replacement stocks are rare for that model due to the side button mag release. If you are inclined to tinker you could heavily clearance the fore-end and perhaps stiffen it with epoxy, and bed the receiver to the stock with pillars and epoxy. I would do this before any additional load development because it is likely the achilles heel that will limit your success. If the bore condition is good, these efforts are worth it. Turning cheapos into tac drivers is fun and interesting. And if you have no experience with bedding, what better way than to do your first on an inexpensive test article.

[@mosinw6697]

My 7mm-08s likes 139 interlocks 140 nosler ballistic tips 150 eld x over Varget and H-4350 Awesome deer catridge.

[@hopefulballistics]

Awesome, thanks

[@MikeSmith-hm3tl]

150 ELDXs with H4350 shoots 1/2” in my 708 with good velocity

[@mattyv7499]

Agreed here. My tikka like both the 139 SST and Interlocks with a 44.5gr charge of varget. It's a grain over max but so far every tikka iv stuffed this load in has shot under and inch and its screaming along at 2900+ devastating on deer. Infact maybe a little to destructive on shoulders.

[@cobjread]

I'm currently working on a new load for my 7mm-08 Savage 110, using Nosler Partition 140gr and IMR-4350. I had a 6-shot string average at 2747, with an es of 13 and sd of 4.5. Those are the best stats I've ever gotten from a hand load so far, so im pretty excited. The 1st time i shot them, doing OCW testing, i was geting huge 2-shot groups; they were so bad, i stopped shooting to avoid wasting bullets. I didn't have alot of data to work with, but picked apowder sharge at a velocity node, and went on to coarse seating depth testing, where i found the 6 nice shots. That group is still 1.6 to 2 inches, so I'm hoping some fine tuning of the seating depth will bring it closer. Any all that to say i think it is picky about seating depth. Conversely, i picked a load using SST 139gr, just for plinking, so didn't do any load development, and it shoots really well. Had 1 4-shot group that was 5/8" the 5th shot bumped it out to 1.25. Also, suggest looking at Desert Dogs used rifle roulette video for some good ideas on tuning up a rifle, you may already be doing the stuff, but i taught me some new tricks. Last thing I'll mention is that all of the screws action, bases and rings all came loose or were loose when i bought both of my 110s... definitely worth torquing everything down. Good luck

[@JamesM-l5g]

Desert Dog has helped me a lot! I thought I knew about mounting scopes (as well as other areas he covers) but learned that I really didn’t.

[@hopefulballistics]

Thank you!

[@patrioticguy1791]

I run AA4350 in my 6.5 cm gas gun. Decent velocity and amazing accuracy and consistency.

[@edwardabrams4972]

I have found the federal premium loads are the most accurate in most of my gun collection over 60+ years followed my Nosler premium

[@hopefulballistics]

Awesome, thanks

[@joew5792]

131 hammer hunter over 42.8gr of varget gets me very tight groups at 2937fps avg, never did hit pressure in my ladder and I did get it to 3000. Stock ruger m77, 2 deer this year went about 10 feet each

[@JamesM-l5g]

What kind of internal damage? Pass through?

[@joew5792]

@user-cl7jw7td5q shooting supressed, what I've noticed is they don't seem to know what happened because it more cuts like an arrow rather than slaps like a lead bullet. They are not as dramatic as lead, but they kill quickly leaving around a 2" exit on the whitetail and a small exit on the large mule deer, seeming to do all the damage internally. Honestly the damage is overshadowed by the ease of load development and the fact that it is the most accurate bullet I have ever used, even in picky guns

[@JamesM-l5g]

@@joew5792 Great explanation! Thanks

[@hopefulballistics]

Right on!

[@djbsmb6012]

I have a T/C Venture with my hand loads Stareline brass and 130gr Speer boat tail and max load of IMR 4064 I’m getting 1/2” groups at almost 3000 fts .

[@hopefulballistics]

Sounds like a winner

[@brianclair1323]

Another awesome video! Looking at the Hornady data, you might try some of the Superformance powder, if you have access to it. I plan on trying this powder in my 30-06 with either 165 or 180 gr pills.

