Question for the group

[lppd4]

I have some factory loaded 7mm-08 ammo. I am not fond of the bullet loaded into these cartridges. Would there be any issue pulling the factory bullet and putting the powder back into the case and replacing the factory bullet with a Nosler BT projectile? Same weight and seated to the same depth. Would I be better off just shooting them and having once fired cases to work with? Or pulling bullets start with a new powder charge with my selected projectile? Any input appreciated.

 

[rockquarry]

Your last option, starting from scratch, is by far the only one worth considering. Dump the original powder. I'd resize the case but you might be able to get by without that.

Your first option, depending on several factors, will likely yield a mediocre load and / or a potentially dangerous one, especially when you assume the same seating depth with the same powder charge that was safe with the original bullet will be optimum and safe for the replacement bullet.

The second is just wasteful if you're not satisfied with the bullet, but how do you know you are not satisfied with the bullet?

Consider reading up on bullet seating depth in some paper handloading manuals. Good luck-

 

[OKFC05]

I see several potential problems, and would not pull apart good factory ammo and try to reuse the powder, because:
1. You have no way of knowing the type of powder in the factory load, and the factory is NOT going to tell you.
2. You don't know how much powder is in the charge.
3. You don't know how much powder you will spill in pulling the bullets.
4. You don't know the relationship between the Nosler BT and the brand X factory bullet and are guessing the (unknown) powder charge will be the same.

Personally, I can always use more practice, so I would use the factory ammo for practice and save the empties.

 

[mikld]

There used to be a term for reworking military ammo; "Mexican Match" (probably not politically correct now!). Bullets were pulled and discarded, same powder and powder charge was used, and a "match" or premium bullet replaced. Not "dangerous" not "haphazard", common method for getting inexpensive hunting or match ammo.

 

[DWalt]

I have no idea why you don't wish to use the bullets in place. But if you want to pull them and substitute bullets you prefer using the same cases and propellant, I can't think of any reason why you couldn't, provided you don't lose any powder in the process and that the bullets are of the same weight. However, you might need to re-zero your sights.

I have done much the same thing on many occasions, replacing GI bullets in military 7.62 NATO ammunition with 150 grain hunting bullets. No problems whatsoever.

 

[growr]

match

There used to be a term for reworking military ammo; "Mexican Match" (probably not politically correct now!). Bullets were pulled and discarded, same powder and powder charge was used, and a "match" or premium bullet replaced. Not "dangerous" not "haphazard", common method for getting inexpensive hunting or match ammo.

Have fired many thousands of "Mexican Match" in my M1A in High Power Rifle matches, no problems of any kind.

Randy

 

[lppd4]

The ammo in question is not very accurate out of my rifle. I shoot a bunch of wild hogs at my place in the country I have never had issues with recovery of the animal when I shoot them with a Nosler BT or a Hornady SST on top. I bought some other ammo during the pandemic for a just in case scenario. I decided to use this ammo for hogs but suddenly have issues with recovery I may recover 50% when I am use to 80% recovery or so

 

[Tu_S]

The ammo in question is not very accurate out of my rifle. I shoot a bunch of wild hogs at my place in the country I have never had issues with recovery of the animal when I shoot them with a Nosler BT or a Hornady SST on top. I bought some other ammo during the pandemic for a just in case scenario. I decided to use this ammo for hogs but suddenly have issues with recovery I may recover 50% when I am use to 80% recovery or so

Given that the accuracy problem could be many things other than just the bullet, I would say just leave the things alone and shoot them.

I could easily see the OP pulling and replacing the bullets, only to have the same problem since the real issue is something other than the bullet, such as the actual type and/or charge of powder, which he wouldn't be replacing.

 

[diyj98]

I'd probably just shoot them then reload the cases, but I can't see replacing the bullets with a bullet of the same weight as being dangerous in anyway.

 

[Paul in Nevada]

The safe method: Dump the powder and weigh several charges to establish an average, then reduce the charges and work back up. Use factory published COL when seating the new bullet.

Consider also, it might not be that specific bullet your rifle hates but maybe a combination of that bullet weight with that particular powder.

 

[Crew Leader]

Mexican Match or not, I believe you are asking for trouble not using exact tabulated data. I too would recommend just shooting it up if it's a known safe load then reloading the brass using all your correct procedures. I thinks your results will be much safer. Also, make SURE you work your loads up from good data. I try to verify loads using several different manuals before starting, but that's just me. Safety is always the utmost concern in this sport. Have fun, be safe and enjoy!

