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What's your favorite 7mm bullet?

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Helmet

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Mar 26, 2012
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Central California
I just put a Criterion 1-9"twist 7mm08 barrel on my Savage HS Precision and I'm looking for opinions on bullets to reload with. I'm going to start off with the 162gr Amax, but I would like some alternatives. I'm interested in any weight of 7mm, but I'm at a total loss when it comes to bullets lighter than the 162 Amax. Tell me what 7mm bullets you like.
 
Re: What's your favorite 7mm bullet?

I don't like shooting the heavies out of my 7mm-08 although it is certainly capable of doing so, I mostly shoot rounds in the 140gr. range. I shoot 139gr. GMX's, 140gr. TTSX's and 139gr. A-MAX's under RL-17 powder and they are fast and accurate.
 
Re: What's your favorite 7mm bullet?

Don't believe a 139 AMAX exists.

The 162AMAX is a great bullet, and is what I run in my 708.

Other bullets to take a look at would be the 162 HPBT, 168 Berger VLD , and 140VLD.
 
Re: What's your favorite 7mm bullet?

My apologies, I thought it was an amax but its an inter bond, they look very similar though, has the same BC of the GMX but I can sling them at a higher velocity since I can load them a bit hotter.
 
Re: What's your favorite 7mm bullet?

No problem. I thought that was what you meant, but you really did get my hopes up for a second though. I'm sure those interbond would work great and they do look the same as Amax, but they cost the same as Bergers. If they were the same cost as Amax I'd order some right now.

7mmRM: Unfortunately those Berger 140 VLDs look great. I say that because before I put on this barrel I had a terrible 190 VLD habit in 308. I'm going to do my best to resist the urge to use them. Those 162 HPBTs are funny. They look like a very good bullet at a very good price. It's like they are almost as good as the same size Amax in every way. Like a not quite as attractive twin sister. All I can figure is that maybe they are better at fitting in some magazines than the Amax. Otherwise I don't know exactly why they make them alongside the Amax.
 
Re: What's your favorite 7mm bullet?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rusty815</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I don't like shooting the heavies out of my 7mm-08 although it is certainly capable of doing so, I mostly shoot rounds in the 140gr. range. I shoot 139gr. GMX's, 140gr. TTSX's and 139gr. A-MAX's under RL-17 powder and they are fast and accurate. </div></div>I really like those GMX, but they only come in a box of 50 so their pretty pricey. Do you know if the SST 139gr shoot as good? They look similar but they are under $26 per hundred.
 
Re: What's your favorite 7mm bullet?

Since it has been my main hunting rifle for decades, my 7mmRM loves the 175 Sierra GameKings. The soft lead tips do get flattened by recoil while sitting in the magazine, though. I tried some ballistic tips when they first came out (1980's ?) but they didn't fly as well, at least back then. I've never really given the lighter bullets a real testing.
 
Re: What's your favorite 7mm bullet?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ArmchairElite</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rusty815</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I don't like shooting the heavies out of my 7mm-08 although it is certainly capable of doing so, I mostly shoot rounds in the 140gr. range. I shoot 139gr. GMX's, 140gr. TTSX's and 139gr. A-MAX's under RL-17 powder and they are fast and accurate. </div></div>I really like those GMX, but they only come in a box of 50 so their pretty pricey. Do you know if the SST 139gr shoot as good? They look similar but they are under $26 per hundred. </div></div>

I've used the sst's before and they have been just as accurate as the gmx's, the gmx's were designed to use the same load data ad the sst's, except the gmx's are an all copper bullet (actually is made out of gilded metal). Unfortunately I have to use the gmx to hunt here in Cali, otherwise I would be using the sst.
 
Re: What's your favorite 7mm bullet?

175gr SMK. In my .280 it shoots great, quickload says they're coming out at 2890fps using 62gr of H1000 molly coated, can go faster but this is where the rifle likes them. On paper mathematically the 180gr Berger Hybrid is better 1 MOA less elevation and .3 MOA less windage at 1000yds. But in NRA LR sling shooting that isn't observable and to be honest not sure if it actually is any better. I've shot 199's with both bullets, but have had matches with higher X counts with the Sierras. The other good thing $.29 a piece for the SMK vs. $.41 for the Berger.
 
Re: What's your favorite 7mm bullet?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Heman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">175gr SMK. In my .280 it shoots great, quickload says they're coming out at 2890fps using 62gr of H1000 molly coated, can go faster but this is where the rifle likes them. On paper mathematically the 180gr Berger Hybrid is better 1 MOA less elevation and .3 MOA less windage at 1000yds. But in NRA LR sling shooting that isn't observable and to be honest not sure if it actually is any better. I've shot 199's with both bullets, but have had matches with higher X counts with the Sierras. The other good thing $.29 a piece for the SMK vs. $.41 for the Berger. </div></div>Those 175gr SMKs look like great bullets at a decent price. You're pushing them with alot more horsepower than I have though. If I had .280 or a .284 I would definitely try them.
I'm getting the impression that most of the really good 7mm bullets are on the heavy side except for maybe the Berger 140 VLD.
 
