Frustrated with my 7mm08 reloads

[357Maximum]

I have been struggling with good load combinations for my Remington 700 LVSS . I haven't actually had a shot on a Deer with it yet, but accuracy is not what I am satisfied with.
I expect all my bottleneck cartridges to be sub-MOA , and this one isn't.
Any recommendations I.E. Powder / Bullet combinations?
I have tried a number of Scopes and nothing helps.
The current set-up is.
Luepold 3-9x40 VX-I

[Adam Helmer]

357 Maximum,


What groups are you getting from this rifle? If you need sub-MOA, will you hunt off the bench, or do you get sub-MOA from hunting positions? Maybe your expectations are not obtainable from the hunting positions and maybe are not needed for big game.

Adam

[Rapier]

357,
I expect that you know all of the standard tricks, .003 off the lands, necksizing, etc. I had a buddy that bought an Encore that was a cow pie.... four inch groups. We finally got it down to 1.5 inches but that was it. I finally told him to go buy a 700. Sounds like you might have a 700 with a problem.

I build 700 based custom guns, so lets start with a short list:

1)Check the muzzle to make sure it is not dinged in any way. Cut 3 or 4 narrow strips of credt card. Remove the barreled action. Place the strips into the stock recoil lug slot and tighten the action screws, starting with the rear screw first. This should free float the barrel. Check with a dollar bill. See if the free float helps any.

Gun new in box? If not, strip the bore, plug chamber and fill with Shooter Choice, sit in corner for 1 week.

Action beded? No, Glass bed the action, 100% front to back.

Barrel free floated? No, freefloat the barrel with the glass bedding job.

Now with a solid action, freefloated barrel and brite steel bore you are ready.

The 7-08 should shoot with the following load which is not a hot load: 34 gr of 748 with a 150 Sierra MK. This is my standard test load for a 7-08. The gun should shoot .5 to .75 at 100.
Ed

[357Maximum]

Originally posted by Rapier
357,
I expect that you know all of the standard tricks, .003 off the lands, necksizing, etc. I had a buddy that bought an Encore that was a cow pie.... four inch groups. We finally got it down to 1.5 inches but that was it. I finally told him to go buy a 700. Sounds like you might have a 700 with a problem.

I build 700 based custom guns, so lets start with a short list:

1)Check the muzzle to make sure it is not dinged in any way. Cut 3 or 4 narrow strips of credt card. Remove the barreled action. Place the strips into the stock recoil lug slot and tighten the action screws, starting with the rear screw first. This should free float the barrel. Check with a dollar bill. See if the free float helps any.

Gun new in box? If not, strip the bore, plug chamber and fill with Shooter Choice, sit in corner for 1 week.

Action beded? YES
Glass bed the action?100% front to back.YES



The 7-08 should shoot with the following load which is not a hot load: 34 gr of 748 with a 150 Sierra MK. This is my standard test load for a 7-08. The gun should shoot .5 to .75 at 100.
Ed

I purchased the Gun new, and it is a good shooter. I have had several groups in the .550 range (5 @100) but not in a bullet I would shoot at Deer.
Light bullets are prefered by this gun, but I want alittle more down range energy. I get approx 1.75" groups off the bench with the heavier bullets which is exceptable for hunting, but not for my confidence.
I am going to try again with IMR 4350 and some 139gr Hornady Interlocks. Hopefully the top end will be what the 708 likes.
I have some 748 but no 150 grainers.
I will give the 748 a try with the 139's

Thanks for the help.

[Cossack]

Varget and 140m gr Barnes TSX makes my 7/08 sing. It may not be as quite as fast as IMR 4350 but it is very accurate for me.

[skeet]

My Rem 7 MS full stock rifle shoots it's best groups with 120 gr bullets. ...3/4 to an inch consistently. I like the 140 gr bullet for deer etc and the best I can get out of them are groups of 1 1/4 in. Since it is a custom shop rifle done for one of the Remington Reps it was expected to shoot good groups...which it does... especially for a Mannlicher stocked rifle. I am happy enough with the 1 1/4 groups with my hunting loads..I mean I'll probably only push my shots to 250 yds and 1 1/4 in is surely angle of deer. JMO

[Dan in the Delta]

Try the 140 gr TSX and Varget (as previously suggested by Cossack). Somewhere around 41.5 to 42 grs. (work up of course) should be maximum.

Cossack, what's you max load and what primer and brass are you using?

[Ol` Joe]

1 more vote for Varget and either a 139 or 140 gr bullet. I`ve also had good luck with a stiff load of IMR4350 and the same bullets.

[Cossack]

Dan,
I'm loading 40.5 grs of Varget with my 140 TSX's, in Rem cases and CCI 200 primers. It's most accurate when set approx .030 off lands. This load crons very close to 2800 fps from a 22" barreled Kimber Montana. Any more than that in this tight-chambered barrel and the bolt starts to get sticky. This load makes this little rifle hit like it's on STEROIDS.