7mm-08 barrel and 120gr bullets?

[Swift One]

Anyone had any luck reloading with 120gr bullets in the 7mm-08 barrel?  Any pet loads?

[Fred M]

I tried the 120g, but if you hit the deer anywhere but the head
you ruin a lot of good meat. Use the 139gr Hornady Interlock and never look back.

[geezer56]

Another vote for the 139 Hornady.  The 120's are a bit explosive for deer.  I shoot a 280, but the 7mm-08 isn't that much behind it on speed.  The 139's leave a quarter sized exit hole, not a lot of bloodshot meat, and a nice blood trail for the short distance it is needed.  I have killed 3 deer with the 280, same results each time.

[44 Man]

I'm just getting set up to load for this cartridge.  I inherited about 100 brass and a few 120 Ballistic tip bullets.  Also some Nosler partition 140s, some Sierra Game king 140s, and a box full of Rem 150 core lock.  I tried to buy some 140 Hornaday interlock (or 140 Rem core lock 2nd choice) but they were both out of stock.  Ended up buying some new Rem 140 tipped, bonded bullets on sale for less money.  I think for my normal hunting (mostly deer and hogs), I will stick to the bonded Rem or try the 150 core locks.  Should be good for now, but I still want some of the Hornadys.  44 Man

[Swift One]

Guess I should have been more specific.  I already have a Stevens in 7mm-08 that I shoot the heavier bullets through.  I want a 7mm-08 barrel for the soul purpose of killing larger preds at ranges of 350 to 400yds.  I am not interested in saving pelts.  I have a 223 barrel if I want a pelt.  I was trying to find out if the 120s shot well through a handi or if they like the heavier bullets better. 

[coues2506]

I get minute of angle accuracy out of my 280 with a 140gr. Nosler Accubond.

[SD Handgunner]

Not in a Handi Rifle but I handloaded 120gr. Nosler Ballsitic Tips for a friends 7mm-08 12" T/C Encore Handgun several years back. I settled on H-4895 Powder with the 120gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips. Out of the 12" Encore Handgun 5 shot 100 yard groups from the bench went between 3/4" to 1". Most of the guys that I know that shoot the 7mm-08 either use H-4895 or VARGET Powders.

Larry

PS I have used the 120gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip out of a couple different 7-30 Waters Contender Handguns to take Whitetails with good results.

[44 Man]

I just found some Hornady 120 gr ssp (single shot pistol) bullets I used in my 7-30 Waters Contender.  I'd bet those would devastate a coyote at 7-08 velocities.  I likely would not use them on deer, at the highter velocities they would be likely to come apart before penatrating deeply.  44 Man

[mitchell]

try varget thats what i used a lot in my old 7mm08 and i always used 120 , but as said they sure do put a hurt on meat, but if your shooting dogs who cares

[Swift One]

Thanks for the replies folks.  I too was thinking that varget was going to be a good choice in powder.  My stevens 200 in 7-08 loves it with 150gr SMKs.