7mm Rem Mag: 140 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip+ Alliant RL-19

waterboy411 · Nov 10, 2005

Hi Guys. I just wanted you all to know I shot my Weatherby Vanguard Sporter today with great results. I loaded up some Nosler 140 grain ballistic tips with 63.5 grains of RL-19(this is a published load in my Nosler #5 manual). I used winchester WLRM primers, and the groups were outstanding. I only need to get the trigger worked on for this rifle to be a real keeper. Going to send back to Weatherby after hunting season to let them slick her up. As is, she shoots great with these loads. I may try some 140 Acubonds later. Should the acubonds shoot as well as the bt did? I hope so. Thanks.

jdmason480 · Nov 12, 2005

I've discovered no difference between the AB's and BT's at shooting range distances (out to 200 yds). In my opinion, the BT's became obsolete when the AB's were introduced. Opinions vary widely but I don't believe that the BT's are well suited to this cartridge to be used on game. My two experiences on pronghorn at 200 and 375 yds had the BT's essentially explode on impact sending shrapnel everywhere. Both animals fell in their tracks. But, I had lead in my backstraps and various other muscle groups.

Happy shooting!

jd

longwinters · Nov 14, 2005

I would agree with JD. BT's out of a 7mm are going to leave you massive holes. I too would try the Accubonds. See my post on the 120 BT's out of a 7m-08.

Long

waterboy411 · Nov 24, 2005

HI guys. I just wanted you to know you are correct about the 7mm 140 grain ballistic tip in the 7mm Rem mag. I shot my first deer on Monday morning(opening day here in western NC). He was a 7 point buck, and I took him at about 65 to 70 yards. High lung shot about 6 inches below top of his back, 6 or so inches behind the shoulder. Bullet took out 3 ribs going in. Didn't bleed much at all, and was hard to track. Bullet failed to penetrate through the lungs, never even touched the ribs on off side. Blew a 3 inch hole in rib cage, and turned lungs into a mess. I did recover him in about 60 yards. Still would prefer an exit wound, as it was raining heavily, and the blood trail was slight and short. I will definitely try some accubonds next time around. Should be a better combination of accuracy and penetration. Thanks.

longwinters · Nov 25, 2005

Under the "hunting" forum see my post on the 140 Accubonds. My experience seems to be somewhat common.

My sons and I have always had pass thru shots with the BT bullets. But out of my 7mm, the one year I used it out west, my shot was at 250 yds. The hole coming out was bigger than my fist. But at close range and at any velocity over 2800 I would not use them just because of what you found out.

Good luck,

Long

waterboy411 · Nov 28, 2005

Hi guys. I went hunting this past Saturday. Same load and rifle. Had a 3 point whitetail come in at about 35 to 40 yards. Shot him behind the left shoulder, quartering away. Very small entrance wound, fell in his tracks. No tracking necessary. However, when I skinned him out, you would have thought I shot him through the shoulders with a grenade. The forward chest cavity was mince meat, and both shoulders were blood shot. The effectiveness of this load can't be denied, but I will be using either the solid base or accubonds as soon as I get some of them to load up. The ballistic tips are super accurate in my rifle, but the results at close range are devasting. Thanks.

remingtonman_25_06 · Nov 29, 2005

Any bullet is going to be devastating under 100 yards with a 7 mag. I dont care what grain of bullet it is or what type. That is a lot of speed to try to keep any premium bullet together, let alone a BT. You might wanna try a barnes or swift a frames if you want the bullet to completely stay together as much as possible. Even then, your still going to have a mess with shots under 100 yards. JMO.