Re: What's your favorite 7mm bullet?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: trailrider121</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm shooting Berger 168vld hunting in 24" 7-08. Getting 2740 avg speed with sub moa. Shoots these and 162 amax really well.

</div></div>Do you see any advantage with the Berger 168gr VLD hunting over the 162gr Amax? Pretty big difference in price.
 
Re: What's your favorite 7mm bullet?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rusty815</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've used the sst's before and they have been just as accurate as the gmx's, the gmx's were designed to use the same load data ad the sst's, except the gmx's are an all copper bullet (actually is made out of gilded metal). Unfortunately I have to use the gmx to hunt here in Cali, otherwise I would be using the sst. </div></div>I might try a box of those just because they are so affordable and see what happens.
 
Re: What's your favorite 7mm bullet?

Yeah you are correct I have the bigger case, but playing with numbers and using the correct powder QL shows you could get around 2650fps with a 26" barrel. Which is still going to let you shoot inside any of the smaller bulelts. Another bullet you may want to look at is the 168gr SMK. Its BC is actually 14% higher than what sierra lists.

I think it was here Greg Leganlius (sp I know) shoots a .280 and I remember reading that he has tried or someone has tried the 150gr bullets out to 1k. Personally if I had a 7mm-08 which I don't yet (but may sometime) I would use the 175's and just live with the fact that I can't push them like the .280. In the heavies 7-08 and .280 are like .308 and .30-06 about 200fps difference.

As far as price difference you are correct you pay a lot more for Bergers and I haven't been exactly convinced they are as much of an advantage as the price indicates
 
Re: What's your favorite 7mm bullet?

I see that Bryan Litz has the 168 SMK testing higher than what Sierra listed it at. It's still below the 162 Amax though. Lower BC, higher weight, and higher price than the 162 Amax. If it shoots great than that's the main thing, but the 162 Amax is such a great bullet for the money that it's really hard to find anything else that comes close to it overall.
It is Greg Leganlius (just copied your version
wink.gif
)that likes the .280 alot. Do you know what 150gr he was using?
I agree that the 175 SMK looks like a great bullet at a good price. I don't know if it's worth the big drop in speed over the 162 Amax which also a great bullet, but I definitely keep looking at it.
The big dilemma I'm having right now is in the lighter bullets. The Berger 140 VLD appears to be much better than everything else that's lighter than the 162 Amax. I really don't want to start using Bergers again though.
Right now I have an an arm injury that is severely aggravated by recoil (Ulnar nerve). The last time I shot my 308Win with 208 Amaxs made it alot worse. I was hoping to find a lighter bullet so I could shoot again sooner, but I'm not finding much.
Thanks for your comments.
 
Re: What's your favorite 7mm bullet?

That 162amax is a tough act to follow. Its i7 form factor is among the best of ANY bullet ever. For those not familiar with i7 form factor, it is simply a measure of how efficient the shape is....essentially a ratio of weight/BC.

It is generally not very advantageous to use a Berger 180 over the 162amax, as the 180 normally goes ~150-200fps slower. It still is an advantage in the wind, but not a huge one.
 
Re: What's your favorite 7mm bullet?

162gr AMAX out of a 7-08 seems like an awesome setup. I'd start there and only look to other options if the AMAX doesn't work well. Unless you are shooting a long ways out there, the 162gr will outperform the bigger bullets in a 7-08.
 
Re: What's your favorite 7mm bullet?

I went ahead and got my barrel in a 9" twist so I could use the Berger 175gr XLD and the 180gr Hybrid if I wanted to at some point, but I really intended to focus on the 162 Amax as that's the bullet whose numbers would make me so unhappy to look at when I had a 308Win
cry.gif
. I would really like to find a lighter alternative for now because of my arm injury. Any suggestions?
 
Re: What's your favorite 7mm bullet?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ArmchairElite</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I went ahead and got my barrel in a 9" twist so I could use the Berger 175gr XLD and the 180gr Hybrid if I wanted to at some point, but I really intended to focus on the 162 Amax as that's the bullet whose numbers would make me so unhappy to look at when I had a 308Win
cry.gif
. I would really like to find a lighter alternative for now because of my arm injury. Any suggestions? </div></div>

Yeah... A muzzlebrake.

Make no mistake, the 162amax @ 2775fps (thats what my buddy's Savage with 26" CBI does with 46.5gr H4350) has a fair amount of recoil.
 
Re: What's your favorite 7mm bullet?

