7mm-08 Remington Pet Loads

It was a windy, cold day on the high plains of Wyoming as friend and fellow gun writer Clair Rees and I glassed the wide open rolling hill country for a trophy-class buck antelope. Remington had just introduced a new Model 700 Classic chambered in 7mm-08 and forwarded me an early example.

I promptly mounted a Swarovski variable scope, assembled some high-performing hunting handloads, sighted it in, and hurried out the door to hunt in the neighboring state of Wyoming. The rifle was regularly shooting sub-half-inch groups with my handloads, giving confidence in the rifle and load to take game at respectable distances. 

After helping Clair get his buck first, packing it out, etc., we continued hunting and soon came upon an old, black-faced buck with desirable, heavy, tall horns. The problem was apparently this was not his first rodeo, as he was watching us intensely, stomping his feet, etc. Being a traditional iron-sighted handgun hunter for more decades than I care to admit, I always try to stalk as close as possible. However, this buck’s body language made it clear that if we came any closer, he would leave the territory and head north into Montana! Attempting to get closer was essentially impossible, unless I wanted to let him run and settle again miles away and then attempt another stalk. I told Clair to sit tight, as I was going to crawl to a slightly elevated spot to shoot from that was about 50 yards to our right. Clair agreed but commented, “I don’t know, Brian; that’s a really long shot.” I responded that the cartridge could easily do the job, as long as I do my part. After getting into position, the Swarovski Rangefinder read 495 yards. I’m old school and held over (rather than dialing) to compensate for bullet drop and estimated wind speed to compensate for bullet drift. Being in a good, solid shooting position, the trigger was squeezed and the 7mm bullet launched. A couple of moments later, the buck dropped in his tracks from the perfectly placed bullet through the lungs. 

After returning home, my son Porter wanted to go deer hunting, and I suggested he take the above Model 700 Classic out and put a few rounds

through it. If he liked it, he could use it. He did. Our hunt was not too far from the Idaho side of Hells Canyon, the deepest river gorge in North America that separates Idaho and Oregon and also contains the mighty Snake River. When we found a suitable mule deer buck, he was on the opposite side of a large, steep and deep canyon. Coincidentally, the laser rangefinder read just a few yards short of 500 yards. This was a longer shot that I wanted to see him attempt, but the conditions were perfect, and the cartridge was proven. Again, the correct amount of holdover was used, the rifle cracked, and moments later the kerplunk of the bullet could be heard as it struck home and the muley buck dropped, then slid down the hillside approximately 40 or 50 yards stone dead. 

The 7mm-08 Remington offers a unique blend of performance that appeals to hunters and target shooters. While it has enjoyed widespread popularity over the last 46 years, in recent years it has been enjoying even greater interest among younger generations who are discovering its many virtues. It is an excellent cartridge with a proven track record in the field and on the range. As usual, it can be improved and becomes more versatile through handloading. But first, let’s briefly consider its history. 

Shortly after the 308 Winchester was introduced in 1952, wildcatters immediately began necking that case up and down to create new cartridges that ranged from .22 to .375 calibers. Probably most notable was Warren Page’s 1952-era wildcat that would become the industry-standard 243 Winchester in 1955. It not only enjoyed instant popularity, but remains hugely popular today. Winchester also introduced the 358 in 1955, but being larger than .30 caliber, sales were modest, but it is currently gaining renewed interest. In 1997, Remington introduced the 260 Remington (based on several wildcats dating back to the 1950s). The 7mm-08 was introduced to the industry in 1980, and of the several cartridges derived from the 308 Winchester case simply being necked up or down (and does not include cartridges that had the shoulder position moved, the angle changed, etc.), the 7mm-08 Remington is the second most popular, coming in just behind the 243. 

In 1980, rifle silhouette competitions were very popular, and many competitors were using the 7mm/308 wildcat (first developed in the 1950s) to win matches. It not only proved exceptionally accurate, but it had a near-perfect blend of power to knock over the long-range rams (no score if they don’t topple), produced modest recoil and was very accurate. Period 7mm bullets boasted respectable ballistic coefficients ballistic coefficients (BC). for high retained downrange velocities that have been further improved today.

