ammo question

lentz · 06-21-2007, 03:37 PM

I have decided to switch ammo and get one with a better trajectory. I shoot a Ruger 7mm Rem Mag. I have been using Remington Core-lok, which have performed ok for me, but i need something that flies a little better for longer range shots. I have been looking at the boat-tail loads, they seem to fly flatter. There are a ton of different manufactures and loads so i thought that i would through it in the wind to get different opinions. Go ahead a shoot away. Thanks!!
I would be using these loads for both elk and deer.

Grantspastor · 06-21-2007, 03:52 PM

Your quarry would have something to do with it. If it's Deer you're after you might consider one of the Nosler Ballistic tips. There are many other good bullets with a great ballistic coefficient. If Elk are the target (Or Larger) you need a heavily constructed bullet. With this new interest in ballistics why not consider getting into handloading. It will open up a new and fun world for you.

Mike P. · 06-21-2007, 04:03 PM

You can check out ballistics charts online at the federal & hornady websites. Those are my favorites for factory loaded ammo. I'm not too hot on remington ammo...especially when I had a round not go off about 6 or 8 years ago while trying to shoot a nice 4 point in the fort rock unit. I have heard many stories about remington ammo duds from a while back.

SImudBogger · 06-21-2007, 04:49 PM

your not goin to get the same answer twice

baltz526 · 06-21-2007, 05:59 PM

if you like to spend lots of money, there are several good loads for the 7mm rem mag loaded by factorys, with premium bullets. they may be as much as 10% better than remington factory ammo

Washington Hunter · 06-21-2007, 06:14 PM

Try a 160 grain Nosler Accubond bullet. That's gonna be versatile and just about as flat shooting as anything in the 7 Mag. You could go lighter, but you'd only get an inch or two less drop at 400 yards, and that's not enough to matter. With a lighter bullet you will also get more drift in the wind, and that's more difficult to compensate for.

cooky · 06-21-2007, 09:10 PM

Try the federal premium loads with the barnes tsx. To be honest I do shoot a lot of cor-lokts. I haven't really had any issues with them.

Tony1831 · 06-22-2007, 06:15 AM

Lentz- pay a visit to each ammo manufacturer's site and compare your caliber in the various load tables and ballistics tables they have available.

I personally like Remington's site best, just seems to be easiest to navigate through and compare ballistics results IMO.

Most will even have it broken down by yardages that you can select to give you a quick reference. Print it out and take it to the range with you to use as a comparison to what you are actually getting firing your weapon.

Don't give up on Remi ammo just yet though...you may find you like the Premier core-lokt ultras in 180gr... I do, but I push mine down a 30-06 which equates to about 38" drop at 500 ys.

Ken Drifter · 06-22-2007, 10:53 AM

Don't give up on Remi ammo just yet though...you may find you like the Premier core-lokt ultras in 180gr

thresher · 06-22-2007, 10:59 AM

For Federal Ammo:
http://www.federalpremium.com/ballis...mo_Search.aspx

I dont know if i can post this link or not so if i cant mods feel free to remove it.

Dan360 · 06-23-2007, 02:29 PM

I second the post regarding the 160 gr Nosler Accubond. I would only use it on larger deer and elk though. With as much velocity as a 7mm Mag has, the bullet might not open up well on a thin bodied deer or on anything at close range. If you are hunting smaller deer or at closer ranges, I would choose something that opens up fast like a 150 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip. The bullet might blow up, but it will cause enough trauma to stop something.

Shiner · 06-23-2007, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan360

I second the post regarding the 160 gr Nosler Accubond. I would only use it on larger deer and elk though. With as much velocity as a 7mm Mag has, the bullet might not open up well on a thin bodied deer or on anything at close range. If you are hunting smaller deer or at closer ranges, I would choose something that opens up fast like a 150 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip. The bullet might blow up, but it will cause enough trauma to stop something.

Shiner · 06-23-2007, 04:59 PM

Don't get too caught up in too much hype about imperceptable details. You want a bullet that will hold up to short shots without blowing up. You want a bullet with enough energy to carry distance. With elk you can tolerate more drop at distance while with deer, you shouldn't be worried about an inch at 400 yards.
I know people who hunt deer with a 338. A good bullet, regardless of size, is your best choice. My choice has been a 160 grain Nosler Partition but I am looking at Accubonds for that boatail advantage. Balistic tips have too light of a jacket for close shots IMO.

LanceinOregon · 06-24-2007, 12:15 AM

Mike P. is right on the money. You cannot go wrong with Hornady or Federal brand ammo. Checkout each of their websites, and you will find a ton of info.

You don't need a fancy bullet for deer. But a tougher controlled expansion bullet is definitely in order for Elk hunting.

Cartridge performance is really not as important as how well that specific load shoots in your rifle. Narrow your choice down to a few loads, and then use the one that shoots most accurately for you.

Lance in Springfield

Beginners luck · 06-24-2007, 12:36 AM

I will third the opinion on the Accubond from nosler. I shoot a 140 in my little 7mm/08 and a 160 in my 7mm Rem Mag. Both guns shoot great with it. My wire shot a nice 3x3 buck with the 7/08 at roughly 40 yards and the expansion and penetration was amazing. It was the only bullet ive ever recovered. Ive shot 3 deer and 1 good cow with the 160 in the Mag and all I can say is that it performs excellent and will be my do it all round from here on out.

Forestman13 · 06-24-2007, 12:37 AM

I like the hornady 175 grain with the interlocking ring. I've used this on several elk and deer. Shot placement is very imporant to avoid blood shot. I like to aim for the heart lung area, and I will take out the arteries on top the heart making a quick clean kill, with very little blood shot meat to clean up. Happy hunting, Forestman13

elkman49 · 06-24-2007, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lentz

I have decided to switch ammo and get one with a better trajectory. I shoot a Ruger 7mm Rem Mag. I have been using Remington Core-lok, which have performed ok for me, but i need something that flies a little better for longer range shots. I have been looking at the boat-tail loads, they seem to fly flatter. There are a ton of different manufactures and loads so i thought that i would through it in the wind to get different opinions. Go ahead a shoot away. Thanks!!
I would be using these loads for both elk and deer.

You might try any of the bonded bullets in the 165 gr. range .
I have been useing the Swift scirocco 130 GR. in mt 270 , and have been very pleased with the results on deer and antelope . I also use the scirocco in my 300 mag for elk and they hold together at close range and also mushroom beautifuly at longer range .
Just make shur that you practice with them at what ever long range you plan to shoot . You will be surprised at the differance in bullet drop at four hundred yards and beyond . Don't rely on the ballistics in the reloading manuals , as they are note computed for these supper sleek shaped bullets . Two years ago I over shot a antelope three time at a little over four hundred yards because the bullet drop was dramaticlly less than with the 130 gr. core-loc's I had been shooting .