That's not happening. I just bought the barrel, tools, Wilson dies, Amax bullets, Winchester brass, H4350 powder and other misc things I can't think of off the top off my head. In my world it was a great deal of money. I still need a few other doodads. I could buy some lightweight bullets to reduce the kick for now if there was some worthwhile, but I don't even want to think about a muzzlebrake. No way I go down that road without spending too much money.
 
Re: What's your favorite 7mm bullet?

I hand load for dozens of big game cartridges, but I am all in on 7mmRM right now.

I like 140 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip 3.34" H4350 loaded to ~ 71,000 psi.

I have tried Barnes TSX and tipped TSX.
I have tried Hornady SST and Interlock.
I have tried Berger VLD hunting.
 
Re: What's your favorite 7mm bullet?

I went to the local half hidden hole in the wall fishing/hunting store and traded in some 308 stuff for the only 7mm bullets they had. Didn't exactly come close to getting a fair trade, but I know they don't stay in business giving people even trades. All they had was 1 box of Hornady 139gr Interlocks and 1 box of Hornady 154gr SSTs.
I figured I'd use the 139gr Interlocks to break in my new new barrel with my left over Varget. That way I don't need to waste any of my 162gr Amaxs or H4350. I really don't have a plan for the 154gr SSTs right now, I would like to see how they do just because they are a reasonably priced though.
The only bullets that really sound interesting to me right now that I would like to try other than the Amaxs are the Berger 140gr VLDs and they are just too expensive. I guess I will focusing on the 162gr Amax with H4350 at some point.
Anybody got any insights on the SSTs or Interlocks I just picked up? I've never used a bullet with a cannelure before. I'm not going to crimp it, but is it going to effect anything?
 
Re: What's your favorite 7mm bullet?

I found the SSTs were more accurate than the interlocks for me.

I got them all as blems in 2004 Hornady -> Midsouth.
The 154 gr RN interlocks were 6.5 cents each.
The 175 gr Spire were 5.5 cents each.
The 162 gr SST were 6.5 cents each.

I have killed some mule deer with the SST. They are good bullets, but IMHO not as good as the Nosler Ballistic tip bullets.

But anything is good compared to those round nose interlocks. They make big groups at 100 yards and have the trajectory of a ping pong ball.
 
Re: What's your favorite 7mm bullet?

I am running 175 smk @ 2700+ in my 26" 7-08. I have tried the 162 bthp, amax and 168 berger. The SMK is by far the most accurate and consistent for me, and gives up very little if any to the Berger or Hornady ballistics.
My Benchmark barreled AIAE has printed some tiny groups @ 200 yds with 175 SMK and H4350.
 
Re: What's your favorite 7mm bullet?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Clark</div><div class="ubbcode-body">But anything is good compared to those round nose interlocks. They make big groups at 100 yards and have the trajectory of a ping pong ball. </div></div>LOL...I'll just use them for the break in process. As long as they aren't bad for my barrel It'll be alright.
 
Re: What's your favorite 7mm bullet?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 264win</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am running 175 smk @ 2700+ in my 26" 7-08. I have tried the 162 bthp, amax and 168 berger. The SMK is by far the most accurate and consistent for me, and gives up very little if any to the Berger or Hornady ballistics.
My Benchmark barreled AIAE has printed some tiny groups @ 200 yds with 175 SMK and H4350. </div></div>If the 162 Amax doesn't work out I will try the 175 SMK. I hope the Amax works out though as the 175 SMK seems a little heavy for the caliber.
 
Re: What's your favorite 7mm bullet?

If you want to go a little lighter than the 162, the 150 Ballistic Tip has a BC of .493 and is a stout bullet.
 
Re: What's your favorite 7mm bullet?

I haven't ruled them out, but they do cost alot. Bryan Litz shows them having a lower BC than they claim. Even still, I would seriously consider them and the 140gr BT if they weren't so expensive.
Nosler recently came out with the 171gr CC. I used Nosler CC bullets in 308 and I think they are a good bullet at a good price. I still don't see any real advantage over the 162 Amax though. I wish they would make something in that price range that was lighter.
 
Re: What's your favorite 7mm bullet?

I use the 162 AMAX bullets exclusively. They are very affordable and always seem to be in stock. They shoot great for me right around 3000pfs
 
Re: What's your favorite 7mm bullet?

That's clearly faster than I can shoot them. What caliber and powder are you using? I'm already starting to look ahead to what 7mm caliber I want to move up to some day.
 
Re: What's your favorite 7mm bullet?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ArmchairElite</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That's clearly faster than I can shoot them. What caliber and powder are you using? I'm already starting to look ahead to what 7mm caliber I want to move up to some day. </div></div>

7mm RM, 70.0gr Retumbo, 27"bbl 1-9 twist. No pressure signs and I'm on my 4th loading of the brass
 
Re: What's your favorite 7mm bullet?


I've been running the 162 amax in my 7-08 for a while and just started working up pa load for it in my 7 wsm.

Bb
 
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