Project Little 7 Episode 2

[@RogerSnell]

Same here with bullet selection. I have to order anything that I want because no one usually stocks it locally plus I can find them much cheaper online and or shipped to the store free. I have the 130 gr. 145 gr. and 160 gr. Hot Cor and I was saving the 160's for the big 7, but you're making me think I should try them for the little 7 too. You're confirming everything I've heard about the Hot Cor's, the Partition and Sta Ball 6.5. You are encouraging me to get busy with my handloads! Thanks for the work you are doing!

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Those are some awesome results with staball 6.5. Thanks for the video!

[@huntsimple9527]

Thank you, my friend!

[@mdp4656]

I'm liking this little 7 project you have going. I just bought my second rifle in 7mm-08, it's a great hunting cartridge and I'm impressed with the performance. The first rifle I bought was a Ruger American Gen 1, average 1-1.5 MOA groups with literally everything I've put through it (Hornady, Winchester, Accubonds). I just bought a Tikka T3X hunter wood/blued that I have yet to shoot.

[@huntsimple9527]

Thank you. I am learning a lot for sure and I do really like this cartridge.....

[@erictiry6483]

I have the same problem getting bullets as well. I'm with you on the old school bullets. They work really well. I would lean towards the Sierras. I use them in almost every rifle. They shoot very well and do a great job on game. Thanks for your videos I have really enjoyed them.

[@huntsimple9527]

Thank you!

[@TheWVgoodguy22]

Nice episode with the shooting and industry discussion. 7-08 is definitely a great cartridge in its own right

[@huntsimple9527]

I am really enjoying this cartridge. Looking forward to continuing with the project.

[@rocar716]

Tip. Throw the ruger in lake and get yourself a tikka

[@jessehardval6610]

That Hot Cor load is impressive. With another half grain (and depending on the elevation, humidity, and temperature) you may be able to get 1500 ft lbs at 500 yards with that combo!

[@huntsimple9527]

Exactly. Let's see if we can do it.

[@LaneTaylor-s1m]

Very good information these videos are awesome

[@huntsimple9527]

I appreciate that!

[@jasonacosta3860]

Sierra gameking is my go to deer bullets. I think you're right about Hogdon. They really bummed me out when they killed off the IMR enduron lineup. IMR4451 runs great for me

[@huntsimple9527]

Over the years when I have struggled to find a load for a rifle, I have defaulted to Sierra bullets. I need to do that again. They are great bullets.

[@Bowhunter66]

Try the Sierra 165 Tipped Game kings. Great bullet and should be great for your little 7mm 08. They are great in my 7mag. I get little .3 and .4 three shot groups. Solid info your putting out. Keep it coming!!

[@huntsimple9527]

Thank you!

[@DesertRunninOutdoors]

Superformance would probably be a fun combo on the light side with a mono. 120 TTSX or 139 CX with Superformance could be lots of fun.

[@tyrelsimpson152]

My experience with 6.5 StaBall and 162 ELD-X and a 24" barrel gave me velocities ~2900 FPS with no pressure signs. Now, I had to seat those bullets out too long for proper function but I was still very impressed with velocity. Accuracy was not very good, but it was still fun to push them! Nosler brass, Christensen Ridgeline

[@huntsimple9527]

Thank you for sharing. I think I am going to break or get close to 2800 with this 22 inch barrel, so I have no doubt you got to 2900 with a 24 inch barrel. Mind blowing for me.

[@williamfeldner9356]

Merry Christmas everyone

[@JeffBush-sw8yk]

Good stuff awesome video

[@sammiller4321]

This is great!

[@MrTacklebury]

My local is pretty good on hunting bullets. They keep a good cross section of powder and such, but they are outrageous overall. I still buy some stuff there when they have it, but even with shipping, I find I can still get it for less online.

[@warrenpolidori5541]

And the little guy will disappear if we don't continue to support them. E-retail is destroying brick and mortar businesses.

[@MrHf4l]

I tried staball 6.5 in a handful of cartridges and found it never gave me anywhere close to published velocity and hit max pressure earlier than expected based on book max. Also never really observed great loads. However, I wasn’t using heavy for caliber bullets in respective cartridges. Heavies might be the sweet spot.

[@huntsimple9527]

That is interesting to know. We will see what happens as we continue to explore some more loads with Staball 6.5, and other powders.

[@warrenpolidori5541]

Great first range report. I don't own a 7mm-08, but I think any quality cup and core bullet would perform well at those velocities. I recall the 175G Speer GS shot well in my 7RM, but they flew much differently than the 160AB. It's kind of a Semi spitzer point, and maybe that's the reason, and mention it because it surprised me. I've had good success with SST in several calibers. They may be a good pick for the 08. You mentioned Hodgdon discontinued 7828; I believe they did but 7828SC is readily available. I don't think that's going away anytime soon. It's my go-to for so many magnum calibers. Waiting for the next range report.

[@huntsimple9527]

Thank you. I have some SST's that I will be running in a bit for sure. My area has zero 7828SC around. I have a buddy who says it is tied to these wars, just the all the Alliant stuff. I agree, 7828 was one of my go to powders. I have 3 lbs of it left and am no hoarding it, which probably makes no sense! LOL.

[@warrenpolidori5541]

@huntsimple9527 Last time I purchased some 7828SSC it was $65. Pales in comparison to the $79 I paid for RL17.

