Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: BLUEBULLS on July 24, 2010, 11:03:00 AM

Title: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: BLUEBULLS on July 24, 2010, 11:03:00 AM: I've been shooting the federal premium 165gr BTSP but since our local guys decided not to stock anything I need for hunting I'm going back to reloads...Plus I'm tired of spending $50/box.

I have a couple boxes of 145gr grand slams, 130gr speer boattails and 160gr speer boattails.
i'm pretty sure that I want to hunt with the 160gr boattails... I like the .556 BC for flatter shots.
do you think the 145gr grand slams might be a little better due to their weight retention?
I know the 160gr bt's will do me good but I thought I'd see what others thought.
by the way, I think the 130gr boattails are getting $hit canned.

also, how do you guys work up a load... start with less powder and work your way up until your groups go to hell??? do you neck size ONLY once you have rounds fired through your gun? I've measured my chamber, how long do you want your overall length?

I'll be using what I have, IMR 4831 and federal 200 primers.

I had good loads worked up years ago but I've forgotten most of it and can't find where I wrote it down.

thanks for the input...
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: bobcat on July 24, 2010, 11:08:48 AM: I like the 160 grain weight in 7mm myself. If you're only hunting deer the 145's will be just as good as anything though. But like you said, the 160's have a better B.C. The IMR 4831 should be just fine, and I would start a couple grains below the book max and work up in 0.5 grain increments, and look for pressure signs. If no exessive pressure, then go with the load that shoots the best group at the highest powder charge.
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: 509er on July 24, 2010, 11:11:41 AM: I just ordered the 168 bergers from Hunting Shack. $37 a box, I will let you how the shoot after this week hopefully.
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: carpsniperg2 on July 24, 2010, 12:17:45 PM: i like the 160-175 weights. that is what mine liked a lot but now ray has it so you would have to ask him :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: robescc on July 24, 2010, 04:30:54 PM: Quote from: 509er on July 24, 2010, 11:11:41 AM
I just ordered the 168 bergers from Hunting Shack. $37 a box, I will let you how the shoot after this week hopefully.

I love these bullets. They shoot great. Better than great.
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: Huntboy on July 24, 2010, 04:49:56 PM: Take a look at this website maybe it will help you out.

http://www.reloadersnest.com/index.asp (http://www.reloadersnest.com/index.asp)
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: Three_Oh_Eight on July 24, 2010, 05:56:47 PM: What are you hunting and how far are your shots? I used 160gr Nosler Partitions in my 7mm because it was a good medium between flat trajectory for long shots on deer and penetration for closer shots on elk. If I were only deer hunting, I'd load up 140 or 150gr boat tails to the gills. Until you get out to 500 yards, the BC, SD and all those other minutia are pretty much non-issues. The limiting factor won't be ballistic coefficient or sectional density. I think we get too worried about these little things when we could put the time and effort into more useful things like physical fitness, spotting animals, stalking and field shooting.

I full-length size all of my hunting ammo because I want the most reliable and effortless feeding possible. Neck-sizing might help accuracy in theory, but cycling can often be a bit stiffer and I'd trade reliability for minimal gains in accuracy. I also like to put a little crimp with a Lee collet die to make sure the bullets don't slip during recoil or anything like that. Even with these steps, I'm able to find loads that are at least MOA, if not a bit better. If I can shoot 2 MOA out to 400 yards, I'm still on lungs on a deer.
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: Jamieb on July 24, 2010, 07:29:01 PM: I shot 160gr speer BT's for years, killed deer,elk, and bear just fine. I've switched to 160gr accubonds mostly for the plastic tip, the lead tip on the speers would get bent over after being ejected a couple of times and although it didn't seem to hurt accuracy it still bothered me.
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: G.R.K on July 24, 2010, 11:07:30 PM: Bullet weight is way over rated,shot placement is what it's all about. ;)
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: high country on July 24, 2010, 11:16:13 PM: how far do you plan on shooting, what is the closest shot you would expect? big bullets are great if you do not plan to shoot far. in the 7mm, most bullets do plenty fine at rem mag velocities, so ultra premium bullets are more of a luxury then necesity.....sans the old batch of bal tips. any one of the bullets you mentioned will kill elk just fine. I would shoot for groups and pick the winner. I have killed many a elk with many a bullets and let me say the 100gr tsx was every bit as devastating as the 180gr scirocco and the 250gr partition. anything that can tell the difference in a few grains when stepping in front of a speeding bullet is something you prolly ought not shoot at.
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: Bigshooter on July 24, 2010, 11:53:58 PM: I have a friend that has a 7mag and he asked my dad and I to load him up some different stuff for him. What he liked best was the 175grain grand slams. We got them going at about 2900fps and he just loves them.
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: Jamieb on July 25, 2010, 07:49:51 AM: Quote from: high country on July 24, 2010, 11:16:13 PM
how far do you plan on shooting, what is the closest shot you would expect? big bullets are great if you do not plan to shoot far. in the 7mm, most bullets do plenty fine at rem mag velocities,
Do you even shoot a 7mag?
I disagree with pretty much all of that statment.
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: Three_Oh_Eight on July 25, 2010, 10:47:55 AM: Quote from: Jamieb on July 25, 2010, 07:49:51 AM
Quote from: high country on July 24, 2010, 11:16:13 PM
how far do you plan on shooting, what is the closest shot you would expect? big bullets are great if you do not plan to shoot far. in the 7mm, most bullets do plenty fine at rem mag velocities,
Do you even shoot a 7mag?
I disagree with pretty much all of that statment.

