I'm starting load workup for a Browning BAR Safari w/BOSS in 7mm RM and need bullet suggestions.
I'm leaning toward Nosler Partitions, Accubonds, or Berger, but I'm open to suggestions.
What game will you be hunting?
Deer, 100-500yd, the higher the BC the better....
1. Nosler Accubond
2. Nosler Partition
3. Barnes TSX or TTSX
I'm not a fan of any Berger bullets unless you just want to target shoot.
Nosler BT would be on my short list. The Partition is a killer, but usually not in the high-BC conversation. I like NABs and am also NOT a fan of Berger’s for hunting.
For deer hunting I like the Ballistic Tips and Accubonds, have been tinkering with the new Sierra Game Changers they shoot very well and have a good B.C. and come in 150gr and 165gr weights.
With a Browning BAR they can be picky with what they shoot well, you might have to try a couple different bullets and use what it shoots best
By far the AB, HOWEVER, if the majority of your shooting is less than 400, the Partition, can not be beat. This is based on the taking of over 200 head of big game.
I'd go with the Nosler Accubond or the Swift Scirocco in either the 140 or 150 gr. weight. I load the 145 gr. Speer Grand Slam in mine at 3150 FPS. It's not the most aerodynamic projectile, but it shoots sub MOA in my 1885 Browning that I don't really care that much. Everything has died out to 400 yards.
Try some IMR 7977 at one grain under Hodgdons max load for mind blowing accuracy with a 140 Partition.
Worked in my Model 70 and 1885, ymmv.
Oh, and Partition is always the right answer for big game.
160 ABs gonna be reeeeeal hard to beat if your gun likes them.
Dave
My win 70 in 7RM really like the 160 gr accubond with RL25. I recovered a bullet from a mule deer buck after a high shoulder shot. The bullet weighed 94 grains and was bulging the skin on the far side.
160 ABs gonna be reeeeeal hard to beat if your gun likes them.
Dave
This.
My 7 RM likes the 168 grain Nosler Long Range Accubonds. Higher BC the better you said...
I use Winchester cases, Federal Large Rifle Magnum primers, and H1000 powder. These work great on both whitetail and mule deer. These bullets do not retain as much weight as the regular Accubonds, recovered bullets Ive found hover around 50%, vs regular AB's are usually in the 60's % wise...if you find them. The more Ive used the 168 LRAB's Ive found they are a bit soft for elk, but work great for deer.
Trophy Bonded Tipped in 160gr worked pretty well on a moose shot clear thru, at 240 yards.
I’m having great luck with the 165 Sierra Game changer in my 7 mag. I haven’t killed anything with that exact bullet but the 145s in a .270 work great. The 165’s should as well.
Todd
I use the 162 eldx with Reloader 26. Great BC, great performance. No second shots yet.
I’ve had great luck with 168 Berger’s
I’m having great luck with the 165 Sierra Game changer in my 7 mag. I haven’t killed anything with that exact bullet but the 145s in a .270 work great. The 165’s should as well.
Todd
I have used the Game Changer more in the 270 than the 7mm.............only made so far in 140gr
I settled on a 150gr Scirocco when I was shooting a 7mm mag.
160 ABs gonna be reeeeeal hard to beat if your gun likes them.
Dave
THIS
TTSX
or
Accubonds
Can't go wrong with either.
#1 choice: Partitions!!!! B.C. is irrelevant at the ranges you mention.
160 ABs gonna be reeeeeal hard to beat if your gun likes them.
Dave
My Rem 700 7mm RM likes them!
160 ABs gonna be reeeeeal hard to beat if your gun likes them.
Dave
My Rem 700 7mm RM likes them!
As does my Winchester 70. 7828 SSC gets me 3100fps in a 24" tube.
SST's are cheaper, have decent BC's, and are hell on deer at 7 Mag velocities. I like the 154. Does it really matter which bullets you pick? Deer are easy to kill.
150 Swift Sciroccos at about 3150
It’s all a preference of what cycles and shoots best in your BAR. Personally I wouldn’t waste a 160 class 7mm bullet on any deer. A 140 NBT at 3,300 fps will accurately reach farther than you can shoot and possibly cycle better in an autoloader. The 140 NBT out of a 7mm Rem Mag at that speed will devastate any deer or pronghorn that walks at 500 yards.
I like 140 Ballistic tips with 64 grains of IMR 4350. This load is great in all of my 7 mags. I used partitions at one time, but Ballistic tips kill just as well
My 7mm RM likes:
150 Nosler Partitions
162 grain Hornady SP
Both ABLR
If I had to have just one bullet, it would be a tough choice.
For Antelope Mt. Goat, Sheep I’d pick ABLR or Horn 162 grain SP
For deer 162 Horn SP
For elk, moose or deer 150 grain Partitions
These all shoot sub MOA. But for some reason those Hornady 162 Interlock are crazy accurate in my 7mm RM.
I have been shooting 160gr Nosler Accubonds @ 3100fps in a 26" Remington 700 with very good results. Under 1 MOA. I have taken several whitetail, including two large Saskatchewan bucks with them, and only one went about 20yds. All others dropped in their tracks. All have exited, not that a whitetail should really pose much of a challenge for this bullet. I also have a good load with the 175gr Nosler Partition @ 2950fps. Although I haven't used this bullet on game, it's performance is well established. When I hunt moose in Newfoundland, I may try the Partition. I have also used Accubonds in a 7mm-08 with similar results from the 140gr bullet.
140 AB at 2850 from a 7mm-08 is skookum.
P
In my Rem 700CDL (fitted in 700LSS stock) 154gn Hornady Interlocks and 71.5gns of RL25 worked well on game. From memory, velocity was around 3100fps
The AB, if you can get them to shoot. I have had very good luck with them out past a few football fields, where the PT starts its downward slide. I do like the Interlocks, I hunted them for a few years because of their accuracy but did not like their performance on game.