Same Bullets for 7-30 Waters and 7mm 08

[I make oil]

Hello Guys.  I am new to loading and have a question.  I shoot a Contender in 7-30 Waters.  Both a Rifle and a 15" pistol.  My son has a 7mm08 Youth Handi.  I wouild like to know of any 7mm bullets you think would be good for both calibers for hunting Deer and Hogs.  I am thinking about a Nosler 140g Partition.  I would like to use the same bullet in all 3 guns if possible.  Any opinions?  If not this bullet what?  Am I asking to much?  Thanks

IMO

[Bigeasy]

I use the NP 140 in my 7mm-08's with excellent results on whitetail.  About 12 or so one shot kills, out of both a 16.5 inch Ruger and a 22 inch Kimber.  I do believe the NP would perform well at the slightly slower velocities of the 7-30 Waters.  The NP has a soft nose that opens very easy, similar to any other cup and core bullet.  Its the partitioned rear section that holds together and penetrates deeply.  A lot of shooters will tell ya that a regular cup and core game bullet is adequate, considering the game, and velocities encountered, and they are right, but why settle for "adequate" when for a few bucks more, you know a bullet like the NP will not fail, no matter what the angle, or bone hit.

Larry

[DANNY-L]

I have been useing 120gr nosler bal.tip in both my 7-30 14"contender and my 280rem with no loss of deer.

[HL]

I use the Sierra 120gr Pro Hunter and have good results so far. I have used 140gr in my contender pistol, but I feel it's just a tad heavy for pistol velocities. The 120 will get you a few hundred more fps.

[I make oil]

How does a 120 shoot through the 7mm08?  I know the 120 would give the best velocities through both guns but 150 yards for me is long.  I hunt in Louisiana most shots will be within 50-75 yards.  I like the 140 incase a Hog comes out which is very likely where I hunt.  I have killed quite a few with the 7-30 waters using Federal factory loads and they were all 1 shot kills.  However with my son starting to hunt with his 7mm08 I want a bullet that will give a bit more knock down in case his shot placement is not perfect.  I will try both and see how I like them.  Any bullet recommendations in 120 for both guns?  I am kinda leary of ballistic tips for pigs.  I want more penetration.

[41 mag]

I have the Waters in the TC version and have had great results with RL-15 and several of the 140gr bullets with both accuracy and best overall velocities from the loads. The best for what your looking for IMO, would be the standard Hornady 140gr SP or the boat tailed version, which ever shot the best. You might also give the SST a try, as it is a bit rougher than the Nosler BT version. For economical practice you should give the CL's a try as well, they might be good for an all around bullet for both hunting and practice. They haven't been around for as long as they have for nothing. I have them in quite a few calibers and they never disappoint me.

If going the Nosler route you might save a few bucks going with the Accubond over the Partition. They combine the best of both worlds with the easier opening and bonded cores to retain weight. With either your looking at around $25 for 50 shots so with both guns this could add up fast. Not that having the best is a gimme, but there are other good choices available for your indicated uses.

I use the SST's in several rifles and calibers and drive them much faster than what you going to get form either of your indicated loads will, and have found them to hold up very well even on up close shots on hogs. From the .277-130gr running 3100 from my .270 to the 140gr running just over 3300 from my 7mm STW they shoot flat and hit hard, and drop hogs like lightning. I don't shoot many deer but the ones that have been taken with those loads were DRT and damage wasn't as bad as we thought it might be. These were shoulder or just behind shots. Even so the velocities were higher than what you will be so they should do even better for your uses.

Good luck with your loads, and hope this helps.