Favorite 7mm bullet?

Guy Miner

Guy Miner

Master Loader
Apr 6, 2006
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5,817
What's your favorite 7mm bullet for deer & larger game, and why?

As of today, with a 26" Ruger Number One, I'm back in the 7mm Rem mag game, after having been without one (horrible experience, let me tell you) for a few years... I used the 175 Nosler Partition on elk, 140 ballistic tips on smaller stuff... Is the 160 Partition a real good all-around bullet? Or which one? I'd like to have One Load for this Number One!

IMG_0833.jpg


Please tell your 7mm bullet opinions & experiences! :grin:
 
Guy,

I have the same rifle in the same chambering. Wouldnt know what to do without it. Mine loves 160 grain Accubonds with 65 grains RL22 and Federal Mag primers seated ten-thousandths off the lands for an average velocity of 3170 fps. The speed and trajectory are hard to complain about, but the accuracy is where she really becomes terrifying... Its good at 100 yards, usually coming in under 1/2 inch for 3 shots when I do my part, but where it really shines is out at the 400, 500, and 600 yard targets. Lets just say that for a hunting rifle without any custom work, it would make most custom owners blush...

The rifle isnt light, for sure, but when packing mine around the mountains of Wyoming and Montana in some of the god-aweful places I occasionally venture into, I find the extra weight helps to steady the rifle for less than ideal shooting positions and angles. It seems more "forgiving" somehow.

Also, it seems to have been very convincing to all of the bulls that have stood in the way too long. Not a peep of a complaint from any of them...
Ive shot deer and elk (and a couple of black bears)with 150 XBT's, 150 Ballistic Tips, 160 Partitions, 175 Grand Slams, and the 160 Accubonds, and all have given great results.


Strawberryridge
 
My 7 RM shoots so many different bullets from 140-180g that I can have 1 bullet for the specific job. I like 140g NBT's for lope/deer and 160g AB for black bear and elk. Or I can use any of the heavier target bullets 162g amax, 168g vld for long range shooting and deer.

However, If I was limited to just 1 bullet, I would use the 160g AB. Still get the job done both close and far, on everything from antelope to elk, has a high BC for a hunting bullet, they are plenty accurate out there aways, and they are relatively cheap.

Nothing against partitions, but they are expensive for what they are IMO. The AB will retain every bit as much weight, but fly further, flatter, with much better accuracy and they are cheaper!
 
I new to the 7mm shooting as I just got a 7mmRUM in December. So far, I have only got a load for the 150ET. When the weather clears I'll work on a 160AB load for it. These are my two bullets for this rifle. When I move from CA to ID next year, probably just shoot the 160AB (assuming this rifle likes them).
 
Guy,

The 160 gr AB is as close as it get to the perfect bullet. With a BC of .531, it will do well over distance. It will open up just fine on deer size game and give deep penetration on elk.
RL 22 is an excellent powder for the 7mm RM.

JD338
 
Guy, for deer or anything else you would hunt with your 7mm Mag I would have to agree with others that it is the 160gr AccuBond. I used that bullet in my 7mmSTW Savage and my 7mm Mag Sendero and it was devastating on deer and hogs. For the distance you will be shooting at times I would go with the 160gr AccuBond as JD338 say for the BC and down range performance and it will preform very well up close also as you know.
 
Guy,
160 gr. AccuBond @ 3333 FPS in the RUM. I started with 140s and 160s and the 160 shoots almost as flat and carried better in the winds of Wyoming. Also the ( slightly) lower velocity saves a little meat. I'm a one bullet per caliber person though. I go up or down in caliber to match what I'm going to hunt. (A good excuse to have more rifles) :grin:
Good Hunting
Elkhunt
 
Must confess I too have had good results from a 160 grain bullet and the 7mm Rem mag in the past, mostly powered by a healthy charge of Reloader 22... It seems to be a recurring theme here too... :grin:

Have not yet tried accubonds, but why not? Rifle will likely see use primarily for mule deer, but also for black bear, and possibly elk from time to time.

Thanks!
 
Guy Miner":3b9kbw1v said:
Must confess I too have had good results from a 160 grain bullet and the 7mm Rem mag in the past, mostly powered by a healthy charge of Reloader 22... It seems to be a recurring theme here too... :grin:

Have not yet tried accubonds, but why not? Rifle will likely see use primarily for mule deer, but also for black bear, and possibly elk from time to time.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Guy, you might already do this but take the time to weigh each bullet and use those to build your loads that weigh the same are almost the exact same weight. I do this with BT, Accubonds really anymore with any hunting bullet I use. It is one the things that really seems to make the difference in me shooting good groups.
 
One more vote for the 160gr AB.
The 150gr BT might be a little more accurate bullet in my experience, but the I have more confidence in the 160gr AB on big game and at high velocities.
 
The only bullet I used in my Ruger #1 7mm Rem. Mag (for a lot of years) was the 160 NP. I shot bears, antelope & deer, & the bullet never failed once. :) Don't be afraid to use the one weight of bullet. Shoot it & learn what it is capable of doing for you. When I changed to the 7mm RUM, I stuck with the 160 gr. AB & it didn't let me down :grin:
 
Guy,

I'm shooting 160 grain ABs in my 7 mm WSM, and the bullet works quite well on large bodied deer and elk. In my 7 mm RM, I've used 175 grain Partitions, and they work very well on moose and elk. I don't think you can go wrong with either, but the AB will give you a little more velocity. It is certainly tough enough for elk and black bear, and it will certainly handle mule deer and whitetails.
 
Guy- I'll weigh in here. Dads favorite and now only load for his 7MM Mag is a 130 grain speer boattail. Its not high tech and he doesent load it real hot (2900 fps or less). As he says, "I dont need to beat myself up anymore..." The thing is, that thing is a deer killer. He has dropped many deer since 1964 and all of them stopped with one shot. Honestly. Its the same load he shot jacks and coyotes and "barked" woodpeckers with when I was a kid. It just plain does the job. Given that, 160 grainers seem like a lotta lead, but they gotta work.... CL
 
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