Project Little 7 Episode 10. Are we done with 160s? It is up to you guys....

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

I think you should try the 140 gr. We might be shooting the same bullets and I'm curious to see how the little 7 does with a 140 gr

[@huntsimple9527]

Everyone says the Little 7 was made for 140s so I am excited to get to them.....

[@thallusa123]

Im excited to see the 140s i feel that the cartridge will really light up with that weight! Beautiful spot!

[@Accuracy1st]

I think you should consider the 160 Norma Tipstrike. I have found it to be a tougher bullet than the ballistic tip and extremely accurate. However, in my Tikka compact 708 I did a very quick load test with 140 Nosler ballistic tips using 1x fired Norma brass, Fiocchi LRP and I think VVN540. I'd have to double check the powder but essentially all 8 test rounds had increasing powder charges but the 8 holes were all inside an inch. One of the easiest work ups I've ever done. I would put the Nosler 160s aside for now and start the 140s. Then, if you get some 160 Tiipstrikes, revisit that bullet weight. Either way, I'm watching. My gun builder FINALLY got to 2 of my Tikkas installing ACE barrels. One is a 280AI the other is a 708. He said both are chambered. Just needs to cut to length, crown, cerakote.

[@huntsimple9527]

I have those factory 160 Tipstrikes that I have shown in a couple videos, I like them and if I was on my game right now, I think they'd go sub MOA with my rifle. I don't have them in component bullets at the moment. Those builds you have going sound really sweet!

[@Accuracy1st]

@@huntsimple9527 I bought my 160 Tipstrike bullets from Raven Rocks Precision

[@luvtahandload7692]

I'd like to see more dinking with the 160 Grand Slam. They are so good, terminally speaking, and so inexpensive that once you find thee load, you can afford to practice with it every day of the week and twice on Sunday. But....your rifle, your channel, your decision. Thanks for posting!

[@huntsimple9527]

I am a big fan of Speer as well. The Grand Slams with either get more attention here or in Project Big 7 2.0 coming later this year.......

[@patchitwood7428]

Good job on the heavies. Now time to move on to the 140’s. I think the mid range is where this cartridge shines.

[@kylecasetta4091]

Being so close to the 3/4 it begs to try to close the gap. Or to prove was it you, rhe gun , or the load on that average. As a non reloader this does facinate me on what you can achieve with a little time and tinkering.

[@huntsimple9527]

There is a good chance it is me. I have not felt great about my shots for the past 2 weeks or so. Just one of those things. In reality 0.80" for a sporter weight production rifle off kind of a crappy rest for a 55 year old guy in 25 degrees is pretty good! I have high standards, but sometimes I catch myself going "This is not too bad!"

[@joshfrey9336]

You've had good success with a 160s and 170s load. Log it into records and move onto the 140s/150s!

[@huntsimple9527]

That recommendation is by far the majority so far!

[@denisleblanc4506]

It only depends on how far you want to shoot. But hey, 0.05 inches is not enough to make a difference in any hunting scenario. I would like to see you get rid of the two close and one off and I'm not sure it achievable through load development. I would however try some longer shots just to validate your loads. Something like 10 shots from a cold bore in ideal conditions or at least a steady wind.

[@huntsimple9527]

I agree. Once spring comes and I can get to more locations, I plan to do some longer range tests for sure.

[@rubenrodriguez7266]

I love the Tikka’s, but they always need a little work, like a stock that doesn’t suck. I would fix that before wasting components on any further experiments. Then I’d retest the 160 load and I bet you meet your accuracy goal. 0.75” average should for 3 shots should be easily achievable. Then I would validate with a 10-20 round aggregate group (fired slowly) to see what it’s really doing for overall dispersion. These three shot groups can be incredibly misleading from the testing I have done. If you’ve got multiple Tikka’s, a KRG Echo that takes factory mags would be an excellent investment to eliminate the known variable of stock contact probably causing that “2 and 1” effect.

[@JeffBush-sw8yk]

I’m watching either way run it like you want boss.

[@TomL3grandsons]

I’d give the 140s a go.

