Handloads: 7 mm-08 Remington

posted on July 1, 2020
08remmm.jpg

The 7 mm-08 Rem. has been a favorite hunting cartridge of mine going on 30 years now. A broad selection of bullets has always been one of its best attributes.

Those weighing 140 grs. provide a ballistic balance of flat trajectory and retained energy for shooting at a distance. However, the additional speed of 120-gr. bullets flattens trajectory in the distance where big buck antelope typically stand. The high ballistic coefficient of the Nosler 120-gr. Ballistic Tip makes it one of the best bullets for those extended shots.

The Nosler Reloading Guide 8 lists several propellants that fire 120-gr. Ballistic Tips at close to 3200 f.p.s. Winchester 760 is one of those propellants, and it has always provided high velocity coupled with good accuracy in numerous 7 mm-08 rifles.


This trend continued with a New Ultra Light Arms Model 20 rifle. The rifle shot Ballistic Tips an average of 3188 f.p.s., burning 51.5 grs. of 760 through its 22" barrel. Extreme spread of velocity was 28 f.p.s. for nine shots, and five, three-shot groups averaged 1.10". Recoil of the load was 24.5 ft.-lbs. from the 5-lb., 13-oz. NULA rifle. 

Ballistic Tips fired at that speed and sighted to hit 2" above the point of aim at 100 yds. drop 14" at 400 yds. and 29" at 500 yds. The bullets arrive at 500 yds. still packing 1,354 ft.-lbs. of energy—nearly 60 percent of their original energy.  

During the past 30 years, no other cartridge has delivered that level of performance combined with such relatively light recoil.

Latest

KelTec KS7 bullpup shotgun 12 gauge right-side view on white background
KelTec KS7 bullpup shotgun 12 gauge right-side view on white background

Gun Of The Week: Davidson’s Exclusive KelTec KS7

Join American Rifleman staff on the range this week with a unique version of KelTec's KS7 bullpup shotgun.

The Armed Citizen® Nov. 1, 2024

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Hydra Weaponry Expands To New Facility

Hydra Weaponry—the designer and manufacturer of the modular Marck-15 Hydra Weapon System and Maine’s largest firearm employer—has expanded into a larger facility.

Review: Bushmaster M4A2 Patrolman's Carbine

The M4A2 Patrolman’s Carbine from Bushmaster Firearms is the first in a line of AR-15s designed to bring back the standard, carbine-length firearms that have long been a staple of American shooting enthusiasts.

150 Years Of Colt's Single Action Army

First introduced in 1873, the Colt Single Action Army has officially been around for 150 years. In that time, it has become one of the iconic revolvers of the late 19th century, and it remains one of the most popular and widely known firearm designs ever produced.

New For 2024: Springfield XD Mod.3 OSP

Springfield Armory is still investing in its legacy XD line in 2024, and the introduction of the Mod.3 OSP brings a few new features to a time-tested design.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.