High one of these bullets would have more stopping power? I've used the Nosler ballistic tips and have had good success in a 140 grain. I bought some 139 grain Hornadyy sst for my 7-08 but have found it likes 120 Noslers and Bergers a lot better. For stopping power or penetration in the 7 mm mag are they as good or better than the Nosler bullets. I've been using the ballistic tip , the Nosler Bt ct, and the e tip. Would like to burn up a hundred of these. Shot through wet phone books I can't find anything but fragments.
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7 Mm mag. SST OR NOSLER BALLISTIC TIP
- Thread starter Wendyj
- Start date
ligonierbill
New member
Both of these bullets are designed for rapid expansion, not penetration. If you're shooting Nosler, try their Accubond or the classic Partition. I like Sierra GameKings, but check the number. They make two, one for lower velocity and one for high. FWIW, I load 160's in my 7 Mag. For some reason, my Rem 700 just does not do well with 162 SST's. SGK and Nosler AB both shoot MOA.
I just load the Nosler for white tail. My Remington is like yours as it shoots the 160 grain Speer sp better than anything else. They are getting to be back ordered every time I try to buy them. I have the 9 1/4 twist in mine. I'm beginning to see in every caliber I reload for why I can by a 100 sst for the price of 50 better bullets.
The SST's tend to be one of the softer quick expanding bullets. On the other extreme you have the much harder slower expanding copper bullets. The Ballistic tips are somewhere in between, but on the softer end of the spectrum.
Neither choice is bad as long as you understand what the bullets are designed to do and use them properly. Softer bullets that expand quickly put game down FAST as long as you put one in the chest. They also work very well at long range where speed is much slower, they still expand at slow speeds. They are a poor choice if you take shots at bad angles and have to penetrate a lot of muscle to get to the vitals, especially if at close range.
Harder bonded bullets such as the Accubond penetrate much better and are a better choice for larger game especially at bad angles. While harder bullets give deep penetration, you almost always have the animal run at least a short distance. You don't get the quick bang/flop kills nearly as often.
For whitetails the SST's should be just fine. On larger game such as bear or elk they wouldn't be my 1st choice, but could be used. You'd just have to be very selective about the shots you take.
Between the 2 the Nosler BT, would give better penetration. While they don't advertise the fact Nosler toughened up the jackets on the heavier bullets in 30 and 7mm calibers a few years ago.
Neither choice is bad as long as you understand what the bullets are designed to do and use them properly. Softer bullets that expand quickly put game down FAST as long as you put one in the chest. They also work very well at long range where speed is much slower, they still expand at slow speeds. They are a poor choice if you take shots at bad angles and have to penetrate a lot of muscle to get to the vitals, especially if at close range.
Harder bonded bullets such as the Accubond penetrate much better and are a better choice for larger game especially at bad angles. While harder bullets give deep penetration, you almost always have the animal run at least a short distance. You don't get the quick bang/flop kills nearly as often.
For whitetails the SST's should be just fine. On larger game such as bear or elk they wouldn't be my 1st choice, but could be used. You'd just have to be very selective about the shots you take.
Between the 2 the Nosler BT, would give better penetration. While they don't advertise the fact Nosler toughened up the jackets on the heavier bullets in 30 and 7mm calibers a few years ago.
I do use the 7 mag for black bear and 308 but I use the Speers in the mag and Sgks in the 308. I just got my first sample pack of 168 grain Berger hunting bullets. Not sure how they are going to perform. They do look good on paper out of the 7-08 but doesn't mean they will on game. I need to load up a batch for the magnum to see if the accuracy is there with them. They look more like a longer match King bullet to me.
The SST in a 308 makes mess of a average size deer. It drops em quick on a broad side shot but at a cost to meat. I wouldn't consider them in my 300 win mag. They would blow a huge hole. I actually prefer a 180grain soft point in 300 mag for even deer. Plenty of expansion without the mess and they work for anything larger than whitetail deer as well. It's my one bullet for everything in that caliber. A good old fashion soft point in a 7Rem mag is all you need.