[@timburns379]

I have a marlin xs7 in 7-08, which is basically the same gun. To be honest the twist rate is on the ragged edge with a 162g pill. Additionally that barrel is either 20 or 22 inches most ammo is velocity rated in 24” lengths which obviously affected your speeds on the factory loads. That being said, my best groups have come from StaBall 6.5 pushing a 120g Nosler Ballistic Tip @ just under 3100 fps. I then glass bedded and free floated the barrel and the groups shrank to 1/2 to 3/4 MOA . I’ve killed more deer with this combo than another gun I own. Longest shot being 375 yds

[@hopefulballistics]

Right on, thanks

[@terryhenry8243]

Because of case volumn available you'll find best performance in the 120- 140gr class bullets. H-4350, Varget, Big Game. Powders will be your friends with this cartridge. Any of these or whichever your rifle prefers will get you into that sweet 2800-2900 fps velocity. It's a killer of a cartridge, stick with it, you'll get there

[@hopefulballistics]

@@terryhenry8243 in a video made after this I got 2800 fps with 162 Amax and Superformance. Then later I got 2950 fps with 139 Barnes LRX and Big Game.

[@terryhenry8243]

@hopefulballistics In my opinion 160gr class bullets are outside the sweet zone for 7mm-08. Yes, it will shoot them but if you are pushing a 160 class at 2900 with any powder in 7mm-08 you are probably way over on pressure, including Superformance. The 140 class projectiles will cleanly take big game out farther than most should be shooting. Overall they will perform better than the heavies at any reasonable range. I have found Superformance to be wildly inaccurate in my testing in my rifles. This may not be true for you. It's just my experience. I've followed your vids on your endeavor with this cartridge because you seem to really want to learn it. This cartridge has a relatively small case capacity so trying to get magnum velocities out of it is counterproductive. 48 to 50gr. of H-4350 with any 139-140 class bullet will get the job done. The Hornady 139gr interlock will take up to 50gr as it's not quite as grabby as some other projectiles. My favorite in one of my rifles is 48.5gr H-4350 behind a 140 Accubond or Partition, either one. This load in my rifles will consistently shoot 1/2 moa or better at about 2850 fps and either one is deadly on game out to 4 and 500 yards. Other powders that just work great in this application are Big Game and Varget. If you try some of these combos I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

[@cody182005]

Try Varget if you have some. Im running lapua brass, 162 ELD with 40.5 grains. runs 2740fps out of a 26”. Its such an efficient and under-rated cartridge. H4350 will prob get you even more velocity its just been hard for me to come by.

[@hopefulballistics]

Thanks!

[@TimH-t4u]

At 3:35 those were not the first 3 of that Win 140gr pp. Smaller group was the second group.

[@sugargoldy]

Good video thanks for giving the 7mm-08 some love. My Ruger American compact with an 18 inch barrel. With 145 grain speer hot cor with 41 grains of H4895 my averages 2620 feet per second. With Barnes 120 grain TTS X with h 4895 42 grains. My average is 2850 Feet per second.

[@hopefulballistics]

Thanks! Nice!!

[@KimDavis-n5t]

I bought a Marlin X7 with a stock similar to what your rifle stock was. My groups were similar to yours until I put a Boyd stock on it and floated embedded it. Now it shoots one hole practically cover it with a dime about every time even with pitiful factory loads

[@hopefulballistics]

@@KimDavis-n5t awesome, I used to have an X7

[@Snailz5]

I’d bet you would do very well with n150. Guy who did the insane 284 win article showed that to be the best powder for that cartridge for 120-150 class 7mm bullets, which would be about the burn window for that smaller powder charge shooting heavier 160-170 class bullets.

[@hopefulballistics]

Thanks!

[@JohnJones-zo7iv]

Imr 4064 nufsaid

[@Snailz5]

@@JohnJones-zo7iv 4064 could work, but you're only maxing out at ~90-92% case fill for that bullet since it's a pretty fast powder for that application. N150 gets you right to 98-101% and has better reputation for accuracy than 4064 and is less temp sensitive. RL 15, 15.5, N550, and H4350 would all be better choices.

