Loads in 7mm 08 suggestions wanted

[jimbo728]

Rifle, Kimber Adirondack 7mm 08.
Brand new with 18" barrel.
Guaranteed MOA but far from it at least with factory match grade ammo.
Im hoping someone will pass on a load that has been as accurate as you have come up with.
Thanks
Jim

[LoboGunLeather]

Jim: My old Lyman manual provides a feature not seen in many other publications. In addition to suggested starting loads, max loads, and pressure data, the Lyman manual also indicates which loads are potentially most accurate in each cartridge/powder/bullet combination, based upon consistency of results in laboratory testing, which is something that most of us can only guess at based upon trial and error.

For 7mm-08 Lyman used a universal receiver with 24" test barrel, 1-9.5" twist, groove diameter 0.284", Remington cases, Remington #9-1/2 primers. Indicated "potentially most accurate loads" for several bullets are:

1. Sierra #1900, 120 gr. jacketed spritzer, OAL 2.790".
Powder: 748. Start 41..1 (35700 CUP), Max 46.7 (49900 CUP)
Powder IMR4064. Start 39.1 (37000 CUP), Max 44.5 (48100CUP)

2. Hornady #2820, 139 gr. jacketed SP, OAL 2.75".
Powder: 748. Start 40.0 (37500 CUP), Max 45.0 (50100 CUP)
Powder: IMR4064. Start 38.0 (34000CUP). Max 43.2 (50200 CUP)

3. Hornady #2830, 154 gr. jacketed SP, OAL 2.80".
Powder: 748. Start 37.5 (37700 CUP), Max 42.7 (50000 CUP)
Powder IMR4320. Start 36.6 (37000 CUP), Max 41.5 (51000 CUP)

4. Sierra #1930, 168 gr. HPBT, OAL 2.80".
Powder 760. Start 39.6 (36200 CUP), Max 45.0 (51800 CUP)

5. Speer #1643, 175 gr. Grand Slam Soft Point, OAL 2.735"
Powder 760. Start 38.5 (37500 CUP), Max 43.8 (43500 CUP)
H450. Start 41.8 (36300 CUP), Max 47.6 (51500 CUP)

Of course, actual results will vary with each rifle and shooter. But this should give you some indications of where to start. Enjoy the new Kimber!

[nachogrande]

Define far from MOA, shooting from a rest or freehand, did you inspect the rifle for tool marks/the crown/ loose scope or barrel to stock, try another shooter??? Out of the box my 1985 Rem model 7 7mm08 had a terrible trigger. After a trigger/action/bedding job & big recoil pad I don't think I've ever had any load with ANY bullet/powder combo not shoot app 1 1/2" or much better at the 1st try. They have ALL been good to excellent. Sorry but from the info provided I have nothing. I would think any quality 7mm08 in sound condition & factory ammo should easily shoot under 2" @ 100 yards.

[Nevada Ed]

The 7mm is a great load and with bullet weights from 120 to 175grs
you are able to build loads for almost any game.

Just depends if you want to blow them up or be able to save some meat for the table
with the speed of the bullets on impact.

Many a hunter has learned that you do not need to toss 15-20 pounds of meat into the trash, if you drop a full load down by 900fps.

Understanding the bullet used with the correct speed is key to taking game at known distances.

Have fun and enjoy that 7mm.

[Mike in Reedley]

I have an early Kimber 84 in 7-08. Light rifles and thin barrels are tough to get accuracy out of. Typically I’d get two shots almost touching at 100 yards and then the third about an inch or so away. I did a lot of load development and settled on Hornadays 139 Spire point and a max load of Varget powder, sparked by a CCI Large Rifle Benchrest primer.

[fredj338]

Originally Posted by nachogrande

Define far from MOA, shooting from a rest or freehand, did you inspect the rifle for tool marks/the crown/ loose scope or barrel to stock, try another shooter??? Out of the box my 1985 Rem model 7 7mm08 had a terrible trigger. After a trigger/action job & big recoil pad I don't think I've ever had any load with ANY bullet/powder combo not shoot app 1 1/2" or much better at the 1st try. They have ALL been good to excellent. Sorry but from the info provided I have nothing. I would think any quality 7mm08 in sound condition & factory ammo should easily shoot under 2" @ 100 yards.

No one can define a rifles accuracy shooting offhand?? Just sayin.
To the OP, accuracy starts with the bullet when it comes to ammo. So accuracy for hunting or paper?
Regarding higher vel bullets & meat destruction, just use tougher bullets. Bonded & mono metal are where it is at for bullets exceeding 3000fps, tough to do in the 7-08.

[nachogrande]

Sorry Fred but from the OP's description nobody knows how he was shooting, Hence my questions separated by comma's. NO, my grammar punctuation & speeling aint perfect.

[SMSgt]

Not exactly the data you're looking for, but if there were only one bullet available for the rest of my life, I would pray it were Sierra Game King SPBTs.

In my -06 in either 165- or 180-grain bullets my Rem 700 will shoot touching holes at 100 yards. Performance on game on deer to moose at short to long range has been flawless.

I know Federal Premium uses them in one line. You might give them a try. If you reload, all the better.

[Homie]

The three B's of accuracy-Barrels, Bullets, Bedding.
A call to Kimber might reveal their test ammo that proves MOA.
Which "Factory Match" ammo did you try?