I would think that to some extent, it would be the opposite. If I were shooting beyond 400 yards with some regularity, I wouldn't shoot less than a very slick 160gr. The lighter weights blow around a bit too much at extended range and lose velocity quicker. BUT, if you aren't a long-range shooter and stick to regular hunting limits of 300 to 400 yards, none of that should matter on deer. On elk, 160gr, 165gr or 175gr for me and bullet construction means a lot more on elk than on a deer.
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: Bscman on July 25, 2010, 12:45:23 PM: Quote
how far do you plan on shooting, what is the closest shot you would expect? big bullets are great if you do not plan to shoot far. in the 7mm, most bullets do plenty fine at rem mag velocities,
I disagree. Big bullets buck the wind better and will have a better ballistic coefficient. They will retain more energy at long range.
Take the 647 Military ball ammo for .50bmg in comparison to Hornady's 750gr Amax. The 647gr leaves the barrel 200+fps faster, but is only supersonic to ~1800yds. The 750gr is still supersonic past 2200yds = MUCH more energy and a longer effective range.

Not a 7mag shooter but I'll address the OP's other questions.

As for as working up a load...
I like to measure the rifle in question to see just how long I can go with over-all length. I want to know exactly how far off the lands my bullets are. Most of the time you'll find you have to make your loads too long for the magazine before you start contacting the rifling.

I've found many of my rifles like somewhere in the neighborhood of .025-.045 of a "jump" before the bullet hits the rifling...this is with most of the standard jacketed lead varieties. Sometimes this isn't possible due to magazine dimensions. My barnes TSX's tend to like a .050" to .060" jump for best accuracy--many times this is very do-able and still have the rounds fit easily in the magazine. The rifle itself, plus bullet shape/design will all play a role. Obviously on a hunting round you need them to fit in the magazine! Also, don't get caught up on thinking you *must* seat to the cannelure. You do not, and often times the cannelure on the bullet will bring you well over .100" from the lands and may negatively affect accuracy.

I'll usually use the above information as a starting point for seating depth, and start my loads on the low end of the spectrum, then work up in increments watching for pressure signs. After charting out the powder charge vs. group size, I'll find the best "acceptable" group size for a hunting bullet, then play with over-all length to fine tune from there...sometimes just a few thousandths one way or the other can make a huge difference. Max loads and accuracy don't always agree!
You still need to watch for pressure signs at this point--as seating depth can play a role in pressure!

Usually by now you're shooting better than the factory stuff you've been toying with, and you can choose to leave it alone...or keep chasing the bullseye for a better group.
I'm usually one to try two or three different types of powder, and two or three different bullet weights before settling on a load. Sometimes going 10-15 grains one way or the other in regard to bullet weight can make a big improvement...and don't get stuck on the idea you *need* a boat-tail bullet.If you're keeping the distances reasonable, a flat base bullet will work just fine and may get your preferred bullet weight to shoot well, where a boat-tail version does not. (often times a flat-base bullet of one specific weight will be shorter in length than the same weight as a boat-tail. Bullet stabilization is affected by the length of the bullet--not necessarily the weight)

I'm another fan of putting a light crimp on hunting loads...especially auto-loaders and tube fed guns...but I will generally do the sale for heavier recoiling bolt guns. Lee's factory crimp dies work great for this...a slight crimp is all that is necessary, and the lee dies make this easy. I've even got a few loads that prefer a good crimp over non-crimped.

