Sierra 130gr 7MM SSP

[GameHauler]

I have about 1000 Sierra single shoot pistol 130gr in 7MM now.
I could use some load info to make them work in 3 different guns.
The first 2 will be Deer, Antelope, Javelina type hunting loads
and the third for reach out there Varmit and maybe Deer, Lope. Javi.
PM's are welcome as well as posts

First and primary use will be 7-30 Waters in a 15" Contender barrel.
Second and could become primary use is a 18" 7MM-08 (Rem # 7)
My neighbor also has a 7MM-08 but not sure what it is that I will help.
Last is a 7MM Rem Mag with a 24" tube (Rem # 700)

While I am at it, I also have about 200 130gr HPBT match #1903
that I could use for practice or checking sighting.
Has anyone compared the 2 side by side?

Thanks,
Mike

[charles p]

I have a 15" Contender in 7-30W and another 16" from Fox Ridge.  Both are good barrels.  My favorite bullet is the 130 Sierra SSP.  My longest shot to date was at 156 yards, drop dead on the spot. 

I use Win ball powders.  Not at the bench now so I don't recall the loads.  They work very well.  Are the SSp bullets hard to find now days?

[GameHauler]

I have a 15" Contender in 7-30W and another 16" from Fox Ridge.  Both are good barrels.  My favorite bullet is the 130 Sierra SSP.  My longest shot to date was at 156 yards, drop dead on the spot. 

I use Win ball powders.  Not at the bench now so I don't recall the loads.  They work very well.  Are the SSp bullets hard to find now days?

The 7250 have been discontinued.
that is why I bought what I did when I had the chance.
They are very highly praised by a member here
as the best round for the 7-30 Waters.

When you get a chance
if you could shoot me a PM
with what you are doing I would appreciate it.

Mike

[jhalcott]

  IF(bigif) you ever decide to get rid of some of those SSP's let ME know. I used them in every thing from a 7tcu10 and14" 7BR and 7IHMSA and a 708 and 7-30.
 as far as powders, I used a ton of 748 in those guns. As far as them shooting with the HP match bullets you  won't know till you try! They shot close in a couple of my guns and in others it required a sight change to get on target. Loads will have to be adjusted for each most likely!  Those bullets are constructed way to light for use in the 7MM mag. I had trouble with them getting to the target from a 24" 280 Reminton 700!

[MnMike]

Darn.
I just managed to work up a good load for the 130 SSP in my 14" Contender with RL 15 and they discontinued it. I could never get it to shoot right with 748, Varget, or 4895. Of course, if you want to sell 100, let me know (but I won't hold my breath).

mike

[GameHauler]

"Those bullets are constructed way to light for use in the 7MM mag. I had trouble with them getting to the target from a 24" 280 Reminton 700!"

Do you think the bullets will hold up to the Apx. 500FPS
faster that the 08 should propel them?
Mike

[Graybeard]

I do NOT think you should push them to full max velocity from a 7-08 if your intended use is deer hunting. They are designed for use in handguns and primarily for the 7-30 Waters and 7 TCU. For those uses they excell. Push them too fast and they will act more like varmint bullets. Personally I'd not want to use them on deer at more than about 2500-2600 fps absolute max initial velocity if you expect to hit game inside 100 yards even that might be a bit much. If you were using them for long range deer sniping them faster might be OK.

[GameHauler]

Thanks GB.
as I have said in other post things are a little different out west.
Unless you set up for a 100yd or less shot (water hole ect)
most shots are OVER 100yd (will not go into that on this site).

I want a bullet that will expend ALL of it energy into the animal.
I am not looking for a pass thru shot to leave a blood trail.
The critter needs to take a dust nap right there and now.
Can you say, (Majoring hemorrhaging and shock

I really think (hope) this lighter jacketed bullet will do that but a pass
thru is fine at closer range.

Mike

[Graybeard]

That's not exactly how things like that work. You're more likely to get an exit at long range than at short range. The higher the velocity the more rapid and complete the expansion and the more expansion the less penetration.

If you think all shots will be say 150 yards plus and 200 or more an average then I'd not be afraid to push them to the 7-08s potential which from a rifle is likely close to 2900 fps. I don't think I'd push them faster tho as they might not make it to the target.

