7mm08 load advice ?

Hey team, I'm looking at putting a load together for my 7mm08 model 7.
In normal times I would look at 162gn eldms but they sem to be about as easy to get as rl26 or other such unobtainables :pissed off:
I'm wanting a 400 yard hunting load for use on reds, fallow for the most part.

Whats everyone's thoughts on 162gn interlocks ?
Would this likely be a good all roubd performer from say 50-400ish yards ?
Can anyone suggest anything else thats reasonably obtainable that could do the same job ?
Am I asking too much from a 18" suppressed 7mm08 ?
Bear in mind the short action of the model 7
Thanks in advance

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Originally Posted by dannyb

Hey team, I'm looking at putting a load together for my 7mm08 model 7.
In normal times I would look at 162gn eldms but they sem to be about as easy to get as rl26 or other such unobtainables :pissed off:
I'm wanting a 400 yard hunting load for use on reds, fallow for the most part.

Whats everyone's thoughts on 162gn interlocks ?
Would this likely be a good all roubd performer from say 50-400ish yards ?
Can anyone suggest anything else thats reasonably obtainable that could do the same job ?
Am I asking too much from a 18" suppressed 7mm08 ?
Bear in mind the short action of the model 7
Thanks in advance

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I'm part way through load development using 162 ELDX's in my 7mm08

What about Speer, they make a good range of projectiles and aren't to baby priced and should work OK out to 400 ish yards.

I think there may be 162 ssts available here and there, if that's the grain weight you're after.

I found it nicer in the model 7 to shoot the 140gr or less.

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Originally Posted by SkiHunt

I'm part way through load development using 162 ELDX's in my 7mm08

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I was originally going to go with 150gn eldx but decided I wanted a heavier projectile for better energy retention.

162eldx seem un obtainable too, I also think with the slower velocity something a little softer may perform better as an all rounder.....happy to be corrected :cool:

Should read badly not baby, need to check what I write before posting, lol

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Originally Posted by Gerardo

I think there may be 162 ssts available here and there, if that's the grain weight you're after.

I found it nicer in the model 7 to shoot the 140gr or less.

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I'm not worried about recoil, I'm a big guy and the rifle is suppresed, would also rather use anything ther than SST's.
Anyone used the 162gn interlocks ?

They worked well in my 7 mm Mag never used them in my 7 mm 08. Can't see why they wouldn't work.

Ive had to become flexible with mine because of component shortages.

Mines a 18" barrel A7 and Im currently using R17 powder and 140 grn SST. 2830 fps. Its been thoroughly ok out to 400 yards and has knocked over some big deer. Shoots tiny groups. The 140 SST work just fine.

(p.s. great to see you getting back into it Danny)

Yes nice to see you back in the fold, always liked your input.

agree on speer..... or go lighter eg under 140 grn..... guys using ballistic tips of 120 grn swear by them..... 400 yards,hmm would have to do maths on that one.

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Originally Posted by Micky Duck

agree on speer..... or go lighter eg under 140 grn..... guys using ballistic tips of 120 grn swear by them..... 400 yards,hmm would have to do maths on that one.

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I am a 120 BT fan but the supply is too unreliable to hang my hat on them for the time being so I will use the 100 140 SST I have. Both will kill out to 400 yards no problem, so you can put your pencil away MD :)

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Originally Posted by Mooseman

Yes nice to see you back in the fold, always liked your input.

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I need a new press and scales now, should not have sold mine :oh noes:

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Originally Posted by dannyb

I need a new press and scales now, should not have sold mine :oh noes:

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I can long term lend you some scales. PM me your address if you want them.

120 pro hunters , also can I be 1st inline next month when it’s for sale please

I always found 139/140 gr bullets to be best overall in the 7mm/08 and I used one for nearly years on all sized deer and never lost an animal.

@dannyb Just my 2 bits ,my wife & l have used her 75 S/S taking game around the world for over 2 decades & the rifle is on its second barrel , it has taken everything from Rabbits to Buffalo & in the Top End of Oz was regularly used on culls of Pigs, Jesus Taxis & Brumbies where numbers in the high 100's were shot over a week .

IMO there is no need to use such heavy bullets in the 7/08, the 2 loads l have now settled on are both mild allowing for hot temps in the Oz Tropics & Africa, the 120gn Barnes TSX BT pushed along at just under 2900 fps & the Barnes 140gn TSX BT pushing just under 2800 fps .

Here in gods own, the 120grn load is a great load for Goats ,Pigs,Fallow & snack pack Reds all the way out 400 easily & the Barnes hold together & penetrate deeply without destroying good meat.The 140 grn load is a all round great hunting load ,it has shot Reds & Sambar all the way out to 500 yards & taken basically all African Plains Game .I dropped a Buffalo at 135 yards with it across a Billabong after we came across it with a badly broken leg & the cranky bastard would not let us get any closer in the croc infested swamp ,it will handle anything we have here at more than the range you are looking at.

I am afraid l am that old l have still got PTSD from the Clinton era ammo & gun apocalypses & have lived in what are seen as remote regions for most of the last few decades,so learnt my lessons well then & always have stocks of favored load consumables so have no idea what availability is like,but my guess is our light skinned game would not notice the difference with good quality alternatives at similar speeds.

