Author Topic: What 7mm Mag ammo do you prefer? (Read 2230 times)

Heavy C · « **on:** November 13, 2007, 04:44:22 AM »

Christmas came a little early this year. I picked up a used Rem. 700 BDL in 7mm Mag. and I wanted to see what you guys were using in your rigs. At this point I'm only looking at factory loads. Please list brand, bullet weight, and bullet type.

Thanks for your help.

BTW, I have an opportunity to hunt Audad sheep in the mountains of far west Texas over the Thanksgiving holiday. Shots on these animals vary, but average between 300 to 500 yards.

Capt Gary · « **Reply #1 on:** November 13, 2007, 06:19:04 AM »

I have had outstanding results with the Hornady Custom in both the 139 gr Interbond and the 154 gr Interbond.
My Encore shoots them both in 3/4 inch groups and both have performed well on deer.

Siskiyou · « **Reply #2 on:** November 13, 2007, 06:51:06 AM »

When I first fired my Ruger 77 in 7 mag I was upset. I had Remington C-L 175 gr. , WW 175 gr. and 150 gr. Power Points, and Federal 175 grain. Accuracy was terrible with all three brands.

Fortunately I am a reloader and before doing anything radical to the rifle like dumping it I tried some re-loads from the bass had generated. I went back to the range with ammunition using Remington C-L 175 gr. bullets, Speer 175, and Hornady 175. The powder was H4831 and because of it's bulk it filled the case to greater capacity. This was based on the old shake test.

I found the rifle to be accurate with my reloads. I later loaded 145, and 160 grain bullets with success using H4831, H870, and AA8700. All three powders produced accurate loads.

Last spring I again tried the rifle with 150 grain factory Power Pts. The accuracy was not acceptable.

A hunting friend is very successful using 150 grain Remington C-L factory ammunition in his Remington 7MM BDL. Another friend showed me the picture of this seasons buck collected with is 7Mag BDL. He also uses 150 grain factory C-L ammunition. He has been showing me the pictures of his current bear and buck every year for the last fifteen years.

In my case I attribute the problem to the rifle, then the ammunition. At the time I first tried the rifle all the expensive, premium ammunition was not on the market. I may have found success with the Hornaday Heavy Magnum ammunition or the Federal PREMIUM VITAL-SHOK ammunition.

My point is what works in one rifle may not work in another. There are a lot of options out there now days. Happy Hunting

Zachary · « **Reply #3 on:** November 13, 2007, 06:56:02 AM »

I don't know if Federal still loads them, but the most accurate and apparently lethal load that came out of my Browning Stainless Stalker in 7mm Rem Mag was Federal Premium 150 grain Sierra Boat-Tails. I think that Sierra now calls them "Game Kings." This bullet flies straight and hits hard. Also, it seems to penetrate just fine, so performance is great.

The Sierra bullets are known for being accurate, which is something that you need for those 300 to 500 yard shots. Also, the boat-tail design will allow the bullet to fly straighter and thus not drop as much.

Good luck.

Zachary

Heavy C · « **Reply #4 on:** November 13, 2007, 10:19:26 AM »

Thanks guys. I recognize that individual rifles perform differently with different ammo. I didn't see where you guys are using any 140 grain bullets. I looked at the ballistics of the 140 grain Remington Cor-lokt (sp). They looked pretty good, but I haven't had good results from Remington ammo in any of my other guns. The ammo that has performed well on paper and in the field is the Federal Power Shok. I've used it in my 6mm, 308, and my 30-06.

The other thing I meant to ask was whether ballistic tips would be good on these animals. I do know Audad are some stout animals - would a lead soft point be better?

oleman · « **Reply #5 on:** November 13, 2007, 11:16:02 AM »

I have a Ruger M77 and struggled through several factory brands and bullet weights. Finally tried the Federal Premium with the 165 gr. Sierra Game King. By far the best preformer and is a lead tip bullet. By the way if this is a new barrel you may need to polish a bit before it starts to group your rounds well.

Oleman
Baker, La.

Heavy C · « **Reply #6 on:** November 13, 2007, 11:43:53 AM »

Naw this is a used rifle. Thanks for the feedback on the ammo.

mudstud · « **Reply #7 on:** November 13, 2007, 01:27:27 PM »

I don't know what it takes to knock down an Aoudad, but as of late, I've been quite impressed with the factory Remington 140 gr. Core-Lokt Ultra load. They knock the snot out of these big northern whitetails, and are quite accurate in my rifle as well. They are getting very expensive however. I bought a bunch of these loads at a close out sale at WalMart two years ago, and have been very happy with them. In my 7mmWSM, I've been shooting the Federal Fusion 150's with excellent results. Although I haven't shot these out of my 7mmRM, I would assume the results would be about exactly the same. The Fusions have been going up in price as well, altho they are still much cheaper than the Core-Lokt Ultras.

