Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 7mm 120gr bullets

Hi all,
I'm looking for a good lite 7mm bullet for deer and target practice.
My goal is to push them 2800-2900 fps out of a 20" youth rifle.
Here is what I've heard so far by doing searches on various boards:

Nosler 120BT better/ tougher than they used to be, good for deer
Hornady 120SP Varment bullet, no good for deer ,OK for anything smaller
Sierra Pro hunter, havent heard anything about them.
Speer makes 130's I'd go w/ hot core, havent heard anything about them.
Barnes triple shock,havent heard anything about them but probably pretty good.
Any recomindations?
"IF" I were to hunt pigs, I'd use the Hornady 139 SST or Interbond at around 2700fps Does that sound good?

Happy new year!
cajun

NorthwestCajun, I killed sever deer with Sierra Pro Hunter 120 gr running around those speeds. All were complete penetrations through the lungs except one. That was a big nine point that the bullet broke a rib going in and one going out and broke the large shoulder bone on the off side. What was left of the bullet was close to the skin. I found the brass jacket and a little lead, but not much. There was small pieces of lead along the wound channel. That was at a distance of two hundred yards, paced after the shot. I killed two this year with 120 gr ballistic tips and liked what they did. I do need to shoot more deer for testing purposes. miles

I have used the barnes 120 X for years in my 7x57 with great resluts. Not what I would call 'pratice' ammo though since they are over 50 cents each.

Do not know the price on the others, but what you state about the bullets sounds right to me. I do not know how price will effect your choice. That is up to you what you can afford or wlling to pay.

Pick,
Sierra's and Hornady are about the same price $12-$15 per hundred. Noslers are $9-$10 per 50. The Noslers would be for hunting only. I'd buy 1 box to see how they shoot.
Cajun

I would use the 120 Nosler BT without hesitation. I have been using it for years in a 7x30 waters contender 14" pushed to 2500 fps. It has worked wonderfully always one shot kills. Always full penetration. This year I used that bullet in my 280 mtn rifle, I pushed it out at 3200 fps.

It collected 1 antelope and 4 deer, gave complete penetration on all. It gave full penetration even where the shoulders were centerpunched. I have been very happy with the performance of this bullet, especially when you consider the wide velocity range that it has been used over.

Another 120 worthy of consideration is the Hornady 120 VMAX, this bullet is a hybrid of sorts it is the old vmax combined with the interloct feature ofl the old Single shot pistol bullet. If my gun did not shoot the ballistic tip well this would be the next bullet I would choose. I have used it on large mulie does and always gotten exit wounds.
IMHO I would not hesitate to punch a hog with the 120 ballistic tip.(Do a search on this bullet in the differnet forums and you will find some very interesting posts by dogzapper)

Bluedot,
Thanks,
Thats the kind of info I was looking for
I'll give them both a try
Cajun

The Remington Core Lokt bullets are cheap in bulk from MidwayUSA. LOTS of deer fall to corelokt bullets every year.

IMHO