GOOD LOAD PROBLEM???
 

Here's my delimma. I finally found a load that shoots good from my 7mm-08. It is very accurate. However, here's the bad part, it is 45.5grains of H-4350 under the 139 gr. Hornady SP Flatbase bullet. The only thing bad about the load is at 45.5 gr. of powder I am not getting that good of velocity. I don't have a chronograph, just going by the published data it is alot lower than what this caliber can shoot. Is this a major problem? Would you choose accuracy over the velocity and here is my big question, Out to 300 yards how much more drop will I see compared to a load that might be shooting 200 fps faster?? Thanks for your help.
Brian

RE: GOOD LOAD PROBLEM???
 

Hunts,

Never trade velocity over accuracy. At 300yds 200fps slower in velocity your bullet will only drop a inch or two more than a fast one. 7mm-08 with 140gr only drops around the 7inch mark at 300yds with a medium handload or factory load traveling at 2860fps.

Getting a accurate load and proper sightin is the key. Elevation is never a problem if you know what your bullet drops and you know the yardage. Making sure your rifle hits dead center on the left and right axis is one of the main keys to longer shots. Never worry about the power of the rifle just a good hunting bullet and hitting where you aimed and you'll take home the meat.

RE: GOOD LOAD PROBLEM???
 

I agree 100%, if I have to take a 200fps hit to get a tighter group I would take it. Its confindece in the round you are shooting that makes the difference. With that said if I was going to take a lot of 300yd+ shots I would look for the most accurate round with the best velocity. But sometimes you just have to decide whats most important, and accuracy I feel should be #1 at thoughs distances.

RE: GOOD LOAD PROBLEM???
 

Velocity is nice but if you can't anything with it, it isn't much good.
Always go for accuracy and then work on velocity. IMO.
Like someone said "know your sights".

RE: GOOD LOAD PROBLEM???
 

Here is what I do in that situation. File that nice load away to be used at a later date. Get ya nice 4064 or varget or BR powder. And start testing. Its not like your out anything. You got your old load for hunting. And in the process, you have some more fun.

RE: GOOD LOAD PROBLEM???
 

You know I was thinking, with 45.5gr you are probably only getting 2500fps. I mean there is a point where you expect a rifle to produce a certain amount of speed. For me and 7mm-08, thats around 2750 to 2800fps with a 140gr bullet. I believe Varget might fit your purposes better.