[@rosalindstewart7013]

RL 15 is underrated, works a treat, give it a go if you can get some mate cheers Yogi 🤙✌️

[@Hudge76]

I worked up and even went over max on some Accurate 4350 loads and never got close to published velocities in anything I tried it in.

[@hopefulballistics]

Apparently it’s just not made for speed.

[@runningwithscissors3997]

Browning ABolt 2 --- I tried win760 with 168 SMKBT. Had velocities just under 2600. Like many who've commented, Staball 6.5 has produced the highest velocities.

[@hopefulballistics]

Nice!

[@S_Bittle]

Even with factory loads, I've only experienced over MOA groups from 2 manufacturers. Norma Whitetail 150gr and Hornady Precision Hunter 150gr are lights out 0.75" or better at 100 yards. Shooting from a Savage Axis II 7mm-08 with 22" barrel.

[@hopefulballistics]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing

[@rexking3698]

Nice video. I'm getting 2925 avg out of my weatherby vanguard 7mm08 using 145gr speer spbt and h4350. I don't remember the exact charge off hand but nothing over max on speer page

[@hopefulballistics]

Nice work!

[@ralphyoung9296]

Scary.. about 6 months ago I bought a new Savage Overwatch in 7mm-08, put a Burris fullfield on it and bore sighted it in. Two weeks ago I purchased a Weatherby Vanguard Synthetic Compact also in 7mm-08. I certainly hope i get at least a velocity of 2700 out of them.

[@hopefulballistics]

I hope so

[@denisleblanc4506]

I shot a lot of factory 140 grain loads out of my Sako with a 21.5" barrel. The lowest I got for velocities was an average of 2770. I never shot the loads you tried but they looked slow to me. Most of them are just over 2800 in my rifle and some reach 2850. What's the length of your barrel? My moose load with H414 averages 2585 with 160 grain Speer Grand Slams (old style.) My load with 140 Federal TBT shoot 2785 with W760.

[@hopefulballistics]

22 inch.

[@denisleblanc4506]

I didn't want you to be discouraged. The only Winchester factory ammo I tired was the old +P and it got about 2820 fps. That's because their normal loads at the time were only said to go 2700 which didn't interest me.@@hopefulballistics

[@cw2a]

I reserve 160 and heavier for my seven mag. I really like the 140 be that 139 to 145 grain in this caliber. It seems to be the perfect weight. As you probably know most velocity on cartridges is at 24 inches. And you're probably looking at 40 to 50 ft./s per inch. Mine is a 20 inch savage, and I'm right at 2600 with my 139 grain load

[@hopefulballistics]

Thanks!

[@bustabass9025]

Good to hear someone else thinks that the heavy bullets are best served with higher velocity caliber rifles. My rule of thumb is certain weight bullets for certain caliber guns. Of course, that requires more than one or two rifles. However, the results are usually satisfactory, and I come away with a well matched gun and bullet configuration suitable in any situation for hunting and shooting.

[@markcarew6724]

The 7mm-08 was my metallic silhouette caliber for many years; very accurate with Speer Grand Slam bullets.

[@hopefulballistics]

Right on

[@trevorkolmatycki4042]

You might want to consider trying H4350. With 150gr ELDX and H4350 compressed, I am getting 2750fps out of a 22” barrel, with all the benefits of stability with single based powder. Cheers!

[@hopefulballistics]

I appreciate it, thanks

[@RandySmith-ci8eu]

Hello out there i just bought me a new Ruger gen 2 7mm08. My gun loves Remington core lokt 140gr and norma white tail 150 GR i can mix them up they shoot the same. I think I am going to use the Norma because of the,150gr.

[@hopefulballistics]

Very cool! Good luck

[@matthewellis2673]

I loaded up some 175 gr barnes tsx with imr 4350 to try in my mossberg patriot. I figure a little too heavy, but just curious since there was load data for that weight.

[@hopefulballistics]

Let me know how it shoots

[@jasonacosta3860]

I have had good success with Imr4451 in the 2 7mm-08 that i load for my boys. Unfortunately that powder is discontinued. I have heard good things about staball 6.5 for 7mm-08. Might be something worth looking into

[@hopefulballistics]

I’m planning on trying 6.5 Staball, Superformance, and Varget next.

