Looking at some different ammo configurations for my wife's 7mm-08 for her cow hunt this fall. Came across a nice deal on hsm ammo with berger vld bullets. Anyone have an opinion on how this bullet will work with a slower and more "close range" type of a caliber? I like the theory of this bullet but never shot it myself. My go-to bullet will be the accubond, it has never disappointed me in other calibers but I'm open to suggestions and nosler ammo is spendy $$$ although high quality. Will probably stick with factory ammo at least till I get some brass stocked up. It's not something that will get shot a whole bunch but will get used on both elk and deer. Any opinions are appreciated. Thanks.
7mm-08 elk ammo
- Thread starter CForest
- Start date
Slugz
Veteran member
Raised 2 kids and wife and all first elk were taken by a 7mm-08. Partitions in the thick timber and Accubonds for the ones taken in open parks/distance. I use it for my longer pack in trips due to overall size of gun and ease of swing in the timber. All were hand loaded. Do a quick search and their are a few threads on the 7mm-08 on here.
I personally wouldn't be putting a factory load Berger combo in it. That's a great bullet don't get me wrong, but I don't think you will reap the benefits it provides due to its a factory load and the tolerances of manufacture will be large so they can fit in many different guns. Those bullets (my max accuracy load) like only a very small jump into the barrel and always didn't fit in my mag. When I put them in farther they lost accuracy. Factory in your speed and relatively short shot distances also and don't think its worth it.
Now that's just me. Any elk 200-300 yards and less isn't gonna know the difference hit by a Berger, Nosler product or any other high end bullet. I've had very good luck with the Remington factory ammo in our 7mm-08. They offer a couple different combo bullets.
I personally wouldn't be putting a factory load Berger combo in it. That's a great bullet don't get me wrong, but I don't think you will reap the benefits it provides due to its a factory load and the tolerances of manufacture will be large so they can fit in many different guns. Those bullets (my max accuracy load) like only a very small jump into the barrel and always didn't fit in my mag. When I put them in farther they lost accuracy. Factory in your speed and relatively short shot distances also and don't think its worth it.
Now that's just me. Any elk 200-300 yards and less isn't gonna know the difference hit by a Berger, Nosler product or any other high end bullet. I've had very good luck with the Remington factory ammo in our 7mm-08. They offer a couple different combo bullets.
Slugz is spot on in IMO. For example, Federal has 140 partitions, 150 hot core, and several others in 7-08, should the good ole Rem green box not be your cup of tea. Others like Hornady/Win etc do as well. I'm sure the HSM Berger's would work just fine too. My 7-08 likes Nos BT's and Rem Corelokts in 140 gr. Most any purpose built big game bullet in a 7-08 will work great for cow elk at reasonable ranges. It's moderate velocity does not necessarily call for a premium bullet, but it works just fine with one. Slip any reasonable BG bullet between the slats and get out your knife.
colohunter
New Member
- May 25, 2016
- 26
- 1
I've killed a handful of Bull elk with a 7mm-08 and 140 Accubonds. I have them loaded pretty hot but a factory offering would work too. For elk, cow or bull, I would stick to a premium bullet regardless of caliber. Accubond, TSX, etc. I like to make sure there are two holes. It can be tough to track an elk in thick timber with only a .284 hole in one side of them. Do cup and core (VLD's incl'd) bullets and B-tips kill just fine, yes; but is tracking easy without an exit hole, not generally. I've stumbled upon too many elk ithat were shot in the vitals without an exit wound and left to rot cause someone couldn't track them. If your gun doesnt like any of the premium bullets for some reason and you have to go with a cup and core or B-tip, make sure to shoot in the lower third of the vitals such that as the chest cavity fills up the blood will drain. High shots and small hole = Lost elk.
The Accubond and the VLD bullets are at opposite ends of the spectrum. The Accubond as you said has never let you down is made to hold together and give maximum penetration. The VLD made to penetrate 2-3 inches then fragment.
To me it's a no brainer the Accubond will work in any situation. How will the VLD work if your wife does not have the perfect broadside shot and possibly hits the shoulder?
To me it's a no brainer the Accubond will work in any situation. How will the VLD work if your wife does not have the perfect broadside shot and possibly hits the shoulder?
Hilltop
Veteran member
My wife took her cow elk 2 years ago with 140 grain partitions out of her 7mm-08. It worked good enough I wouldn't hesitate to use the combo as my backup gun on my next elk hunt.
Ok thanks guys, I think I better just stick with what I know works. The accubond, with second choice a barnes ttsx. If anyone comes across some deals on either of the two in a factory setup please let me know.
HiMtnHnter
Active Member
I've been working on a 7mm-08 for my son's first year hunting. I have the 140 partitions shooting well and have found a load that he will use. I'm actually quite impressed with sierra gamekings out of this rifle @ .5" moa, but think we'll stick to partitions for elk, which are grouping just under an inch. Good luck, the 08 is a great cartridge. Now I want one!
Funny, I ended up doing just that years ago, after getting my son a 7-08, when I already shot a 280. Got one in a short light version, Rem M7 SS 20" barrel. I use it often if I am hunting in cover, for a truck gun when out and about, and it still has the legs to reach out to 350+. It shoots nearly everything well, 1 - 1.5moa, and nothing great, under .75moa, but sees lots of use. Topped with the old style Leupold 3x9x33 compact scope, it is almost a perfect mini rifle with a big punch.