The 7mm-08 also utilizes a modest powder charge that results in efficiency, respectable barrel life and reduced barrel temperatures. In addition to having lower recoil than the 308, it boasts of better downrange retained velocities. Even a run-of-the-mill factory load will produce reasonably low extreme spreads. For handloaders that are willing to carefully prepare cases and select top-performing propellants, extreme spreads can be further reduced for excellent long-range accuracy. All of these virtues explain why the 7mm-08 has earned renewed popularity among younger generations of shooters and hunters, but is still recognized as a great cartridge by more experienced generations of hunters and shooters. Personally speaking, I hold this cartridge in high regard.

Period factory load ballistics listed a 140-grain bullet at 2,860 feet per second (fps) from 24-inch barrels, which remains a top-choice bullet weight and velocity combination for general use on deer, antelope and similar game; however, new bullet designs allow lighter weight versions to be used with success, while heavier bullets are generally preferred for larger species. In checking the 140-grain Remington factory load from a 

22-inch barrel, actual velocity was 2,664 fps. This particular lot number seems slow when compared to previous testing of factory loads with different lot numbers. Regardless, duplicating listed velocities through handloading is relatively easy when the correct combination of components is selected. However, many propellants can significantly improve upon those ballistics, which we will discuss further in a moment.  

I’m always hesitant to compare cartridges, as there are so many variables and a given cartridge should be able to stand on its own merit. However, a truly legendary cartridge is the 7x57 Mauser that was first introduced in 1892. While it was a widely respected military cartridge that quickly became feared by U.S. troops during the Spanish-American War in 1898 due to its sleek bullets and long-range ability, it has also earned a remarkable reputation as a big game cartridge in spite of its moderate ballistics. Traditionally, it was loaded with 175-grain bullets at around 2,440 fps; however, in an effort to flatten trajectory at typical distances that game are hunted, more modern loads push 139- and 140-grain bullets around 2,740 fps or 154-grain bullets at 2,690 fps. 

The difference in velocities between the 7x57 and the 7mm-08 is mostly inconsequential, as they are two peas in a pod. The 7x57 has a few grains greater powder capacity. If the two cartridges are loaded to the same pressure level, the 7x57 will produce greater velocities with identical bullets. However, the SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute) limits the maximum average pressure for the 7x57 to 51,000 pounds per square inch (psi) or 46,000 copper units of pressure (CUP), while the 7mm-08 is loaded to 61,000 psi or 52,000 CUP. Therefore, the 7mm-08 has the advantage, but again it is not significant. It is also noteworthy that the 7x57 has a longer overall cartridge length of 3.065 inches that prevents it from being used in 308 length actions. Essentially, the 7mm-08 is a modern 7x57, but boasts of functioning in lighter, short-action rifles and has been chambered in a huge variety of modern rifles, including bolt action, single shot, auto-loading, and even leverguns and single-shot pistols. 

As indicated, the 7mm-08 was created by simply necking the 308 case down to accept .284-inch bullets and shares the same 20-degree shoulder. However, the case is slightly longer at 2.035 inches, while the 308 has a maximum length of 2.015 inches. 

Most rifles feature a 1:9 to 1:9.5-inch barrel twist, including Remington, Thompson Center, Winchester, Browning, Sako, Weatherby, Howa and others. However, Savage rifles have been listed with, or observed with, 1:9, 1:9.5 and 1:10 twists. In working with rifles with a 1:9, 1:9.25 and 1:9.5 twist, they will stabilize bullets weighing from 100 to 175 grains. 

For today’s purposes, a Marlin Model XS7 with a 22-inch barrel and 1:9.5-inch barrel twist was selected to develop pet load data and check velocities. For accuracy testing and cross-referencing, a Thompson Center Arms Encore fitted with a 26-inch Match Grade Machine (MGM) barrel with a 1:9-inch twist was used to test select loads listed as potentially most accurate with a given bullet. 

