I tried out some of my reloads with 139 SST's and Reloader 15 and Varget in my 7-08 Encore. Got decent 1 1/2" groups with most but at the end I shot Factory 140 grain Fed. Fusion and velocity was right up there with max load of Varget and a nice 3/4" 4 shot group. Which being a greenhorn pistol shooter was better than I thought I was capable of shooting. Velocities of Fed was 2520 3 shots in a row and 2544 for the other. I guess I should be happy, but due to reloads being cheaper I was disappointed with my reloads. I did all the headspace tricks with the brass, seated the bullet out about .025 off, etc. The fed's are seated much deaper for my long throated factory barrel, but results are results. I guess I will try some other bullets next and play with seating depths. I was very impressed with the Fed. factory ammo. Since the season starts next Sat. I will hunt with the Fusion, but will resume reloads after the season. Do you think that factory crimping is helping it? I have never done that step but I wonder? Any other suggestions on technique, bullet, powder, etc?

I wouldn't worry about the crimp. I would try a different bullet, not that there's anything wrong with SST's, but some guns just have preferences. If you only shot one 3/4 inch group with the Fusion that's not really a definitive test either. Obviously there are quite a few variables.

The SST's, from what I have found, like to be in the range of .005" to .010" off the lands. The jacket is pretty soft and can have a tendancy to deform a little if you give it too much of a jump. I know .015-.020" doesn't sound like much, but it can make a pretty big difference.

Like Gary said, I would shoot some more fusions to see if they will hold.

atk actualy released the fusion bullets this year to the reloading world i heard.. might want to see if any one has them for sale yet.. but if not you can give it till spring and get your self some

crimp wise i usualy wait till the very end to play with if i deside i need too ... first is powder load then bullet depth then i would even try a primer change if i could just to see what if any good would do..

yep...try more groups if you wanna verify the factory ammo really does shoot good consistently.

there is MORE to reloading than just loading up one, and only one load, to see how she shoots!
reloading quality ammo requires experimentation. sometimes quite a bit of it to find the load a gun likes. start with a bullet you wanna use and pick 2 or 3 powders to try. start with one combo and work up in .5gr increments or powder charge(depending on cartridge size). if nothing in accuracy shows, then you move to the next powder choice. if a bullet will just not shoot, try the second choice.
read the reloading manuals. they should explain in more detail.

personally, i wouldn't waste my time messing with crimping reloads, unless a straightwall case.

If your reloads were going into 1 1/2" at 100 for 5 shots, that's not too bad for a new shooter. That's still a 3" group at 200 yards. Very minute of deer. If the Fusion went into 3/4" for 4 I'll bet the 5th shot would have opened that up some.

The reloads only lacked 24fps of the factory, this is a non issue especially for hunting. The deer would never know if the bullet was started 200 fps slower than the factory. That 139gr bullet is going to do well on deer. You are on the right track, a little more practice and a little confidence in your reloads and all is well.

I'm with Kyode and Tigger on this one.

try 139 SpBt's... I have tried 140 & 150 Nosler's, 139 SpBt's & SST's, and 162 SST & SpBt's. My two best loads were 139 SpBts, and 42grs of RL15 and 162 SST and IMR 4064. The 162's kick like a mule but were VERY accurate out of 3 different 7mm 08 barrels. The 139 SpBt's and RL15 have shot in every 7mm08 that I have put them in. I actually got the load from a Teck from TC's Custom Shop!

All good info. I'd also check the runout on your loaded rounds,if the bullet isn't heading srtaight down the barrel seating depth won't much matter.JMHO

Thanks for the info guys! I am not new to reloading and have developed some good loads in my other TC .243 barrel as well as my bolt guns. So far I have tried 2 powders RL 15 and Varget. I will play with my seating depth some but I have to admit on this barrel it seems that I have to seat it way out to put the bullet where I normally do. It is long throated. I shot the Fed's last year and they shot under 1" so I think it is just a nice fit for the gun. Sunday I shot a 1 3/4" 3 shot group at 200 yards off of a bench in the back of my truck so I think the Fusions are the real deal. I'll keep trying differnt reloads, I guess that is half the fun, but this Saturday the Encore will have a Fed. Fusion in the chamber waiting for a big Indiana buck!

I'm not saying that RL15 and Varget are the same powder by any means, but from my experiences in the 308 sized cases they are almost identical in results. You might want to give another powder a try. Just a thought.

It sounds like the Fusion is going to work for you this year until you can try more combos of reloads and find a good one.

I've found the same thing.