Best LR Bullet for 7mm?

[crittergitter]

light bulbHello all, I'm trying to help my dad develop a 400 yard - 800 yard whitetail load for a custom chamber 7mm Weatherby. It is a 26" Douglas match bbl (don't know the twist unfortunately, probably 1 in 10) on a Sako action and McMillan stock. NO FREEBORE. I recommended the 180 Berger VLD, but I really don't know. Once I streched my 7mm out too far for 120 Barnes TSX's in light wind, I switched to 338 caliber and 300 grain SMK's for long work. Any advice on bullets and powder would be greatly appreciated.

 

[wnroscoe]

If your dads rifle is a 1 in 10 twist he'll probably have to stick with the 150's. I'd check to see if it's not a 1 in 9, if it is a 1 in 9, 168 Bergers all the way. 3,100 fps is doable with RL-22. Plug that in a Balistics Program

 

[redbone]

wnroscoe


I have an 7 MM STW that I shoot out to 600 yards with Barnes 120 TSX an it work great . If needed to jump to 140 TSX .

Redbone

 

[shootinfool]

+1 for the berger 168's. My 7 mag loves them and they have proven to be a very good killing bullet for me.

 

[crittergitter]

Thanks for the help. He'll have to measure the twist rate, he bought it used. +1 on the 120 TSX's. My 7mm basement magnum shoots them at 3750 fps with moly and is plenty accurate for 600 yard deer, but they don't do well in hilly country with variable wind issues.

 

[speedbump]

You'll have to experiment, but I'd start with: 176 Cauterucio, 180 Berger, 175 Sierra, 168 Berger, and 156 Cauterucio in that order.

 

[Chopaka81]

My 7mm Rem Mag likes Speer 145gr SPBT & Sierra 160gr SPBT. Both have proven themselves to 500 yds on mule deer.

My brother shoots the Nosler 140gr BT in his 7mm STW AI and has seen good results out to 650 yds.

Have Fun!

 

[James H]

My 7mm Rem Mags (1-10 twist)like 162 A-max with H-4831 powder.
James

 

[Tyler Kemp]

"Cauterucio"
What kinds of bullets are these?

 

[tjonh2001]

One more for berger 168 vlds i am shooting them in my 1 in 9 twist. they are a great bulet. i shot deer from 460 to 889 yards. give them a chance.

 

[rocky_lange]

The only bullet I reload in 7mm Weatherby is a 160gr Nosler Partition. Not for any particular reason except that it is what my dad had in 7mm bullets in his reloading supplies. I actualy get great results with it though. Sub MOA. Always better results than factory ammo.

I am getting ready to switch to new bullets as my partition supply is
starting to run low. I plan on trying both Berger 168 and 180 VLDs, Barnes TSX, TTSX and MRX in 140gr to 175 gr, and Hornady 178 AMax. The only brand carried locally is the AMax and I bought a box today. I will be loading and shooting over the next few weeks.

I look forward to trying the Barnes bullets though. I use them exclusively in my AR10 (.308) for hunting and absolutely love them. I have not found their accuracy to be better than anyother brand bullets, but I feel their terminal performance is awesome.

Rocky

 

[Varmint Hunter]

I've got a Hart 10" twist on my 7STW. It shoots the 162gr A-Max very well and provides good terminal performance on thin skin game.

According to Berger, conditions "would have to be right" for their 180gr VLD to stabilize in a 10" twist. That's to iffy for me. You never know what conditions you may be hunting (hot, cold, high altitude, low alt., etc) They added that their 168gr VLD would "definately" work in a 10" twist.

 

[Buffalobob]

Depending on when it was built, the prevailing twist could have been 9.5 -1. In a 7 Wby you should achieve very good accuracy with the 160 class bullets. The good ones have been mentioned - 160-168 grains. I doubt the 180 would be a good choice but you can try it. The 160 Accubonds will tolerate very close range shots without blowing up. The last deer I killed in the Paw Paw Bends was with a 28 inch Shilen 9.5 twist 7 Wby and 160 Accubonds at a range of 50 yards. Not a lot of meat damage for such close range. Has a decent BC but because of the tough jacket and long bearing surface it is may not get you as much muzzle velocity as some of the softer bullets. But the softer bullets leave me unhappy with the amount of excessive damage they produce.

 

[crittergitter]

More great info. Thanks much. I'll pass it on to Pop.