[@sandybarnett7502]

My Christensen ridgeline 7mm08 shooter nosler ballistic tip 120's ave. 2985 ...24 inch barrel

[@hopefulballistics]

Nice!

[@Hudge76]

I’ve had good luck with StaBALL 6.5 in my 7-08.

[@hopefulballistics]

Your not alone in saying that

[@mike-xh3yh]

The box velocity are for a 24” barrel that gun is probably a 22”barrel so it’s not surprising you were getting 2700 to mid 2700 instead of the 2800s

[@patbotterill7353]

Try the Hornaday 139 grain . I shoot this ammo and my 7mm08 constantly shoots. 3/4 " groups. Mw rifle is a Winchester xtr feather weight with a 18" barrel. I hope this helps you.

[@hopefulballistics]

I appreciate it, thanks

[@plm3006]

I have had good luck with ramshot big game powder and most any 130 t0 145 gr bullets. Especially 140 gr barnes ttsx

[@hopefulballistics]

Thanks!

[@dzuverink]

I recently purchased a Weatherby Talus (Vanguard). I have a couple boxes of the 140gr TTSX and picked up some BigGame powder. I tested a few different loads but the results are still +1” MOA. How much powder did you find to be best? I tried different seating depths but found the Barnes recommended depth to be the best so far.

[@plm3006]

@@dzuverink I dont know where this reply came from. I am not sure how to help. Sorry, but thank you for bringing it to my attention.

[@LRRPFco52]

Win Mod 70 Featherweight 22” modern production w/ Mauser action 7mm-08 139gr GMX Rem 1x brass FL resized Rem 9 1/2 LRPs 2.035” case length Alliant Power Pro 2000MR 42.5gr 2621fps 43.0gr 2622fps 43.5gr 2659fps 44.0gr 2743fps 44.5gr 2739fps 45.0gr 2795 45.5gr 2820 46.0gr 2842 46.5gr 2838 47.0gr 2900 Great little cartridge.

[@hopefulballistics]

Nice!

[@lonniemcmanners6296]

I have struggled with 7mm 08 myself I can't seem to get better than a 3/4 inch group with it. It's frustrating at best

[@hopefulballistics]

What rifle?

[@lonniemcmanners6296]

@@hopefulballistics a bergara as crazy as it sounds

[@Accuracy1st]

Anyone have experience with TAC in 708? I used that in my 308 with a 130 TTSX and got impressive velocities. I was considering trying it with a 120 TTSX in 708

[@Yobjaugjuag]

I got a Tikka Superlight 7mm-08 stainless steel and I tried it on both Hornady GMX 139 gain and Barnes TTSX 120 gain. I can tell you that I prefer the heavier GMX, but the rifle prefers the TTSX with very tight group so the rifle wins.

[@Accuracy1st]

I haven't clocked any factory ammo in mine yet. It's a Tikka T3x compact so it has the shorter barrel. I bought a few boxes of ammo and tried them all. Remington 140 corelokt, Hornady American Whitetail 139s, Norma Whitetail 150s (killed 3 deer with this stuff). As with every Tikka I own, the Norma factory ammo did amazing. The Rem ammo far less than ideal. And to my surprise, the Hornady American Whitetail did just like the Norma and with a few groups even better - all subHALFMOA. Really not sure why I went ahead and hunted with the Norma ammo. I got the rifle for 50 cents on the dollar new. Never made plans to handload for it and not really a need to do so since I found factory ammo that does so well. Sadly I went overboard and bought 2 cases of the Hornady and half a case of the Norma ammo so I'm set for life on it. What surprised me is the bullet drop. It's quite a bit more than I'm used to. That Norma ammo with the 150 bullet is dropping about 20 inches at 300 yards with a 100 yard zero.

