7SAUM Barnes LRX data

Does anyone have any load data / success with Barnes LRX 168 or 175 grain bullets? I'm running a 22" barrel on a short action. I have an abundance of RL26, H4350, and 4831SC on hand. I am ooking for a better alternative to the 175 Bergers that i am running now for elk.

cropdude said:

Does anyone have any load data / success with Barnes LRX 168 or 175 grain bullets? I'm running a 22" barrel on a short action. I have an abundance of RL26, H4350, and 4831SC on hand. I am ooking for a better alternative to the 175 Bergers that i am running now for elk.

Click to expand...

No 175 LRX, but you can use what Barnes has in their reloading center as a baseline: https://www.barnesbullets.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/7mm-RSAUM.pdf

Are you having issues with the 175 Berger?

The Berger's shoot great. Issue is if a shoulder shot is the only option the shoulder is destroyed and bullet explodes before it enters chest cavity and vitals. I have witnessed it multiple times on elk. If there is the time and opportunity to put the bullet in the crease or back a few inches they perform flawlessly.

The ballistics suck compared to Berger's…. Maybe I need to try ABLR's.

I never ran the 168gr in my 7 SAUM, but have in my 280 AI, which is very close ballistically. 59.0gr of H1000 is where I settled for 2750-2800 fps. I would expect you to be able to run up to 62.0gr or more in the SAUM, but it depends. Are you running standard short action? Extended wyatts box? Long Action? COL matters for the 7 SAUM. I also hope you have a 1-8 twist barrel as you are going to need it for the 168 LRX.

cropdude said:

The Berger's shoot great. Issue is if a shoulder shot is the only option the shoulder is destroyed and bullet explodes before it enters chest cavity and vitals. I have witnessed it multiple times on elk. If there is the time and opportunity to put the bullet in the crease or back a few inches they perform flawlessly.

The ballistics suck compared to Berger's…. Maybe I need to try ABLR's.

Click to expand...

I run 175 ABLR's in mine with 64.5 gr Retumbo at around 2900 fps on a 2.94-2.95" COL. She shoots 0.25" to 0.75" groups at 150 yards all day. Taking her to Colorado in November for Muley and Elk. I like a bullet with some *** to crunch through bone.

cropdude said:

The Berger's shoot great. Issue is if a shoulder shot is the only option the shoulder is destroyed and bullet explodes before it enters chest cavity and vitals. I have witnessed it multiple times on elk. If there is the time and opportunity to put the bullet in the crease or back a few inches they perform flawlessly.

The ballistics suck compared to Berger's…. Maybe I need to try ABLR's.

Click to expand...

Exactly my experience on a bull elk last year. Hit him at about 200 yards directly in the shoulder. Long story short, never recovered him. 300 WSM with 180 Berger EH. This year I am giving HH 143 in my 7SAUM the assignment.

cropdude said:

The Berger's shoot great. Issue is if a shoulder shot is the only option the shoulder is destroyed and bullet explodes before it enters chest cavity and vitals. I have witnessed it multiple times on elk. If there is the time and opportunity to put the bullet in the crease or back a few inches they perform flawlessly.

The ballistics suck compared to Berger's…. Maybe I need to try ABLR's.

Click to expand...

Berger is a fragmenting bullet designed to dump all its energy on impact. I have used many bullets, but Berger bullets remain my go-to bullet. I understand it is not for everybody; we have varying preferences and experiences. My farthest elk harvest to date is with a 190 Berger VLD out of .300 WM at 931Y.





Before transitioning to Berger, I am a long-time Nosler bullet (NP, NBT, and NAB ) user. I tried ABLR but had better luck/performance with NAB.

Good luck!

You may consider 160 Accubonds or the 143 & 160 gr monolithic from McGuire Ballistics. I've had great luck with all of them in the 7 saum.

To start with, I'd drop down in bullet weight with the mono bullets. Something in the 140-150 range for a 7mm. Depends somewhat on your twist rate. You will, of course, shoot flatter, but give up a little bit of extended range. I've used nothing but Barnes for 25 years, and only had one issue. I turned out to be the wrong bullet for weapon I was using. Also, I never aim for the shoulder. I don't like wasting meat!

Rick Richard said:

Exactly my experience on a bull elk last year. Hit him at about 200 yards directly in the shoulder. Long story short, never recovered him. 300 WSM with 180 Berger EH. This year I am giving HH 143 in my 7SAUM the assignment.

Click to expand...

I can testify to to effectiveness of the hammer 143's. I put a marginal hit on a small bull at 370 yds and the bull dropped at the shot and never took another step. One of the petals of the Hammer bullet got close enough to the heart that the bull was very sick and I was able to get within 175 yds for a finishing followup.

MagPro worked well for me with the 168 LRX in 7 SAUM.

Good luck.

I shoot the 143HH's at 3150 (H4831) from my 22" 7 SAUM. I've only killed one bull elk with it so far, but it was devastatingly effective at 520yds.

If you want to stick with copper the 140 ttsx barnes is a tough bullet. Bc not great but you can push it fast. I quit using it for deer in a 7mag it's just too dense a bullet for deer but on an elk it would be ok. If your not shooting over 5-600 yds the160 Nosler AB is a great bullet and would be my first choice. If you want more bc the 162 eldx is an option.

mrjashu said:

I shoot the 143HH's at 3150 (H4831) from my 22" 7 SAUM. I've only killed one bull elk with it so far, but it was devastatingly effective at 520yds.

Click to expand...

Can you please PM me your load data?