7mm08 Loads

Have volunteered to reload for a mate who's unable to find factory ammo, but has managed to secure a few hundred 139g SSTs and some Norma brass. Rifle is a suppressed T3 with a 19 inch barrel that shot okay with Superformance SSTs.

I'll be spotting him powder and primers (Fed 210) for the time being and have an okay supply of 2206h on hand. Also have 2209 and a small amount of BLC-2. Don't have any 2208 unfortunately.

Interested in what's worked for people, particularly with 2206h - will obviously be working up...

Thanks in advance.

Look at load data on the ADI site. You will still have to work up the load to suit that rifle.

AR2206H is their most versatile load. Unfortunately 2208 (Varget) does seem to be the powder of choice listed various forums.

My first 7-08 loads were 42gn AR2206H UNDER A Hornady 139gn Soft point.

I've used AR2208 since because I could but
Looking at max loads in the ADI manual from a 24" test barrel they are listed as.
2206H @ 2857
2208 @ 2877
2209 @ 2906

That puts 2208 potentially only 20fps faster than the 2206H you have on hand.
Won't be a deal breaker.
2206H might be suitable if it's accurate.

The 2209 is listed as compressed @ max load but lower pressures.

First thought is which will be easier to replace in due course.





Honestly,

Greetings @rimubay,
I would use AR2206H. As mentioned elsewhere I tested 42.5 grains of AR2208 with 140 grain Corelokt projectiles in a 7mm-08 which gave 2,710 fps in a 19" barrel. One grain less of AR2206H (41.5 grains) should give about that velocity and one grain more (book Max) about 2,750 fps. Work up with a chronograph in a couple of steps to verify the velocities though.
Regards Grandpamac.

I will ask question here...cause no one else will....is he a bush hunter who mainly shoots under 150 yards or out in open sort of a guy????
because if he is the former...find some plain Jane cup n core projectiles and sort load for it.keep the sst type stuff for out in open or the occasional clear across gully shots....he may save himself some $$$ and headaches this way.

Many thanks for the responses.

MD - he mainly hunts open country is confident out to 400 yards. The SSTs have worked well for him in the past and seem to go well in that rifle.

Cheers

I’ve got a blc-2 load that will get you 2800 with that barrel. PM if interested.

Thanks Tahr - PM on its way. I think he gets around 2800 from the factory stuff, so would be good to replicate that (but no drama if we don't).

Cheers

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rimubay

Thanks Tahr - PM on its way. I think he gets around 2800 from the factory stuff, so would be good to replicate that (but no drama if we don't).

Cheers

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I’m out of town. Will get it to you after Sunday.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tahr

I’m out of town. Will get it to you after Sunday.

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No panic, thanks.

Finally got around to loading with some 2206h. Pretty happy with the first 2 groups. Will put over the chrony this weekend. Thanks for the responses and PMs.

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