Excited for this project man as a newer 7mm-08 owner can’t wait to see what you come up with and hopefully can get some info to use on my project. Thanks again man keep up the great work God bless
I load 139 grain Interlock btsp for my oldest sons 7mm-08 and 120 grain sierra pro hunter for my youngest sons 7mm-08. Great rounds for whitetail. Cant wait to see how your project comes along
I use a Schultz & Larsen Classic in 7mm-08. Using Barnes TTSX 120 and 140 grains. Powdee Norma URP. Perfect for all kind of European game. 140 grain at the ranges we have is, dropping moose all the time.
Interesting I have that same factory ammo you have but I also picked up a case of Federal blue box Power Shok 150 grain. Right now I have one 708 - a Tikka compact. The Norma Whitetail was an absolute hit right from the start and I killed 3 deer 3 days in a row last year at 300 yards with it. Turned out that ammo is really slow and drops 20" at 300 with a 100 yard zero. But it drops deer easily. The Hornady 139 American Whitetail also did exceptionally well. The 150 factory ELDX was garbage at best for accuracy. I may as well have been shooting a Mossberg Patriot 308 (worst experience ever). I did end up handloading some test rounds for that rifle with 140 Nosler ballistic tips that did really well. I sent Hopeful Ballistics 100 of the 160 grain Norma Tipstrike bullets to test in his new Tikka 708. He achieved very impressive velocities using Superformance powder if I recall correctly. May want to check out that video he posted. I will likely try to duplicate what he did when I get my Tikka 708 build completed. The compact I have now I got new for pennies on the dollar but it's backwars (right handed). I have a left hand Tikka in process that will have a 24" ACE barrel.
Thank you for those details. I have some Superformance and the velocities can be great I am finding, but it does reach peak very quickly with almost no warning. Staball 6.5 seems to be very happy in the 708 case as well.
@@huntsimple9527 Yep I've read many times the Staball 6.5 works really well in 708. I have 2 pounds of that. If you are interested you can pick up some Norma 160 grain tipstrike bullets in 7mm on sale for about $29/100 Raven Rocks Precision. I am EXTREMELY pleased with accuracy and game performance from a 280AI. I will use a Tipstrike now before a Nosler ballistic tip. They are tougher bullets
Bummer on the RA Gen 2 Predator not working out, that’s the model of Ruger American G2 that I suggested. However your secret rifle shoots well. I like your goal breakdown. I remember you doing those in your previous projects.
Definitely try the 120gr Nolser BTs if you can. My xbolt loves them. They hold together well in game too. Great hunting pill. I'm getting just under 3100fps.
Don't know what powders you were considering, but CFE223 looks very promising a few Quick Load program simulations. Varget will work too and might be more temperature stable if that matters to you.
Thank you for the info! All of those powders are in the running as I move forward. I am finding that most of the powders that have been tried and true for me in the 308 are also applicable in the 7mm08. Staball 6.5 is looking really promising at this point, and that is a new powder to me.
Do you worry about sectional density much on game/bullet choice? I noticed you use light bullets sometimes with lower sd. What is your opinion on 150s in 308 for deer/elk? I don't get to hunt like you do out west, and have mostly shotgun, m-load and archery for all my hunting, although there have been recent rule changes is what allowed in that state. I usually go back to my home state and hunt on private land my family owns which is recently now a straight walled state for rifle.
I do think SD is an important variable that does not get as much attention as it should. I do sometimes hunt with bullets with a lower SD and the only reason I do is confidence in shot placement from my experience. A higher SD I think gives more room for error in shot placement under some circumstances. If making a choice between loads/bullets, I would opt for the higher SD for sure. One reason I think the 7mm Rem Mag with 175 grain bullets is such a magic combo is the ultra-high SD of those particular bullets.
@@huntsimple9527 That's why I lean 165 and above on 30 cal. I know 150s put deer down, but the 165+ look better SD wise. I had picked up a Primary arms Orion scope intending for a 308, but didn't realize for 308, its basically calibrated for 150 grain, but in 30-06 which it is also calibrated for, it matches up with the 165 and 180s I believe. Out of a 22 inch barrel, and can barely get close in 308 with 150s, and that was with a powder that you cant find really. So that was a bummer, on the intent of that set up. It is a neat scope though, just changes my plans. Probably will get a 06 to play with in future.
Have access to 6.5 staball? Looked like good velocity numbers when I looked it up. I want a 7-08 for my boys(10 and 12yo) for a starting moose gun. Would like to use 160ish gr bullets. I have a bunch of this powder to try. No rifle in that cartridge yet though. Look forward to the series!
Excited for this project man as a newer 7mm-08 owner can’t wait to see what you come up with and hopefully can get some info to use on my project. Thanks again man keep up the great work God bless
I load 139 grain Interlock btsp for my oldest sons 7mm-08 and 120 grain sierra pro hunter for my youngest sons 7mm-08. Great rounds for whitetail. Cant wait to see how your project comes along
I’m excited for this one. Always wanted a 7mm-08
Starting my own little project. Little 6. Just got a 6 arc set up to punch paper and get a deer rifle set up for my son.
I love it!
My daughter took her first deer this year with a 6 ARC using 108g Eldm bullets. The cartridge performed great.
Looking forward to this! Love the little round! Been using it for 25 years!!
I really like it too, just learning as I go. With my experience with the 308 case I feel pretty comfortable with this case too! Gonna be fun.
Can't wait for this one! Sta Ball 6.5 is supposed to give better velocities for this round, but I haven't tried it yet.
