Which bullit

[NASCARMAN]

Hi guys,  I'm going to be hunting antelope this year in Likely Tables.  I have a Savage 7mm mag and was wondering what you guys suggested for a bullit and how heavy.  I've never hunted antelope before so I don't know what bullit to use in my 7mm.  A friend of mine said his reloading manual suggested that I don't use anything less than 150gr and recommended the 160gr for the 7mm.  To me this seems heavy for antelope but what do I know.  What do you guys think?

 

[shooter44]

I've never hunted 'lopes and am certainly no expert, but it seems to me that they are not that tough and the terrain is pretty open, so I don't see why you would need a heavy bullet.  I would get something that shoots flat and accurate at long ranges, like a boattail.  Maybe a 139 GR Hornady BTSP or Federal with a Sierra game King BTSP.  Try some out and see what shoots best at long ranges in your rifle.

 

[Fubar]

NASCARMAN  Do you reload? I use Nosler 140 gr. Ballistic tip for my 7mm Rem mag. These bullets work good on antelelope and other thin skinned animals. They expand fast so they release energy in the animal. Some bullets are made for larger game like Elk. In 7mm mag these will go through an antelope before they get a chance to expand. You can get good velocity in with these which is what you need for a flat shooting antelope gun. Up to 3320 fps. Nosler also makes the Ballistic tips in 150 gr.     Fubar

(Edited by Fubar at 12:19 pm on July 8, 2001)

 

[paulc]

nascarman, it the bullet you are shooting now is accurate and you are comfortable with it i would hesitate to change it.. even if over 150 gr the 7mm mag will shoot plenty flat.. it you start expirimenting with new bullets allow plenty of range time and undertand you may be trying several different bullets till you get one to group well which means expense..

 

[NASCARMAN]

Thanks guys.  I'm fairly new to hunting, even though I'm 41 years old.  This is only my third year hunting.  I'm very confused about bullits.  Is there a website where I can find out what all the initials (BTSP, NP, SP, etc.) means.

 

[doghouse]

The heavy bullets carry up better down range when shooting at extended distances.  Take a look at the charts.

 

[Fubar]

Nascarman  Try http://www.Sierrabullets.com          
or   http://www.Nosler.com
       Fubar

(Edited by Fubar at 10:29 pm on July 8, 2001)

 

[Corndog]

Check out the Winchester Supreme Rounds.  They are slick.  I don't know if they are made for 7mm though I would think they are, as they are made for many rifles.  They are teflon coated and very aerodynamic.  They will give you up to 6 inches less drop at range than a standard round.   I personally would go with a lighter round.  I bagged a big Muley last year with my Wthrby 270 using 130 grain bullets.  The lighter bullets will shoot flatter and still give you plenty of knock down for an antelope (100-130 lbs).  Remember, (MV2)  Mass times velocity squared = Force.  Velocity matters more than Mass.  

I'll see ya at the Tables this year, I drew Zone 3 period 2.  Got any info?

 

[Corndog]

I did some further research and discovered that your 150 grain bullet will shoot flatter than the 140 grain.  This isn't the case with the .270.  Winchester does make it for the 7mm mag.  

Got these from http://www.winchester.com  (under rifles)

150 grain #s  may have to decipher

Distance (yds)           100 150 200 250 300 400 500
Long Trajectory (in.) +1.3 +1.2 0.0 -2.4 -6.0 -17.5 -35.1

140 grain

Distance (yds)          100 150 200 250 300 400 500
Long Trajectory (in.) +1.3 +1.2 0.0 -2.4 -6.2 -17.9 -38.1


shoot straight