As for brass. I will usually neck size only for accuracy...but this can mean your bolt will be a bit still when cycling. For hunting rounds I'll take a full length sizer and set it up just like I was going to full length size, but then back it off a half-turn (give or take). Just enough to resize the neck and *slightly* set back the shoulder, but not a full on re-size. you can fine tune this so you don't over-work your brass with a full resize, yet your loads will chamber more easily than simply neck-sizing.
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: high country on July 25, 2010, 05:26:47 PM: sorry for the confusion, I meant big RN bullets, not boat tails. I am well versed in the dynamic affects of drag....just not aways so good at english at 11pm...lol. some of the 7mm stuff gets pretty chunky when it gets heavy. I have some 180gr bergers here that are swell if you can spin them.
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: Three_Oh_Eight on July 25, 2010, 10:12:19 PM: Quote from: high country on July 25, 2010, 05:26:47 PM
sorry for the confusion, I meant big RN bullets, not boat tails. I am well versed in the dynamic affects of drag....just not aways so good at english at 11pm...lol. some of the 7mm stuff gets pretty chunky when it gets heavy. I have some 180gr bergers here that are swell if you can spin them.

Hey, if we don't require everyone in this country to speak English, we might as well not knock you for it either :brew:
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: PA BEN on July 26, 2010, 06:14:44 AM: I found 160gr Nosler AccuBond's shoot very will. 61.3 grs of RL-19, mag. primer. I neck size my brass, but these loads are with new win. brass. Over 3000 fps MV. Here's some pictures of my groups, the lower group is the same bullet w/60 grs of IMR 4350. Scroll down the page to the pictures.
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,52736.msg647793.html#new (http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,52736.msg647793.html#new)
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: BLUEBULLS on July 26, 2010, 07:53:04 AM: Quote from: Three_Oh_Eight on July 24, 2010, 05:56:47 PM
What are you hunting and how far are your shots? I used 160gr Nosler Partitions in my 7mm because it was a good medium between flat trajectory for long shots on deer and penetration for closer shots on elk. If I were only deer hunting, I'd load up 140 or 150gr boat tails to the gills. Until you get out to 500 yards, the BC, SD and all those other minutia are pretty much non-issues. The limiting factor won't be ballistic coefficient or sectional density. I think we get too worried about these little things when we could put the time and effort into more useful things like physical fitness, spotting animals, stalking and field shooting.

I full-length size all of my hunting ammo because I want the most reliable and effortless feeding possible. Neck-sizing might help accuracy in theory, but cycling can often be a bit stiffer and I'd trade reliability for minimal gains in accuracy. I also like to put a little crimp with a Lee collet die to make sure the bullets don't slip during recoil or anything like that. Even with these steps, I'm able to find loads that are at least MOA, if not a bit better. If I can shoot 2 MOA out to 400 yards, I'm still on lungs on a deer.

:dunno: not sure why the more useful things that you mentioned came up.

trust me, I do more of all of those than probably 98% of hunters. I'm just looking for any advantage I can gain. And yes, i'm into minimal advantages, they all add up.

I did find a good load after trying several. 160gr bt, 66grns of H4831.

a hair over a 1inch group from 110yds, 2" high with a ruger m77
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: Three_Oh_Eight on July 26, 2010, 03:42:35 PM: I didn't mention them as a reflection on you at all. It was more of a general statement toward hunters as a whole. I think we honestly read too many gun magazines and they make us think we can't hunt deer and elk the way we used to because we have to worry about ballistic coefficients, sectional density, the Coriollis effect and all of that stuff. From what I've seen with my own hunting and shooting and watching others, SD and BC would have never helped any of failure or non-success. The limiting factor has never been an inch or two difference in drop or wind drift. Its always been the ability to dope the shot and execute.

I have a friend who is easily 40 pounds overweight and obsesses about having a rifle weighing less than 6 1/2 pounds because his 8 1/2 pound gun tires him out. Why not keep his 8 1/2 pound rifle and lose the 40 on his gut? Same guy obsesses about BC and SD but can't hold on a manhole cover at 300 yards in the field.