Heavy C · « **Reply #8 on:** November 13, 2007, 04:51:54 PM »

Thanks for the input guys. I'll head out to the store tomorrow and buy a sampling of ammo and see what I can come up with.

safetysheriff · « **Reply #9 on:** November 14, 2007, 01:07:55 PM »

when you get further down the line, and can handload try this one:

139 gr' Hornady BTSP (one hell of a bullet!) with Rem' or Win' brass, a Rem' 9 1/2 primer, and 69 grains of Alliant's Reloder 22. crimp it with a Lee "Factory Crimper" die. then "get ready for hell" when you touch off that primer. the recoil is significant and the velocity will be over 3200 fps (per Alliant) in many rifles with 24" barrels. you will bust hell wide-open with that one; and the sheep will fall over out past 400 yards from your rifle! Naturally: you must work up your load in your rifle as safety principles dictate for a handload.

the Lee Shooter program says that with a 1.75" scope height, a 2.88" sight-in above point of aim at 100 yds', at 3200 fps' muzzle velocity, that your bullet will be almost 3.8 inches above line of sight at 150 yds' and will be right on/zeroed in for 300 yards. it will be almost 9" below point of aim at 400 yds' but it will still be going 2360 feet per second!

Hornady! what more needs to be said?

good hunting to you,

ss'

3006bluffhunter · « **Reply #10 on:** November 14, 2007, 03:29:20 PM »

I like best the Winchester supreme 140 grain silver tip shoot very well but are $35 to $45 per box! Actually my 7mm rifle shoots any good 140 grain well!!I like my 7mm for long range knock down power100yards + but use my 30-06 for short range woods hunting!

Heavy C · « **Reply #11 on:** November 16, 2007, 02:07:07 AM »

Thanks guys. SafetySheriff that sounds like one heck of a load. I'm printing a copy for when I get a reloading table set up. I'm sure that one would drop just about anything like a sack of rocks!

safetysheriff · « **Reply #12 on:** November 16, 2007, 10:26:13 AM »

heavy'

here's a website for alliants reloder powders and others: www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/ you have to click on "enter the guide" at the bottom, and so on 'til you get to centerfire rifle reloading data, etc.

glad you like the load.

ss'

mountainview · « **Reply #13 on:** November 16, 2007, 06:46:23 PM »

HC,
I have not gotten around to buying dies and start handloading for my 7 mag yet so I'm using Win 150 gr Powerpoints which group nicely for me.

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #14 on:** November 17, 2007, 05:25:15 AM »

When it comes to factory ammo I would choose one of the following:

Federal
140g AccuBond @ 3110fps
140g TSX @ 3120fps
160g AccuBond @ 2900fps
160g TSX @ 2940fps
160g A-Frame @ 2900fps

Remington
150g Scirocco @ 3110fps
160g A-Frame @ 2900fs

As a handloader, I'd stay away from any cup-and-core bullet (like the 139g Hornady) at 3200fps and go with a bonded core instead. At a minimum I'd go with an InterBond or AccuBond. My choice is the 140g Norht fork @ 3200fps and the 160g North Fork @ 3048fps. My buddy uses 160g Trophy Bonded. Nailed a mule deer in the right ham a few weeks ago and the 140g North Fork was recovered n the chest cavity. 93.7% weight retention, perfect mushroom, 3 feet of penetration, ad the buck dropped at the shot. Doesn't get much better and I certainly wouldn't expect performance like that from any cup-and-core bullet pushed that hard.

FWIW, I wasn't intending to take a shot through the ham. It was a quartering away shot on a highly alerted deer that stepped forward as the trigger broke. Point of aim was behind the last rib. Dang glad I was using a bullet up to the job, although the job wasn't quite what I had intended.

beemanbeme · « **Reply #15 on:** November 17, 2007, 05:59:01 AM »

You know, it ain't gonna take too many of those high dollar boxes of ready rolled ammo before you could buy a Lee reloader kit and a Lyman's 48th reloader book and tailor make your own ammo just for your own rifle. Then you can shoot all you want with ammo that'll beat anything you can buy over the counter. Save your brass.

burntmuch · « **Reply #16 on:** November 17, 2007, 07:14:03 AM »

My 7mag really likes the federal premiums 160 gr Nosler partitions, $44 for 20. Like said above, couple boxes of those & you could be set up to reload

Zachary · « **Reply #17 on:** November 17, 2007, 08:14:34 AM »

For really long range shooting (300 to 500 yards), I would not advocate the Swift-A-Frame. Although this is an EXCELLENT bullet that generally mushrooms beautifully and reliably, as well as retain a very high percentage of its weight, the SAF is not an aerodynamic bullet. As such, at longer distances, it will drop considerably more than those bullets that are more aerodynamic (such as the Sierra boat-tails that I recommended).

