Seeking help with new hunting cartridge recommendation.
Haven't used my 7mm Rem Mag for hunting in over 20 years (but have prevented it from being a safe queen by shooting it every 5 or so years, including 2 years ago). It's an ADL model, seems to have been produced in 1947 (RR code on barrel, 379xxx serial number on receiver and bolt). It was terrific at taking whitetails out to 300 yards. It shoots MOA at 100 yards using Remington CoreLokt 150gr PSP, and sub MOA with handloaded 140gr PSP. Love that rifle!
Well, my hunting grounds have moved. Now repurposing it for MOOSE in northern Ontario. Longest anticipated shot (according to hunting posse) will be 300 yards.
What are recommendations for retail loads suitable for harvesting moose given the following:
Remington 700 ADL
7mm mag
Leuopold Vari-X III 4.5-14xx40
max distance 300 yards
Ammo availability starting to improve, so should have enough time to dial-in new rifel/bullet combo before 12October.
The rifle you described was not produced in 1947. The M700 and the 7Mag were introduced in the early 60's. Know zip about moose, but I think I'd want at least a 160gr.
I’d get any decent 160-175 your rifle shoots well and have at it myself.
160 grain Nosler Partition, if you are reloading use enough IMR7828 to reach 3000+ fps in your M700.
Sorry, to clarify, I don't reload. The combo which worked best previously was handloaded for my by a buddy, who I've lost touch with.
But, looking to buy commercial boxes off-the-shelf. I'm seeing prices between $60-100/box. Rather than pickup 3-5 different types (which I'd typically do) and spend $3-400, looking for 2 solid recommendations for boxed ammo which other are having good success with. Looking at Midway USA, there are over 60 choices, which is why I'm looking for Remington 700 ADL suggestions.
The problem right now is actually finding ammo with a little more than a month out from your hunt. Midway has a lot of choices....problem is they and most other sites are out of stock. It's probably not going to get much better with hunting seasons around the corner so I'd grab any 140+ mono you see or 160-175 lead core. Even if it didn't shoot great, it'll still be MOM (minute of moose) at the ranges you're talking.
Use whatever you can find 150 grain at least.
It's probably not going to get much better with hunting seasons around the corner so I'd grab any 140+ mono you see or 160-175 lead core.
Even if it didn't shoot great, it'll still be MOM (minute of moose) at the ranges you're talking.
True that on MOM. But, I've grown accustomed to head & neck shots on whitetail (even with slugs out to 125 yards). Looking for reliable MOA accuracy out to 250 yards with my 7mm mag for head/neck shot, which is easily accommodated with proper ammo. 160-175gr fit the bill, but each mfr rings the bell slightly differently. This will be my first moose, and prefer to keep hide intact (not doing a mount, but just a tanned hide). May have to take a heart/lung shot this year. A plausible plan-B is two upcoming gunshows.
I've had great luck with the Hornady 154 Interbond on several bull elk. (In a 7stw but close enough!)
Look over on Gunbroker...they have quite a bit of Bonded 150gr, and even some 175gr. For head/neck shooting, they will work, Have a ball Pard.
If you can find them, a Barnes 150 TTSX would be a moose hammer. The problem is finding them.
I’ve an uncle who’s slew many a bull elk with a single 160 Partition in the Federal Premium factory load. The last 3 or 4 he used the Hornady 162gr load with good results too. I would trust either for moose.
Based on your short time-frame, beggars can't be choosers. If I were in your shoes, I might bite the bullet and buy two or three boxes of these at $70 per box. With more time you could be more discerning.
https://grabagun.com/fed-prm-7mmrem-160gr-tsx-20-200.html
Your rifle was made in November, ‘68. The 700 was introduced in spring of ‘62 and the 243 I bought as a teenager in ‘66 or ‘67 had a serial number of 139xxx.
If yours had been made in ‘47 the barrel code would have had three letters with the first letter being the month e.g. B RR (Jan,’47 or something like that).
