Return of the 7mm-08!

I test out the 139 gr Barnes LRX monolithic bullet in 7mm/08 Remington with Big Game powder,
#reloading #shooting #hunting
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[@IMBrute-ir7gz]

Back in 2001, I found a 7m-08 Browning BLR at a good price at a gun show. I immediately went out looking for ammo. Much to my amazement, Walmart was selling Remington 7mm-08 at the clearance price of $5.50! Why they were getting rid of Remington 7mm-08 at a clearance, I don't know, but I visited about six local Walmarts and bought every box they had! I scored more 7mm-08 than I can shoot up in a lifetime!

[@hopefulballistics]

That’s great!

[@WillyK51]

Back in the 1980's bought my BLR in 7-08. Had/still have a Bolt 30-06. Sleekest, fastest gun ever had. Well maybe a BAR might be faster👍👍

[@trevorkolmatycki4042]

Yo. I like what you’re doing here. So many people are spinning their wheels seeking precision by load development alone. The physical upgrades such as quality optics, upgraded trigger, bedded stock etc. are always best done before spinning the wheels on load development. Your success here is not by accident. 😊👍🏼

[@hopefulballistics]

Thanks!

[@CowboyBuck1]

I’m getting 2770 .5 gr under max on a 150 eldx w/ staball 6.5. 20” barrel. Decided to switch to this same bullet you’re using, lost confidence in the eldx over the last year or so reading and watching other’s experiences on elk. This Lrx is the ticket I’m pretty sure. Excited to get some and develop some loads! Thanks for a Great video!

[@hopefulballistics]

Thank you!

[@larrygabbard4896]

Your 2nd group is outstanding. Work your loads from there.

[@hopefulballistics]

Yep

[@Accuracy1st]

Man good velocities. I decided to go with that bullet in one of my 280AIs with superformance at 3300fps. Hope to use it this fall, possibly cow elk. Also have my one Tikka 708 Compact with more handloads.

[@hopefulballistics]

Right on!

[@WillyK51]

He, He, A bit on the optimistic side as to Fps on the 280. I'd use 150-168 grns for it. And 3000 Fps more realistic. 120 grns in a 22-24" barrel will give you 3.3K Fps in the 280.

[@Accuracy1st]

@@WillyK51 It's a 280AI and my Garmin clocked it at 3300fps avg 3 weekends in a row

[@Accuracy1st]

@@WillyK51 I did load some 150 btips for a 280 I sold - Defiance Tenacity, 24" Shilen #3, McMillan Game Scout stock, Jewel trigger. I used Superformance with it to but sold the package last year since I was putting together two 280AIs. I would have to text the buyer and ask him to read the load data and velocity but it was a shocker also. I've never seen speeds like I have with Superformance powder. My new favorite in 270, 280, 280AI, and 300WSM with lighter bullets. The 280 I kept has a Stiller TAC300 Action, 24" Shilen #3, McMillan stock, Jewel trigger. I have 140 TTSX loaded in it with IMR4831 at 2890 fps.

[@Accuracy1st]

@@WillyK51 Ok, I went and checked my data for the loaded ammo. You had me 2nd guessing and I thought maybe I read the seating depth which is 3.300. Here's my load tag that's in the ammo box: 280AI, 24" 5G #3 9T Bartlein bbl Defiance Tenacity action TT Diamond trigger at 1 pound Factory wood Rem 700 BDL stock, shortened LOP to 12.75" with Pachmyer recoil pad Loaded 4/21/24 and final test 139 Barnes LRX Fed 210 match primer 1x fired Norma 280 Rem brass COAL 3.300 63.0 gr Superformance 3311.9 3305.8 3286.9 3308.9 3308.8 3305.1 3297.7 3299.9 3300.9 3/8" grp avg 45 degrees 2x fired brass yielded 3272.2 avg all else the same 280AI is new to me and I did not start wtih my 280AI Peterson brass since I have 4 cases of factory Norma 280 Rem 160 Tipstrike on hand. I chose to use that first and from what I've read it can take at least 2x fired brass to get to actual chamber dimension. Makes sense since the 2x fired was slower and I'm neck sizing only

[@Snailz5]

Gotta start annealing. Cheapo drill method does the job. Annealing plus expander mandrel have shrunk my numbers substantially. It seems like 3/4 of my 5 shot groups are below 10 since I started and like 1/3 are between 3 and 6 fps. I also trim everything, every time. It’s slow, but I can’t argue with how dialed in the numbers are. Staball match gives fantastic SDs, as does Varget and Benchmark. Leverevolution isn’t quite as consistent, but the speed is nice and it’s accurate overall.

