Reloading 7 mag with monolithics

[7mmfan]

Going down the rabbit hole. The bullets I've used for years in my 7 mag are no longer available, so I'm making the switch. I loaded Barnes TTSX in my 7mm-08 year and was happy with their performance so I'm considering monolithics for the 7 mag as well. I understand speed is king with these bullets so I'm looking for input on what weights people have loaded and had good results with. Thinking 140 or 150. Also, theres a few options out now between Nosler, Barnes, and Hornady, experiences with any over the others? Any loads people have had good results with as starting points would be helpful. 

[7mmfan]

One more thought. There are LR versions of some of these now as well. My thoughts are that they would open more reliably at lower speeds than the traditional versions. Any experiences there?

[birddogdad]

sorry , no data here. been using the 168 berger hunting vlds and very happy with them in my shooter.
i am running CE bullets in my cheytac that work well but i don't know if they make what you are looking for in 7mag that grain.

[b23]

I would seriously consider all your options before you take the leap into mono's as they can be very bore dimension specific and if you talk to people who do this for a living, they'll usually tell you it's a love hate relationship with them.  Some barrels shoot them great, other barrels, not so much. 

[7mmfan]

If they dont work they don't work,  that's why I'm starting the search now. Hoping to have a new load dialed and dial ordered from Leupold by August.

[Mtnwalker]

From most of what I have read the ttsx limits you on distance due to running out of speed to properly open. I have never shot them but looked into them for my lightweight setup and decided against them. Might end up trying 145 LRX if the 150 accubonds don’t work out. Currently running 150 eldx, shoot great but not a fan of the performance so far

[Taco280AI]

145 LRX. Is all I use in my 280AI.

[7mmfan]

145 LRX. Is all I use in my 280AI.

And what has your experience been with them at ranges inside 200 or even 100 yards? Has that happened for you?

[Magnum_Willys]

Monoliths need more velocity to open hence shorter expansion range.

[7mmfan]

Monoliths need more velocity to open hence shorter expansion range.

Yes, I understand. That's why I'm asking about the LR versions. Do they open more reliably and still hold up at close ranges, but offer more reliability at extended ranges?

[Magnum_Willys]

Per Barnes The TTSX velocity limit for expansion is 2000fps and the LRX is 1600fps.   I wouldn't be shooting lead core bullets at distances with much less than 1600 fps so if their data is correct maybe expansion is a moot point with the LRX?   

[7mmfan]

That's good info, and realistically, that' speed is probably achieved well outside of my comfort range for distance anyway. Really hoping to hear from someone that's killed with them inside 100 yards and what their experience was.

[M_ray]

I have two

7mm, Retumbo
7wsm, H-1000
 and 168 Berger’s for both

They have been deadly on both deer and elk.

[milldozer]

I've been reloading with 150 gr TTSX for my 7mag with good results.  The BC isn't as good as accubonds, but they are accurate.  I'm using 60gr of H1000.  They are not the hottest loads, but again, accurate.

[milldozer]

scratch that, 65gr

[Buckjunkie]

I use the 145g LRX bullets in my 7STW and my nephew shoots them in his 7Rem. Only a few kills between us at 120, 328 and 520 yards. So far so good. One shot kills with two dropping in their tracks and one going a few feet.

Been a partition guy for decades. This might me a better option. Barnes changed the recipe so the copper is softer. They are supposed to expand reliably to 1600 FPS. That’s a game changer for me. I plan on switching all my rifles to the LRX.

[7mmfan]

That's great info thanks Buckjunkie. I'll definitely look more into these. Would you mind sharing the load info on that 7 mag load your nephew is shooting? Pm is fine.

[Magnum_Willys]

YorkeTransport did a great expansion test on a lot of bullets but unfortunately that wasn't one of them if I recall.  Maybe he will revisit it at some point.

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,209347.0.html

[buckfvr]

That's great info thanks Buckjunkie. I'll definitely look more into these. Would you mind sharing the load info on that 7 mag load your nephew is shooting? Pm is fine.

 

    Me too.  Been wanting to get some of these going before its mandatory......

[Buckjunkie]

My 7Rem load is 66g of RL22. It chronographed right at 3,000 FPS. Not real fast, but it is accurate in My Nephew’s Christensen Ridgeline.

[M_ray]

I have two

7mm, Retumbo
7wsm, H-1000
 and 168 Berger’s for both

They have been deadly on both deer and elk.

Sorry my apologies I skimmed quickly and thought you asked for other combinations before committing

[Thehowler]

Good timing for this thread. I picked up a 7mm model 70 from a member here some time ago, and I am in the process of figuring out how I want to load for it.

[buckfvr]

My 7Rem load is 66g of RL22. It chronographed right at 3,000 FPS. Not real fast, but it is accurate in My Nephew’s Christensen Ridgeline.

Im more interested in bullet seating depth, load them long or saami.......by the book or off the lands.

[Buckjunkie]

.020 off L & G was the sweet spot for this 7 Rem. .040 off on my STW.

