Bullet choice for my Sako a7 range 7mm Rem Mag

[MontanaOutdoorsman406]

I recently purchased a Sako a7 range in 7mm Rem Mag with 9.5 twist and I'm having a hard time with a bullet choice and wanted opinions I wanted to run the lrx 145g or even the 139g lrx but according to bergers stability calculator it will only have marginal stability the 168g classic hunter will work but I'm not sure I want it exploding bullets in something I'm going to eat rifle will be used for deer/elk. Any input appreciated.

 

[Frank in the Laurels]

140/160 Nosler Partition will take care of anything you can hit with one...sometimes you don't have to shoot bench rest sized groups to harvest game...you may not shoot sub 1/2 in groups but no animal will take many steps after a chest hit with one !

 

[just country]

morning, barnes is the way to go. I use the 145gr. TTSX. great accuracy and
performance. no lost game, lack of penetration or down range performance.
a true stone cold killers. TUM

 

[RockyMtnMT]

Not sure how far you intend to hunt with this weapon. Our 131g Hammer Hunter would be our heaviest low drag bullet that will fully stabilize in your 9.5" twist. You can run our Sledge Hammer line of bullets up to 160g fully stable in the 9.5" twist. Our Sledge Hammer line of bullets is what I consider the perfect normal range hunting bullet. (less than 400-500y depending on cartridge)

Steve

 

[djfriesen]

I shoot 162 gr Hornady eld-x out of my A7.

 

[cell4soul]

I've got a 9 twist on my 7mm SAUM and I am shooting the 145 LRX. MY 7 SAUM and your 7 Rem Mag would probably have similar velocities. The LRX shoots great out of my rifle, although mine is a 9 twist vs. your 9.5 twist. My load development was done at about 1,500' elevation.

 

[WeiserBucks]

Don't overlook Nosler Accubonds, 160's in particular.

 

[MontanaOutdoorsman406]

I've got a 9 twist on my 7mm SAUM and I am shooting the 145 LRX. MY 7 SAUM and your 7 Rem Mag would probably have similar velocities. The LRX shoots great out of my rifle, although mine is a 9 twist vs. your 9.5 twist. My load development was done at about 1,500' elevation.

I'm at 3500 feet

 

[MontanaOutdoorsman406]

Don't overlook Nosler Accubonds, 160's in particular.

How are the accubonds vs like a ttsx or lrx

 

[cell4soul]

I'm at 3500 feet

If you want to shoot the 145 LRX, try working up a load. If you hunt at that elevation or higher, I bet they stabilize just fine.

 

[MontanaOutdoorsman406]

If you want to shoot the 145 LRX, try working up a load. If you hunt at that elevation or higher, I bet they stabilize just fine.

I will give it a try what are your thoughts on the 168g berger classic hunter for deer/elk

 

[lancetkenyon]

I just worked up a killer load for the same rifle using 168 Berger HVLDs. All testing done @ 1800' elevation.

I have loaded these bullets for several 7RMs over the years (and my own .280AI) over the years, and seen fantastic results on game.

 

[Canhunter35]

Hornady gmx bullets are monolithic similar to Barnes bullets if that's what you're after. I believe nosler e-tip are also copper too, and are another option

 

[LaHunter]

I have a 7mm mag 9.5 twist and the 160 grain Nosler AB shoot extremely well out to 700 yards for me. These bullets are the perfect balance of penetration and expansion on game in my opinion. These bullets are somewhat of a balance between the Ballistic Tips and the Partitions when it comes to on game performance