Hornady Custom Lite 7mm-08 Remington 120gr SST — 500 Rounds

The Hornady Custom Lite 7mm-08 is the reduced-recoil hunting load in the 7mm-08 Remington category.

A 120-grain SST at 2,675 fps and 1,906 ft-lbs — engineered specifically to cut felt recoil while keeping enough terminal energy for clean kills on deer-class game.

At $X.XX per round for 500 rounds, this is the entry tier in the 7mm-08 cluster — the right choice when recoil management matters more than maximum velocity.

SST — Super Shock Tip, Purpose-Built for the Custom Lite Velocity Window

The SST uses a polymer tip seated into a lead-core InterLock jacket.

On impact, the tip drives into the core, triggering rapid, controlled expansion.

The InterLock ring mechanically bonds the core to the jacket, preventing premature separation — which matters most at the lower impact velocities a reduced-recoil load produces at distance.

The boat-tail base improves BC and downrange stability.

At 120 grains, the SST runs a G1 BC of 0.458 — above average for this weight class.

Why Reduced Recoil Is a Real Caliber Choice

The Hornady Custom Lite 7mm-08 was designed for a specific problem: hunters who benefit from the 7mm-08’s ballistics but find standard loads uncomfortable to practice with.

Youth hunters and smaller-framed shooters get full deer-capable terminal performance without the recoil that builds a flinch across a range session.

Hunters recovering from shoulder injury or surgery can maintain proficiency without stepping down to a smaller caliber.

Guides and instructors running mixed groups find the Custom Lite works reliably across a wider range of shooters without giving up effectiveness.

For shooters without recoil concerns, standard-pressure loads deliver more velocity from the same platform.

Hornady Custom Lite 7mm-08 Specifications

• Caliber: 7mm-08 Remington
• Bullet: 120 grain, SST (Super Shock Tip)
• Muzzle velocity: 2,675 fps (24″ test barrel)
• Muzzle energy: 1,906 ft-lbs
• G1 BC: 0.458
• Sectional density: 0.212
• Application: Deer, antelope, black bear
• Cartridge case: Brass, reloadable
• Primer: Boxer, non-corrosive
• Quantity: 500 rounds

How the Custom Lite Fits the 7mm-08 Cluster

At 120 grains and 2,675 fps, the Hornady Custom Lite 7mm-08 is the entry tier in velocity and price.

The Barnes VOR-TX TTSX runs 120 grains at 3,005 fps — 330 fps faster, all-copper, $1.76/round.

The Hornady Precision Hunter ELD-X runs 150 grains at 2,770 fps — heavier bullet, higher BC, $1.00/round.

The Custom Lite SST fills the recoil-managed position: where the intended shooter is not the same as the shooter those two loads are optimized for.

7mm-08 Remington — Caliber Context

The 7mm-08 Remington necks the .308 Winchester case to .284 caliber.

It produces .30-06-class terminal performance on deer with noticeably less recoil — one of the most efficient medium-bore hunting cartridges in production.

Effective on deer, antelope, and black bear inside 400 yards.

The Custom Lite version delivers approximately 150–200 fps less muzzle velocity than standard loads.

At hunting distances under 300 yards, the velocity difference has minimal effect on terminal performance against deer-class animals.

Ballistics at 200 Yards

The Hornady Custom Lite 7mm-08 produces the following from a 24-inch barrel: 2,675 fps and 1,906 ft-lbs at the muzzle.

At 200 yards: retained velocity approximately 2,340 fps, retained energy approximately 1,458 ft-lbs.

Both well above the 1,000 ft-lbs threshold widely cited for clean kills on deer-class game.

Shorter youth-rifle barrels (20–22 inches) typically cost 25–40 fps versus the 24-inch test barrel.

Confirm your specific zero before season. Shorter barrels are common in youth models chambered for this caliber.

Buying 500 Rounds of Hornady Custom Lite 7mm-08

A 500-round case provides the largest per-round savings and ensures consistent lot numbers across your full season — the same powder charge, the same primer, the same zero from the first box to the last.

For households with more than one shooter in 7mm-08, a case simplifies keeping both rifles zeroed to the same ammunition.

Browse our full 7mm-08 Remington ammunition selection. Specifications are published by SAAMI and by Hornady directly. Safe storage guidance is available from the NSSF.

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SHORT DESCRIPTION (above Add to Cart)

Hornady Custom Lite 7mm-08 Remington. 120-grain SST, 2,675 fps, 1,906 ft-lbs. Reduced-recoil hunting load — built for youth hunters, smaller-framed shooters, and anyone who wants full deer-capable terminal performance with less push. SST polymer tip, InterLock bonded core, G1 BC 0.458. Brass, reloadable. 500 rounds.

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💬 Before You Go — Hunting With Reduced-Recoil 7mm-08?

Using the Custom Lite SST in the field on deer or other game? Leave a review with the rifle, distance, and species — especially youth or first-season results. Reduced-recoil performance data from real hunts helps other buyers decide confidently. And if you came looking for a 7mm-08 load we don’t carry, tell us. 🎯

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Please purchase and use ammunition responsibly and in accordance with all federal, state and local laws. Ammunition cannot be shipped to all jurisdictions — verify legal shipment to your address before ordering. Buyers must be of legal age in their jurisdiction. Not for sale to prohibited persons. Ballistics data sourced from Hornady published specifications; actual performance varies with barrel length, temperature, and individual firearm.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hornady Custom Lite and how does it differ from standard Custom? Custom Lite is Hornady’s reduced-recoil hunting line. It uses the same bullet designs as the standard Custom line — SST, InterLock, FTX — but with a downloaded propellant charge that cuts felt recoil noticeably. Terminal performance is maintained for hunting use; muzzle velocity is lower than full-power loads by approximately 150–200 fps.

Is the 120gr SST accurate enough for deer hunting out of a reduced-recoil load? Yes. The SST’s G1 BC of 0.458 produces a flat enough trajectory for clean shots on deer at typical field distances. At 200 yards with a 200-yard zero, drop is minimal and energy retention well exceeds the 1,000 ft-lbs threshold for deer-class animals.

Who is this load specifically designed for? Youth hunters, smaller-framed adults, hunters with shoulder injuries or recoil sensitivity, and guides who want a single load that works comfortably for mixed-ability groups. For shooters without recoil concerns, full-pressure 7mm-08 loads deliver more velocity.

How does the 120gr Custom Lite compare to the 120gr Barnes VOR-TX TTSX? The Barnes TTSX is 330 fps faster (3,005 vs 2,675 fps), all-copper, lead-free, and California condor zone compliant at $1.76/round. The Custom Lite is conventional lead-core, lower recoil, and at a lower price point. Different use cases: the TTSX is the flat-shooting premium lead-free tier; the Custom Lite is the recoil-managed entry tier.

What is the sectional density of this load? SD = 0.212, calculated as (120 ÷ 7,000) ÷ (0.284²). Above 0.200 is generally considered good penetration potential for deer-class game.

Is the brass reloadable? Yes — standard brass with a Boxer primer.

How many rounds is 500? Typically 25 × 20-round boxes, consistent with Hornady’s standard Custom line case packaging.

What is the per-round cost? Divide the listed price by 500.