Case capacity will vary from one manufacturer to the next, sometimes significantly. For this reason, it is suggested not to mix cases. Cases with the least capacity will develop greater pressures. Starline cases were initially worked with that proved to be excellent quality and gave minimal case head expansion with maximum loads; however, I did not have enough on hand to shoot the extensive “Pet Loads” data in the accompanying table. I did have a large quantity of new bulk-packed Remington cases and elected to develop all loads using the R-P case. Naturally, they were carefully prepared with flash holes deburred, full-length sized, weight sorted, trimmed, chamfered, etc. to eliminate variables. For the accuracy-minded shooter, case preparation is a crucial step in assembling precision and accurate loads. For those that might be handloading for lever-action or auto-loading rifles, to assure proper chambering of reloaded rounds, cases that have been previously fired, a small base sizing die is suggested. 

If handloading for a rifle chambered for the wildcat 7mm/308 cartridge made prior to 1980, there are probably chamber dimension differences when compared to the SAAMI standardized 7mm-08 Remington. The specifications might be minor and will often permit the use of standard 7mm-08 reloading dies and cases, but other rifles may not accept a SAAMI specification cartridge.

If you have a wildcat version, proceed with caution, checking chamber leade and other dimensions prior to loading ammunition and firing the rifle. 

Due to the moderate powder charge weights, standard large rifle primers are suggested, and they offer plenty of energy to achieve reliable ignition. CCI BR-2 standard large rifle primers are used exclusively herein. 

Many powders produced excellent results in the 7mm-08 that included both spherical and extruded propellants. Burn rates selected included powders starting with IMR-8208 XBR on the fast side to Alliant Reloder 19, IMR-4831 and Ramshot Hunter on the slow side. Powders with a burn rate similar to 4350 are mainstream choices for most bullet weights. 

Spherical powders have become better and better and in many instances gave impressive velocities, low extreme spreads and excellent accuracy. One initial advantage is that they meter with great consistency and, when thrown from a quality powder measure, charge weights are virtually the same from one charge to the next. 

For those trying to speed up the reloading process, they are great choices. Winchester W-760, Hodgdon H-414 and Accurate A-2700 are proven choices that performed well with a variety of bullet weights. Winchester StaBALL 6.5 is a high-tech powder that is winning matches, is temperature insensitive and often produces top velocities. For example, 48.5 grains pushed the 140-grain Nosler Ballistic Tip to 2,943 fps. To put this in perspective, the 270 Winchester loaded with a 140-grain bullet is listed at 2,950 fps, but from most rifles with a 22-inch barrel that load usually clocks below 2,900 fps. Ramshot Big Game and Hunter also produced top overall performance. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR gave some very impressive velocities with a wide range of bullet weights. For example, 49.0 grains pushed the 120-grain Hornady V-MAX to 3,151 fps, while 47.0 grains pushed the 139-grain Hornady SST bullet to 2,929 fps, both of which are substantial velocity gains over listed factory load ballistics. 

Extruded powders still perform very well, and many match target shooters continue to win with them. A few standout examples are IMR-8208 XBR, IMR-4064, Hodgdon Varget, H-4350, H-4895, Vihtavuori N-140, N-150, N-160, Alliant RL-15, RL-17 and RL-19.

Suffice to say that the selection of great 7mm bullets is extensive and includes match, varmint and big-game hunting versions for any practical application ranging from coyotes to moose to African plains game. Various 139- and 140-grain bullets remain top choices for hunting deer-sized game and include the Nosler Ballistic Tip, AccuBond and Partition, Hornady SST and Swift A-Frame. For heavier species, various

150-grain bullets are also excellent choices and can be pushed to 2,700 to 2,750 fps with select powders for a respectable flat trajectory at normal hunting distances. For moose and heavy, thin-skinned African game, the 140-grain Barnes Tipped Triple Shock X-Bullet and heavily constructed 160- to 175-grain bullets such as the Swift A-Frame and Nosler Partition are excellent choices; however, don’t expect them to expand the same as 7mm Magnums at longer distances.

As can be seen in the accompanying “Pet Loads” table, many handloads offered a significant improvement over factory load performance. While many older powders still performed extremely well, new powders and bullets are serving to make the 7mm-08 better than ever. Regardless, it is a truly outstanding cartridge that is capable of taking most thin-skinned game from mice to moose with correct loads. It offers long barrel life, efficiency, accuracy, modest recoil and is housed in short-action rifles. No wonder it remains popular after 46 years.