Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 120 Ballistic Tip @ 7mm-08 velocities

My caution about not wanting to run them over 3100fps is based on a couple deer shot in the shoulder. Deer died quick, but I found pieces of the bullet and multiple exit holes, and a lot of blodshot meat. The bt did its job, but since ttsxs are just about as accurate at just over 3200fps with a max load of big game, I like them better at that speed.

Wife and I have used them for several years on white tail deer (along with the 120 gr TTSX) in 7-08, 7-08 AI, and 284 win at velocities between 3050 and 3200 fps. Both bullets work great. Have a lot of confidence in either. Next time we go elk hunting, we'll be using the 120 gr TTSX or a stout 139/140 gr bullet.

Interesting thread. Anyone have experience using them on a big bodied mule deer, or bigger? Just curious.

My daughter thumped this muley with a 7mm-08 and 120NBT. I'd have no reservations using them on muleys and probably elk too for that matter.


The 700 Mtn she shoots absolutely loves them with RL15:

The 120 is a micrograph of the 140 BT. Here is one that impacted a buck's shoulder at 3000 fps found it on the other side.

I have only shot one animal with the 120 BT, a 140 pound hog shot with a 7/08, 3150 fps, at around 50 yards. It was a hard quartering away shot. The bullet entered right in front of the rear leg, and exited the offside shoulder without hitting any major bones.
The hog traveled about 50 yards. I was impressed at the damage that little bullet did.

The 7-08 is the 308 of the 7mm's. There are no dark shadows over the 308.

That 120 BT is tailor made for the 280 AI & it will certainly perform in the 7-08 as well.

KDF, let your daughter show you up like that at the range?
Nice group, what brass you running, and what stock and scope is on that MR?

I just ordered 2 boxes of the 120BT's. Plan on having some test loads put together and ready for the range before my 7mm-08 build is completed in about 2 more weeks.

As far as 7mm-08/120BT loads go, several of you have mentioned using 45Gr of Varget. 44Gr of R15 was mentioned once and same for H414 (no powder weight given).

Any other 7mm-08/120BT load recommendations other than the 45gr Varget & 44gr RL15 loads mentioned?

KDF - Outstanding group!! Your target shows 45.0. I'm assuming that is 45.0 of Varget.. Correct?

I'm not gonna let her take credit for that group! I get to do all the dirty work like load development... she just gets to kill stuff with it.

I've been using WW brass, which isn't too easy to find right now. I bedded/free floated the rifle in a Ti takeoff that I painted and webbed and the scope is a VX3 2.5-8x36 with a CDS dial and B&C reticle.

It's probably obvious that unfortunately not every group looks like that one, but it's a consistent 1/2-3/4 MOA shooter with 120 NBT's... sometimes better. It shoot's the TTSX's about as well. Can't ask for too much more out of a pencil barreled mountain rifle.

KDF.... Well congrats to your daughter.. she is a hell of a shot!

So, was that 45.0 Gr of Varget you used?

I see your velocities were just shy of 3,000FPS. What length barrel?

firstshot - I'm shooting RL 15 in mine. My current load is actually 45.3gr with the 120 Ballistic Tips. They go about 3025fps in my rifle. Don't know, but I may have a slow lot# of '15 which is something to consider if/when you work up a load as that can sometimes make a considerable difference. With another rifle of mine (280 Rem) I had a load worked up using 58.0gr H4831 and 162 A-Max's. When I switched to a new lot of powder I had to take the load to 60.0gr to yield the same velocity/accuracy.

Here's one of my targets from working up to the 7mm-08/120 NBT load with RL15. All different charges weights... you might be able to make out the velocities I was getting in my rifle. Never got around to trying Varget.

Nice deer! Thanks for the info! What distance did she shoot it at (or approx. velocity of impact)?

Thanks for sharing the targets. I'm really digging that 45.4 group!

What is your barrel length? 22", 24", 26" ?

Thanks
firstshot

Powders you should try with 120 gr bullets that have proven to be fairly accurate with good velocities:

Varget - 44-45 gr
RL-15 - 44-45 gr
Big Game - 50-52 gr
2000MR - 49-50 gr
CFE-223 - 48-49.5 gr
H4895 - 42-43.5 gr

Work up to those max loads. Big Game, 2000MR and CFE-223 will safely get you another 50-100 fps over the other 3.

edit - H414/W760 - 50 +/- 1.0 grs since you asked specifically

A load was just worked up for my Rem Mtn. Guide 7mm-08 using 120g ballistic tips.

Varget was accurate, pushing 3000 fps
Not much luck with cfe223, but velocity was good.

Settled on Big Game and left it at just a titch over 3100 fps with no pressure signs.

3100 fps is good, cal74. What barrel length?

I'm not KDF, but unless he rebarreled it, that Remington Mountain Rifle should be a 22" barrel.

22"

Factory barrel with the speed bumps still in the stock, consistent 3/4-1" groups which is plenty good for me and the rifles intended use.

Yep... that's correct! Factory 22" barrel... sorry for the slow response.

Kevin