7mm-08 120 ttsx Elk

migolito · May 28, 2014

Hello all,
I didn't draw a thing this year so, I'll be heading to Utah for Spike Elk and BackPack hunting. I'd like to pack my 7m-08 and have loaded some 120grn ttsx @ 3050 fps. These are very good on deer, however, I haven't shot an elk with this load. Anyone have experience with the 120gr ttsx on elk?

BTW, my son killed an elk with this rifle using old 150gn tsx. I wasn't impressed with the performance, but, I'm thinking the 150 gr was moving @ about 2600fsp and failed to expand.

MaineFlatlander · May 28, 2014

Used on a cow moose in Utah. About 75 yards. I found the perfect clover leaf shape just under the hide on the off side. She went about ten yards. It will work but if possible I'd step up the the 140 TTSX.

littlebighorn · May 28, 2014

I too think a 120g is a pretty small pill for an elk size animal.
I would certainly not use it on longer ranges or funky angles.

IMO

Smokepole · May 28, 2014

My daughter used her 7mm-08 with 140 grain on her LE elk hunt in 2012. I told her to unload her clip if it was still on the hoof. She dropped her bull with three bullets, all in the boiler room. The bull was at ~70 yards. She took a cow elk at 150 yards the previous year, two shots.

The 7mm-08 will work but, you need to know your limits.

Smokepole

utah450 · May 29, 2014

I have had great success with the 100 gr ttsx out of a 25-06 on cow elk. When shooting the Barnes it is important to know your velocities at range. I wouldn't recommend shooting a spike at a range where your velocity falls below 1800fps. It just takes that much speed for the bullet to open up and do the job.

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vinihunt · May 30, 2014

my son used 7mm08 with 140 grain and 1 shot and killed this nice cow at 300 yard...
vinihunt

Vanilla · May 30, 2014

I'm not personally experienced with the load, but I think if you acknowledge that you will have some limitations you will be fine.

You're probably not bringing down a bull at 400 yards with that load. But lots of guys can't with bigger calibers and cartridges either.

saddlesorerider · Jun 1, 2014

My daughter shot a 5X5 in NM with the 120 gr TTSX Vortex load out of a 20 in barrel 700 Remington Youth gun. Bullet hit the close shoulder and angled out thru the neck. Bull dropped on the spot. 225 yards.
However, we also sat and watched a couple nice bulls out in the open at 400 yards with a very heavy cross wind and she did not try that shot.
I shoot Barnes out of all my elk guns and never have had one fail.

CHWino_1 · Jun 1, 2014

I've shot and loaded for 7mm-08 for 25 years. My usual load is 120 ballistic tip but I'm a blacktail/hog hunter. I've shot a truckload of good sized pigs and never had any trouble.

I think with that 120 TSX and the speed its going it would have some serious smack. As long as you can get that projectile into the lungs, it should turn them into jelly.

Cow Tag · Jun 9, 2014

Is a 7mm-08 a 7mm bullet loaded into necked down .308 brass? About what other caliber is this cartridge equal to? I love my old 7mm Remington magnum and thought that I would ask this question. Any comments would be appreciated.

migolito · Jun 17, 2014

LAST EDITED ON Jun-17-14 AT 05:44PM (MST)[p]Yup, the 7mm-08 is a necked down 308. I'm getting north of 3250FPS for a 120ttsx. I've decided to go with my 280AI, it shoots the same FPS with a 145LRX.

wildwilderness · Jun 18, 2014

LAST EDITED ON Jun-18-14 AT 10:47AM (MST)[p]yes its a .308 necked to .284 (7mm) People like to compare it to a 270Win. though the 270 generally has more velocity- 140gr bullet factory ammo 7mm-08=2850fps vs 270=2950fps

BuzzH · Jun 18, 2014

I've yet to find the "limit" where a 7-08 is ineffective on elk. I also dont know much about the 120 ttsx, but I think it would work.

However, I do hear good things about the 140 accubonds from the 7-08 on elk....

202 yards one shot MV 2930:

http://photos.imageevent.com/buzzandpat/elkhunting/websize/IMG_0878.JPG[/img

These with another 7-08 MV 2850

140 yards, one shot:

[img]http://photos.imageevent.com/buzzandpat/elkhunting/websize/IMG_0458.JPG

60 seconds later and 170 yards, one shot:

250 yards, one shot:

487 yards, one shot:

Recoverd the bullet on this one, right under the hide on the off-side shoulder:

70 yards, hard quartering toward, one shot:

Typical performance, from the cow I shot at 140 yards:

Entry side:

Exit:

May give the 7-08 another go this year...just in case it was a fluke.