The element that has to be understood about magnum rifles, is that they require a stout bullet construction at the range most people hunt typical game. Magnum rifles propel a projectile at speeds that typical lightly constructed bullets will not stand up to at ranges generally inside of 200 yards, and even more in some cases.
A good example of a bullet that will hold up to general use in a magnum rifle is the Nosler Partition, Swift A Frame, Accubond, Interbond, Scirocco etc. They are expensive, and are sometimes picky about shooting well.
Since you handload, you can tailor your velocity to the range, game, and bullet you intend to use, and that's a good thing. But for a magnum rifle, at close range, you are expecting a lot from a standard cup and core bullet if you are shooting full house loads.
Take the 257 Wby for example. It shoots a lazer beam trajectory, and really come into its own between 300 and 400 yards. It's flat trajectory is intended to minimize the error of range estimation at long range. But it has a well established reputation for bullet blow up and inflicting cruel wounds inside of 200 yards. It really needs a bullet like the A frame at shorter ranges.
The 7mm Mag is not quite as bad as that, but at typical hunting range, it too places extreme demands on standard bullets. Shooting paper for best accuracy, not a problem. Shooting game at long range with a rifle and shooter up to the task, again, not a problem. Expecting all around performance for general hunting...Premium bullet required, or long and heavy for caliber so as to take advantage of the increased sectional density for adequate penetration.
A good example of a bullet that will hold up to general use in a magnum rifle is the Nosler Partition, Swift A Frame, Accubond, Interbond, Scirocco etc. They are expensive, and are sometimes picky about shooting well.
Since you handload, you can tailor your velocity to the range, game, and bullet you intend to use, and that's a good thing. But for a magnum rifle, at close range, you are expecting a lot from a standard cup and core bullet if you are shooting full house loads.
Take the 257 Wby for example. It shoots a lazer beam trajectory, and really come into its own between 300 and 400 yards. It's flat trajectory is intended to minimize the error of range estimation at long range. But it has a well established reputation for bullet blow up and inflicting cruel wounds inside of 200 yards. It really needs a bullet like the A frame at shorter ranges.
The 7mm Mag is not quite as bad as that, but at typical hunting range, it too places extreme demands on standard bullets. Shooting paper for best accuracy, not a problem. Shooting game at long range with a rifle and shooter up to the task, again, not a problem. Expecting all around performance for general hunting...Premium bullet required, or long and heavy for caliber so as to take advantage of the increased sectional density for adequate penetration.
The sst and light Noslers chronograph around 3200 fps. Less than max load using imr4831 but very close. I'm checking into bullets because my husband will be using this rifle for antelope hunt in Nebraska next fall. Maybe should go heavier. I'm sure wind in the flats will be an issue. Not from any experience of mine but I keep reading where accubonds on lighter game tend to pass through and leave very little blood. I don't know anything about it just hear people on the forum having issues. How about Barnes bullets. They are working great in the 243. 260, and 308. Both deer here this year with 243 drt. All pass throughs.
reynolds357
New member
Wendy, I switched to the 150 grain ballistic tip from the 140 many years ago due to the 140 exploding like a varmint bullet. The 150 will pass through a whitetail about any way you hit the animal.
That's been my perfect load after lots of experimenting. The Nosler ct ballistic tip under 62 grains of IMR 4831. Rem 9.5 primers. One hole with first 2 and third touching other hole. Hot cold. Never varies. It's the load my husband shoots out to 800 yards with. I love to spot when it knocks the red paint off the white steel plates.
math teacher
New member
Wendy, I have killed my last half dozen blacktail bucks with 160 grain Accubonds from my 7mm Mag. They were all flattened on the spot. Unless whitetails are made of different stuff, they should work just fine. They have also worked fine on 25 moose killed by my friends and me. In standard cartridges such as the 308, non-bonded bullets work fine on deer.