[@huntsimple9527]

@@warrenpolidori5541 I have not seen any 7828SSC or RL powders (useful ones anyway) on my local shelves for ........ a long time. I wish I would have had access to RL25 for the Project Big 7 - it was a powder I had really good results with in the past in my 7mm RM's.

[@warrenpolidori5541]

Agreed, the useful RL powders are all but non-existent. Many are out of production word has it and probably not coming back. The Hornady 7PRC debacle is centered around RL26 which is essentially gone, and the substitute falls far short of expectations. Luckily, I still see 7828SSC and other popular Hodgdon powders, but at some point it's going to come to a substitution decision. Meanwhile, powder price is rising at ridiculous rates. If world conflicts continue to escalate, powder could be a rare commodity; we'll see what the future holds.

[@huntsimple9527]

@@warrenpolidori5541 Agreed on all. I picked up some H1000 yesterday and I was chatting with the store owner (small local shop) and we agreed that what sucks about reloading these days vs back in the old days was you could buy a pound of powder, take your time seeing if you like, then maybe pick up another pound and have ZERO fear that you won't be able to get it again. Now, if you like a powder, you better get a bunch because it could be gone forever. Frustrating. Reloading is still a great hobby - but crazy expensive!

[@reggies.7209]

Really happy you are doing project little 7. What is your test rifle ?

[@huntsimple9527]

Keeping it a secret for a while! I explain why in the next video! Thank you!

[@luvtahandload7692]

Have you measured the diameter of the 160 Hot Cores and Partitions? Maybe the Partitions are half a thou greater in diameter and could explain why you're seeing signs of excess pressure a little sooner than the Hot Core. I will also measure bearing surface length when comparing pressure between two different bullets. My Tikka T3X really enjoys Alliant RL17 and Hornady 154 SSTs. I'm seeing extremely small ES and SDs. FWIW Looking forward to the next one!

[@huntsimple9527]

Great suggestion. I have not done that. I am noticing the Starline brass has pretty big differences in neck tension. Not happy about that and I am convinced some of the variation I am getting in accuracy and velocity could be tied to neck tension. I need to snag some different brass.

[@luvtahandload7692]

@huntsimple9527 neck down some Lapua 308 brass. Would be very interesting vid.

[@huntsimple9527]

@@luvtahandload7692 I have 100 brand new cases of 308 in Lapua brass......hmmm.

[@JeffBush-sw8yk]

H4350 between 47 and 50 gr with just about any 140 gr bullet usually works good.

[@huntsimple9527]

I like it. I am going back to H4350 here shortly with this cartridge.

[@JeffBush-sw8yk]

I got to get some staball 6.5 to try it out.

[@huntsimple9527]

@@JeffBush-sw8yk I am still undecided on it to be honest. Early it looked really promising, but I am now wondering if it was just some luck. You will see in the next couple videos - I am not getting 0.75 MOA consistently and the velocity is also sketchy ( could be due to changing brass). So I am still going to say I am not sure on 6.5 Staball - more testing needed!

[@jameskiser3344]

I've been looking at the new savage axis 2 pro in the 7mm-08 I was really wanting the gen 2 predator in 7mm-08 but you had a bad experience in it so idk but if you happen to look up the savage 2 pro let me know what you think please..

[@Hill_Billy_Without_A_Hill]

I'd still think the Ruger American is the better one. I'd shop around for a used 110/10 action before buy a AXIS probably. I'd buy a AXIS before any Mossberg patriot though. There is always Howa/Weatherby vanguards too. T/C is under new ownership too, so I'm sure their bolts actions will come back in time.

[@jameskiser3344]

@Hill_Billy_Without_A_Hill thanks alot but I know their will be a lemon in all brands of guns but I really have my mind set on the ruger but I'll probably just take a chance at it with the ruger..

[@huntsimple9527]

@@jameskiser3344 I think you are spot on, it is taking a chance for sure. You might want to look for a blued Tikka. I see them on sale for $650 which is not much more than the Ruger Gen 2 and even though a Tikka has some chance to it, the chance of a good one is better.

[@jameskiser3344]

@@huntsimple9527 yea those tikkas are hard to beat but I'm definitely gonna check them out and thanks for getting back with me I appreciate it..

[@JeffBush-sw8yk]

I have a very accurate g1 ruger American 708

[@joedavis5976]

Go with Hornady if you're hunting with it

[@tahertz8544]

Your spot on on the Hornady thing, what are they up to?, there's a giant Grab going on and I really noticed watching them vortex Nation podcast, they seem to have gotten all mightier than thou and look down upon the public. I think the 6.8 Western is better because it actually helps the 270 and all of Hornady rounds are just junk we don't need.

[@huntsimple9527]

I am just waking up to something fishy for sure. I have been using a lot of Hornady bullets these past few years, but am slowly realizing some of there stuff is not great. I am going to use some other brands as I continue with Project Little 7 for sure.

[@tahertz8544]

More concerning is like Speer Federal and now Remington owned by Vista then sold to Czechoslovakian group. Are they trying to stop America from getting ammunition?

[@huntsimple9527]

We know something fishy is going on for sure!

[@Hill_Billy_Without_A_Hill]

And this is a RAR gen 2 or Tikka? Yeah, big monopoly for sure on these companies. Hodgdon now owns RCBS. Might be why they are trying to sell the idea of supply shortages coming(powder/primers), to play the market more.

[@huntsimple9527]

Agreed. This is not the RAR Gen 2, but I am keeping the rifle "secret" for a while! I talk about why I am doing that in the next video! I appreciate you!