The ten years including ‘43 - ‘53 were marked with double letters for the year so as not to duplicate markings from ‘21 - ‘42. You can get the month by the word BLACKPOWDERX with B=January and X=December.
As for an all around bullet, as others have mentioned, the 160 grain Accubond or Partition are hard to beat.
Your rifle was made in November, ‘68. The 700 was introduced in spring of ‘62 and the 243 I bought as a teenager in ‘66 or ‘67 had a serial number of 139xxx.
If yours had been made in ‘47 the barrel code would have had three letters with the first letter being the month e.g. B RR (Jan,’47 or something like that).
The ten years including ‘43 - ‘53 were marked with double letters for the year so as not to duplicate markings from ‘21 - ‘42. You can get the month by the word BLACKPOWDERX with B=January and X=December.
As for an all around bullet, as others have mentioned, the 160 grain Accubond or Partition are hard to beat.
Glad somebody explained it.
And yes, 160 NAB's or NPt's would be the ticket. IF a guy can find the ammo.......
Barnes 150 or 160 TSX/TTSX. By far, out penetrate any of the bonded or partitioned bullets. Copper mono's also reduce blood shot ruined meat significantly.
True that on MOM. But, I've grown accustomed to head & neck shots on whitetail (even with slugs out to 125 yards). Looking for reliable MOA accuracy out to 250 yards with my 7mm mag for head/neck shot, which is easily accommodated with proper ammo. 160-175gr fit the bill, but each mfr rings the bell slightly differently. This will be my first moose, and prefer to keep hide intact (not doing a mount, but just a tanned hide). May have to take a heart/lung shot this year. A plausible plan-B is two upcoming gunshows.
Keep an eye on Gunbroker too. They have some on there, including 175 grn cup and cores that'll work...granted you can pay through the roof on it. Sometimes you can catch a decent deal.
I've only shot one with a 7mm 175 gr Speer Grand Slam at about 100 yards. He went down quick. Shot through the front chest as he was facing towards me. Bullet sliced his liver in half and stopped somewhere back in the intestines. Never found it but it was good enough.
I reload so I don’t pay attention to factory ammo inventory. Just for fun I looked at Cabelas and Midway to see what they had for 7mm Rem Mag. Wow, out of stock, no backorder. Everything.
Love the 7 MAG - I reload and have some 160 Accubond shooting half inch at 100 yards. But, factory loads are good too! Never had the opportunity to Moose hunt but I am certain anything 160gr and up should work just fine in factory loads. PRVI sells a 174 gr load that shoots pretty good in my 7 Mag. They are usually priced lower than other factory ammo.
Yep, also would agree on the 139 LRX
If you can get them to shoot straight. I've had better luck with partitions...
I have a Savage 116 Stainless in 7 Mag.
When it goes afield, It is loaded with 4064, and the bullet is usually a 160 gr Speer Hot Core.
It does the job intended with no apologies....
Seafire: Curious: What kind of MV are you getting?
If you can get them to shoot straight. I've had better luck with partitions...
Maybe it’s you.
Sorry, couldn’t resist the hanging curveball.
Did my first Moose hunt in 2018 near Fairview Alberta Canada. It was a guided hunt, the outfitter teamed me up with a young hunter from Wyoming. On the third day of the hunt at first light we came upon
2 bull moose, standing about 20 feet apart. one appered to be a three year old and the other a four year old. Anyway we were both shooting 7mm Mags. He had factory 160gr Nosler partitions and I had my reloads with H1000
and 160 grain Trophy Bonded Tipped at about 3057 FPS. By mistake we both shot at the same moose about 6 inch apart. We found his Nosler partition under the skin om far side. My Trophy Bonded Tipped went clear thru and keep going.
I hit the second Bull in the chest and had same results bullet double lunged him and the bullet keep going. Range was 240 yards.