Having one built and in the meantime want to start getting reloading components. Yes I know the availability is nonexistent right now but I have a few months. I also will be getting out of the 6.5 game when it comes in so I have lots of great trade bait. Mine will be 18" barrel 8" twist. So does anyone have recommendations on:

1. Dies? Seems Redding makes a set. Other than that is there a good option?
2. Bullets? Leaning 162 ELD-X but anyone shot the Sierra Tipped Gameking? Accubond?
3. Powders? Have H4350 and Varget. Is there a better option?

Any other "pro tips".

Varget and 162s. I’ll leave the rest to others.

1 - Redding or Whidden make great dies. I'd go with whomever has them in stock or you can get them the fastest.
2 - Your preference...I personally like the tailend of your list better than the beginning, plus 162 eldx is almost like finding primers right now. I have used them, they are plenty accurate and they are plenty cheap but I've seen enough ELD bullets pencil that I'd never trust them. I am using them on pigs in my AR10 right now but only because I bought them and they were cheap...did I mention they are accurate too
3 - for 162 use Varget or something around its burn rate

I'll be shocked if you don't like it...congrats on the new rifle.

Thanks Judd. I've had some weird results with ELD-X on animals. Blow a coyote dang near in half then shoot a doe and she runs for 100 yards like nothing happened. They are just so dang accurate. I'm a big fan of the 22 caliber Gamekings so hoping someone has experience with them in 7mm and the 165 tipped GKs are sexy.

Varget, rl16, h4350 and imr4451 all work great. I'd stick with the slightly faster burn rates with the shorter barrel. For pure hunting the Nosler 120gr bt is pure nastiness running fast. The 162-168 class bullets buck the wind and hit hard.

162 ELD-X has dropped a whole lot of animals for me, 50 yards to 689 yards as of right now.
165 TGKs are something I would absolutely try. Sierra does good work.

H-Varget or faster burn. With H-Varget it will like to be full of powder while forming, as well as after formed.

7mm-08 A.I. is my number one favorite cartridge. It is good at everything.

I read that write up you did on it. Helped lead me in the direction of that caliber.

I haven’t ran gamekings but I’m like JG...I’d try them, they have a reputation as performing consistently.

I’m also like dee, the ballistic tips have performed very well. Last year there were 3 120-145lb dressed buck killed with 140’s all performed well but none exited...all made it to the off side skin. Insides turned to soup though, one fell two bigger deer ran but didn’t but get far all shot behind the shoulder. This year, I shot a fallow buck with 120’s and it punched through and insides still wrecked...I’ve got 500 on backorder they are impressive little bullet. I’m also able to push it 2960 in a 16” barrel.

Couple under appreciated hunting bullets Gold dot and Lapua Scenar.

Well ordered the Redding Dies. Now I get to stare at those for the next 4 months waiting on the gun.