Powders for the 7-08

[Szumi]

It is still winter up here so I haven't been able to shoot my Savage 11 in 7-08 I bought recently to try my hand at highpower this year. I have a collection of 139, 140, 154, 168g bullets to develop loads with and I'm curious about which powders work well for silhouette at the various ranges. I'm thinking loading for the close ones and the far ones, not sure what bullets my rifle will like.

So for this game, what weights and powders by critter are popular?

Thanks,

Szumi

[DennisC]

I think the biggest question now is what powders can you find, for example my practice loads now (708) is some very old 130mks over a wee bit of 10X..SDs are scary but wads em up out to 300 or so.

More specifically ...if you can find Varget, RL15, 4064 IMR or AA, H or IMR 4895, get all you can get.... everyone will have their preferences as to powders and required velocities at the various yardages but these days some of us have learned to be a little less picky or stop competing.

[ywltzucanrknrl]

You can shoot a lot of stuff from around the RL 10X range to 4831. Search the internet for a powder burn rate chart and it will give you ideas in case you can't find what is preferred. Two powders that I've seen available lately that I've used in my 7x08 are LeverEvolution and Hybrid 100V. You may not be able to find data on the LeverEvolution but I've seen some for the Hybrid 100V. Seems most people prefer powder that is around the 4895 burning rate, however I've had good results with any 4350 and RL19. I like Tac, Big Game and Hybrid 100V because they meter well for me and show good results. The LeverEvolution is promising for the same reason, plus it seems like a lot of stores have it lately.

Jon Carlisle
Cody, Wyoming

[Snake]

I load XMR 4064 or RL15...with 150 gr Sierras....through turkeys. Then RL 19 with 175 sierras for rams....But the same powder can be used with both...in my rifle the 175s like the RL19..I have done well with Nosler 120 ballistic tips for C-P-T...and 39 grs of XMR 4064 or Varget...but I adapt to supply

[Trent]

Snake likes em heavy. ;)

[Jerry G]

Snake does............ 107s and 142s in my 6.5 work just fine.

[ldholton]

RL-17 is working very good . great velocity with way under peak pressure. I'm burning lots of it 7-08 2 loads .260 3 loads , 25-06 3 loads .

[whale]

Does anyone use IMR 4350, IMR 7828, or H4831SC? I bought some when I purchased a Winchester model 70 in .300 win mag. I was going to go hunting for the first time with my uncle. Unfortunately, we never made it due to his health issues. I also purchased Redding competition dies at the time.
Charles

[Snake]

Trent....I like them heavy for a reason. Having used my silhouette gun for 600 yard bench rest...Wind deflection (real not calculated) is much less with the two described 7mm bullets. Besides while using the same volume of powder as a 260...the recoil impulse is about the same but more metal is put on the metal....and the 7mm is longer than a 30 and the same length as a 6.5.

[GregG]

Except, 1000 bench rest winning cart is a 6mm dasher.

There is nothing wrong with the 7-08 it is a great cartridge but it is NOT mana from heaven like many think it is. Sorry guys.

It is a better cartridge at somethings and worst than others. It has fallen out of popularity in the past 10-15 years because there are other options (not just as 308 has). For example at most silhouette matches or cross the course matches outside of TR f-class, you will be hard pressed to find any 7-08 or 308 being shot.


Greg

[Snake]

Greg...I agree the7-08 is not manna ...and neither is 6.5. and neither is the Dasher. Depends on the day and the shooter etc. The 6 mm dasher is the usual winner in 600 and 1000 yard because it is the most used. The 6.5 x 284 was and its barrel eroding qualities caused folks t o move to the straight .284 long throated and then to the Dasher. Other than my silhouette gun 7-08 is mighty scarce in those games The Dasher is popular because of Lapua brass and high quality custom 6 mm bullets. Interestingly one of the best groups before the 5/8 ths Dasher group was from a 30 BR.....custom bullet again.

[whale]

Does anybody know where I can purchase Varget powder?

[Another Dang 9]

Whale, any of the medium burn powders is impossible to find right now. You have to be there when they deliver it or its gone before the delivery truck is gone. It use to be primers were not to be found now it seams powder is the hot item.

[kevinbear]

The 7-08 isn't manna from heaven, I beg to differ!!! I'll tell why it is, most of the new recruits to this sport are hunters, most are not wealthy, most are practical. They can go buy a new 700 at a big box store or wally world for less than 500.00 in 7-08, put a 500.00 scope on it a come play with us, no need for custom dies, custom barrels, custom triggers and they can use the gun to hunt with in the fall. All that for around 1000.00 in a very versatile cartridge that can be used for almost anything, and work quite well for hunting class silhouette.
And Greg, there are lots of 7-08's around here at matches, probably close to 50% at most matches.