Thoughts on 180gr VLD Targets vs Hunters on Elk

[ridgeline300]

You should pressure out around 65 grains or so. It will be about 75' slower than the other two. Do yourself a favor and find the two powders I mentioned. They really are the ducks nuts for that cartridge.

N565 was a tad slow and harder to tune in my 22"... RL23 did great - several very accurate nodes from 2780 - 2850. I imagine N560 is about the same?? Only have 3 pounds of 23 left so been on the hunt for a jug of either 23 or 560 with the thought that 560 will do the same as 23.

 

[Longtine88]

N560 will take about 1.5 grains more powder to achieve same velocity as RL23. RL23 has performed well also when I tried it. N565 will take about 2 grains more than 560. N560 really is my goto in the 7 Saum.

N560 works well in a lot of calibers. N565 is an awesome powder also in 300 WM.

 

[gillettehunter]

7 SAUM. 180 VLD hunting. Livingston eland that was considerably bigger body size than my cape buffalo. Shot on the shoulder at under 100 yds. Almost went down at the shot. Ran 60 -75 yds and then turned to go into a couple trees. Looked like he was going down, but I hit him again. He weighs over 1500 lbs. Zambia. Velocity is 2900 fps with RL26. Either 180 will do the job for you.
Bruce

 

[PingGong3]

Awesome! Great pic too. Thanks bruce

 

[stonehands1]

My go-to for 7mm is any of the 180s. Depending on barrel length getting 2950-3040fps with 67grains of rl26 and WMGLR primers. ES has been as low as 5 for 10 shots and never more than 8. I've never had hunting rifles shoot so consistently good ES until this combo. Groups are .5 or better @300 with .1-.2 vertical deviation. I found they all like to be on the lands.
So far 4 different 7mags have loved this combo.
This is pretty maxed out "START LOWER IN YOUR RIFLE"
To your target bullet question: just make sure the meplat (hollow point) is clear and not plugged with anything and they work great

 

[rellison312]

That is what I'm planning to build is a 7saum with an 18-20" barrel because I will be running it suppressed. What speeds can I expect to get with the 180? I have H1000 and H4831SC with ADG brass and CCI250, Fed 210 and Fed 215 primers I can use.

My 7 SAUM is shooting 180 hyb with a 20" tube at 2,700 fps. No elk yet but very effective on mule deer and antelope.

 

[arch408]

I'm a firm believer in using hunting bullets for hunting. Target bullets are not designed for controlled expansion. They might work in some instances when impact velocity just happened to be right.

 

[Bill28]

I think the 180 hybrid is the peak of efficiency from most 7s. I've shot the 168s plus many other 7s as well as the 215/230 bergers. I've found the 230 hybrid to hold up better than the 215 after shooting several with each. I'm running the 180 target hybrid at 2850 from a short barreled saum. Only killed a few deer and hogs so far but it's deadly.

I will say that I shot a bull elk with a 230 at 547 yards last year with a mv of 2980. Perfectly placed shot just tight to the shoulder center punching both lungs. We found the base of the jacket and a few fragments on the off side skin. He didn't take a step but somehow rose to his feet and received a second bullet high shoulder. His lungs were completely mushed.

I'm having a hard time deciding which to take this year on a muley hunt. Both hold .5moa to 800.

I also agree with the 180 Hybrid, With my 28 Nosler I've taken 4 elk one shot kill's between 327 yards and 450 yards. Only used the 180 VLD's on 2 deer did they blew up the front shoulders. I only us my 6.5 Creedmoor now for deer.

 

[Longtine88]

I'm a firm believer in using hunting bullets for hunting. Target bullets are not designed for controlled expansion. They might work in some instances when impact velocity just happened to be right.

Yep….180 hybrid @ 3,000 feet. Your good to go to 1000 yards

 

[Stonyman88]

What range was that ...... around 600

Could see the vapor trail of the bullet, looks like it went right into the boiler room. ?

 

[Stonyman88]

You should pressure out around 65 grains or so. It will be about 75' slower than the other two. Do yourself a favor and find the two powders I mentioned. They really are the ducks nuts for that cartridge.

H1000 or the 4831SC is better, I'm using a 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.5 PRC, the PRC shoots light out, .20 moa at a hundred yds, Always like to find new loads, the best stock load, not my reloads is the 143 ELD-X Hornady's, really enjoy shooting the PRC, and like to take it west this year

 

[deadidarren]

Could see the vapor trail of the bullet, looks like it went right into the boiler room. ?

I know ......... I was guestamating range on tof as long as the vid was not slowed down .

 

[Longtine88]

H1000 or the 4831SC is better, I'm using a 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.5 PRC, the PRC shoots light out, .20 moa at a hundred yds, Always like to find new loads, the best stock load, not my reloads is the 143 ELD-X Hornady's, really enjoy shooting the PRC, and like to take it west this year

Not talking a prc. We're not talking 6.5. We're talking 7mm 180's. I use those powders you mention. Their fine. But I guarantee you I'm not wrong.

 

[stonehands1]

I'm a firm believer in using hunting bullets for hunting. Target bullets are not designed for controlled expansion. They might work in some instances when impact velocity just happened to be right.

I don't think anyone would disagree necessarily with that logic but my experience is that the most important thing is to use any bullet at its designed or target impact velocity (or range thereof).
For example if I'm using the berger 210vld for hunting purpose then I would have 2 loads with me.
In the chamber while hunting would be the 210vld target b/c it has a thicker jacket and doesn't blow up at higher velocities.
In the spare mag I would have 210vld hunting bullets loaded should I come across a situation where the shot is say a 1000yds plus b/c its thinner jacket it will expand a lower speeds better than the target bullet.
The great thing is that both the 210s shoot exactly the same so no dope change needed.
For really long shots 1500 plus then I like a tipped bullet like eldm/x b/c the tip promotes expansion at low speed but of course dope change is likely needed for this bullet (and I'm in no way advocating shooting game animals at this range) but some do.
Many hunting bullets expand to quickly at closer ranges with high velocity wildcats and even some OG magnums with the newer powder blends that produce great velocities, and choosing a thicker jacket target bullet that performs at the speed your rifle shoots just makes sense.