[@phild9813]

I’ve found the norma whitetail and the Hornady whitetail to shoot much better than it should in a couple 6.5s and a 30-06

[@hopefulballistics]

Right on

[@Accuracy1st]

@@phild9813 Yea that Norma Whitetail shoots 1/2" repeatedly in multiple Tikka 270s, and two 300WM Tikkas - well one of those is now a 7PRC. I did buy a bunch of Norma tipstrike in 280 Rem - the 160 grain. It did ok in two of my 280 Rems but when I used it to get fireformed 280AI in those two newer rifles I own it did exceptionally well in both, so good I just used it to hunt with in both but have now started the reloading process in one of them. The local place that sells the Norma ammo had only 1 box in 30-06 and I like to buy several if that LOT number shoots well

[@blackie1of4]

I'd sight it in two inches high at 100 yards.. dead on at 200 yards and 6 inches low at 300 yards.. at least that's how I set mine up 😊 The Norma whitetail is very accurate for the price point! My Tikka T3x Hunter didn't like Hornady Whitetail.. but 1.37 inches at 100 yards isn't too bad! The best factory ammo so far has been Winchester ballistic silver tips.. .55 inches at 100 & .82 inches at 200 respectively 😊 Great cartridge for whitetails!

[@Accuracy1st]

@@blackie1of4 For years I subscribed to the 2" high at 100, zero at 200 and 6-9" low at 300. Then I switched to 30mm scopes and MOA turrets and zeroing at 100 yards is what I learned to do, more precise. My other rifles, such as my 270s, 30-06, 7mags, 280s, etc., did fine with the 200 yard zero and I found it to be consistent. However, the Tikka 708 I have would still be 17-18" low if I had a 200 zero. Now that I know what that ammo does in it I can create my MOA log for it.

[@1980poormanshooter]

I bought my daughter a savage model 11 in 7mm08 in 2012 and I hand loaded a light load so it wouldn’t kick so hard her gun likes 43.5 grains H414 with 140 grain nosler E-Tip come to find out they go longer make H414 or that’s what I hear so I guess I gotta get ready to go to drawing board for a new powder I’ll keep watching to see what you come up with and she killed about 12 deer with this load it’s a caliber

[@hopefulballistics]

Yes, stay tuned

[@JamesM-l5g]

TWO THINGS: I have the Long Range Hunter Model 11 in 308. That I got, funny enough, from a pawn shop… hahaha My groups shrunk from 5” to just over 1” on average, when I put a Harris bipod on the front sling post. But yours is not shooting 5” groups. So this may not help you but is worth a try. The aluminum rail thats imbedded in the stock nearly goes to the tip must be loose or something in my gun causing excessive vibration. I then drilled and tapped three machined screws in the bottom of the forearm. Now I no longer need the bipod. The stock you have, may not have the excessive vibration issue but I only learned this fix, cause another KZbinr put a bipod on his savage 11 and his groups shrunk. So I tried it…. and it worked. Secondly, again, as I mentioned in your 30-06 225 eldM video the holding of the forearm. I find that I get much smaller groups when I hold that forearm with some strength! I also tighten or lock my entire body very stiff, but not so stiff I shake. When my body is locked in, I also have the cross hairs on the target in a natural point of rest. I do this even with 223 and 22LR’s, as I find it shrinks my groups. I know you replied you didn’t need to hold the forearm with lighter cartridges, but it surely wouldn’t hurt to perform an honest test of what I am saying. Thanks, I appreciate and enjoy your videos.

[@JamesM-l5g]

I just loaded up some 195 gr eldm’s for my Savage 308. Should be pretty cool. Maybe I’ll do some 165 gr partitions too..

[@hopefulballistics]

I appreciate the comment, thank you

[@johnnorman7708]

7mm-08 has numbers that get things done without being rude.

[@hopefulballistics]

@@johnnorman7708 true!

[@Accuracy1st]

Try Re15, Varget, IMR4064, H4895, H-100V and StaBall 6.5

[@hopefulballistics]

I currently have Staball 6.5 and Varget. I’ll give them a try.

