Kimber 7mm08 and 120 BTs

I tried out the Cortina method and the Kimber has 74.8mm OAL to the lands.....but the mag is only 71.5mm. I’m surprised at the huge jump but even if I load one longer you can’t eject a loaded road easily. So 71.5mm it is and hopefully the 120 Ballistic Tips don’t mind

Anyway I had Belmont760 from the 284 so have loaded up a ladder at 48, 49 and 50 grains and will try out in a few days with the Chrono. I know I should use a faster powder with the 16inch barrel but I have three full containers. I’m hoping to get about 2800fps as the factory 139 Whitetail loads were about 2430fps

The cheap Lee powder thrower is pretty accurate with the ball powder and I’d actually be happy to just throw the loads without weighing if I can get accurate load without too much pressure.

Incidentally the BSA 284 is about 80mm OAL to lands but the old Win 150 factory loads are only 71mm so that jump is even bigger.....

A few dramas with the Tikka 284 loads I’m making with very stiff bolt close but I’ll post another thread as I’ve solved that this morning

I load a lot of 120 B Tips in the 7 08 using 2208 at 3000fps they are an awesome pill

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Well the ladder testing wasn’t great and probably as expected. I was shooting at 135 yards as that was the distance between two flattish spots on the Forestry Block. A bit far for the 4x scope to centre accurately but time to try the loads

I set up the Chrono and put through a couple of Hornady factory 139 Whitetail. First was 2381 and second 2432 so about expected from the 16inch barrel. Height was good and a moved a few clicks to the right

Then 48 grains of Belmont 760
2500
2534
Error
Pretty slow

49 grns
2571
2583
2590
Still slow

49.5
2594
2620
2599
Not getting much faster

50 grns
2651
2654
2686
Around 1.5inch groups. No signs of pressure but I hadn’t loaded any hotter

So I’ll load up about 10 more so I can use while I look for some CFE223 or 2206

I shot some 1/2inch groups with the Tikka 284 at the same distance after and velocity was up to 3000fps with 140 BTs so the shooter and Chrono are ok.....

I use winchester 748 and cci magnum primers and getting 3150fps... always use magnum primers with ball powder..

Hi @Forestry,

I could sell a container of CFE223 if you're interested. I'll be in Auckland around Christmas time. It works well in my Kimber with 16" barrel. Possibly it works better with heavier projectiles though, someone who knows more might give clarification. I load the Hornady 162 ELD-M so the ogive is well off the lands.

Regards,
Joel

Yeah I’m keen for a container if we can link up - what’s the price Joel?

Thanks

Just for interest how does the Nosler online load data work. Different max loads for H414 and Win760 but same powder...I thought I was about max at 50grns
@Hindquarters - is this load and velocity for a 22inch barrel?

Attachment 156621

Message sent @Forestry

Thanks,
Joel

Yes... a 22inch barrel...another good projectile is the 130gr,speer, boattail, softpoint..I reload for 7 guys 7mm08's and this is round is very accurate and kills well out to 600m.. still using win 748 and cci mag primers

Not the BT’s but I’ve been running 120 gr Sierras in our Kimber 7mm-08 with AR2206H which produces tight wee groups.

Kids were shooting the kimber last week killing some Thar out to 355 mtrs with no problems.

A mate runs the same projectile in his 7mm-08 where I’ve seen him drop some huge red stags with it.

Another good projectile is the 120 gr Speer.

Thanks 25/08, hindquarters and Seventenths. I’ll try the CFE223 with the 120BTs and if no good, move onto Sierra or Speer for a try. I am also keen to give the Superperformance factory SSTs a go as I need some more Hornady cases anyway. At least it’s fun trying to find a good load.

be aware you will probably have to debur primer pockets of hornady factory loads....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Seventenths

Not the BT’s but I’ve been running 120 gr Sierras in our Kimber 7mm-08 with AR2206H which produces tight wee groups.

Kids were shooting the kimber last week killing some Thar out to 355 mtrs with no problems.

A mate runs the same projectile in his 7mm-08 where I’ve seen him drop some huge red stags with it.

Another good projectile is the 120 gr Speer.

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I also used the Sierra 120s for a bit but i did not get really Wee groups with 2208, i havnt tried any other ammo an jus shot the pack i had for the better group it produced, i shot quite a few fallow with it an then shot some sambar hinds, quatering away lung shots, no exit but considerable damage, however i wouldnt tagret a sambar stag with it myself for incase the shoulder was hit, id want a little more insurance on it.

in saying this my kimber tends to like the heavier projectile range, 150 up.. ? got to test this theory a bit more but so far 139 an 140 also not great. shooter also not great :)


an in sayin this im yet to try the 120 BT which has a decent following in 7mm..

@Rees you might wanna try a different powder as I’m using AR2206H with the 120 gr Sierra.