Silentstalker · Jun 18, 2014

That Barnes 120 will do the job for sure. Like Buzz showed, the 140 gr. Accubond is lethal on elk. Shot placement and a good bullet will do the job every time. Good luck on your hunt!

mtnrunner260 · Jun 20, 2014

Buzz,
You reloading those accubonds? If so I'd like to hear your recipe.

Zeke · Jun 20, 2014

There ain't no flies on the 7mm-08 and the same can be said of the 120 TSX Barnes or 140AB.

The Barnes X, Nosler Accubond or the Partition are my bullets of choice for all big game hunting. While there are other great bullets, the above have my vote and total faith in their performance.

Load 'em up and get to killin'. End of story!

Zeke

deerslayer88 · Jun 20, 2014

I am a huge Hornady fan, but the Barnes fly straighter. I am a little cheap when it comes to bullets as I could only tell 1/2 inch difference between the Barnes and Hornady bullets I have shot.

?If men were angels, no government would be
necessary.? John Adams

BuzzH · Jun 20, 2014

mtnrunner260,

Yep, rolling my own...WW cases, cci 250 mag primers, and 43.0 grains varget. I get 2930 fps from a 23" barrel on one rifle, 2850 fps from a 24" barrel with the other rifle. Both Rem. 700's barrels by pacnor.

Deleted member 519 · Jun 20, 2014

LAST EDITED ON Jun-20-14 AT 07:37PM (MST)[p]Why such a light bullet? The BC isn't very good with that bullet. I would look at loading a 150 gr or at the bare minimum the same bullet in 140 gr. I have had same experience with Barnes not expanding very well out of my 300. With a 7mm-08 you don't need a super tough bullet at those lower speeds. I'd consider 150 gr regular soft point boat tail if it was up to me.

deerfanatic · Jun 21, 2014

We have had good luck with the 7mm-08 as well. I would stay away from the TTSX though. The accubond in 140 gr is much better over a wide velocity range. I think you are limiting your effective range with the Barnes. While you would be shooting flatter, your bullet performance is about like a solid point once it slows down.

mtnrunner260 · Jun 22, 2014

Thanks for the info buzz.
I'll have to give the mag primers a try.

sageadvice · Jun 23, 2014

I like the accubond bullet a lot. I hear great things of Barnes from people who use them a lot and am trying them in a hunter of mine at present.

I believe that that 120gr Barnes loading in that cartridge would be a effective load just as far out or close in as that Accubond loading would be. To me, it's a draw as to which i'd rather hunt with, both a tad on the light side but sound choices in that cartridge for elk.

Joey

"It's all about knowing what your firearms practical limitations are and combining that with your own personal limitations!"

BuzzH · Jun 23, 2014

Funny stuff...a 140 accubond from a 7-08 is on the light side for elk, but a 160 accubond from a 7 RM is fine.

Carry on.

sageadvice · Jun 23, 2014

Buzz, You don't see me knocking the excellent qualities and hunting potential of a good bullet pushing 3000 FPS from a 7mm-08. I consider it a great cartridge for both beginners and the advanced shooter alike.

Funny to you or not, many consider any weight bullet from a .284 cartridge, capable but a little on the light side for elk. You know as well as any that it's more about shot selection, accuracy, and staying within ones limits, than it is about how "big" your cartridge is.

Joey

"It's all about knowing what your firearms practical limitations are and combining that with your own personal limitations!"

Zeke · Jun 23, 2014

I've always looked at it this way:
A 22-250 isn't much different than a .243, isn't much diff than a 25-06, isn't much different than a 270, isn't much diff than a 284, isn't much diff than30-06, 300 mag, 300super duper mag, 338 edge.....
Why Hell, a 22-250 is the same as a 338 Edge! NOT

I think a guy just has to set his own limits based on his experience. If he has no experience hopefully he take suggestions from someone who does.
Then whatever he settles on go out and practice x5 (most guys skip this step) and get to killin'.
It's too late to worry about all this crap when you're in the field.

Zeke