Great to see you working out your next stage in your hunting life. If you get stuck for a press or scales etc etc let me know ,my lazy ass little brother sponged my old full set up ,yet grovels for me to just load him enough to see him through for the last 4 yrs,so no doubt he has them like most like most Latte Land
girly men ,pressing flowers or hiding their hand bag collections , so l can grab them next time l go up to Latte land,you may just need to clean the double shot, decaf with a twist of lemon stains off them :thumbsup:

Won't be going higher than 140 grain pills for my Rem Model 7. Seems a bit counterproductive to develop a 'long range high BC' load for a wee rifle with a short barrel.

The lighter cooper pills hit really hard up close if you strike weight bearing bones, and I doubt the stocks on offer for the Model 7 will be suited to a really stout load.

Then again there is someone on here who shoots a 7SAUM one out to range!

Attachment 170312

160 TMK's from my 16" model 7.

Crunch the numbers from a MV of 2430fps.

Call it done and dont dick around as it never hurts to have a bit of extra energy by using the heavier bullets if you're twist rate can handle it which the model 7 can.

I do know where there are plenty of 7mm projectiles in the heavier weights too.

I would just use good old nosler ballistic tips in either 120 or 140 grn they work well.

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for 7mm08 I run 150 ELDx 2750fps w RL16, decent BC and good terminal performance. If you want heavier pill 160 TMKs or 160 Speer BTSP. The 162 Interloks should be ok out to 200 - 250 but pretty crappy BC so dont expect to push them too far.

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Originally Posted by dannyb

I was originally going to go with 150gn eldx but decided I wanted a heavier projectile for better energy retention.

162eldx seem un obtainable too, I also think with the slower velocity something a little softer may perform better as an all rounder.....happy to be corrected :cool:

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I got some from here recently https://outdoorsupplies.co.nz/Projec...Match.html#ELD

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Originally Posted by 25 /08 IMP

I would just use good old nosler ballistic tips in either 120 or 140 grn they work well.

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As per this - with 18inch I agree 120 or 140BTs but I also don’t mind the 139SSTs

Went shopping today and although I was able to find some 140gn nbt's I was only able to get 1 box and no likely re stock date before the end of the year :oh noes:
Went with my initial instinct and picked up some 150gn eldx adi2209 and large rifle primers.
I know my rifle will shoot these well as it does with the factory Hornandy precision ammo.
Still no dies, press or scales :oh noes:

Attachment 170470

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Originally Posted by dannyb

Went shopping today and although I was able to find some 140gn nbt's I was only able to get 1 box and no likely re stock date before the end of the year :oh noes:
Went with my initial instinct and picked up some 150gn eldx adi2209 and large rifle primers.
I know my rifle will shoot these well as it does with the factory Hornandy precision ammo.
Still no dies, press or scales :oh noes:

Attachment 170470

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@dannyb Nice mate, pretty sure both options will work.

Got a lee challenger press and lee scales I'm gonna sell if you're interested?

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Originally Posted by Hunty1

@dannyb Nice mate, pretty sure both options will work.

Got a lee challenger press and lee scales I'm gonna sell if you're interested?

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If it's the cast alloy press I would not be interested I have a rooted one sitting here already.
But thank you very much for the offer

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Originally Posted by dannyb

If it's the cast alloy press I would not be interested I have a rooted one sitting here already.
But thank you very much for the offer

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Jeez, ya must be a rough bugger! All good :P

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Originally Posted by Hunty1

Jeez, ya must be a rough bugger! All good :P

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Nope just the thread for the die bushings is flogged out and allows the die to move under load making it virtually impossible to seat with any degree of accuracy.

I would buy a good working one but probably not at a price that would interest you so not about to insult you with what I think they are worth.
But if your keen to get rid of it cheap flick me a pm

Im quite fond of the 140gn nosler ballistic tip in 7mm08. Trialing 140gn Bergers at the moment.
To be fair a 7mm 140gn bullet at 2800ish fps and been good deer medicine since forever.
Its actually harder to find something that doesnt work these days.

The 120 NBT is actually a tougher projectile than the 140 NBT. They made the 120 by shortening the jacket of the 140 so the 120 has thicker jacket walls at the tip.

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Originally Posted by stug

The 120 NBT is actually a tougher projectile than the 140 NBT. They made the 120 by shortening the jacket of the 140 so the 120 has thicker jacket walls at the tip.

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Might as well be made of pure refined rl26 and 2225 at the moment as they are equally unobtainable :(

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Originally Posted by dannyb

Might as well be made of pure refined rl26 and 2225 at the moment as they are equally unobtainable :(

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I just ordered some 120 BT from outdoor and hunting in carterton so they seem to be in stock.

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Originally Posted by 25 /08 IMP

I just ordered some 120 BT from outdoor and hunting in carterton so they seem to be in stock.

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Mostly their site is out of date and you get an email the next day saying would you like to remain on back order. But it will be good if they do have them.

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Originally Posted by Tahr

Mostly their site is out of date and you get an email the next day saying would you like to remain on back order. But it will be good if they do have them.

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I'll let you know I load them in my son's rifle and his mate's.

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Originally Posted by Tahr

Mostly their site is out of date and you get an email the next day saying would you like to remain on back order. But it will be good if they do have them.

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You are correct I got an email to say out of stock and no eta on new stock.


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If you are giving cc details at the time to complete a purchase, then they're breaking the law.
I too have ordered from them only to be told next day nothing in stock.

A very definite pattern here, presumably to gain commitment for when stock arrives.

Or they're not so good at maintaining inventory.

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