7mm08 120gr VMAX loads

[Rob55au]

Has anyone used this projectile and what game.what were the results like.
Mainly going to be used under light for vermin control.
What loads also.
I've only ever used heavier weights in the 7mm08,150gr and above
Thankyou

[Mallee Cat]

Has anyone used this projectile and what game.what were the results like.
Mainly going to be used under light for vermin control.
What loads also.
I've only ever used heavier weights in the 7mm08,150gr and above
Thankyou

Gday Rob55au, Ive used them on goats.
The 120 Vmax, despite its weight, is a varmint bullet & quite explosive. The Nosler 120 BT is a harder bullet that will give more penetration, but the 120 Vmax will kill anything up to goats & fallow deer no problem.

[Jorlcrin]

Has anyone used this projectile and what game.what were the results like.
Mainly going to be used under light for vermin control.
What loads also.
I've only ever used heavier weights in the 7mm08,150gr and above
Thankyou

I have a Tikka T3 Stainless Hunter Fluted (22.5" barrel, and 1:9.5" twist).


Distance-Shooting mate set up the load for me; he had some difficulty in getting it to group overly well.
He struggled with the heavier projectiles, but eventually started to get groupings on the 120Vmax pills down to around 3/4".
His suspicion was the projectiles needed seating further out, but at the time, we didnt have the long bolt-stop, or any longer length mags, so we didnt pursue it, once we had a decent-enough hunting load for the 120's.

Shot quite a few pigs, hoppys, cats and rabbits with this load, and it's worked well.
Nailed a crow at 340 metres Centre-of-caw! - probably one of my most satisfying shots.

Load is 44.7gns of AR2208, with a COL of 2.790".
Departs at ~3080fps. MV
No serious pressure signs, despite this being at the top end of ADI recommended load for a 120gn B-Tip.
I have also loaded 100gn Speer HP loads in this rifle with 45gns AR2208, with a COL of 2.685", and they ended up grouping pretty well, but I have no idea the MV on them.

[Standard Disclaimer] NOTE: DO NOT USE ANY LOAD without testing first - Load at the ADI Starting Load, and work up, if you are seeing no adverse signs.
These loads work in my rifle, but there's no certainty they will behave themselves in yours.

[Wapiti]

My mate has a 7-08 made up on a Rem 700 308 Titanium action with a TSE fluted stainless 22" barrel, I think a fluted N0.5 profile, with a HS Precision alloy bedded stock.
He's coming out for a shoot this weekend actually.
I well remember his issues with the 120gn VMax, it's way too explosive for general hunting, and IMHO is NOT a small deer cartridge. Yes some will do it, but to me it's not adequate for all circumstances nor ethical just because it shoots accurately.
Before anyone has kittens, I said IMHO and my experience watching him here using them. It caused him (and me) some grief.
He has settled on the 140's and 160's in Nosler BT's and the thing has become a reliable dispatcher of whatever is causing trouble here.
Although I was surprised how mild the speed of these projectiles are when chrony'd, but that makes absolutely no difference or issues on animals despite everyone's need for speed being the cure to all ills.

If people want a varmint rifle performance from a larger cartridge, then stick to varmints.