150 or 160gr 7MM for close range Whitetails

[Northwoods Hunter]

I am hunting big Whitetails up North near Lake Superior. It is very thick rugged country and shots are close...30 to 60 yards.
I plan on using Nosler Solid base or Accubonds and my new Model 70 Winny FeatherWt in 7MM 08.
My buddy shot two nice deer up here last season with his 7MM 08 and 140 gr Accubonds...and while the deer didn't go too far...the 140s "blew up" going through the ribs etc and there were small exit holes and very little blood trail.

I am thinking of working up some loads for 150 or 160gr. My thinking is maybe not as much destruction but decenr expansion and a nice exit hole for blood trailing....they aren't ALWAYS bang/flop...unfortunately :lol: Any Opihions? :grin:

 

[Charlie-NY]

Both the 140gr AccuBond and the 160gr AccuBond shoot very well in my all stock Tikka 7mm-08. I prefer the 140's in the 7mm-08 and the 160's in my 7STW. However, if you're concerned about your friends experience then just use the 160's. Either way, the bullet shouldn't "blow up".

By the way; why where there exit holes (plural)? Did the bullet break apart? Doesn't seem likely for an AccuBond, especially at 7mm-08 velocities. Are you sure he wasn't shooting Ballistic Tips? Although they usually hold together pretty well at 7mm-08 velocities.

 

[Northwoods Hunter]

Yes the Accubonds did not stay together in either deer....140# and 160# whitetails.(40-50 yd shots...7mm08 at 2800fps)
I shot a nice Antelope this September at 305 (lazered) yards with 140 gr Accubonds out of my .280@ 2,900 fps...I had two small exit holes also as the bullet separated on the rib upon entering, the lungs were shredded but there were exit holes on either side of the sternum...he was walking away from me at the shot. I hit the last rib , angling forward.

I seen several comments concerning NABs separating. :?

 

[Charlie-NY]

Switch to a Partition, TSX or Failsafe.

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

The swift a frame is a very tough bullet to beat when put under high velocity stress. It will hold up just as well as the barnes without the pedals peeling off.

 

[Flakjkt]

solid base would be great.

 

[Northwoods Hunter]

I'm hoping that someone here has some hands on experience with the Solid Base.... I'm assuming they perform some where between an AccuBond and Pertition? :?:

 

[JD338]

NwH,
I know the UP well, hunted it since the mid 70's and even married a UPer.

The 150 gr SB should be a dandy in your 7mm-08. If they don't shoot to your liking, try the 140 gr PT. You will get an exit wound from most any angle and any tracking job will be a short one.

I have had great success with both the 140 gr PT and BT from my 280 Rem in the UP.

Regards,

JD338

 

[Northwoods Hunter]

Hey JD...

Where is your wife from? My dad is from Alpha (Crystal Falls area) and I taught for 27 yrs in Iron River. I currently reside in Iron Mountain, but do most of my hunting in Iron and Eastern Dickinson County.

Yes...my .280 and 7mm 08 will be working on loads with either the 150 NSBs or 140 Partitons this season . Thanks for the input...I needed some field experience to draw on...hate to lose a nice buck by learning the "hard" way. :roll:

 

[FOTIS]

tRY THE 160'S AT 2700 FPS WITH rl 19

 

[Northwoods Hunter]

Thanks POP! :grin:

 

[UsSoldier]

North Woods hunter,where inthe UP do ya live, I have a buddy of my from the army that lives up there. He lives up a lil past autrain.

 

[Northwoods Hunter]

I am about 100 miles SW of Autrain in Iron Mountain.