Zachary

kudzu · « **Reply #18 on:** November 17, 2007, 03:09:47 PM »

My new 7 mag. CDL SS fluted like's both the 160AB and the 150Sciroccos. IMO the 160 AB is a bit much for southern WT. I will try both this year , but will likely stay with the Scirocco.

safetysheriff · « **Reply #19 on:** November 17, 2007, 11:09:50 PM »

Zach'

somebody may have forgotten the original question at the top of this post. for long-range shooting i'd still stick with the Hornady, in spite of bonded-core performance at closer range. the other part of it is the fact that some decent shooting has been done with that 139 gr' Hornady on elk at closer ranges with the 7 mm magnum. the Interloc has done a good job for years, as has the Core-Lokt. i just think that a bullet with a lesser price tag is more to my liking unless a larger, dangerous-game critter is being hunted.

take care,

ss'

victorcharlie · « **Reply #20 on:** November 18, 2007, 02:15:15 AM »

Quote from: safetysheriff on November 17, 2007, 11:09:50 PM

Zach'

somebody may have forgotten the original question at the top of this post. for long-range shooting i'd still stick with the Hornady, in spite of bonded-core performance at closer range. the other part of it is the fact that some decent shooting has been done with that 139 gr' Hornady on elk at closer ranges with the 7 mm magnum. the Interloc has done a good job for years, as has the Core-Lokt. i just think that a bullet with a lesser price tag is more to my liking unless a larger, dangerous-game critter is being hunted.

take care,

ss'

I've got to agree with you SS....the Core-Lokt has been good for generations......

thumbcocker · « **Reply #21 on:** November 18, 2007, 01:27:48 PM »

I have a couple of friends that use the remington 150 gr. factory loads with complete satisfaction. Also, they seem to group really well.

Heavy C · « **Reply #22 on:** November 19, 2007, 05:14:12 AM »

Quote from: beemanbeme on November 17, 2007, 05:59:01 AM

You know, it ain't gonna take too many of those high dollar boxes of ready rolled ammo before you could buy a Lee reloader kit and a Lyman's 48th reloader book and tailor make your own ammo just for your own rifle. Then you can shoot all you want with ammo that'll beat anything you can buy over the counter. Save your brass.

I've been saving my brass for all of my other calibers for a while now. A reloading set is on my list for Christmas hopefully I can start reloading in the new year.

Heavy C · « **Reply #23 on:** November 26, 2007, 11:44:12 AM »

Well I got to do some shooting with the 7mm Mag over the holiday. I tried some Federal Premium, Remington Core-lokt and Winchester Power Points. All were 150 grain bullets. It seemed to like the Winchester ammo the best. The best 3-shot group I got at 100 yards was right at .75 inches. Either way it was good fun to put some lead down range and start my collection of brass so I can work up some loads in January.

Skeezix · « **Reply #24 on:** November 29, 2007, 08:49:09 AM »

I've got a friend with a Ruger #1 in 7 Mag and and another with a Win 70 Super Grade in 7 Mag and both of them shoot the plain old $16 to $18 a box Federal Power Shock 150gr into 1/2" or so groups at 100yds. I saw the Ruger shoot a 7/8" group (3 shots) at 300 yards with that ammo. And those bullets perform very good on antelope and deer. We've taken two speed goats and five deer with that bullet so far this year, and most were DRT and none made it over 20 yds.

Heavy C · « **Reply #25 on:** November 30, 2007, 05:07:28 AM »

I've had good luck with the Federal Power Shok in several other calibers, but that day I went to the store they didn't have any. They had the Vital Shok, but that's a little rich for what I was looking to do.

Todd1700 · « **Reply #26 on:** November 30, 2007, 09:01:00 PM »

Quote

My 7mag really likes the federal premiums 160 gr Nosler partitions, $44 for 20. Like said above, couple boxes of those & you could be set up to reload

I have a 7mm mag that really likes the Federal 160 gr Np as well. And get this, I caught a whole shelf of them on sale for 15 dollars a box at a local Wal-mart last year after deer season had ended and I snagged 6 boxes.

Heavy C · « **Reply #27 on:** December 01, 2007, 06:35:29 PM »

Well the 7mm Mag drew blood today! Went back home to the Big Bend for a drawing to hunt mule deer at the Big Bend Ranch. 5 spots and 21 of us on stand-by. My brother got the fifth spot. That place had tons of deer, but finally saw a good buck at approximately 350 yards. The guide gave him the okay. One shot that hit right behind the shoulder and he folded up like an accordion and rolled down the hill. 14 point or a 7 x 7 with an okay spread - didn't get the measurement. I loaned him my rifle because he didn't think his 25-06 would have enough umph to do the trick at the distances you typically encounter out there. He used the 150 grain Winchester Power Points since they grouped the best over Thanksgiving. The next best thing was that they only charged $125.00 for the hunt. Thanks for the help guys! I'm really looking forward to taking and Audad with this thing. Oh, I also found out they are called Barbary sheep.

Sorry for the crappy picture. My brother took it with his cell phone

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #28 on:** December 01, 2007, 07:04:41 PM »

two loads.
Federal 160 grain Nosler Partition for all Large game. Deer to Elk
Remington 140 grain reduced recoil for medium to big game. Coyote to Deer
But My rifle is also sighted in with the 150 grain Federals from Wall Mart (Just in case something doesn't make it to camp.)

jro45 · « **Reply #29 on:** December 02, 2007, 05:35:14 AM »

I use H4831 for 120, 130, 140, 150, & H1000 for 160 & 175