[@Accuracy1st]

@@hopefulballistics Staball for speed, Varget for accuracy

[@LRRPFco52]

Under 162gr, I would look at RL-17, H414, Hunter, and SuperFormance for speed. You’ll be in the 2600-2750fps range with max loads from those from a 22” pipe.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

You'll get it dialed in. At least you got a couple of groups sub MOA

[@hopefulballistics]

Thanks! Yeah I will

[@texpatriot8462]

Your experience with Accurate 4350 is the same as mine. Sloooow velocities. It was a 6.5 Needsmore.

[@hopefulballistics]

Definitely slow

[@NickGer123]

I use 162 interlocks in my 7mm-08 running about 2600 I believe.

[@hopefulballistics]

Sweet!

[@NickGer123]

@@hopefulballistics imr 4895 is what I am using.

[@tikkasako6.5]

I've had velocities in 7-08 >2700 with powders in the burn rate range of Accurate 2700 to Hodgdon Superformance. However, I suggest, instead of picking a powder WEIGHT, pick a powder WEIGHT RANGE within what the Nosler or Hodgdon (or?...) manuals recommend. Check actual velocities, as opposed to groups, and initially look for lower Extreme Spreads, say

[@hopefulballistics]

@@tikkasako6.5 I appreciate the comment. I’ve got more videos shooting the 7mm/08 after this. I had better luck.

[@tikkasako6.5]

@@hopefulballistics very good, we all stagger on.....often wrong but never in doubt...

[@mursau]

je tire avec ce calibre en france avec une remington 700 varmint, crosse HS precision, et cela va super bien, çà change du 308, ogive sierra 150 grs HPBT, 37 grains vectan TU 3000, serti lee 4 mors, 71.80 a 71.90 mm. bon groupement a 200 mètres

[@hopefulballistics]

Very nice. Is the 7mm-08 popular in France?

[@WayStedYou]

Kinda crazy that you can get a .308 launching a 220 grain pill at 2300fps and this is struggling to hit 2400 with ~160 just by reducing the projectile to .284 instead of .308

[@hopefulballistics]

True

[@christopherhiher5783]

Velocity seems low. Maybe just maybe the factory and a4350 are not temp stable. That said I get 2500 well under max with 160 gr sp. using stabal 6.5.

[@hopefulballistics]

Thanks

[@jeffreydoebler8367]

I would say that your pawn shop deal is a win it shoots minute of deer all day long

[@hopefulballistics]

I agree

[@Accuracy1st]

I'm new to 708. Just checking but how close is the bell of that scope to the end of the rail?

[@hopefulballistics]

lol, very close, but not touching

[@Accuracy1st]

@@hopefulballistics I know you know what you're doing but now and then even us seasoned shooters miss some small stuff that can cause a big problemo. Just checking 😁

[@hopefulballistics]

@@Accuracy1st yeah, a new scope should be on its way for me too test out. This was just a quick first impressions….

[@captaincripple7218]

Those were 30/30 number 🤯

[@hopefulballistics]

I know, not what I wanted

[@carlwilliams6300]

Imr 7828

[@TomL3grandsons]

Have you ever thought about doing a video on which company has had the most failed cartridges Remington or Winchester? I think that would be quite interesting?

[@hopefulballistics]

That’s a good idea

[@milo555100]

Ive always heard that savage builds an accurate rifle. I have a 25-06 model 110. Ive never been impressed with the accuracy. Id suggest….trying some barnes ttsx 120g hand loaded. Seems my 9.5twist 7mm08 shoots the lighter bullets better. Getting 2900fps w reasonable (book) charge of varget. Fwiw. Ruger American gen 2, 708 has an 8.5 twist. I bet it would shoot 150s and 162s much better. Thank you so much for making this real world vid. Subscribed.

[@anthonyfairbanks2952]

The federal premium tsx 140

[@DrewEdwardBacklas]

I wasn’t impressed with AA4350 or H4350 in 7-08. 150eldx over varget works pretty well. Stabal 6.5 is good for higher velocity in 7-08. Also try the norma whitetail factory ammo. It shoots sub moa in everything I’ve put it through. 6.5 creed, 7-08, 308, 30-06 etc… it’s cheap and it’s some of the best reloading brass you can get.

[@hopefulballistics]

I appreciate it! Yeah probably trying 6.5 Staball next.