I think the load you described with the 160gr boat-tail would be great for almost anything you'd ask a 7mm Mag to do. Its obvious you put some time into it and the other aspects of the hunt. Get to know your rifle with that load at various ranges and you'll be deadly. With near 1 inch groups at 110 yards, there aren't many deer you'll miss because of the rifle or load.
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: BLUEBULLS on July 27, 2010, 06:53:18 AM: I definitely agree. that's what things are moving towards.

kinda sad that some people can't enjoy the hunt for the "HUNT".
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: Three_Oh_Eight on July 27, 2010, 09:41:11 PM: Yeah. I used to obsess about stuff before I actually started to kill animals. Killing some animals made me realize that the effect on deer isn't drastic enough for me to notice the benefit. I just picked a well constructed bullet, found a decent load, and then focused on other stuff while putting in some time here and there at the range. It works out.
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: robescc on July 28, 2010, 08:26:04 PM: Quote from: G.R.K on July 24, 2010, 11:07:30 PM
Bullet weight is way over rated,shot placement is what it's all about. ;)

Obviously you have never shot in any kind of wind conditions other than a dead wind.
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: G.R.K on July 28, 2010, 10:47:03 PM: Quote from: robescc on July 28, 2010, 08:26:04 PM
Quote from: G.R.K on July 24, 2010, 11:07:30 PM
Bullet weight is way over rated,shot placement is what it's all about. ;)

Obviously you have never shot in any kind of wind conditions other than a dead wind.

LAFFIN,Missing the point. :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: coachcw on July 29, 2010, 09:12:42 PM: go spend about $500 bucks on every factory load on will work, I'm gonna try thr bergers hunting shack . my 7mm's have all been finiky , good luck finding a load that groups.
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: PA BEN on July 30, 2010, 05:45:08 AM: This is why I started reloading. I shot my Washington Moose Oct. 4ht '08. I took a neck shot at 37 yds. He was facing away, I leveled the cross hairs on the center of his neck and touched it off. Didn't even buck, just ran, I pumped two more in him, and put him down, he went about 200 yds. I thought I missed the neck shot But, when I boned out his neck, I found a hole, and when I got to the neck bone I found a hole between two vertebra, I found the bullet. Perfect mushroom. 175 gr. Rem. Core lock factory round in 7MM-REM. MAG. At 37 yds it should have dropped him.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi154.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs276%2FPABEN07%2F100_2482.jpg&hash=fc23cd79fa12bc81311fffb175e5b1704a33da28)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi154.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs276%2FPABEN07%2F100_2481.jpg&hash=a7b96d6c12ad23baa2d0076bf77340c992e24ffb)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi154.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs276%2FPABEN07%2F100_2483.jpg&hash=1c80fed52755f240379a6076db68973045d39971)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi154.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs276%2FPABEN07%2F100_2484.jpg&hash=8cee3f04a6822cfead69c6c2ab2d2825726d1b40)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi154.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs276%2FPABEN07%2F100_2486.jpg&hash=13ca951a99bf6cb256547e146eda41a3b523461a)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi154.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs276%2FPABEN07%2F100_2475.jpg&hash=237227613490c16a24d28cb4202ae01fbd791083)
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: Skyvalhunter on July 30, 2010, 05:48:28 AM: PLACEMENT PLACEMENT PLACEMENT
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: PA BEN on July 30, 2010, 05:50:26 AM: Quote from: coachcw on July 29, 2010, 09:12:42 PM
go spend about $500 bucks on every factory load on will work, I'm gonna try thr bergers hunting shack . my 7mm's have all been finiky , good luck finding a load that groups.
How about this group?
The group in the center is 160gr nosler accubond, RL-19, mag. primer. The lower Group is IMR 4350 the rest is the same.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi154.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs276%2FPABEN07%2F0707101714.jpg&hash=2bc32fae75332242b88e88a06c75b8d1ffdc031b)
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: PA BEN on July 30, 2010, 05:51:39 AM: Quote from: Skyvalhunter on July 30, 2010, 05:48:28 AM
PLACEMENT PLACEMENT PLACEMENT
You ever shot an animal in the neck and not have it drop?
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: Skyvalhunter on July 30, 2010, 05:53:55 AM: yes I have if I didn't hit the bone.
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: PA BEN on July 30, 2010, 06:01:57 AM: Will this bullet made it to the bone but all the push came out of it when it mushroomed on impact. A better bullet like a nosler I believe would have broke his neck.
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: BLUEBULLS on July 30, 2010, 06:11:00 AM: Quote from: PA BEN on July 30, 2010, 06:01:57 AM
Will this bullet made it to the bone but all the push came out of it when it mushroomed on impact. A better bullet like a nosler I believe would have broke his neck.