[@hopefulballistics]

I appreciate it!

[@DrewEdwardBacklas]

I also anneal and trim every time. Makes sizing more consistent and improves sd’s.

[@texpatriot8462]

How long do you hold the flame to the brass?

[@Snailz5]

@@texpatriot8462 6-8 second range is usually good. I do 7 but use the color of the neck to let me know. Flame will change orange and the neck will start to cherry. Stop before the cherry gets too bright or moves into the shoulder.

[@DrewEdwardBacklas]

@@texpatriot8462 depends on the case. Larger brass act like a bit of a heat sink so it takes a touch longer on larger cases.

[@christopherrussell411]

Thanks for this video I just got back from the range and got my 7mm-08 throwing 162gr ELDx average of 2821 with a half grain over max. This video inspired me to try.

[@hopefulballistics]

@@christopherrussell411 sweet! Superformance?

[@christopherrussell411]

@@hopefulballistics yes. And no pressure signs even with it being a warm day.

[@hopefulballistics]

@@christopherrussell411 how was your group sizes?

[@christopherrussell411]

@@hopefulballistics group size wasn’t the best but I figured it wouldn’t be because of the mirage going on and having a LVPO 2-7. I got 1.78inch at 100m. I plan on a cooler day to go out with a sled instead of a bipod and do seating depth latter test to see if I can tighten it up to under MOA.

[@Hermod_Hermit]

Just begun using this bullet but in the 7x57R cartridge. Really good, 4 fallow deer so far. No complaints.

[@hopefulballistics]

Sweet!

[@TomL3grandsons]

Another great video, lots of great info.

[@hopefulballistics]

Thanks Tom for watching and commenting!

[@guardianminifarm8005]

Good results. Excellent. Thank you.

[@hopefulballistics]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@cw2a]

Good stuff glad you seeing such great results. Many agree that copper bullets like alot of jump. Also its becoming acepted copper bullets need a barrel seasoned for copper bullets. Mandrels are a game changer because neck tension is everything. But as mentioned if your not annealing your leaving ALOT on the table. Brass is a HUGE asset because brass IS NECK TENSION! Quality brass is huge when shooting distance. I have mentioned copper bullets preformance before. They require about 2400 & + impact velocity to see the expansion most expect. They tell you it expands at leas and it does. BUT thats initiate expansion NOT AT ALL expansion anyone expects when expansion is claimed. So something to think about.

[@hopefulballistics]

I appreciate it

[@desertrat79]

Outstanding. This is legitimately a load that darn near anyone could handle and shoot. Within limitations, it will take anything in the lower 48.

[@hopefulballistics]

Agreed! Thanks!

[@NorthwoodsNomad]

I love my Tikka T3X Hunter 7mm-08 . It has a 22.4” barrel ( odd length indeed) but it averages only 7fps less than a full 24” barrel with identical loads . I’ve had great results with all Hornady factory ammo to include : 139 grain SST Superformance 139 grain American Whitetail Interlock 139 grain Superformance CX 150 grain ELDX I hope to keep learning more from your channel so I can get into reloading my own recipes. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and tips !

[@hopefulballistics]

Awesome, thanks for watching!

[@ridgerunner6211]

Great job I love the 7mm-08

[@hopefulballistics]

Thank you!

[@Accuracy1st]

The guy that leases my dad's land to farm is a big 708 fan. He got a Tikka about 10 years ago and tells me his avg handloads are around 2800 but I don't know what bullet or powder other than he did mention IMR4350. Since I've now owned one I think I'll easily become a fan, especially with the low recoil. What are your thoughts on this - I just bought a new Tikka stainless Lite left hand 7RemMag with the intent to rebarrel to 270-7PRC. But me being me just had to see how it did at the range. Only factory ammo I have on hand, and a LOT OF IT, is Barnes 139 LRX. As with all new rifles, I cleaned the bbl to metal which didn't take long considering it's only been factory fired. The first 3 shots, literally, 3/8" group and clocked at 3150fps. Let barrel cool all the way down for 15 min while shooting other rifles. Shot 3 more, 2 in one hole, the 3rd inside half inch away. Packed it up and called it a day and told myself I might as well leave yet another Tikka alone since it shoots so well so I just got an older stainless T3 in 300WM for the PRC build. Shipped today. But here's the thing, I have one of my 280AIs shooting that same LRX bullet at 3300fps, the Superformance load. Should I keep the new 7RemMag as is even though it launches the same bullet 150fps slower but extremely well? Go ahead and work up some handloads? I dumped quite a bit of money into that Barnes factory ammo at auction but saved a ton, getting it for roughly $33/box shipped. This is one aspect of Tikkas, not all, but with many of mine I see, accuracy as well as or better than a built rifle but many just slower and some quite a bit. Some Tikkas are 200fps slower than a few rifles with aftermarket barrels but in fairness the built rifles have 24" barrels but 200fps slower in the Tikkas?? Seems like a lot. Of course a bear or deer would never know

