I'd like to try some lighter weight bullets in my Vanguard II. Deer, Elk and bear are on the menu. I drew a big bull elk tag last year, so won't likely be chasing mature bulls for a while.

I would not hesitate to use a 150 Partition or a 140 TTSX in a 7 Mag on elk. Today I killed a deer at 239 yards with a .270 running a TTSX 110 grainer. The bullet penetrated 23". The recovered weight is 105.5 grains. I posted some photos in the deer hunting section. I would not hesitate even a second to use these on elk.

In my 7mm RM, I ran a 150gr. E-Tip at 3,050 fps in Africa, taking critters up to Eland. Zebra, Black Blue and Red Beests, Zebra and a Warhog. The Eland needed two rounds...

I’d readily do a 140 E-Tip at 3,150 on the critters you’ve listed. A 140 AB or Partition would work as well.

Back in the '90s, I loaded the old Barnes 120X in a 7mm RemMag. I gave the rifle and loads to my pastor in Texas. I booked us an Exotic game hunt, out of Uvalde, and I took a .257BEE and 115PT Federal factory loads ( they were awesome, can't find them anymore) and he took the 7mm. I shot a nice Blackbuck and a Black Hawaiian, he shot a nicer Blackbuck and a really big Spanish goat/Ibex mix...but the goat was a hair over 400yds! Damage was perfect on his two animals, no bloodshot meat (only the Blackbucks are fit to eat, no ram or mature goat of any kind is...ever! ha) I would experiment with the 120 TTSX for deer,etc and the 140 TTSX for bigger stuff. I used the 150PT in another 7mm Mag for whitetail with terrific results, same way, no bloodshot meat, plenty of damage in between. many, many folks use the 140 partition and BT for game too. I'm sure there are other Premium, light weight bullets besides those mentioned, but the point is, they are a viable option for the 7mm mag. Plenty of people love and use the 257 Weatherby...and the same weight bullets in the 7mm mag is how different? Not a whiskers worth! Just don't use varmint style bullets, of course. Good luck to you Pard.

I used the 140 partition forever, but when bullets became hard to get I tried ballistic tips. They kill deer and pigs just as well.

While I used 160g bullets for 20+ years, after getting a bunch of .30 cal rifles where I used 150g to 180g, I switched to 140g TTSX for my 7mm RM. Tried 120g TTSX and could not get the accuracy I wanted and 140's retained more energy downrange.

Under 150? I'd say 140 NBTs or Accubonds. Shot a pile of animals with the 140s in the STWs with nothing but good results. Try 120 NBTs if you can make the mental hurdle.

if 150 is still in play, dont overlook the 150 Swift Scirocco

I have some 160's to try in my 7RM, haven't tried these, but given your request I think these would need to be checked out. They've been loaded in factory ammo for a while, now are available for reloaders. These have two 5 star reviews at Midway.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/8...grain-polymer-tipped-boat-tail-box-of-50

DF

I killed my spring bear and last falls 6 point elk with the 160 AB. Now I want to try something different.

The 150 grain TTSX has done well on deer and elk for me and shot much better than the 160 grain accubond or any 160, almost as well as the NBT but breaks heavy bones without any issues. Handy for keeping elk anchored or taking tough angled shots.

Those may be the best all-around bullets available as components for NA big game for my purposes (antelope/deer/elk), as I generally use one load per rifle for all. Have not had a chance to work up loads for them, but they combine the best features of several bullets my hunting group uses a lot. Unfortunately they are currently only available in .277", .284" and .308". Wish they would make them in .243", .257" and .264" so I could use them in my smaller caliber rifles.

Haven't shot them. The reports so far are very good regarding accuracy. Their terminal performance is legendary.

I agree with your accessment.

Regarding other calibers, give them time. If they sell like I think they will, the offering will probably be expanded.

DF

150 ttsx and imr 4831 has 3 shots touching at 200 in my Tikka

So did you have any issues with the performance of the 160 grain AB bullet? Or what is the reason for the switch? Just curious as I use the same bullet and never had any problems with this combo.

OT but years of guiding around Del Rio, I"d eat a goat or sheep WAY before any blackbuck ever....

only info On topic, 160 SGK sucks in a 7 mag.. Horribly variable performances from shot to shot. Never again.

