I started loading .223 awhile back and became so overwhelmed with info, I ended up with 8 powders, 6 different bullet types made by 3 different manufacturers....I would like to avoid this dilemma.

So, I am now preparing to load for 7-08 and have done a TON of reading online. It seems that the 139-140gr projectiles are ideal for hunting and the 168gr projectiles are GREAT for short(100yd) to long range (500+yds) shooting.

Powder:I have Varget and IMR4350

Bullets:I found a great deal on some Nosler 168 Custom Comps and want to pick em up, but 250 bullets is alot of bullets for someone who has never loaded them. I wanted to pick up some Barns Triple Shocks 140gr for hunting and looked at the Berger 168gr VLD's.
What do yall recommend as far as bullet type with the assumption that 140-168gr bullets will be shot?

I do more paper punching than anything else, just wanted to throw it out there.

Rifle:Tikka T3 22" 1:9.5 Twist


I know there is no replacement for load development, however, I am assuming someone here has been through this process and I am interested in getting their feedback. The most recent forum search returned threads from 2009-2012.


Chris

I would recommend going with a 120 grain TTSX instead of the 140. In a mono metal bullet always think light for the caliber.

What is the intended purpose of the load, hunting or plinking?

Sierra is one of my first picks for accurate plinking bullets. They work for hunting ammo but are a little soft for my taste.

i just built up a load for hornady 162gr sst. they are fairly accurate and fairly cheap. havent shot anything yet but everything i have read on them is they are great hunting bullets. just my .02

I planned on having maybe 50 Triple Shocks stored in case I get a call to go hunting. But to work up the load, I purchased 100 Nosler BT 140gr so I have a cheap bullet to shoot at the range while developing a powder load for the 140gr weight. Once I zero in on a charge, I could knock out the Triple Shocks and put them away.


I plan on shooting A LOT of paper and read that the 168SMK's are a good choice. The only reason I picked Nosler is their pricing is a little less and from what I have seen, heard, the quality is on par compared to their early days.



So, I planned on buying a few 140's for load development/hunting and a BUNCH of 168's for plinking....just not sure if the 168 is a good choice as I have read SEVERAL things online. I am sure I will get mixed reviews here, but for some reason I feel more confident with current responses vs 4 year old threads

I did come across a forum last night where there were 4-5 guys talking about the 162...I guess in an attempt to simplify the process, I am weary of the minority....lol

What is your plinking gonna be like? 1000 yards or 1-300? If that's the case get a 140 grain sierra nosler sst etc and run 1 bullet for everything. There is no need for all the different bullets.

If your set on 140 grain for hunting I would shoot something other than barnes.

lol, yeah the distance is a problem...

Elm Fork is my closest range and the max there is 100yds.


I really wanted to work up something I could use incase I was offered a longer distance. But then again, I cant work something up without the range and what works on one gun may not work on another...I guess its the ADD that is causing me to "over prepare".


Why not Barnes and 140gr? Bad combo (speed/weight)or lack of expansion...?

In my experience and many on here will tell you the same thing, if your using a mono-metal bullet barnes, nosler e-tip, hornady GMX etc. you want that bullet going as fast as you can get it, mostly for expansion.

understood

For hunting Texas animals, all bullets will perform, including the Nosler bthp. For the Bergers, they need to be seated touching the lands for them to shoot well. I would start with the 168 Nosler's or the hunting bullet of your choice, and load up some test loads. Varget is a good choice. I know several guys who run a stiff charge of Varget with a 162 A-max as a do-all round (hunting, target, competition, plinking). The 162 A-max and SST are very similar.

If you can seat the bullet out far and gain some internal case volume, then a slower powder like your 4350 would be a good choice with the heavier bullets.

Great info Chad, thanks!

Chad beat me to it.

The guys I know (same as him probably) that use 7mm-08 for everything run a 162 A-max and H-Varget. Varget is my go-to powder for my 22-250 and was the best powder in the world for 308. I think the 7mm-08 guys swear by it as well.

Why would hornady suspend production on the 162 amax if it's so popular especially among guys that shoot/buy a lot?

If I read your post right you are wanting to load 140 NBTs to develop a load to then use on the Barnes. If this is the case I don't think it will work. If you change bullets the load will likely need to be change for best accuracy. Even if they are both 140s. I may be wrong but this has been my experience.

120gr Barnes TTSX rocks out of mine with RL17, .650ish groups. I know RL17 is temp sensitive, but it just shoots so good.

I'm running 140 gr Nosler Accubonds in front of 40 grns of Varget, they shoot well and have killed quite a few deer.

I'm running 162 Amax's with Varget in my AI version and it was an exceptional do all round. On game performance was similar to a ballistic tip style bullet and accuracy is awesome. I've cut back from shooting since the Amax has been suspended for a year I think I have about 750 stashed to get by on. I have a box of the Nosler 168 CC and haven't done anything but open the box and look at them. With that being said it was obvious that their bc was no where near what the Amax is. Here is a deer I got last year with the Amax, he was quartered away slightly and that is the exit you see there. He was hit at a 154 yards but the Amaxs worked all the way out to 450 on pigs and coyotes.