[@hopefulballistics]

If I had a rifle shooting factory ammo that well I’d probably keep it. Do you have any other 7mm rem mags? Do you like it being left handed?

[@Accuracy1st]

@@hopefulballistics Yes and Yes. I'm right handed, left eye dominant. So shooting a right bolt on a bench is actually handy and easy. But in the field, left eye shooters are better of with left bolt in my opinion and definitely my experience. I have one I built years ago, Stiller action, 26" Krieger barrel, McMillan stock, Jewel trigger, left hand. I also bought 2 factory Tikka RIGHT hand 7RemMags for my sons in case we go cow elk hunting. One is a T3x Deluxe wood stock, the other is the T3x blued in the polymer stock. I handloaded for both of those. 140 TSX over Retumbo and 150 TTSX over Reloder 22, both half minute loads but still slower. The Deluxe rifle shoots quite slow with the 140 TSX at 3150. The other shoots the 150 TTSX at 3200. Both shot that factory Barnes 139 LRX at 1" Both of my sons have 270s shooting my handloads. Turns out I reckon I wasted money, sorta, with buying both right handed 7RemMags because my buddy Adam in Utah just texted me about cow elk hunting late season with him. The timing is fine for me but not my sons. I asked him about using a 270 on cow elk. He sent over multiple pics of a few of his daughters with their cow elk. They all used the 270 I had built for them about 20 years ago. A stainless Rem700, trued, with a 24" Lilja 3 groove barrel and an HS Precision stock. The load for that rifle is 130 Barnes TTSX over a full case of H1000. I assure you, Barnes bullets open JUST FINE on elk, and a 270 will drop them fast. I've never killed an elk with a rifle, only archery. Since my sons are shooting 270s, one with the 130 TTSX over supeformance at 3300fps and the other the 150 Nosler AB at 2960, they can just take those and I plan to sell both new Tikka right hand 7RemMags. Don't know how others feel about shooting ammo loaded by someone else but they each have 100 rounds ready to go in Nosler brass, 215 Federal match primers. I put Leupold rails on them and Limbsaver recoil pads.

[@WillyK51]

Cartridges, have a sweet spot for caliber vs bullet weight. The 7-08 was designed arround a 139-145 grs bullet(Of course you can load 120-195 Grns bullets in it if twist allows the heavy ones) Got mine in the 1980's. A Browning BLR, Light, Sleek Handy and fast for the very close range hunting I did. Often spooked something at 25-30 yds. Scope a 1.5-6 Leupold of the day. Today 1-8 Power. At 1 it's a dot sight and at 8 for across the field

[@hopefulballistics]

Nice rifle/scope for a nice cartridge!

[@nicholasbarcomb2324]

I use the 131 gr Hammer Heavy Hunter for my daughter's 7mm-08. Next up is the 143 gr Hammer Hunter. However, since the rifle fell during the last hunting season, I have to send it back to Vortex. Good luck and stay safe!!! 😉😉😉

[@hopefulballistics]

Good luck to you

[@nmelkhunter1]

That middle load was way good. 👍 Watch out critters!

[@hopefulballistics]

Yes!

[@warrenpolidori5541]

Very nice results. That bullet should work well at extended range with those velocities.

[@hopefulballistics]

Thanks!

[@TODinWY]

IMO the 7-08 just about the perfect cartridge out there for big game up to, but not including elk. I got mine in 1988, an A-Bolt, and it quickly became my go-to rifle. The LRX may be the best all-round bullet for this cartridge.

[@hopefulballistics]

Right on! Thanks

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Would you use this for deer hunting?

