Question for you 7mm Rem Mag Elk Killers?

[RevJim]

I was gifted my very first bolt action 7mm Rem Mag (BDL 700) in 1980 by my little wife for Christmas! ( I still have her too!) it was my second magnum (I did a short stint with a BAR 7mm when I got out of the Army 1973. It was too heavy and too "tight", the least bit of dirt, etc hunting made it jam. Down the road it went. ) By then I had learned to use a bolt action (was a lever/auto fan until then) handload/shoot/hunt with a Ruger 77 .280, but a trip to Colorado in '79 on a bowhunt made me aware of the Mountains/big country, and I missed my Magnum! (hey, I was young OK?) So, I ended up using that 7mm Mag primarily for everything until '87 (sold everything, went to Bible College, which took everything I could scrape/work for, ha) Since then I have had many 7mm mags, from Rem, STWs, one RUM, and boo koo 280s (including Ackleys) never killed anything bigger than deer/antelope. I then fell in love with the Mediums ( from 338-375s, then settled on the 300 WM in between) Now, my older shoulder (hey, that rhymes!) has me back to my old standby '06 and another 7mm RM. I am not a LRH, though I have learned alot from the guys who do. Now my question concerns the 160 grain Class of bullets. I know any Mono I use will work, but I like 160 for the 7mm caliber. Indulge me?

Which 160 grain bullet have you killed elk (from Cows to Bulls, or even elk sized Plains Game in Africa) with and what was your observation as to how quick it killed/incapacitated, etc. I have shot many Brands in all those previous 7mms, but only killed deer/antelope with Partitions/Ballistic Tips, a few Corlokts. I have shot more Sierras and Noslers in the 7mms.

I appreciate any and all replies, thanks.

 

[lancetkenyon]

160 TMKs work great for game from coyote to pronghorn/Coues up to elk. I have a buddy who runs them in a 280AI @ 3100fps and he has crushed tons of game with them. I have a wicked load with them in my 7SS as well. Just keep them off the shoulder/leg bones of big elk.

165 TGK is a tough bullet too, and way accurate! Better for elk, but not too stout for deer/pronghorn.

Honestly, I prefer the 175-184s for elk in my 7SS, .280AI and 7RM.

 

[RevJim]

Thanks Lance, I'm sure most of the guys here on LRH are using fast twists. I still want to hear from you all. FWIW, I'm shooting a stock B14 Hunter with 9.5" Twist.

 

[PC Python]

I think if you're not shooting long distance the 160gr. Nosler Partitions are extremely effective.

 

[dogz]

Rev-there's a ton load of greaat elk bullets for a Big 7.

The one's I've used the most are as follows:

*150 NBT
*160 Partition
*160 Sierra BT
*160 Sierra HPBT
*150 Scenar
*168 Speer HC
*168 Berg
*175 Partition ( I know it's not a 160 but it's so darn good, the Gold Standard IMO


Honestly, pick one and go forth and fill up arks

 

[birddog 68]

Accubond. I use the 160 grain from my 280 AI that has a 1:10 twist but wouldn't worry about dropping to the 150 if stability is a concern.

 

[dogz]

Rev-from left field and in no way does this assist in your quest for a 160 but...the 120 TTSX is a rock star along with R22!

Just another way to roll and thinking outside the bun eh

 

[Catskills]

I've shot deer and elk with 160 accubonds out of a STW at 3350fps or so. Never recovered a bullet out to 500yds or so. I'd have lots of confidence in that bullet at rem mag velocities. I'd have the same confidence in a partition if accuracy was adequate.