[@blainstenberg2806]

Group like that can be the shooter as much as the rifle keep going

[@jwhodson]

I am not a fan of the nosler ballistic tips out of my 270 at 2900. But I’m hunting whitetail under 100 yards so not really inside that bullets operating range. Should be good on energy and speed out to 400 no problem. With your 160’s. I would say part one complete. On to a deer bullet.

[@huntsimple9527]

Yeah, I would agree on the Ballistic Tips. I would not use them with muzzle velocities much higher than where I am at now. I would never consider a BT that is pushing 3000 fps.

[@jasonacosta3860]

Time to move on to 140. That's plenty good enough grouping

[@huntsimple9527]

I feel the same way. Under the winter conditions and considering all things, I am good with 0.80 and ready to move one as well. Honestly, if I picked between the 175 and 160, I would take the 175 anyway. This particular rifle quickly was sub 0.75 MOA with 175s.

[@jasonacosta3860]

@huntsimple9527 can't go wrong with either of them. The elk wouldn't know the difference

[@huntsimple9527]

@@jasonacosta3860 Truth!

[@guardianminifarm8005]

I would be thrilled with this if it was me. I missed the powder here you all. What is it? Is it the IMR4350? Thank you

[@huntsimple9527]

IMR 4350. The charge is much higher than any recent manual shows. I got the charge from Speer Manual #11. I am under max, getting 2710 from a 22 barrel, and almost zero pressure signs. I am thrilled with it, and thank you. I think it is pretty easy from some guys to kind of take for granted what is happening here. I am getting 0.8" groups out of a sporter weight rifle on kind of an old crappy rest, I'm 55 years old, using a 9X scope. Like you said, I am thrilled and for my hunting style, this is lights out all that is needed.

[@pbisceglie1]

I’m coming along for the ride no matter what direction you go! However, I did like the idea of the light, fast load in the 308 with a tougher bullet. A 140gr AB out of the 7-08 might perform similar to the 125gr AB out of your 308.

[@huntsimple9527]

@@pbisceglie1 I am anxious to try 120 grainers from this 7-08!

[@jameskiser3344]

140s sounds great but they all sound good to me in the 7mm-08 lol

[@huntsimple9527]

It is a fun cartridge!

[@desertrat79]

Maybe accuracy goals were not quite obtained but .8 is hard to complain about.

[@huntsimple9527]

I agree. Here is how I am looking at it.....winter conditions, a sporter rifle that is totally stock out of the box, a 55 year old guy, an old school 9X scope.....0.8 is not too shabby.

[@Accuracy1st]

I get my 160 tipstrike bullets from raven rocks precision

[@huntsimple9527]

Thank you for the info!

[@warrenpolidori5541]

I'd say you met your goal with the 160s. Interested to see your results with the 140s.

[@TheWVgoodguy22]

Sounds like that load will hunt. Barely off accuracy goal and achieved the velocity goal. I say move on to the 140s and if you want to revisit the 160s that’s cool 😎 too.

[@lmbear]

Something's wrong, your Tikka's should be shooting sub 3/4 moa for 5 shots. That's being generous. I have some that do much better than that. It's a Tikka, I'd up my standards and expectations a little, if I were you. Looks like those loads need a lot of tweaking to me.

[@blainstenberg2806]

Or 150gn partition see if it likes it

[@huntsimple9527]

I hope to run some 150s for sure. I have a few.

[@blainstenberg2806]

Try a 150 gn accubond LR

[@spikesb1]

140

[@johnkaraphillis754]

Either way, I’m on board and tagging in!

[@huntsimple9527]

Thank you!

[@sandybarnett7502]

140 accubond

[@huntsimple9527]

I have some!

[@andrewolson269]

140 barnes

[@huntsimple9527]

Yep, 140 TTSX are in my reloading cabinet!

[@christopherhiher5783]

Nope move on.

[@huntsimple9527]

So far that is the consensus. There was I think only one or two comments saying I should try to shave off the 0.05" on the 160s......everyone else is saying let's go to the 140s.