7mm-08 / 120gr. NBT... <75 yd. terminal performance on deer?

[Yankee Bill]

Hi folks,

New guy here. Got a question about 7/08 and the 120 gr. BT performance on deer at short ranges, i.e. 25-75 yards. I've got a mod. 7 in 7/08 set up as a eastern woods rig where this range of shot is the norm, I'm running (the now discontinued)Hornady 154gr. RN over a stout load of varget in this gun and it flat out lays 'em on the ground, and I love the combo for this purpose.

However, where I hunt, we have one stand on a field that I'll sit to meat hunt sometimes which offers 250 yd. shot opportunities and I want to work up a longer range load for my Tikka T3 7/08 with 120gr. BT's (probably w/ 45 gr. of Varget)for when I hunt this particular stand. But, as Murphy's law would have it, sometimes those buggers will step into the field at 75 yds. or less.

I've read many posts of the 7-08/ 120 BT combo's termanial performance at distances of > 100 yds., but not many at < 100 yds. Would any of you guys who've killed whitetails at these shorter distances w/ this caliber / bullet mind sharing some of your experiences.

Appreciate any input you may have.

Thanks,

YB

 

[jmad_81]

Welcome!

The 120 bt sure worked really well in my wifes 7-08. A few under 100 yards all one shot kills. Go for the lungs and enjoy some steaks!

 

[DrMike]

Yankee Bill,

Welcome to the forum; it's good to have you aboard. You will have no problems with the 120 grain BT on deer at shot distances. The 120 grain BT is a stout bullet with a thicker jacket that will hold up well at those distances.

 

[Oldtrader3]

Welcome. I have killed several whitetail deer with a .300 Savage and 180 grain Hornady round nosed bullets at about 2500 fps when I lived back east. All of these deer were shot at ranges of less than 80 yards and most were running or walking shots. These round nosed bullets performed really well in all cases, expanded, exited and laid the deer out very quickly. You should have no problems.

The 7-30 Waters was a popular lever gun cartridge back in the 1970's which shot a 120 grain flat nosed bullet at about 2700 fps and performed very well on whitetail deer. Your 7mm-06 should do the same.

 

[CatskillCrawler]

Your current bullet will work fine out to 250 yds from your 7mm-08. I've been loading 139gr Hornady SSTs for several friends for some time and they work quite well at ranges from 10 - 300yds. The 120gr NBT is a good bullet too but I think you would be best served with something in the 139 - 150gr variety.

 

[onesonek]

I won't argue with the other's, as for the 120 gr. NBT working at short to modest range.
However, I prefer heavier for deeper penetration with exist's from all but the worst angle if needed. In the 7mm/.284 chambering's, my prefered weight is 150 gr. for less than Elk sized critters. Yes it's a tad slower, but will still PBR on deer sized game nicely, out to the range you mentioned. just my 2 cents

 

[longwinters]

My son took an antelope @ 250 yds with a 120 BT out of his model 7 7m-08 no problems. Year before last I took a decent 8 pt at 235 yds with the same bullet out of my 7m-08. Another bullet that should work great is the 140 AccuBond, at least it works great out of my 7m-08.

Long

 

[vodekz]

No problem there. 120 BT will expend nicely at 2800 fps or less.
Aim at the lungs and .... make sure you have a sharp knife with you. My son's 6.5 Grendel shoot 6.5mm 120 BT at muzzle 2400 fps and it kills deer.

 

[Yankee Bill]

Thanks Folks,

Appreciate the input.

YB

 

[rquack]

I've shot MANY (30+) Michigan whitetails at very close distances with a Rem Model 7 and 120 grain BTips. The closest was about 15 yards [deer facing me, bullet entered at base of neck on the left side and was slightly angled to allow an exit behind the right shoulder, it took out 2 ribs on exit ( 1.5 x 2.5 wound) with lung hanging from it] and the deer went about 25 yards and crawled up under a brush pile as it expired. Son-in-law has taken 2 brisket shots [at less than 50 yards] and watched 'em fall without even so much as a quiver after they hit the dirt. Summary: I've shot this bullet exclusively for whitetails for over 20 years. Never had a problem at any range [15 to 115 yards]. I load for 4 friends with 7mm-08's who purchased them after shooting deer with mine. They all want me to load 120 grain BTips for them. My inventory of 1200 of these bullets conveys my satisfaction with them; I'll never be without them. Shoot accurately, place them properly, have fun, don't worry.... Nosler will come through for you when using this bullet.

 

[FOTIS]

120 BT from a 7mm-08. Smacked a buck at over 3000 fps. Recovered on opposite side.