I have noticed in some of your threads that you are using 4831 and 4350 in your 7mm. That works OK, but you might consider slightly slower powders such as Reloader 22 or IMR 7828 for maximum performance.
I have noticed in some of your threads that you are using 4831 and 4350 in your 7mm. That works OK, but you might consider slightly slower powders such as Reloader 22 or IMR 7828 for maximum performance.
" I switched to the 150 grain ballistic tip from the 140 many years ago due to the 140 exploding like a varmint bullet. The 150 will pass through a whitetail about any way you hit the animal."
I had problems with the early production 140 BT expanding too quickly even at hot 7x57 velocity of 2900+ fps. Later production has produced less expansion and more penetration. The light bullet I found most useful in the 7mmRM was the Hornady 139 Interlock. I shot quite a few deer and coyotes out to 400+ yards with that load. Pretty destructive on deer but had enough penetration for consistent kills.
I had problems with the early production 140 BT expanding too quickly even at hot 7x57 velocity of 2900+ fps. Later production has produced less expansion and more penetration. The light bullet I found most useful in the 7mmRM was the Hornady 139 Interlock. I shot quite a few deer and coyotes out to 400+ yards with that load. Pretty destructive on deer but had enough penetration for consistent kills.
reynolds357
New member
The best bullet I have ever found for both group and performance is the 145 Speer Hot Cor Sptz boat tail. The reason I quit shooting it is because it was unavailable for a long time and I switched to Nosler. I am done with Speer bullets for that very reason; every time I find one of their bullets I like, it disappears for a year or two.
Saltydog235
New member
Barnes TSX or Accubond. The last deer I shot with a 7mmRM and a 160grn TTSX was basically jelly internally and bones fragments from wher I shot her straight on in the spine almost decapitated her. She didn't suffer, that's for sure.
I'm only using 4350 in a 7-08. I use IMR 4831 for anything 150 and under and Reloader 22 for the 160 Speer. I can't find a load with the Reloader 22 that will shoot the Noslers and ssts with any accuracy. I've laddered from start to max with .3 grain increments. Played with oal and I can't find it. Used max load on the 160 Speer and they group as good as the rest. Go figure.
Saltydog235
New member
For the 7mmRM, I've gotten excellent results from 7828 when everything else is not working. I have a No.1 in 7mmRM that wouldn't shoot anything worth a darn. I loaded some Barnes 140grn TSX with the max book load of 7828SSC set a bit off the lands, that gun shoots them sub MOA. Prior to that, everything shot 1.25+.
I shot 45.5grns of H4350 under a 150grn NBT in my 7mm08, accurate and hits them like a hammer. I'm switching over to 46grn H414 though, same POI, higher velocity, easier metering etc.
I shot 45.5grns of H4350 under a 150grn NBT in my 7mm08, accurate and hits them like a hammer. I'm switching over to 46grn H414 though, same POI, higher velocity, easier metering etc.
I use the H414 in my 260. 41 grains under any 140 grain bullet and if seated at 2.80 just to barely fit the magazine it's a tack driver. Sub 1/2 inch with every bullet I've tried. Your right about it metering. I adjust the Lee powder thrower and it pops out 41 grains every time. It meters S well as my hand gun powder. I've tried the IMR 4451 and IMR 4166 Enduron powders and they open up to one inch groups but I gain an extra 100 fps with less powder. It's a CTR with semi bull barrel and a tad heavy to tote in the woods here. Lot of places I wanted to hunt restrict the 10 round magazine in it. Wish Tikka would make a four round. I haven't tried the 414 in my 7-08. Will have to work up some loads with it.
Saltydog235
New member
Try the 414 in the 7mm08 Wendy. My test loads have been almost identical with 150grn NBT's to my 4350 load. I just have a lot of 4350 loaded up and need to burn through it before I make the switch full time.