I have a custom 7-08 with accuracy issues. It has a glass bedded Sako short action and 20 in Douglas Premium light weight free floated barrel in a Manlicher(sp?) stock. I have tried various 120gr and 140gr factory ammo including premium Winchester but 3-4 inch groups at 100 yds is typical. Shot 3deer with factory Win 140 grain ...folded up like a dishrag with a lung shot.
Neck sized reloads give 2-3 in groups. This is with Hornady 139 BT bullet, Speer 120, and 120 Nosler boatail w/ BLC-2 and 4064 powders. I temporarily settled on the 139 Hornady and 42 gr BLC2. First 3 deer dropped in their tracks with this load. Next 4 allwent 75 - 125 yards before going down. All shot thru the lungs. I decided I was not getting enough bullet expansion maybe due to low velocity.

This year changed to 120gr Nosler BT and 45gr BLC2. First deer shot thru the heart at 30 yds ran 100 yards into a swampjust at dark. Did not find him until the next day. I gave up on heart/lung shots and shot the next deerin the neck (facing me at 75 yds). It folded up. Found the Nosler bullet had blown up with pieces under the skin and in the tenderloin.

I usethe gunprimarily for deer hunting in the southeast USA. I need a load that will anchor a deer with a shot thru the lungs. It is sweet handling but I am not happy with the accuracy or killing power of the loads I have tried. I want to use reloads.

Ihave acustom .308 with a 19 in barrel that shoots1-1.5 inch groups and drops deer in their tracks...also same performance with a .270 Browning 22 inch barrel.

Any suggestions for this 7mm-08 would really be appreciated.

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