As for the 120 gr BT from my understanding there a harder projectile with a thicker copper jacket than the 140 gr BT

I used 2208 with Nosler 120gn, got 3000fps without too much trouble, cant remember how many grains off the top of my head.
They worked quite well, although the ''In" hole was always larger than the "out" hole in deer. So they do expand quite rapidly.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Micky Duck

be aware you will probably have to debur primer pockets of hornady factory loads....

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Yes those hornady primer pockets are toiht! I have the same issue with their 308 brass.

Good to know about the hornady I'm collecting it while using factory stuff

Greetings All,
I did some load development for a friend shortly after the 7mm-08 came out. He was having problems with poor accuracy using 760 powder. I found that mostly you would get two shots together and one flyer. I used 47, 48 and 49 grains with the 130 grain projectile. Results with Dupont IMR 4895 and 4064 were much better with tighter and more consistent groups. There was not much data around at the time but Ken Waters had done a pet loads report in 1980 which was most helpful. No chronograph in those days but I note that Ken got 3,052 fps from 50 grains of 760 behind the 120 grain and Hodgdon got 3,023 fps from 49 grains of H414 with the same weight. Much more than you are getting Forestry.
Regards Grandpamac.

Greetings Forestry,
Just went back and read your second post again and see you have a 16 inch barrel. You would loose between 20 and 30 fps per inch so 160 to 240 fps less. That suggests that your 50 grain load should give from 2,800 to 2,900 fps so perhaps the Belmont 760 is slower.
Regards Grandpamac.

Thanks @grandpamac and others. I got a bit of 2208 yesterday and loaded up from 44-46gns. I know the top is over book max so will tread carefully. I see NZ Hunter was up to 48gns with the 120s and 2208 but I don’t have the case head expansion tool to push that far and know pressure and don’t really need max velocity as the 284 is for longer stuff. I would however like to get to 2800fps and sub 1”. I dropped my favourite scope on the little Kimber also yesterday (z3 3-9x36). Joel also kindly delivered some CFE223 today so that will be the next to try. Hopefully wind drops tomorrow and I can see how the 2208 goes first along with the better optics

Nice mate. If you wanted to try a couple of loads similar to yours I’m happy to send a couple of groupers your way.

Got out today for some testing. I’ll update the 16” 7mm08 here and add to an old 284 post with those loads later.

Anyway a mixed bag and still questions. The day was very hot

I had 5 Whitetail factory loads left so after bore sighting the scope using the old light at night trick I fired a couple. 2410 and 2355 fps. Adjusted up 3” and across 2.5” and fired a nice 1” group. Speeds were 2404, 2380 and 2437 so similar to last time. Was feeling ok so into the homeloads with 120gn Ballistic Tips at 71.5mm OAL to fit mag.

44 2208 Ave 2734fps but pretty ugly
45 2208 Ave 2832fps and just over 1”. This is book max
45.5 2208 Ave 2872. First two into one hole and then a flyer way left..... I let the rifle cool down.
46 2208 Ave 2898fps and decent blast. 2.5” and horizontal

Then tried some factory 139SSTs super performance
These were humming at Ave 2773fps but again a few good and then third flyer. Could be barrel temp as got very hot after 3 shots and the day got hotter

So 45 2208 is the most promising for now...

Had a look in my book and 120gr nbt 2208 @ 45gr did 2953f/s out a 22" t3 708.
Have since moved to Speer btsp 130gn 2208 @ 44gr 2844f/s with ragged hole accuracy.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DBD

Had a look in my book and 120gr nbt 2208 @ 45gr did 2953f/s out a 22" t3 708.
Have since moved to Speer btsp 130gn 2208 @ 44gr 2844f/s with ragged hole accuracy.

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I like this mine arrives at Brian's in January and would be pleased if it shoots like this. Kimber though not a Tikka.

Yeah Kimber barrels heat super quick, I always wait a few minutes between shots with mine. Usually quite hot by the 3rd shot otherwise.

Has anyond tried the Hammer bullets in the Kimber 7/08? Tahr got some in for me in his last order, would be nice to get a start point, load/powder.

50gn 2209 with 120 BTs has always been a fantastic load for me. Reduce and work up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nor-west

Has anyond tried the Hammer bullets in the Kimber 7/08? Tahr got some in for me in his last order, would be nice to get a start point, load/powder.

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Sorry. All gone. :thumbsup::D

120 bt 3040 fps with 44gn 2206h, lapua brass, fed 210 primer 2.800 coal. Sauer 100 16.5 inch barrel. Shoots a bit over a inch but im no sharp shooter.
probably over book max.
Kills stuff.

Thanks @muka88, @Tikka7mm08, @DBD, @Danny, @Seventy Six and others for replies and advice

My brother is way more experienced than me and also says Sierra Pro Hunter Flat Base is best projectile if searching for accuracy. I’ll finish the box of SST factory and then think about my next move.

Mukka88 that load is smoking for a short barrel !