[@davewinter2688]

What barrel length? I swear that most manufacturers use an extra long barrel for testing and then lie about what they got for velocity even then!😂 I have a custom built 24” barreled 7x57 built on an early 98 small ring Mauser action which can take full advantage of the 7x57’s case capacity over the 7mm-08. With that said I do have a Weatherby Vanguard Sporter with the walnut stock in 7mm-08 on my wishlist. Those are 24” barrel and relatively heavy compared to the synthetic stocked guns (I think) but I just want to own at least one Weatherby, so I figure I might as well have one in 7mm-08 since I don’t already have any rifles chambered in that cartridge. I also have the same rifle chambered in 270 Weatherby Magnum and 257 Weatherby Magnum on my wishlist. None of the really big Weatherby meat destroyers for me. Happy hunting boys and girls!😊

[@hopefulballistics]

22 inch

[@blackie1of4]

Try 150 grain loads.. those Norma whitetail 150's seemed to shoot great out of my rifle. However.. the Winchester ballistic silver tips were a hair better! Winchester ballistic silver tips.55 inches at 100 yards.. .82 inches at 200 yards. Norma whitetail.67 inches at 100 yards.. and 1.37 inches at 200 yards. I haven't reloaded for it yet.. but I'll most likely start with a 150 grain bullet! Looks like a great time at the range brother 😊 Thanks for sharing

[@hopefulballistics]

Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@blackie1of4]

@@hopefulballistics you're welcome brother

[@davidmackee8575]

Try it with lighter bullets 150 or 130gr good video

[@bogaudette6227]

140 grain bullets are the best IMO for 7mm-08 IMR 4350

[@hopefulballistics]

Probably about right

[@brianfisher3991]

Anything over 140 gr. are too heavy for the 7mm - 08 . Try Remington 140 gr Cor locks

[@hopefulballistics]

@@brianfisher3991 I completely disagree

[@gaboygaboy6645]

140 sierra gameking varget in tikka 1 ragged hole at 2900fps

[@hopefulballistics]

Sweet

[@EC-mc7vg]

I think the limited powder capacity of the 7mm-08 just isn't capable of throwing heavy bullets with great velocity. Seems like 140 grain is the performing "heavy" bullet for 7mm-08. With 150 grain the top out weight for the powder capacity involved.

[@hopefulballistics]

I appreciate it!

[@WayStedYou]

it can sling 220 grains in a 308 at ~2300 FPS by only changing the neck size to .308 instead of .284

[@anthonyfairbanks2952]

My 7mm-08 like the Norma 160gr n 150gr accubonds

[@hopefulballistics]

Right on

[@anthonyfairbanks2952]

@@hopefulballistics my 7mm-08 is a Ruger American it likes the heavier bullets it shoots the 139 bullets ok but I tried 150gr Norma whitetails it did good the the 150 grain accubond then I got the 160 Grand normal tip strikes likes them

[@hervestandaert2985]

Apparently the army will equip itself with this quality.instead of the 308 caliber

[@ccfdmd]

My 7 mm - 08 Love's lighter weight bullets. Typically Barnes 120

[@hopefulballistics]

Nice!

[@bustabass9025]

Thinking about adding a 7mm08 to my collection. Keeping my eye out for a budget rifle and scope combo. Your handloads were convincing. Although, I'll probably go with IMR-4350. It generates excellent velocities in my 30-06, and 308 Win.

[@hopefulballistics]

Awesome!

[@terryhenry8243]

120-145gr pills are your huckleberry in 7mm-08. Try some H4350 and/ or Big game powder. You'll find the velocities you want and all the power you need for 99.9% of lower 48 big game hunting at realistic distances.

[@hopefulballistics]

Thanks

[@sixtots]

Your rifle barrel is jumping a good inch every shot as witnessed in the video

[@hopefulballistics]

Ok

[@sixtots]

Federal fusion 139 gr 7 mm08 shoots best in my rifle, as a factory round.

[@sixtots]

40.8 grs of H4895 propelling 130 gr sierras in 7 mm-08 shoot best , like 3/4” group of 4 shots. Give it a try.. and thanks for replying.