[GameHauler]

I understand what you are saying GB but let me elaborate a bit more.
Since they are discontinued I have not found out allot about them but
here is what I am thinking and please tell me if I am wrong.
The bullets were built with a thinner jacket so they would expand easier
at the lower velocities of a hand gun.
So they are somewhat similar in design to a Berger VLD (jacket only)
I have not seen much about the Bergers on this site so let me elaborate just a little.

The Berger VLD was developed for long range match shooting but turned out to be an exceptional hunting bullet.
The VLD (Very Low Drag) because of it design is extremely flat shooting and has
a high BC but because of its jacket design it travels about 2" into the animal and then has a rapid expantion, expending all of the energy into the animal and not the bank or tree behind the animal.
This is especialy true with a high shoulder shot.
Most critters are slammed to the dirt and never move.
Now I know this goes against what most folks are used to for a hunting bullet
And the debate continues on a daily bases about it but I have personally see the devastation that they cause.
Small entry with little meat lose but turns all the vitals into jello and less meat loss since they do not exit most of the time.

Anyway back to the SSP's.
If I am correct about their design they should preform in the same way.
As I stated before if I was going to do a set up where the shot would be under 100yds I would take my Contender in a pistol configuration.
Most shots here are in excess of 200yds (sometimes allot) and that is why we have scopes with turrets and any ethical hunter practices ALOT at extended ranges.

I hope that makes since to ya all, Different set of rules here

Mike

[Graybeard]

Yes they were intended for the lower velocity of handguns not rifles. I do not know much about the Berger bullets or how they actually perform but have read good glowing reports but then that's the ONLY kinda report you can read in magazines isn't it?

I'm NOT a fan of my bullets staying inside of animals. I want an exit and from the 7-30 on deer I've pretty much always gotten it. To me that bullet's performance in 14" 7-30 barrels is as close to perfection as it gets.

Yes if you push it hard I suspect it might do as you ask about but then it also might explode on a rib I just don't know. Your criteria and mine for a bullet's performance are not the same.

[GameHauler]

And I expected that from you and most on this site
It is a different train of thought from old school and I am not putting down the old school and proven, by any means. (It Works and has for ever)
It is just becoming a proven effective means to harvest on the spot.

Scenario,
I have over $4500.00 in optics to locate animals.
No I am not a rich man by any means and if my wife knew I would not have a wife or optics that is what it takes to be a GOOD hunter in the West (i"ll catch Hell)
We glass up animals up to a mile or so away and decide if it is worth going after.
It may take an hour or more to get within shooting range and then set up for a shot when he finally stands up to stretch his legs. (maybe hours latter)

Do not get me wrong Guys, there are ways here to get close shots but the best critters come from this type of hunting.

I got way off topic for this forum so I am going to stop.
Sorry for rambleing and if some one wants to restart this topic in the right place send me a PM about it and I will be glad to jump in

[GameHauler]

Well I guess I must have offended most of you
or my thoughts are so far off track You don't want
to put me down.
You will not offend me by replying and I DO realize
this train of thought is not what most of us have been taught.
Feel free to judge against my thoughts but you may also want to
do a little searching about the Bergers before you convict me of insanity.

And I still could use some recipes

Mike

[Graybeard]

No help from me on loads. I have loaded and shot a bunch of 7-08 really but only with 139/140 grain for me and some 100s for Faye to practice with. I used those 130 SSPs only in my 7-30 and 7 TCU. Dat's kinda why I sold them to you. I knew I'd not be using them again really tho I did hate to let them go as I do love that bullet but just don't plan to ever have another 7-30 or 7 TCU.

[GameHauler]

No help from me on loads. I have loaded and shot a bunch of 7-08 really but only with 139/140 grain for me and some 100s for Faye to practice with. I used those 130 SSPs only in my 7-30 and 7 TCU. Dat's kinda why I sold them to you. I knew I'd not be using them again really tho I did hate to let them go as I do love that bullet but just don't plan to ever have another 7-30 or 7 TCU.

And I thank you Sir
They will be put to good use.
Both of my Girls are really excited to get some out to the range.
Hope this thread has not left a bad taste in your mouth.

Mike

[Graybeard]

No it's not necessary for me to agree with the way another wishes to hunt or shoot to respect their right to do it. We're all different and have our own ideas based on our own unique set of experiences as to what works for us.