7MM Ultra Mag load for longrange whitetails

[smokepole]

Hello Guys,
I have a Remington 700BDL 7MM Ultra Mag (twist is 1-91/4)and just got my dies in this week.I have also received the powder(Retumbo) and 2 diffrent bullet types 140gr. winchester silvertip and 139 gr.Hornady SST interlock bullets. The reloading manual says to start at 90 grs and max is 96.5 grs of Retumbo.Have any of you guys reloaded this cartridge and what do you use?Thanks for any feedback on this!smoke

 

[royinidaho]

Good morning and welcome aboard!

It sounds like you're excited to get goin'.

Poor fella been hangin' around here too long already and you're hooked.

The Win Silver Tip sure should give good terminal performance.

The SST may not shoot as well as you wish. It depends on the rifle. I've had no luck with them in 270 cal.

You may wish to consider running numbers on some software and comparing heavier, higher BC bullets to the ones you have. You'll notice that heavier, slower out does smaller lighter at longer distances.

Plus wind drive is smaller also.

Depending on your hunting area and further dreamin' about something larger than a white tail, you may wish to check out Berger 168s or one of the Wildcat offerings.

Just some tho'ts

Good luck and have fun

Others will be chiming in and trumping everything I said.

 

[Peters]

I use 160 gr accubonds with 95gr of retumbo at 3350fps.Shooting .5 inch groups at 100yds.

 

[smokepole]

Hello royinidaho,
Mornin to you also!And thanks for the welecome!I am new to these forums but looks like a great place to hang out and shoot the breeze.
The reason I was wanting to shoot a ballistic tip or a ast expanding bullet is because I have been plugging the whitetails.Been shootin 140 gr. factory nosler particion bullets and some 140 core-locs but the deer will at first seem un-hit then run off a 100 or 200 yds.The exit hole is the same as the entry hole.I have had great expereinces with the 140 gr winchester silvertip bullets in my 7mag that is why I thought I would try them in the 7mmRUM.When I said long range the shots probibly wont be over 375yds or 400yds with alot of 175yd shots at nice bucks in bean feilds and cut corn fields.Will the 168gr Berger have alot of expansion on impact?That is what I am looking for.I cant stand for a deer to run off even if the shot was pretty decent.I like to see the shock shut them down then!
Thanks for the fast reply!smoke

 

[smokepole]

I use 160 gr accubonds with 95gr of retumbo at 3350fps.Shooting .5 inch groups at 100yds.

Peters,
Are you shooting whitetails with the 160gr accubonds and if so how does it do on putting them down?

 

[dwm]

I'll second Pete's recomendation:

I use 160 gr accubonds with 95gr of retumbo at 3350fps.Shooting .5 inch groups at 100yds.

I use 92.5 Retumbo and the 160 Accubond, being at sea level and in high humidity and temperature our loads are always a bit lighter in powder than what is normally posted. Getting close to the same velocity though.

I have shot both an Elk and deer with it.

It is a very effective combination.

 

[Peters]

I have used them whitetails, muleys,antelope,elk,and bear. Besides the bear and one muley all went right down. Muley ran 30yds, and the bear ran 50yds before piling up. Got bergers on the way to try but these bullets seem to be doing the trick and they fit in my mag. Just wanted a bullet with a higher bc.

 

[eddybo]

At 94grs 150 miles from the gulf with the 160AB.....but what a great combo for the 7RUM.

I'll second Pete's recomendation:



I use 92.5 Retumbo and the 160 Accubond, being at sea level and in high humidity and temperature our loads are always a bit lighter in powder than what is normally posted. Getting close to the same velocity though.

I have shot both an Elk and deer with it.

It is a very effective combination.

 

[smokepole]

I am a member at VHA and posted about the 7mmRUM and was beginnin to think I was the only feller out there with one!LOL
What COL are you guys using?with the 160gr Accubond?Thanks

 

[linksmechanic]

180 bergers are the only way to fly. .684 b.c. and bang flop terminal performance. I get 1/4 m.o.a. with them. For powders in a 7 retumbo is the best choice imo.

 

[Peters]

Sorry got a little busy. C.O.L is 3.600

 

[royinidaho]

Smokepole,

Linksmechanic gave good info on the Berger.

I don't shoot a 7 but have used a pecker wood 270 Win for years with 130 Sierra Boat Tails. If the deer was closer than 200 yards meat damage was always successive especially if the shoulder was hit, not bone just meat and ribs). Whole front half was pretty much wasted.

However it was bang flop pretty much each time.

I have since switched to Nosler ballistic tips to keep from blunting the lead points on cartridges in the magazine. I've shoot deer quartering away, hitting just ahead of the ham and exiting the off side front shoulder. Great penetration, great performance and bang flop and minimal meat damage.

 

[smokepole]

Another question I had for some of you 7mm RUM reloaders.I tried to find the lans in mine but with the bullet just barely seated it still didnt touch the lans.One of my friends at amother site said that the ultra mag might be like the weatherby magnums and not made to seat to the lans.On the other hand I read were it said for you to reload the berger 180 gr bullets touchin the lans?That must be for the 7mm cartride and other smaller 7mm than the RUM.

Peters,
Thanks!That is what I had read for the maximum col. 3.600".
I guess that is what I should keep all the col.s at for the RUM with all bullets,dont want to build up to much pressure!LOL

 

[Tyler Kemp]

I second use of the Bergers. Depending on what distance you are shooting, the 168 or 180 grains might do well. And accuracy is usually better with these bullets, being made to very good standards. With the Berger bullets, you should be able to find the lands, as they are loooong bullets. If you really want to shoot 140 grainers, Berger told me they are coming out with a 7mm 140 grain bullet later this year. And as a plus, Bergers like being shot in the lands, or very close. As an alternative to Bergers, Amaxes have done very well for me.