[@murrayandru7527]

Varget or 4064 you'll see...

[@Simon-talks]

I've always said that 7mm-08 is a fine deer cartridge but I just never understood the hype about it over the .308 because I've always found it to be an anemic performer against the .308. I've pushed many 165g loads out of my .308 upwards of 2850-2950 fps and dead nuts accurate....which beats out what most 7mm-08's are doing with 140g(and smaller caliber diameter). I'm not bashing 7mm08 but It really annoys me with there are folks that somehow think it performs "better" than the .308 and think it's some kind of "goldilocks" cartridge, which it is not.....

[@cody182005]

Heres my take. A 162 gr 7mm bullet yields similar BC of a 212 gr 308 bullet. I can launch that 2740fps in my little 7-08. If i just wanna go out and have fun plinking steel at extended ranges its a whole lot of fun and not hard on the shoulder or pocket. If you want that kind of performance at range to get 2700 plus out of a 212gr your gonna need some more horsepower. for me the cartridge makes a good fit for this application. i just enjoy rifles and cartridges in general. i also have 308s that i love. its just when i look at my 7-08 that launches that 162 at only 200fps slower than my 7 mags with almost half the powder charge it makes me happy for something to take out and shoot and have some fun with. Cheers!

[@Simon-talks]

@@cody182005 yeah 7mm08 is a fun cartridge for sure, it just doesn't outperform .308 like some pundits think it does. Cheers

[@cody182005]

im in need of a real heavy hitting 308 load for a lady moose hunting coming this fall. i got 150 and 165 gr solids, mind sharing what powders were you using to get that velocity? thanks.

[@Simon-talks]

@@cody182005 I love Varget, the 4895 is good stuff!

[@hopefulballistics]

I understand what you’re saying

[@mcinnis79]

I love the guys, "I shoot at 168 grain out of my 308 and its deadly". Sure, until you hit 200 yards then its all down hill from there. light for caliber boys if you want speed and flatter performance.

[@hopefulballistics]

I shoot heavy and light bullets out of all my cartridges

[@mr.mr.3301]

Good video. Check out desert dogs channel. He did a 7mm08 video. I think he uses varget and some others.

[@hopefulballistics]

I will

[@Lucky13Twice]

I would never buy a used gun. A few years back I purchased a used Remington 700 and that thing would fire whenever it wanted to if you had one in the chamber.

[@hopefulballistics]

Yikes

[@edwardabrams4972]

I only buy used guns now! 60+ years hunting reloading and collecting rifles and I have owned hundreds of new guns and the Best Buy’s are the used guns, but you have to know what your looking at because there is a lot of used molested guns that have been abused and aren’t worth owning, sad but true so know before you buy🤔😳

[@hopefulballistics]

True

[@patrickgallagher4344]

I’ll just stick with my 308 lol 😂

[@hopefulballistics]

Thanks for watching!

[@eskimoreloader]

Wow! Slow! I have 280 Remington. I never shot 7mm-08

[@hopefulballistics]

Indeed

[@tacticalmattfoley]

I had a very expensive JP Sauer rifle in 7mm-08 for about three weeks. I couldn't get it to shoot under 2in groups no matter the ammo. I took the targets and the rifle back to the store where I bought it and they bought it back for purchase price, thankfully. That's a rifle caliber I wouldn't buy ever again.....

[@LRRPFco52]

7mm-08 is a great cartridge and chambering. I wouldn’t make any decisions off that sample size of one. Factory Winchester rifles will typically shoot very well. Tikka as well.

[@JamesM-l5g]

Seems your conclusion is an over reaction, unless you have other reasons. Seems it’d be more the rifle fault than the cartridge.

[@hopefulballistics]

Interesting

[@sinistersilverado965]

my 30-30 is more powerful than that, and more accurate

[@hopefulballistics]

Congratulations

[@titomish5914]

Terrible caliber, no nobody likes it

[@hopefulballistics]

Wrong

[@michaelgmcauliffe]

162 grain you might as well be shooting 308 too heavy for 7mm 140 grain is about as heavy as i would go