[Nevada Ed]

Bullets are like a good pair of shoes............
either they fit or you receive sore feet.

I have had good accuracy with the cheap "100,Bag ammo" from Rem & Win.
that I pick up at Cabela's every now and then, when they have it on sale.
Otherwise I try to find Sierra, Speer or the Hornady bullets.
There is the new Hornady ELD poly tip that is the new kid on the block but It comes with a high price tag,

For range work and testing the Hornady is my pick for value.

[jimbo728]

The rifle in question was purchased new by a Marine Corps Gunny Sgt that is my friend and fellow member of our shooting club. I know he can shoot. Expert, so when he says its not MOA as guranteed, I believe him. His shooting is off a bench and bag. He has tried match grade Federal and Winchester ammo. Hope this answers those questions.
Thanks to all that have provided useful suggestions towards a good reloading solution. He knows that certain, if not all, barrels have a sweet spot for good loads. He will be hunting with this rifle when he is satisfied with its performance.
Just a note on what I saw. His muzzleloader shot tighter at 100yds than his new Kimber.
I will pass this on. I do not own a 7mm 08 myself so I wanted to see if you guys had some objective reloading advice.
Thanks again
Jim
ps... I did suggest to him that a trip back to Kimber might be in order.

[rkittine]

First thing I would do is determine the twist of the barrel and the freebore of the chamber. I shoot 1,000 yard benchrest and it is amazing how much accuracy you can get or lose, depending on the twist and what you are trying to push down the barrel. Typically you need a fast twist to stabilize a heavy projectile and a slow twist so as not to spin apart a light one. Next, with the freebore known, I would start load development at 10 thousands OFF touch.

Did Kimber provide a "Test Target" with delivery of the rifle? I would call them first and ask what ammo they used to confirm 1 MOA accuracy and if that doesn't work, I would send it back.

My Remington Custom Shop Targetmaster came with a target that they said was shot at 100 yards with a temporary set up Bushnell 3x9 scope. It measured just under 3/8" for a 5 shot group.

That rifle (used for Factory Class) can hold 6" at 1,000 yards with 105 grain 6mm projectiles through the 28.5" Krieger 1:8 twist barrel. 68 grainers in it will not hold an inch at 100 yards.

Bob

[MichiganScott]

Try 120gr Nosler Ballistic Tips or Barnes 120gr TTSX over 44.0-45.0gr Rl-15. You will want to try changing up seating depth. These are pretty standard loads on another forum I spend time in and work well in the three 7mm-08 rifles my family owns.

I changed the powder from Rl-19 to Rl-15 because I originally relied on my memory and not my notes. Rl-15 is the correct powder. This illustrates why you should never rely on Internet data without verifying it from other sources.

[CH4]

For deer and smaller I had great luck with 120 NBTs, Varget and CCI primers. Very accurate. Easily dropped a few deer and antelope out to 400 yards.Bullets performed and held together well. FWIW, I was using a Walnut/blue Kimber 84.

[nachogrande]

R-U SURE he wants/needs our help, if indeed he is a USMC gunny? Got it narrowed down to not moa & larger than his muzzle loader. IS IT BIGGER THAN A BREAD BOX? Or simply not to his liking, but OK? Drop and give us 20.

[jimbo728]

Originally Posted by nachogrande

R-U SURE he wants/needs our help, if indeed he is a USMC gunny? Got it narrowed down to not moa & larger than his muzzle loader. IS IT BIGGER THAN A BREAD BOX? Or simply not to his liking, but OK? Drop and give us 20.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/newrepl...ly&p=140224040

Nacho, read my last post again. If I loaded 7mm08, I would not be asking for tips. Also, he is my friend and and there is nothing wrong with asking for intelligent advise, is there? As far as the group comparison, what do you think? C`mon. Questioning his being a Marine Gunny?
Jim

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

H-S Precision 15" heavy-barrel PISTOL 1/2" @ 100yds easily with Hornady 139gr FACTORY AMMO, a little better with handloads (Wilson dies, weighed powder charges) and Hornady and Nosler bullets. I was using ReLoder 12, but there are other good powders of similar speed. Barrel, bedding, bullets, reloading methods. What was interesting was that Hornady ammo was nearly as good as my first reloading efforts. Had I known that, I might have just stocked up.

[nachogrande]

Getting an accurate group size answered is like pulling teeth. Not sure where to begin when you don't know the exact condition to start with. IF match grade ammo & a good shooter is giving groups larger than 2", I'd say you/HE has a problem & sending it back (if new) might just be the right move, BUT we don't know the ACTUAL GROUP SIZE, now do we?

[jimbo728]

Thanks to all that provided great advice. And to those who can appreciate knowing the difference between a 100yd muzzle loader group and a 100yd group from a high end Kimber rifle. Geez, should have known there would be one incurable Mr Negative in a thread ,like this.
Jim

[nachogrande]

I know full well what MY ML groups look like, I DON'T KNOW what everyone else's look like. I wasn't looking for a micrometer reading but a SIMPLE egg/baseball/grapefruit sized description wouldn't/shouldn't have been too hard to say. Maybe you do have a good reason for keeping things top secret, when asking for help. Time I'll never get back.

[jimbo728]

Now I see what it`s like for one to go from a dentist to a brain surgeon to an intelligence analyst. Very amusing.
Thanks again to those that have been very helpful sharing 7mm 08 accuracy tips.
Jim