agreed.

corelokts are one of the bullets I'll never shoot again. I've shot factory corelokts through the chrony and it's amazing the difference in just one box!
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: Skyvalhunter on July 30, 2010, 06:12:22 AM: Very possibly but a person would never know unless you put the 2 different bullets in the exact same place and see what the result is. But I like the fact that this bullet mushroomed as designed and for the most part seems to have retained its original weight. But then you have shot alot more animals than I will ever think about shooting.
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: PA BEN on July 30, 2010, 06:32:37 AM: Yes, I have made a lot of neck and head shots. And ones I missed the bone dropped any ;)way. A follow up shot some times is necessary.
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: Skyvalhunter on July 30, 2010, 06:46:13 AM: Thats why they pay you the big bucks!! But for paperback hunters like me we are just happy to put meat in the freezer.
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: PA BEN on July 30, 2010, 04:09:49 PM: Quote from: Skyvalhunter on July 30, 2010, 06:46:13 AM
Thats why they pay you the big bucks!!
I don't understand? :dunno:
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: PA BEN on August 02, 2010, 05:53:06 AM: I think I found my Load. I purchased a new rest and shot this group at 100 yds. The one to the right is my first shot w/a clean gun, just a little off, the other three touched each other. 160gr Nosler AccuBond. 61.3 grs of RL-19, mag. new Win, brass. Over 3000 fps MV
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi154.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs276%2FPABEN07%2F0801101923.jpg&hash=2577e543fb3a9208485ec040768dacdb876d9857)
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: C-Money on August 02, 2010, 06:36:22 AM: Great group! I shoot 63gr of IMR 4831 with the 160 accubond in my 7mm and get a group you can put a half doller over, sometimes a quarter. I dont think I have ever had 3 touching with my rifle. Or is there 4 touching? Nice shooting!
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: Three_Oh_Eight on August 02, 2010, 07:50:27 PM: Sure looks like PA Ben is ready to kill something!
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: wastickslinger on August 24, 2010, 10:30:49 PM: Quote from: G.R.K on July 24, 2010, 11:07:30 PM
Bullet weight is way over rated,shot placement is what it's all about. ;)

Actually its very important. Some weights wont stabilize if they are too heavy or too light for your rate of twist.
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: wastickslinger on August 24, 2010, 10:37:39 PM: Quote from: PA BEN on August 02, 2010, 05:53:06 AM
I think I found my Load. I purchased a new rest and shot this group at 100 yds. The one to the right is my first shot w/a clean gun, just a little off, the other three touched each other. 160gr Nosler AccuBond. 61.3 grs of RL-19, mag. new Win, brass. Over 3000 fps MV
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi154.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs276%2FPABEN07%2F0801101923.jpg&hash=2577e543fb3a9208485ec040768dacdb876d9857)

What is your twist rate? I have a new Tikka 7mm and the twist is 9.5. The HSM loaded 168 Bergers were lousy!! Need to find a bullet that will stablize. From the reading I have done the 168 grain is too long. Looks like the 160 grain accubond might be a better bullet.

Bluebulls, what did you end up working up for a load?
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: BLUEBULLS on August 25, 2010, 12:29:59 PM: 160 grain speer boattail, 66grains of H4831, cci 200 primer.

seems to shoot as good as I can point it. you better shoot the same load because I'm packing light for deer hunting and I might have to stop by your camp and borrow some after the serious case of buck fever I hope to get :chuckle:

I'm still going to try some more loads though, I think I can get more out of it.
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: hunterofelk on August 25, 2010, 05:06:17 PM: Like your group, but are you getting the velocity a magnum is used for? I loaded some 160 Hornady's with 65 grains of RL 22. The manuels said I should get about 2950, but when I used the club's chrony, I was getting 2750! Might as well shoot a 280 Remington.
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: wastickslinger on August 26, 2010, 07:47:48 PM: Quote from: BLUEBULLS on August 25, 2010, 12:29:59 PM
160 grain speer boattail, 66grains of H4831, cci 200 primer.

seems to shoot as good as I can point it. you better shoot the same load because I'm packing light for deer hunting and I might have to stop by your camp and borrow some after the serious case of buck fever I hope to get :chuckle:

I'm still going to try some more loads though, I think I can get more out of it.

