Range Report 7 mm mag ammo

[WhiteShepherd88]

Hey guys, I'm relatively new here and sure this mighta been discussed before so maybe y'all can just point me to the appropriate thread. But I'm looking for what y'all believe to be the best factory round out of a 7 mm mag to hunt whitetail with? Whats the best grain-age and actual bullet to be used.

I have tried several different ones (Hornady 139 gr. which I've dropped does with and had them get up and run off) (Federal 175 gr ballistic which left a pencil hole through the deer and no blood trail)

What are your suggestions

 

[Casey Simpson]

Re: 7 mm mag ammo


7 Mag is really an Elk gun, or a long range deer gun. And has too much recoil for any but experienced shooters and hunters. Still, accurately placed shots....if he runs it won't be far.

Sounds like shoot throughs and bad shot placement. Game too close and too small for the fast, strong bullet? Shoot does with a 22-250 with custom ammo/heavy bullet. Shoot em in the neck at the shoulder. They drop "itt".

I know this because you used the term "grain age". That's okay. Just letting you know I'm not assuming things.

Good question. Stay here and keep asking.

 

[WhiteShepherd88]

Re: 7 mm mag ammo

I appreciate it. Yes, I have a lot to learn here, but it looks like I'm in the right place. Everything you mentioned sounds about right (close range game, heavy recoil). Most of my shot placement is right behind the heart if I miss it. I try not to hit the shoulder cause it does so much damage to the meat. I'll aim in front of the shoulder at the neck next time.

I'm currently having some custom work done to the rifle and wanting to learn to shoot at game further away. Thanks for the input.

 

[mdesign]

Re: 7 mm mag ammo

Not sure why you are getting those results with the 139..I've used them very successfully for quite some time. If you are not shooting LR that is the bullet I would have recommended to you.

Kind of agree with the above comment that recoil makes bigger cartridges harder to shoot well. One of the main reasons for poor kills on game is poor shot placement.

The 7RM and other mags are capable of cleaning taking game animals much larger than deer but I really like my 7 because it does it so well and almost any reasonable hunting range.

I used to guide a little and at times had to work to recover "heart shot" deer that were shot anywhere but where the hunter said he aimed. It was often the mag equipped hunter because he could not shoot his rifle well because it kicked too hard to practice much with.

I love my 7RM and regularly use 139 SST, 162 Amax and 175 SMK for hunting and LR practice. I have never lost an animal or had to follow a long trail to recover something I shot.

 

[WhiteShepherd88]

Re: 7 mm mag ammo

Ha yeah I guess it sounds like I have a new excuse to go shoot more! The recoil on the rifle is the reason I have just began some custom work on it. It's not too much on my shoulder, but just enough to where I lose sight of my target when I fire. I have a Sako 75 hunter and putting a McMillan A5 on it and a muzzle brake.

 

[Willys46]

Re: 7 mm mag ammo

My go to for factory was the 150 Winchester supreme combined technology stuff. It tore up alot of meet close range.

Find something with the 160 accubonds and you will be good to go. Great on game. Besides Bergers they are my go to for hunting.

 

[KYpatriot]

Re: 7 mm mag ammo

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Willys46</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My go to for factory was the 150 Winchester supreme combined technology stuff. It tore up alot of meet close range.

Find something with the 160 accubonds and you will be good to go. Great on game. Besides Bergers they are my go to for hunting.</div></div>

Yep. If the accubond doesn't work you probably have screwed up the shot. There are no magic bullets but I haven't seen anything beat the accubond for overall performance.

 

[deersniper]

Re: 7 mm mag ammo

Black Hills 168 grain AMAX, Placement is the most umportant thing.

 

[h4everything]

Re: 7 mm mag ammo

get some of the cheap factory 140 grain loads. fast flat and explosive.

FWIW most deer lung shot will run even when shot with a 50 BMG, unless you get some serious bone.

 

[WhiteShepherd88]

Re: 7 mm mag ammo

yeah, most of the time I am hitting them in the lungs and they run maybe 50-100 yards. Problem is our land is extremely thick is some parts and its tough to find them. I've hunted all my life and gotten pretty good at tracking because my 7 mag is not leaving a blood trail on these guys. The entrance and exit wounds look just like pencil holes. So, I'm either gonna start making head shots or looking for a round that has more knock down power.

 

[Gray]

Re: 7 mm mag ammo

When I shot factory ammo I either used 139 Hornady SST or HSM 168 Berger ammo, But I found that both of these rounds would go threw deer before opening up at ranges under 300 yards. If I where you I would try Core Lokt for close range or Accubonds like mentioned above. If you are shooting the ballistic tips or Bergers accurately through your rifle at 100 yards, then just shoot them in the head or neck and I promise they won't go far.

 

[Clark]

Re: 7 mm mag ammo

In 7mmRM have killed deer with 180 gr Berger VLD, 162 gr Hornady SST, and 150 gr Nosler Bal Tip.

I have also killed a lot of deer at 400 to 500 yards with a 270 130 gr Bal Tip at less than 2000 fps terminal velocity. Even a big mule buck will not go more than 50 yards if I hit the lungs.

It has been my experience that bullet and bullet velocity are not nearly as important as bullet placement. I like to hit them in the liver, the heart, or the lungs. Sometimes hitting the neck is bang flop and sometimes it is like a miss.

 

[KYpatriot]

Re: 7 mm mag ammo

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: WhiteShepherd88</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> yeah, most of the time I am hitting them in the lungs and they run maybe 50-100 yards. Problem is our land is extremely thick is some parts and its tough to find them. I've hunted all my life and gotten pretty good at tracking because my 7 mag is not leaving a blood trail on these guys. The entrance and exit wounds look just like pencil holes. So, I'm either gonna start making head shots or looking for a round that has more knock down power.</div></div>

Dude no offense but that is silly. Knockdown power is not your problem. The 7 mag has over twice the knockdown power you need and more. Get a better bullet, or shoot em in the shoulder.