145 LRX

No issues, just want to try something else.
The elk was 250 yards away, shot went through the on side leg bone, through ribs on both sides and stopped in the far leg bone.
Bear was 100 yards away, through the on side shoulder and passed through the guts.

I sure have been happy with the 150 TTSX out of my 280 AI.

I have killed deer with (4) different 7mmRM rifles all with 140 gr Nos Bal Tip 3300 fps muzzle.

"really most sincerely dead." - Wizzard of Oz

Just load it with 150gr Nosler Ballistic Tips and go kill stuff.

When I got my 7 Mag in 1980, I also hunted Mule Deer in Eastern Oregon, as usual. I wanted some "Deer loads" and settled on Sierra 140 grain pro-hunters, reloaded to the max. I killed a great buck on opening day with one shot @ about 70 yards. I tucked it right behind the left shoulder --- the effect was surprising. It blew a huge hole in the left side of the ribs -- pieces of rib bone everywhere. Oh yeah, the Muley died immediately. The next August, I killed an Antelope with similar results --- lots of bloodshot meat.

After that, I settled on my Elk load (160 grain Partitions) for everything for a few years, but soon went to lesser calibers for Deer, Antelope, Sheep, Caribou, ...

In my limited experience, the Ballistic Tips are less explosive than the Sierras.

140 Grain Accubond or Partition. Have used both on Pronghorn to Cow Elk. With perfect results

While I just about exclusively use 175gr Partitions, I have used the 150's and still have a pile left. IMO the 150gr Partition is a fine choice.

Interesting. I should try these out.

You can now get the Federal Trophy Bonded Tip bullets for Hand loading. They a 140 and a 160. I am going to give those a try

Thinking about some of those 140gr Bonded Trophy Tips in my 7wsm.

I've always had awesome performance from the various Barnes bullets in my 7RM's for hunting at traditional distances (sub 300 yards), including the 120 and 160 X bullet, 120, 140, and 160 TSX, and 120 and 140 TTSX. I'd probably lean 145 LRX if forced to choose just one hunting bullet for meat making within 400 yards.

This. You are walking right past the best all-around lighter-critter bullet. These are one of the "tough" BTips that always expand but always hold together.

I have used the old style 120 grain X bullet on deer and hogs and it performed well. The TSX should do even better. Some of the hogs were over 300 lbs so it should be fine for cow elk too. On an expensive hunt or for trophy bulls I have always used 160 or 175s either Barnes or Nosler PT they seem to get the maximum potential in the 7RM. But out of a couple score animals shot I think I only recovered one of the 120 x's from a lengthwise shot on a big sow that stretched over eight feet long when we hung her up. No idea what she weighed but we broke a ski rope that was supposed to be rated at 500lbs. when hanging her so saying that one was 300 plus is conservative.

In my 280AI I am getting excellent results with 140 Accubonds and Interbonds at close to 7RM velocity due to 2.5" more barrel on the AI. If I saw some 120 ballistic tips on sale I would stock up and then have some 120 Barnes for the bigger stuff. But Steve Tims used the 120 BT for everything and he praises it highly.

With the 120s I can sure tell the difference in recoil and can shoot up to 60 in a session where that many of the 160+ bullets makes me feel like Roberto Duran when he kept saying "No Mas" to Sugar Ray.

Why do you want lighter bullets? Go 160 Partition, or Accubond at 3000 fps and go kill stuff.

Because I'm bored with the 160 AB @ 3000. But it's too close to hunting season, Saturday, so I'll stick with it for another season.

I have some of the 140 Trophy Bonded tips. I haven’t tried them yet. I shot a bunch of the original Bear Claws. They were every bit as good as the partition. The new one’s should be great.

While I don't use my 7mm Rem. as much as I used to, I'm a believer in the KISS rule, use R22 and load 150 Gr. NBT for pigs/deer/caribou and load 150 Gr. NPT for elk.

StarchedCover

I'm a big fan of the 150 NBT. I sold my 7mm Rem but the 150 NBT is my go to bullet in the 280 AI. I've taken antelope, deer, and elk with that bullet and it has always been a low drama affair. I did pick up a couple boxes of 150 TTSX to try, just couldn't help myself.