[@hopefulballistics]

Honestly I would put a different scope on for hunting. The load and bullet? Absolutely

[@TomL3grandsons]

Yes

[@TODinWY]

@@hopefulballistics Depending on temps( Superformance is one of the most temp-sensitive powders available) you may want to re-visit the load when it gets cold.

[@hopefulballistics]

@@TODinWY I’m using Big Game in this video

[@tommyj7087]

I can't find Big Game, but did score PowerPro 2000MR. Going for 175gr trying to get 308 Federal GMM speeds and using the ELD-X, superior ballistic performance due to the incredible BC on that bullet. Hornady has it listed in the mid .600 (G1), but AB has it at 0.700!

[@hopefulballistics]

Nice score!

[@thomasdecember3910]

That seems very hot for the 708

[@hopefulballistics]

About 30 fps better than Barnes published data.

[@trevorkolmatycki4042]

I was struck by how similar your brass prep process is to mine. However, notably, you mentioned nothing about annealing. Might I encourage you to seriously consider adding annealing after every firing to your process? The EP2 and the burst-fire annealers are very economical. Honestly, brass prep is a pain in the arse but I find annealing to be the most enjoyable step and the benefits are innumerable. Cheers and congratulations on your success with this rifle.

[@hopefulballistics]

I appreciate the advice

[@jerdebson]

@@hopefulballistics Several of us are using the Ugly annealer. It is a good value.

[@boothsar78]

Got a discovery optic 5-30 x 56. Great money for the value. Just order the scope and let it arrive, Chinese customer service sucks, but not a scam.

[@hopefulballistics]

Thanks

[@jasonacosta3860]

I have a man crush for my universal seating die. All my other seating dies collect dust now

[@hopefulballistics]

Well said, lol

[@igorchumakov7584]

A new sight is, of course, good, but where should I put my cheek with such a high-standing sight? If you put a seagull on the specified rifle, the pupil of the eye will be at least 4 cm lower than the eyepiece of the sight and, of course, this will accompany accurate shooting Regardless of this excellent caliber. Good luck in popularizing this channel.

[@jameseroh6544]

A 3x9-44, 4x12-44, would be sufficient for most shooting. My .270Win has a 3.8x18-44 scope on it. At long range, I hit the same targets my friends hit at long range. But I have a lighter, less bulky setup.

[@hopefulballistics]

No doubt

[@masonraley4585]

Love 7mm-08! Any 6.5x55 swede loadings?

[@hopefulballistics]

Not at this time, thanks for watching!

[@mattyv7499]

If you really want you 7mm 08 to shoot you should bed it in the stock and take a good heap more out of the barrel channel. I did it to my tikka. Thing shoots 1/2 inch all day. Its my go to rifle when the critters are you there a ways. If you want to use copper as well the 120g ttsx is the business. The 140gr BT and Accubond are a lethal combo as well. I have tried a fair few different powders and found varget to be the best for casefill and bullet seating issues the 7mm08 has. A grain over max netted me amazing accuracy and 2920fps to boot.

[@hopefulballistics]

I appreciate it

[@gomergomez1984]

How does 708 compare to 7x57? They seem impossible to find nowadays so interested in 708.

[@hopefulballistics]

Ballistically identical. Almost anyway.

[@mr.mr.3301]

How does temperature affect velocity and zero?

[@hopefulballistics]

It affects pressure. The hotter the weather, potentially higher pressure. Leading to higher velocities.

[@mr.mr.3301]

@@hopefulballistics so if you sight in the summer but hunt in the winter zeros may change.

[@patrioticguy1791]

I think your problems in the last video were mainly due to the optics.

[@hopefulballistics]

@@patrioticguy1791 I agree

[@steveanzini4505]

That scope isn't needed. Bigger isn't better. Pretty much looks like a amateur trying to impress.

[@steveanzini4505]

Great load though....Big Game is what I recommend and use.

[@texpatriot8462]

It is easier to shoot precisely on the range with a higher magnification. If weight is not an issue, they can work well in the field as well. If I am hunting from a tower blind, I could care less how much my rifle weighs. In contrast, if I am hiking a long way, out comes my 6lb rifle with a lightweight 3.5-10 magnification range.

[@hopefulballistics]

It’s called using a scope that was sent to me to test out.

[@hugtango]

​@hopefulballistics no need to justify the use of this scope. Top quality for the money and much more comfortable when chasing groups. luminosity and magnification = most of the time better consistency