Hornady Whitetail 7mm-08 Rem 139gr SST – Great Deer Load

Description

The 7mm-08 is what you get when someone necks a 308 case down to 7mm and gets everything right. The Hornady Whitetail 7mm-08 Rem 139gr SST is that cartridge with a modern polymer tipped bullet at a price that lets you shoot it. Mild recoil, excellent sectional density and a bullet that opens the way a deer bullet should.

• Why 7mm bullets do more than their weight suggests
• Full specifications
• The short action that punches above its weight
• Honest notes before you buy
• Ammunition supply and a note on elk
• The bottom line

Why 7mm bullets do more than their weight suggests

A 139 grain 7mm bullet is longer and narrower than a 139 grain 30 caliber bullet would be, which gives it better sectional density and a better form factor. That means the Hornady Whitetail 7mm-08 Rem 139gr SST penetrates deeper and flies flatter than the modest numbers imply, out of a short action rifle with very manageable recoil.

At 2860 feet per second with 2471 foot pounds, the Hornady Whitetail 7mm-08 Rem 139gr SST sits comfortably between a 243 and a 308 in power while kicking closer to the 243. For a great many hunters that is the sweet spot, and it is why the 7mm-08 has quietly built such a loyal following.

Full specifications

• Caliber: 7mm-08 Remington
• Bullet weight: 139 grain
• Bullet: SST polymer tipped with InterLock ring
• Muzzle velocity: 2860 fps
• Muzzle energy: 2471 ft-lbs
• Case: reloadable boxer primed brass
• Quantity: 20 rounds per box
• Line: Hornady American Whitetail Tipped
• Hornady item 80578

The SST bullet is a polymer tipped boat tail with an InterLock ring machined into the jacket. The tip starts expansion reliably and improves flight, and the ring keeps the jacket and core together while the bullet opens. In the Hornady Whitetail 7mm-08 Rem 139gr SST that means fast expansion without the bullet coming apart on the way in.

The short action that punches above its weight

Whitetails, mule deer, black bear, hogs and antelope are all comfortably handled by the Hornady Whitetail 7mm-08 Rem 139gr SST inside 300 yards. The 7mm-08 fits a short action, which means a lighter and stiffer rifle, and short action rifles tend to shoot well straight out of the box.

Recoil is the quiet argument. The Hornady Whitetail 7mm-08 Rem 139gr SST kicks appreciably less than a 308 with a 150 grain bullet while delivering similar terminal effect on deer, which is why so many people set their families up with this cartridge and then quietly switch to it themselves.

Honest notes before you buy

Twist rate is not a concern. Factory 7mm-08 barrels run 1 in 9.5 inches, which stabilizes a 139 grain bullet without question. Barrel life is excellent because the cartridge burns modest powder for its bore, so the rifle will stay accurate for a very long time.

And be clear that American Whitetail is Hornady’s value line rather than their premium one. It is not match ammunition, and a very particular rifle may shoot something else tighter. In practice most rifles group the Hornady Whitetail 7mm-08 Rem 139gr SST well inside what any hunting shot demands, and the price means you can afford to confirm that for yourself.

Ammunition supply and a note on elk

The 7mm-08 is not rare but it is not stocked as deeply as 308 or 30-06, particularly in smaller shops. If you hunt with one, picking up the Hornady Whitetail 7mm-08 Rem 139gr SST when you see it is sensible rather than assuming it will be there the week before your season. Brass and dies are readily available for handloaders.

On elk, be honest with yourself. People take elk with the 7mm-08 and it works with good placement inside 250 yards. But the SST is a fast expanding design, and for a bull at an awkward angle a heavier bonded bullet is the better tool than the Hornady Whitetail 7mm-08 Rem 139gr SST. For deer sized game none of that applies.

The bottom line

For a short action deer rifle with mild recoil and genuine reach, the Hornady Whitetail 7mm-08 Rem 139gr SST is one of the most sensible boxes you can buy. You can read more about the bullet design at swiftbullets.com, or browse the rest of our stock on the MAG5 Firearms ammunition page.

MAG5 Firearms keeps the Hornady Whitetail 7mm-08 Rem 139gr SST in stock and moving, and we are glad to talk through bullet choice before you order. If you are working up a load for a new rifle, a single box of the Hornady Whitetail 7mm-08 Rem 139gr SST is a sensible place to start.