Anybody have some data on 7mm-08 using IMR 4350. I have tried Varget without the greatest results. I have some 140 gr sierra gameking SPBT and 139 gr hornady SST bullets to try. Please let me know starting and max if you have data for these loads.
A better choice might be 4064 ( start around 40 grains) or RL-15 ( start around 41 grains...
My personal favorite 7mm-08 load features the 120 Barnes TSX with 45.0 of RL-15... Start low and work up... MV in my 22" Mountain Rifle is around 3000 FPS ..Shoots flat and whacks 'em good...
I found the 4350 load by accident. I didn't have enough varget or 4064 when I recieved a 700 7mm-08 from an estate sale, so I decided to try IMR4350. I worked up a load from 45gr to 48gr (compressed), and it shot great. I mean consistent submoa with 140gr gameking. I get 2750fps with 140gr gameking at 47gr of IMR4350. Not a screamer, and I could probably get another 100fps with varget, but why? I have got some emails from some people who loved it and got simular results, and some who said it was bad.
Ain't no flies on THAT load, and with the accuracy you're getting, it sounds like an excellentload to me...
I'll admit, I haven't tried 4350 in my rifle with 140s simply because I didn't think it was an optimum powder..Tried it with 150s and the accuracy wasn't that great, but I've never really got good accuracy from 150 grain bullets out of my 7mm-08 ( or my .280) with any powder...Every rifle is different...
Ain't no flies on THAT load, and with the accuracy you're getting, it sounds like an excellentload to me...
I'll admit, I haven't tried 4350 in my rifle with 140s simply because I didn't think it was an optimum powder..Tried it with 150s and the accuracy wasn't that great, but I've never really got good accuracy from 150 grain bullets out of my 7mm-08 ( or my .280) with any powder...Every rifle is different...
Well, I got 8lbs of it, so I definately am happy when it works out. But I am different than everyone else as I get bad results in 300winmag, that was the goto powder for 300win 30 years ago or more. I get 3100fps with RL22 and 180gr bullistic tips.
Location: S.W. Pa.-- Heart in North Central Pa. mountains-
Posts: 2,508
RE: 7mm-08 load needed
I went through Varget and H380 with little luck. I had IMR 4350 on hand here, and gave it a try. Sure enough, with 46 gr. under 140 Accubonds, it was unbelievable. Went up to 48 gr. in .5 gr. increments, and found I could get slightly over 2800 fps. at 48.0 gr.,and maintain consistent 3/4"-1". While the 46 gr. load was a ragged 1-holer, the 48 gr. gave decent velocity and quite acceptable accuracy for a deer load. By the way, I also tried the 139 gr. Hornadays. Shot fair, but not near as well as the Accubonds.
Thanks for the help guys. I loaded up a few with 47 gr of IMR 4350 and the 140 gr sierra gamekings and the results were much better than with Varget. I didn't take the chrono and was shooting off my truck tailgate so no specifics on performance, but the groups were nice and tight. I'll save the varget for the varmit loads.
I worked up loads from the Nosler Reloading Book, using the mini / max loads for IMR 4350,with their 140 gr. ballistic tip. Instead of the ballistic tip. Iused those same loadswith the Nosler Accubond 140 gr.The last test load was their max charge, a compressed load. Icame out with 1/2" group at 100yd. SWEET!
"Gun control is the ability to hit what your aiming at!"
7mm-08 load needed