I like the sounds of that load.

I think this is what we will try. Sounds about the same. Will keep U posted in the nxt few weeks.
160 grain nosler accubond, 63-65 grains of H4831, cci 200 primer.
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: Jamieb on August 26, 2010, 09:41:18 PM: Quote from: wastickslinger on August 26, 2010, 07:47:48 PM
Quote from: BLUEBULLS on August 25, 2010, 12:29:59 PM
160 grain speer boattail, 66grains of H4831, cci 200 primer.

seems to shoot as good as I can point it. you better shoot the same load because I'm packing light for deer hunting and I might have to stop by your camp and borrow some after the serious case of buck fever I hope to get :chuckle:

I'm still going to try some more loads though, I think I can get more out of it.

I like the sounds of that load.

I think this is what we will try. Sounds about the same. Will keep U posted in the nxt few weeks.
160 grain nosler accubond, 63-65 grains of H4831, cci 200 primer.

CCI 200's?
I dont think I've heard of anyone useing 200's in the 7mag.
I've allways used 250's for anything holding more then 55 gr of powder.
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: high country on August 27, 2010, 06:59:48 AM: I have run 200's in 06' based cases up to 59ish grains, but if using spherical powders or in fat cases, like the mag, I use 250's or my fave, but hell to find right now.....gm215's
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: BLUEBULLS on August 27, 2010, 11:37:54 AM: I'm definitely not an expert on reloading. Maybe I do need to check some different powder charges, type, primers etc.

does aybody have any information on what kind of velocities I would be shooting with the above mentioned load?

I had some good loads worked up years ago and I've lost my notes. I know they averaged 3040fps and only had like a 25fps spread. I was using the same powder but I'm not sure on the bullets or primers.
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: PA BEN on September 21, 2010, 09:19:49 AM: Yesterday I had the chance to try my Nosler 160 gr AccuBond hand loads on an elk I called in. Not a big rack 4x4 but big bodied. 100yds shot facing me, went in in front of the left shoulder and out behind the right shoulder, he went about 20yds and went down. The lungs were mush and no bullets fragments, only blood shot meat was on the off side and wasn't bad at all.
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: C-Money on September 21, 2010, 09:46:41 AM: PA Ben, are you gonna start a new thread with pics and story??
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: PA BEN on September 21, 2010, 01:25:37 PM: Quote from: C-Money on September 21, 2010, 09:46:41 AM
PA Ben, are you gonna start a new thread with pics and story??
Yeah just posted it on the elk thread ;)
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: fishnate on September 21, 2010, 08:07:33 PM: I shoot a 7WSM try the 150gr swift scirraco's :twocents:
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: PA BEN on September 24, 2010, 09:03:21 AM: Cutting up my elk yesterday I found my bullet in the elks heart. I thought it went out the other side but it didn't. 160gr AccuBoud it's 122.7 now. I'll post some pictures of the bullet.
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: Trailstrider on September 24, 2010, 09:37:09 AM: Its all personal preferance. I shoot a 7mm mag, Dumoulin,pre 64 Remington. I hand load 61 gr. imr4831 with a 160 gr triple shock, have also used the grand slam but they have issues when striking bone. Ever gun handles load different from the next so its kind of trial and error... Good luck!
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: BLUEBULLS on September 27, 2010, 12:36:41 PM: shot a few different charges this weekend.

accuracy was good with all.

66gr h4831 cci200 primer 160gr speer boattail - 2991fps
62gr imr4831 cci250 primer 160gr speer boattail - 2951fps
60gr imr4831 cci250 primer 160gr speer boattail - 2780fps

2991 sounds good to me so I'm done for the year.
Title: Re: What bullets for 7mag?
Post by: Jamieb on September 27, 2010, 06:06:06 PM: All I used in my 7mag in the 80's and 90's was the 160gr speer boatail, killed a bunch of deer and elk in WA and Or. A few whitetail in Mt and Id, piles of yotes, and ground squirrels, and one black bear. With the history I've had using the speer Bt, I don't know why I'm not still loading them. I almost forgot the two bulls in Co and the Wy. speed goat that fell to the Speers. I've defiantly killed more critters with the 160gr speer Boatails then any other bullet.
IMO the speer BT is the best non premium bullet out there in the 7mag.