175 grain bullets in the 7mm rem mag

[Theelkgetter]

Welcome!

I'm tagging in. I shot some of the 175gr Remington Core-Lokts and the 175gr Winchester Power Points last summer. Both are sub-moa out of my factory 700 in 7mm RM. Haven't had an opportunity to try them on game yet, but the responses and info I've read on the net indicate they're bad medicine for critters.

Thank you, I used remington core lokts on a few elk and dropped them where they stood one about rolled too my feet lol never saw one deader than dead not flinch just dropped dead didn't even quiver 175 grain.

 

[Theelkgetter]

If you want to go longer, there are better bullets with higher BC than the 175 Speer grand slam. Those Speer bullets are great for what you are doing right now.

With a cup and core bullet, your weight for longer range is good at 175 Gr. Think about Berger or hornady eldx.

Thank you sir!

 

[FEENIX]

I would like to get into longer range shots if the opportunity presented it's self. That is why I joined this long range shooting to get ideas from people.

I was a longtime Nosler (NP, NAB, NBT, and ABLR) and Hornady A-Max, SST) before transitioning to Berger in 2003 as my go-to bullet. If you go with Berger, know that it is a frangible bullet and not for everybody. You will likely see failure stories, lack of pass-through, or low bullet weight retention. Because it is a fragmenting cup and core bullet, you will likely see lead=free bullet recommendations. I stopped worrying about bullet weight retention and pass-throughs. I switched because Berger (frangible bullets) does not need pass-through to be effective because it dumps most of its energy on impact. And because it does not require a pass-through, it alleviates or reduces the risk of shooting what is behind your intended target.



I am a heavy-for-caliber bullet guy, so I would go with the heaviest (or close to it) bullet that your barrel twist can effectively stabilize at your hunting elevation. If you have a 1:9", you can go up to 195g. Regardless of bullet choice, shot placement remains paramount.



Good luck and happy safe hunting.

 

[FireFlyFishing]

I would stick with what you have going in that particular rifle. It seems to work well for you.

If you're looking to get into long range hunting, I'd start from scratch building or buying a rifle around the desired capabilities needed. Don't skimp on the rifle or scope.

 

[FEENIX]

I would stick with what you have going in that particular rifle. It seems to work well for you.

Yes, one can make it work, but it is not ideal for LRH/S - 175 Grand Slam (G1=.436) vs. 175 Berger (G1=.656), especially beyond 600Y.

I have never had to shoot an elk past 300 yards where I hunt its to dence of mountains trees and I have hunted there my whole life and know the mountain well, so if elk are 800 yards away across a canyon or in a canyon I poistion myself closer, most of the time I hunt right above my camp where my grsat uncle and grandfather hunted in a spot we call my grandads tree stand and the elk usually come out of the canyons at this spot and are usually within 40 or 50 yards, I would like to get into longer range shots if the opportunity presented it's self. That is why I joined this long range shooting to get ideas from people.

 

[FireFlyFishing]

Yes, one can make it work, but it is not ideal for LRH/S - 175 Grand Slam (G1=.436) vs. 175 Berger (G1=.656), especially beyond 600Y.

No argument there. My point is, that rifle works for the OP with that load and configuration for the tactics he's used in the past. I would keep it for that purpose and get a different rifle for the long range pursuit. Obviously running a modern, high BC bullet.

The OP likely will need to drop some coin regardless if he keeps the original rifle or goes new to make effective shots on game at or past 300 with a new bullet choice. My assumption is the OP's rifle system isn't ready for the desired task of 800 yard cross canyon shooting.

@Theelkgetter run us through your rifle system please.

 

[Shankedit]

Thank you I have thought about trying some 140 grain barnes ttsx.

I used the 140 TTSX, or maybe the 145 LRX, in a 7 WSM and they shot great. I never shot an elk with them but I'd trust them 100% 500 yards and in. Could probably stretch it farther depending on when the velocity dropped below what they recommend, which I think is between 1800-2000 fps.

