Author Topic: 7mm-08 bullet weight? (Read 1475 times)

One Shot · « **on:** March 03, 2003, 02:05:00 PM »

Would there be any advantage in using a heavier bullet (150-175gr.) for hunting whitetail within 100 yards? I currently do not hand load and all I can find for factory loads are 140 grains. The reason I am asking is because I shot a 200+lb. buck last fall at about 50 yards using federal premium 140 gr. nosler partions. I hit him in the shoulder he turned and came straight at me and dropped 20feet in front of me and he left no blood trail and there was only adrop of blood under him. While skinning him I noticed very little, if any difference in the diameter of the entrance wound and the exit wound. I felt this was very strange considering it went thru the shoulder bone. Maybe just a fluke, but I was thinking maybe a heavier bullet would slow it down some and provide better expansion. perhaps a different bullet might be a better choice for my situation. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks

Advocate · « **Reply #1 on:** March 03, 2003, 02:53:10 PM »

I have shot deer for more than 25 years with the .277 130 grain Nosler Parition in a .270 WCF. Exit wounds are not usually much larger than entrance wounds in my experience, except in one instance when I hit the shoulder of a small Texas white tail that was quartering away. The shoulder blade became a projectile and it produced a fist sized exit that ruined the cape...but he dropped stone dead. You didn't say if you shot your deer broad side or quartering away from you. Sometimes it makes a diffference.

In any case, it is not uncommon for mortally wounded deer (and other animals) to run and then drop dead after a short distance. I don't think a heavier bullet would necessarily be any better because even with the 140 grain bullet you achieved complete penetration. I don't know what you're expecting, but it sounds like pretty good performance to me. You shot it with a good solid hit and it dropped dead with in 30 or so yards. If you want to drop 'em in their tracks, switch to a 45-70 or some kind of 300 Magnum.-+

Crayfish · « **Reply #2 on:** March 04, 2003, 04:01:42 AM »

A 300magnum isn't going to drop 'em any faster ... I can vouch for that!

The front nose section of the Partition expands very quickly and does lots of internal damage, but then the mushroomed bullet ends up not much bigger than the original bullet size and you end up with a small exit hole. This is how they work, but they practically guarantee an exit hole. It all depends on what kind of performance you want. You "might" be able to use a regular soft nosed bullet (ie. Hornady, Speer, Rem, etc) and get a bigger exit hole, but they will not guarantee you an exit.

My Dad has had great results with 140gr Partitions in his 7-08. I'm trying 130, 139, and 145gr soft points in my new 7-08. I have no experience with them on deer yet. Personally I would stick with something less than 150gr since the velocity starts to drop off pretty quickly with heavy bullets and they really won't gain you anything as far as damage goes. They are actually more likely to just pencil thru than something in the 140gr range with a higher impact velocity. Maybe one of the new "bonded core" bullets coming out this year will do the trick ... expansion plus weight retention.

Good luck ... Crayfish

jhalcott · « **Reply #3 on:** March 04, 2003, 05:14:25 AM »

Actually you MIGHT be going the wrong way. The heavier bullets are designed for heavier game and could just punch thru without expanding. If you found signs of expansion in the deer ,the bullet did it's job.
I have 7t/c, 7IHMSA,7br,7-08 and 280 Rem guns and rarely do I use a bullet over 140 grains. And yes ,some times the animal runs off 40/50 yards.When I dress them out I usually find shredded lungs and hearts.
If the animal is moving or seems nervous ,it will nearly always run when shot. No matter what you hit them with.!Even the 45-70 contender!
just keep shooting them thru the lungs and don't worry about the occasional tough guy! jh

Varmint Hunter · « **Reply #4 on:** March 04, 2003, 01:12:49 PM »

I prefer the 140gr bullets in my 7mm-08, particularely for shooting whitetails. Bigger whitetails just call for better 140gr bullets. :lol:
Even my 7STW gets a regular diet of 140gr bullets. They kill deer quite dead.

VH

coyotero · « **Reply #5 on:** March 10, 2003, 09:00:58 PM »

I don't think you need to go to heavier bullets.If you hit the deer high in the lungs it takes a while before they fillup and start "leaking" out the holes.Looks like your deer might have died before that.I've shot lots of deer with 140 gr. 7mm bullets,they worked fine.

Steve L · « **Reply #6 on:** March 11, 2003, 06:56:56 AM »

I am with the other posters, a heavier bullet will not provide anything more for deer in the 7-08. Your description of the shot is pretty much classic partition performance, not at all bad but just keep in mind it is a controled expansion bullet and its virtues are well, controled expansion and deep penatration. While I think the partition is great bullet personaly I believe it to be a little tougher than is needed for deer in this caliber. I would give the 139 grain Hornady Interlock or the 130 grain Speers a try. I have gotten complete penetration and a sizeable exit wound with both so if a good blood trail is needed you should get what you need from either of the two IMHO