[buckfvr]

Thank you

[Mulie87]

I killed a MD buck with 190 LRX out of my .300win at 465yds a couple years ago. In one shoulder and out the other and he went 40yds. Like butter👍

Killed a black bear in Dec with 165grn Hornady GMX at 10yds out of my 308. Needless to say it was a complete pass through and he went 38yds.

Both great experiences.

[7mmfan]

I killed a MD buck with 190 LRX out of my .300win at 465yds a couple years ago. In one shoulder and out the other and he went 40yds. Like butter👍

Killed a black bear in Dec with 165grn Hornady GMX at 10yds out of my 308. Needless to say it was a complete pass through and he went 38yds.

Both great experiences.

I killed 2 animals with my 7mm-08 this year with the 120 TTSX, bear was dead before he heard the boom, and the deer was shot through both shoulders and exited at 250 yards. Quarter size channel the whole way through and virtually no blood shot. I was impressed.

[Taco280AI]

145 LRX. Is all I use in my 280AI.

And what has your experience been with them at ranges inside 200 or even 100 yards? Has that happened for you?

Have taken 5 deer from ~50 - 293 yards. Three never took a step, the other two less than 10 yards. One from this year took a few steps, turned so I could see the exit, and was literally pouring out blood like a stream.

[7mmfan]

145 LRX. Is all I use in my 280AI.

And what has your experience been with them at ranges inside 200 or even 100 yards? Has that happened for you?

Have taken 5 deer from ~50 - 293 yards. Three never took a step, the other two less than 10 yards. One from this year took a few steps, turned so I could see the exit, and was literally pouring out blood like a stream.

I like that. I think that's the direction I'm going first then. Thanks for the feedback Taco

[jasnt]

Cutting edge lasers will expand reliably down to 1200fps

[Mtnwalker]

Cutting edge lasers will expand reliably down to 1200fps

Those must be some long SOB’s for a 145 to be considered single feed

[jasnt]

Cutting edge lasers will expand reliably down to 1200fps

Those must be some long SOB’s for a 145 to be considered single feed

i believe those are the MTH that are single feed. The lasers are tipped.  The MTH still need 1600fps

[7mmfan]

Well, quick update. Hit the range with our very own H2Ohunter today to test some new loads. This was the result of the Barnes 145 LRX. 4 shots into a group slightly larger than his pinky nail. Very pleased with this setup.

The 7mm-08 was significantly more troublesome,  per usual.

[h20hunter]

I should be a hand model. One heck of a group.

[7mmfan]

I don't know. Looks like you could use some moisturizer.

[h20hunter]

Yeah. I need to go get a mani-pedi for sure.

[Mtnwalker]

Looking good (The shooting not the nail job). Just ordered up some 140 e-tips today, if they don’t work out then the 145 LRX or CEB MTH will be the next stop

[NWShooter]

Barnes are trash. Take a good look at Hammer Bullets.

https://hammerbullets.com/?s=.284&post_type=product

If you don’t know “ It all “ already. The mono’s have a crap BC, but the “Few”  think their  cool. You’re good to go if you are at point blank but then again any bullet will work to 400 yards. Their longer for weight, so you may want to drop the weight for a increase in speed to make up for the crap BC of the Barnes. Yep... You know how much BC matters for a scrony blacktail at point blank.  👍

[7mmfan]

Ok

[mountainman]

Well, quick update. Hit the range with our very own H2Ohunter today to test some new loads. This was the result of the Barnes 145 LRX. 4 shots into a group slightly larger than his pinky nail. Very pleased with this setup.

The 7mm-08 was significantly more troublesome,  per usual.

That works for sure! Nice shooting!

[Buckjunkie]

That’s what my groups look like with that bullet from my STW. Great shooting.

The performance in game is amazing. Been shooting long range since laser rangefinders hit the market. The LRXs are game changers for me. I’ve tried most of the “long range” bullets and won’t use them on game. Lots of failures.

There is an article out there from a PH in Africa that speaks from experience taking 5,000+ animals. He swears Barnes are the best choice on game from a recovery standpoint. Wish I could find it and share the link. It’s very convincing.

[7mmfan]

That’s what my groups look like with that bullet from my STW. Great shooting.

The performance in game is amazing. Been shooting long range since laser rangefinders hit the market. The LRXs are game changers for me. I’ve tried most of the “long range” bullets and won’t use them on game. Lots of failures.

There is an article out there from a PH in Africa that speaks from experience taking 5,000+ animals. He swears Barnes are the best choice on game from a recovery standpoint. Wish I could find it and share the link. It’s very convincing.

I'm happy to hear you've had such great performance from them. I'm not worried about long range performance to much, my longest shot on game to date is a little over 350. 95% of my animals are killed well inside 100. I just wanted a bullet that grouped well, was devastating on game, and didn't blow up into a million tiny pieces on impact. If the perform well at 500 in the off chance I have to take that shot, then that is a nice assurance to have. These seem to fit that bill.