Deer bullet for 7 /30 Waters

[DLH]

What do you think about a 120 g hornady bullet for deer in a 7 /30 Waters, or should I stay with a 140 gr??  I am shooting a T C Contender with a 18" barrel. shots will be between 30  -  125 yds.



Thanks

[Graybeard]

From a 14" TC barrel I chose the Sierra 130 SSP as my all time favorite. It is now discontinued. Hornady used to make a 120 SSP bullet I liked as well. Of what's left now for handguns the Nosler 120 BT would perhaps be my choice.

But with and 18" rifle barrel I'd go with the Nosler 140 BT.

[charles p]

The 130 grain Sierra SSP is a dynamite bullet in my 14" Contender.  Sorry to learn that they are discontinued.  I had a bad experience with a 120 grain Nosler BT, but that was just one deer.  Have two boxes of the 130's.  Maybe they will last a lifetime.

[DLH]

I went to the range today, with my reloader, the 120gr. the best group shot a 1.062" group @ 100yds.  it checked in @ 2332fps.  the best I could get from the 140s was about 4".  I tried 4 different powders. bullet seating.

  The 140s would shoot 2 shots close and the next 2 shots 5" away.  I tried crimping boy did that OPEN up the group.

  2332fps gives about 1420 foot lbs @ the muzzle.

[hoghunting]

 I use Hornady 120 gr SP in my 14" Contender, and not only are they extremely accurate, they are deadly on deer and hogs.

[DLH]

Went back to the range today,   I have tried 6 Different powders and 4 different 140g bullets, None shot less than 3" @ 100 yds.   I guess I'll have to stick with 120g bullet, at about 2300 fps.

Thanks Guys!

[bilmac]

I had the carbine bbl and 120s didn't seem to kill deer very good, had lots of runners even when they were hit well. I switched to Speer 130s and never looked back.

[T.R.]

I suggest Speer Hot Core bullet in 130 grains. 

TR