 

[Hair Trigger]

I have some factory loaded 7mm-08 ammo. I am not fond of the bullet loaded into these cartridges.

Would I be better off just shooting them and having once fired cases to work with?

This is what I'd do. Even if you know the powder would work with the new bullet, and you can pull the bullet without losing any powder, I'd hesitate loading a new bullet without at least neck-sizing the cases to maintain proper tension, and then there's crimping them if your new bullet has a cannelure......

Too much work for too little gain. Use them as target fodder, then use the brass to load what you really want.

 

[Raddoc]

anytime i change bullets, I always measure the length from base to tip or ogive, whichever is being used as the portion to seat the projectile. This is necessary to get a true equal seating depth. Many same weight projectiles have significantly different ogive/tip to base lengths. If you simply swap bullets of the same weight, you could end up seating the base deeper than you intend, inadvertently increasing pressures. Just a thought.

blessings

 

[Road Rat]

I have some factory loaded 7mm-08 ammo. I am not fond of the bullet loaded into these cartridges. Would there be any issue pulling the factory bullet and putting the powder back into the case and replacing the factory bullet with a Nosler BT projectile? Same weight and seated to the same depth. Would I be better off just shooting them and having once fired cases to work with? Or pulling bullets start with a new powder charge with my selected projectile? Any input appreciated.

Aren't you sorry you asked the internet ???

 

[Eddietruett]

There used to be a term for reworking military ammo; "Mexican Match" (probably not politically correct now!). Bullets were pulled and discarded, same powder and powder charge was used, and a "match" or premium bullet replaced. Not "dangerous" not "haphazard", common method for getting inexpensive hunting or match ammo.

We pulled hundreds of 30-06 ball and replaced with SP bullets to hunt with back in the 70's. We got the military ammo free so we could afford to shoot. Back then we were in school and broke. I've split boxes of factory ammo many times. The military we pulled shot very well. Certainly deer of a minute inside 150 yards. Don't remember ever having any problems

 

[ruggyh]

The ammo in question is not very accurate out of my rifle. I shoot a bunch of wild hogs at my place in the country I have never had issues with recovery of the animal when I shoot them with a Nosler BT or a Hornady SST on top. I bought some other ammo during the pandemic for a just in case scenario. I decided to use this ammo for hogs but suddenly have issues with recovery I may recover 50% when I am use to 80% recovery or so

First lets be clear, is it a real accuracy issue or bullet terminal performance issue.

What is the accuracy like on paper? If you are shooting 2" inches at 100 yards or better I would say accuracy is not an issue shooting hogs.

__________________________________________________


What ammunition are you shooting that you want to replace the bullet?

If the bullets are the same weight and construction and you are loading to the same OAL it should present little safety concern.

I would be concerned that the rifle would need to be resighted.

My wife shoots a lot of 7-08 and we see a considerable difference between factory loads of the same weight from different manufactures.

Can we assume you did resight your your rifle when you changed ammunition brands.

PS. we have killed a lot of hogs with cheap Whitetails 139 grain on my place here in north Texas. Out of 31 hogs hit we missed recovering 2 and both of those were at night.

 

[DWalt]

I get the impression the problem is more than just the bullet. Not hitting a hog well at typical hog shooting distances is difficult to explain. No factory ammo is that bad. Maybe a loose sight, etc.?

There seem to be a lot of super ultra cautious reloaders here.

 

[rockquarry]

I get the impression the problem is more than just the bullet. Not hitting a hog well at typical hog shooting distances is difficult to explain. No factory ammo is that bad. Maybe a loose sight, etc.?

There seem to be a lot of super ultra cautious reloaders here.

Not super ultra cautious, just safe and sensible.

 

[Skeet 028]

Pull 'em and seat the new Noslers. They can't shoot any worse than the factory ammo you're not happy with. You may have to re-sight the rifle though....probably not much. I've pulled and replaced on a lot of Military ammo

 

[STORMINORMAN]

From what I can see finding 7mm-08 brass to load might be easier said than done...? With the exception of 223/5.56, shooting factory fodder 1st is how I sourced almost 100% of all the brass to reload for my rifle calibers.

Midway currently has Underwood 142gr ammo with Controlled Chaos bullets (AVAILABLE !) for $2.50 per round. You might try those and see how they perform. They also have the Lehigh bullets themselves available. Hornady Superperformance 139gr as well for $3 each.

Cheers!

P.S. You might also just shoot the hogs from a closer range: can't imagine almost ANY 7mm-08 factory load inadequate for them...?