What ~OAL do some of you use on your 7-08? I just started loading for mine and the info I found said 2.80. So I loaded one at that length and it sure does look long??? Could one of you confirm this to be a correct starting length? If not let me know what OAL you use! Thanks

Most of the loads listed in Hodgdon's manual list AOL as 2.8" so I think you're OK.

100gr barnes-2.65
115 gr spr hp-2.655
120 NBT-2.8
130 Sierra-2.8
139 horn-2.8
140 swift-2.75
145 speer-2.730
150 sierra-2.8
154 horn-2.8
160 speer-2.8
162 amax-2.875
168 sierra-2.8
175 NP-2.8

OK, Thanks for the confirmation. I have never loaded 7-08 before today. Also I have never fired any factory ammo. My barrel came in yesterday and I just went straight for the RCBS dies and 7mm sierra 120's (the guy that sold me the barrel was nice enough to through in some brass). Didn't want to waste any money on factory ammo. I loaded 36 grains of IMR 4895 so far. I know this is really light but wanted to fire 10 or so at this charge to get a feel for the gun (first 10 inch barrel) and check recoil etc.

A 10" 7-08, that oughta take the shine offa yer shoes ;-)
I had a 10" 7-30 and it was a little snappy. That was a 'Tender tho and the weight of the Encore should tame it fairly well. Have fun.

You should be fine so long as it chambers easy. You wanna see a long looking cartridge. Load a 140-160gr in a 6.5x55 swede. See if you can a pic of the fire ball you get. I had a 10" 30-30 barrel that from the looks of things, shoulda singed my eye brows.

Well, I shot it this weekend...SWEET! It's already one of my favorites. I started with IMR 4895 at 36 grains and it feels great when it goes off. Accuracy is great and yes it is a flame thrower. I think I'm going to bump it up to 37 grains and call it good. 10 inch barrels are handy guys...some of my other barrels are gettin chopped soon.