I’ve been running a little Staball 6.5 and so far it’s promising.
Thanks! Looking forward to the series. Love loading/shooting/hunting with my 7mm-08!
The 7mm-08 punches above its class, I like the 120 gr. And the speed that comes with them.
I use a Schultz & Larsen Classic in 7mm-08. Using Barnes TTSX 120 and 140 grains. Powdee Norma URP. Perfect for all kind of European game. 140 grain at the ranges we have is, dropping moose all the time.
Thank you for watching and sharing.
Noticed some trophy bonded overrun deals on Midway, you might check on that.
I love the overruns from MidwayUSA.
Interesting I have that same factory ammo you have but I also picked up a case of Federal blue box Power Shok 150 grain. Right now I have one 708 - a Tikka compact. The Norma Whitetail was an absolute hit right from the start and I killed 3 deer 3 days in a row last year at 300 yards with it. Turned out that ammo is really slow and drops 20" at 300 with a 100 yard zero. But it drops deer easily. The Hornady 139 American Whitetail also did exceptionally well. The 150 factory ELDX was garbage at best for accuracy. I may as well have been shooting a Mossberg Patriot 308 (worst experience ever). I did end up handloading some test rounds for that rifle with 140 Nosler ballistic tips that did really well.
I sent Hopeful Ballistics 100 of the 160 grain Norma Tipstrike bullets to test in his new Tikka 708. He achieved very impressive velocities using Superformance powder if I recall correctly. May want to check out that video he posted. I will likely try to duplicate what he did when I get my Tikka 708 build completed. The compact I have now I got new for pennies on the dollar but it's backwars (right handed). I have a left hand Tikka in process that will have a 24" ACE barrel.
Thank you for those details. I have some Superformance and the velocities can be great I am finding, but it does reach peak very quickly with almost no warning. Staball 6.5 seems to be very happy in the 708 case as well.
@@huntsimple9527 Yep I've read many times the Staball 6.5 works really well in 708. I have 2 pounds of that. If you are interested you can pick up some Norma 160 grain tipstrike bullets in 7mm on sale for about $29/100 Raven Rocks Precision. I am EXTREMELY pleased with accuracy and game performance from a 280AI. I will use a Tipstrike now before a Nosler ballistic tip. They are tougher bullets
Excited for this one!! Been wanting to get a 7mm-08 for a long time so anxious to see your results.
Bummer on the RA Gen 2 Predator not working out, that’s the model of Ruger American G2 that I suggested.
However your secret rifle shoots well.
I like your goal breakdown. I remember you doing those in your previous projects.
Definitely try the 120gr Nolser BTs if you can. My xbolt loves them. They hold together well in game too. Great hunting pill.
I'm getting just under 3100fps.
Thank you for sharing!
Don't know what powders you were considering, but CFE223 looks very promising a few Quick Load program simulations. Varget will work too and might be more temperature stable if that matters to you.
Thank you for the info! All of those powders are in the running as I move forward. I am finding that most of the powders that have been tried and true for me in the 308 are also applicable in the 7mm08. Staball 6.5 is looking really promising at this point, and that is a new powder to me.
Yes, that's what I see running the QL program. RL15, Varget, and others work very well in my 308, and it seems to be similar to 7MM-08
Try some of the new Nosler Whitetail Country ammo. 140 grains.
Do you worry about sectional density much on game/bullet choice? I noticed you use light bullets sometimes with lower sd. What is your opinion on 150s in 308 for deer/elk? I don't get to hunt like you do out west, and have mostly shotgun, m-load and archery for all my hunting, although there have been recent rule changes is what allowed in that state. I usually go back to my home state and hunt on private land my family owns which is recently now a straight walled state for rifle.
I do think SD is an important variable that does not get as much attention as it should. I do sometimes hunt with bullets with a lower SD and the only reason I do is confidence in shot placement from my experience. A higher SD I think gives more room for error in shot placement under some circumstances. If making a choice between loads/bullets, I would opt for the higher SD for sure. One reason I think the 7mm Rem Mag with 175 grain bullets is such a magic combo is the ultra-high SD of those particular bullets.
@@huntsimple9527 That's why I lean 165 and above on 30 cal. I know 150s put deer down, but the 165+ look better SD wise. I had picked up a Primary arms Orion scope intending for a 308, but didn't realize for 308, its basically calibrated for 150 grain, but in 30-06 which it is also calibrated for, it matches up with the 165 and 180s I believe. Out of a 22 inch barrel, and can barely get close in 308 with 150s, and that was with a powder that you cant find really. So that was a bummer, on the intent of that set up. It is a neat scope though, just changes my plans. Probably will get a 06 to play with in future.
@@Hill_Billy_Without_A_Hill My favorite weight in the 308 is 165 grain!
Have access to 6.5 staball? Looked like good velocity numbers when I looked it up. I want a 7-08 for my boys(10 and 12yo) for a starting moose gun. Would like to use 160ish gr bullets. I have a bunch of this powder to try. No rifle in that cartridge yet though. Look forward to the series!
Some of early loads have been with Staball 6.5 already! It is looking promising and I have been using 160s mostly so far.
Thanks for the reply. I look forward to the series even more now.
Shoot that's the rifle I was looking to get the Gen 2 7mm-08 but thanks now I have to do some serious research on a different rifle to get..
I was shocked how bad it was. I have the Gen 2 5.56 NATO and it is a tack driver. The 7mm-08 was a total mess.
First!