What would you consider the maximum hunting range for a 7mm-08 with 120 gr BT, 130 gr SMK, 140 gr BT?
nmhunter

Assuming that you are hunting deer...each bullet listed will perform well to at least 300yds. I used a 154gr SST from a 7-08 last year with great success on deer to 270yds. That said...I felt that it was certainly capable of another 100yds with the energy number remaining at that distance. I've not run the number on the lighter bullets but I really like the 154gr SST w/ the .525 BC. Each deer I shot was DRT after a short jump, flop and roll which covered less than 15 yards.

Becareful where you mention hunting w/ SMK's...some people (none here that I know of) will get a little testy about using Match bullets for hunting.

i'd agree with dan there

Thanks guys, I have a 7-08 in a HS that I haven't spent much time with. Plan on using it on an antelope hunt (if I get drawn) I figured 300-350 would be the max effective range. I haven't tried the SMK's yet but will probably start load development later this month.
Dan how was the hornady's for accuracy?
nmhunter

I use the 120 and 140 Nosler balistic tip with great accuracy in my 15" Encore. The SMK shoots extremely fine. I have not used it on deer though. The 168 SMK is the only bullet that will shoot 1/2MOA in my .308 Rem M700P so guess what I used for deer last year? Believe it or not, my Encore 7-08 and the Nosler combo luvs WW748. Range? I think the 7-08 and Nosler will kill deer and other big varmints cleanly as far as you can hit it good!

The Hornady would shoot as well as the gun would let it...huh, you say?! I was having some grouping issues with this gun and I think I figured it out...but MOA to 300 yds was pretty easy. I've run some through a Rem 700 .280AI and half MOA is the norm.

For shooting antelope...I'd say the 140's are plenty or pill.

You can do quite a bit with a 7mm-08. My longest shot was on medium sized mulie bucks, two of which were over 350 yards and one buck antelope beyond that range too. I ended up going to the 284 Win for flatter trajectory and more punch and I was thinking elk also.
All of this was with a 140 NBT. The XP I am referring to was extremely accurate, as it would shoot in the .2's with my hunting load.

Not here yet.
Kirby was not sure whether he would be test firing it on Monday or Tuesday.
Realistically, I won't have any time to spend on it till next week anyway. Kirby may take and post some pics beofre I even get it.