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7mm Rem Mag Elk Cartridge Selection

treybob2000
I am looking for some Cartridge advice, the cartridge in question is the 7MM Rem. Mag.
I have a Browning BLR (Lever Action) 24" Barrel. and my Step Son has a Savage 110 24" (I think its 24") Barrel (Bolt) both 7MM Rem Mag.
The hope that this Fall 2010 we will go Elk hunting and would like a good Elk Cartridge.

I have a nice hand load formula but do not have the time to mess with hand loading at this point in time.

I am looking to reduce range time hoping some of you have some recommendation on factory loads; I have 3 in mind but am up to some recommendations. The factory loads are some of the hottest and flattest shooters that I have seen specs on, they are as follows.

Hornady 139 Grain SST
(3250/3259 Muz. Vel./FPE) (2300/1633/32.6" 500 Yard Vel/FPE/In Drop)
Hornady 154 Grain SP
(3035/3149 Muz. Vel./FPE) (2180/1624/37.1" 500 Yard Vel/FPE/In Drop)
Federal 165 BTSP
(2950/3190 Muz. Vel./FPE) (2230/1825/36.6" 500 Yard Vel/FPE/In Drop)

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Mark
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Comments

11 comments

Date Votes
  • coledigger4
    I always use the heaviest bullet I can get when I use my 7 mm Mag. for any big game. I know you don't handload but, I found that I got very good kill rates with minimal meat damage using the 175 grain Speer Hot Core. I think they have discontinued this bullet so I will be looking for a replacement when these are used up.
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  • laylandad
    You could try these Federal Premium loads:

    160 gr Barnes TSX
    (2940mv/3071fpe)(2085fps/1545fpe/-39.3" 500yds)
    160 gr Nosler Partition
    (2950mv/3091fpe)(2040fps/1479fpe/-40" 500yds)
    160 gr Trophy Bonded Tip
    (mv2900/2988fpe)(2070fps/1523fpe/-40.2" 500yds

    Personally I would go with a heavy bullet that will not breakup on impact. I have had some SST's breakup in whitetail. If I were hunting elk, I would definately go with a bonded or partitioned bullet.
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  • FEENIX
    Try HSM loaded with 168gr Berger VLDs ...

    http://www.thehuntingshack.com/catalog/retail/BergerRetail.pdf

    Good luck!

    Ed
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  • Riomouse911
    Aren't Berger VLD's long-range target bullets? I'd go with the TSX/Partition/Trophy bonded bullets etc. If you have to punch thorugh the South end of a Northbound elk to make the one shot, I'd trust these rounds to do it. I don't recall seeing Berger VLD's advertised as big-game hunting bullets, but they sure are the el supreme-o bullets for accurate long-range paper punching.
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  • Riomouse911
    I stand corrected, the site does have them listed as hunting ammo. Learn something new every day!
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  • skyfish
    I would go with your 2nd or 3rd choice, I think either would be more than adequate.

    How accurate, depends on rifle. But both Hornady and Federal make quality components.
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  • tsr1965
    If your rifle likes them, there is no better big game bullet than the Barnes TSX. It does not shed weight, and penetrates like no other, while giving great expansion, and bone crushing performance. I make no hesitation with that statement. The Federal Premium with the TSX is the way to go. A Winchester Supreme with a like weight of 150-160 grain Accubond would be my next choice.

    Best
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  • idahoducker
    I like laylandads picks. Premium bullets (bonded or solid copper) are an excellent idea when it comes to elk sized game. Especially when your shooting a relatively light bullet at high velocity.
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  • stevecrea
    If you can find factory loads that your rifle likes with the 160 grain Nosler Partition, you will not go wrong.

    I have a 7mm Weatherby Magnum, and use the 160 Nosler Partitions for elk, which Weatherby advertises at a muzzle velocity of 3200 fps. This bullet has a good ballistic coefficient, and has accounted for two one-shot kills on bulls, one at 314 yards, and the second at 525 yards.

    I agree that the Barnes should be a great choice also, but I have not used them.
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  • rovernut
    Here in elk country, a good bonded 150-160 grain bullet at 3000 or so does the trick every time if you put it in the vitals!!
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  • Mobuck
    In my limited experience the 7mm mag w/160 Nosler partition is excellent. Additionally, it works well on deer for those combo hunts. I have seen the 139 and 154 Hornady open up way too quick for use on elk. My hunting partner used 175 Remington corelokt successfully on elk but almost lost his deer blaimed mostly on the bullet not expanding much on a straight through the ribs hit.
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