You will find all different load advice and they are all good and serve a purpose. For me I load heavy for caliber so I'm loading 162's and 168 gr bullets. The 168's are about the heaviest bullet you can push before getting diminishing returns on other factors such as down range energy, velocity, and stability of the bullet. My purpose is mule deer, and elk if I have a tag and carring my 7mm-08. If I have an Elk tag I would probably be going to the woods with my 300Rum. But the 7 is a great little cartridge even if it seems speeds are slower for heavy bullets. If you can find the 145 LRX bullets I have heard that this is the best of both worlds with speed and deep penetration on game which is what Barnes is know for. BC's are not as high on these as some of the heavyweight but with reasonable distance I think they are a great bullet. Personally I shoot 162 ELDX and 168LRAB. Will be loading the 168 VLD later this year for testing also. I have shot my 7mm out to 1300 yards with reasonable accuracy for practice and fun. Probably will do this again since now I have a couple of steal AR500 plates to setup but after hunting season is done.