 

[highfinblue]

Hello, I am new to the forum. I keep seeing people promoting 140 grain, 150 grain, 160 grain bullets out of the 7mm rem mag. My grandfather used 175 grain bullets and so do I. I use them on Elk also on mule deer as it drops them no tracking required or maybe the animal goes 20 feet, and when a second shot is required they maybe go 20 feet then out for the count. I feel like to live up to the 7mm rem mags full capabilities the 175 grain bullet is the way to go. I understand if you just hunt deer or antelope but for elk and and big mulies I prefer the 175 grain over anything. I am currently using 175 grain speer grand slams. I wouldn't be apposed to using 175 grain nosler partitions but nosler isn't making them as they say most people's rifles wont stabalize them and there isn't a high enough demand. The Speer grand slam is highly under rated in my opinion and the 175 grain stomps elk I hope they don't stop making them.

If it ain't broke don't fix it has worked well for me. If I were concerned about them stopping production of your favorite bullet, I'd start storing up a lifetime supply. It's nice to be able to pull components off your shelves and not wait on UPS or go to town to get more. When I get a load working in a rifle I stock up on all components. Started years ago, and it has paid off big the last several years. I store all my stuff in climate control and have never had issues of any of it going bad. Keep stomping those elk.

 

[highfinblue]

I was a longtime Nosler (NP, NAB, NBT, and ABLR) and Hornady A-Max, SST) before transitioning to Berger in 2003 as my go-to bullet. If you go with Berger, know that it is a frangible bullet and not for everybody. You will likely see failure stories, lack of pass-through, or low bullet weight retention. Because it is a fragmenting cup and core bullet, you will likely see lead=free bullet recommendations. I stopped worrying about bullet weight retention and pass-throughs. I switched because Berger (frangible bullets) does not need pass-through to be effective because it dumps most of its energy on impact. And because it does not require a pass-through, it alleviates or reduces the risk of shooting what is behind your intended target.



I am a heavy-for-caliber bullet guy, so I would go with the heaviest (or close to it) bullet that your barrel twist can effectively stabilize at your hunting elevation. If you have a 1:9", you can go up to 195g. Regardless of bullet choice, shot placement remains paramount.



Good luck and happy safe hunting.

Pulled up to the house the other day and an armadillo was in my food plot. I had my 28 Nosler with 195 grain Bergers in the truck; it is amazing what that round will do to an armadillo at 250 yards. He simply disappeared and painted the wheat red in doing so.

 

[nhenry]

Pulled up to the house the other day and an armadillo was in my food plot. I had my 28 Nosler with 195 grain Bergers in the truck; it is amazing what that round will do to an armadillo at 250 yards. He simply disappeared and painted the wheat red in doing so.

 

[FEENIX]

The OP likely will need to drop some coin regardless if he keeps the original rifle or goes new to make effective shots on game at or past 300 with a new bullet choice. My assumption is the OP's rifle system isn't ready for the desired task of 800 yard cross canyon shooting.

Yes, but a change to higher BC bullet is the most effective means at this time for @Theelkgetter until he is ready for the long shot or upgrade his current set-up. This is exactly what I did 25 years ago because my budget did not allow me to.

@Theelkgetter, LRH/S does not happen overnight - practice, practice, practice. Good luck!

 

[FEENIX]

If it ain't broke don't fix

Fixing and improving is not the same. If rifle manufacturers adhere to this mindset, we would still be shooting/hunting with muskets from the 15th Century or earlier technology. LL!

 

[highfinblue]

Fixing and improving is not the same. If rifle manufacturers adhere to this mindset, we would still be shooting/hunting with muskets from the 15th Century or earlier technology. LL!

I'm all for innovation and invention, and I thought he was simply defending his choice of bullets, to which I simply agreed with him, if it's working, keep working it. I like the new fancy stuff, the only thing keeping me from having much more is cash lol.

 

[FEENIX]

I'm all for innovation and invention, and I thought he was simply defending his choice of bullets, to which I simply agreed with him, if it's working, keep working it. I like the new fancy stuff, the only thing keeping me from having much more is cash lol.

I did the same in #2, but then he said he wants to explore LR in #6. And because I do not know the OP's budget, I responded as such in #25.