7mm rem mag, Barnes x bullet 140g, 150g?

[The Encore Kid]

Just got a 7mm Rem Mag.  I am looking forward to deer hunting with it next year.  I have looked at the Barnes X-bullets.  They are supposed to hold together well.  I have shots to about 300 yards, but most are much closer, about 50-75 yards.  What bullet weight should I go with.  Anyone have experience with these bullets.  Deer average weight here is 130-200 pounds.  I heard cheaper bullets might fragment on close shots.  
Thanks for your help!

[jdt48653]

i think the 150s have a little better-b.c. &s.d. for longer shots!

[grouper sandwich]

Either should do the trick just fine.  That 140 is going to fly and hit like a 150 in any other brand.  You can't go wrong with a Barnes X, that's for damn sure!

[longwinters]

My buddy tried Barnes X out of his 7MM.  They did not shoot as well as many of his other factory loads.  I have also read that they tend to leave a lot of copper fouling in the barrel.  But I would think if Grouper or JDT shoot them and like them, then they would certainly be worth a try.  What I have noticed with my 7MM is that it likes 150 gn bullets better than 140 gn. as far as MOA grouping goes. I used 150 Nosler Ballistic tips on antelope and they were fantastic.  But my shot was over 200 yds.  I can't say how they hold up at say 50 yds with the velocity you will be shooting.

long

[Varmint Hunter]

Barnes bullets are arguably the MOST difficult bullets to get to shoot well. I'd spend my time and money working with something else.

An excellent bullet for near or far shots would be Nosler's new 160gr Accubond. It is a very accurate bullet with a bonded core which positively prevents core/jacket separation on high velocity impacts. It also has a high BC but that won't make any measurable difference out to 300yds.

I have been getting .5 moa at 200yds with the Accubonds in my 7STW. They shoot about .75 moa at 200yds in a completely stock Tikka in 7mm-08.

Just my experience with these two bullets.

VH