7mm bullet options

[meatyrem]

I am needing a few opinions on some options for 7mm bullets I can get.
these will be for
7mm RUM
And maybe 7mm RM
Both have 9.25 twist
Both standard with factory chamber/throats
I can get 168 vld or heavier (180)
162 sst 162 eld-x I think also maybe the next weight up from here too
Uses would be mule deer/elk
Which one would hold up, which one will not at either power levels. I have 160 AB right now but haven't been able to find any and limited on those so I want a little more selection and I am unfamiliar with the eld-x
Would either have trouble stabilizing anything heavier?? Which ones to avoid at closer range and I doubt I'd go past 600yd so I think any of those would be a problem at that distance I'm worried about closer shots if presented

 

[yankee outlaw]

i run 168 in my rem 700 7mm it likes them fin out to 500

 

[Subzero]

Your slow twist rate is really screwing you up. You're probably going to have to stay in the 160g to 170g range of bullets in order to stabilize them.
I would recommend bonded, partition or copper bullets so they don't explode at high velocity impacts.

I would buy a 1:8 twist barrel in order to shoot the awesome high bc heavies that are available. That would also slow your velocities down to reasonable for closer ranges.

 

[JMW67]

I would look at the 143 hammer hunter if staying under 600 they will kill like a much heavier bullet and should be like lighting out of either one of those rifles and are always available

 

[meatyrem]

I was interested in the 175 ablr would those be too much for a 9.25 to stabilize?
so full tilt eldx and Berger is not a good idea at closer ranges say 200 and closer?
the 160 AB I currently have are not bad in the rum as I'm 3250 and 1/2 groups so I'm fairly satisfied with those but since I have the RM I figured I could go heavier with the rum since there are many good options. I just figured the sst and eldx would be too soft for it and maybe Berger too?

 

[meatyrem]

I would look at the 143 hammer hunter if staying under 600 they will kill like a much heavier bullet and should be like lighting out of either one of those rifles and are always available

Jmw67
I would be starting at that as a max but later want to stretch out the rum a lot more. So I was thinking of using the heaviest I can with the twist I got.

 

[Jcook02]

My 9.25 7RM shot the 168 VLD and 175 ABLR very well. I only shoot the 175 ABLR out of that rifle now. It shoots easy .50 moa at 600.
Any VLD or ABLR out of the 7 mags at these speeds and within 200 yards, you want to stay away from heavy bones.

 

[LVJ76]

I am needing a few opinions on some options for 7mm bullets I can get.
these will be for
7mm RUM
And maybe 7mm RM
Both have 9.25 twist
Both standard with factory chamber/throats
I can get 168 vld or heavier (180)
162 sst 162 eld-x I think also maybe the next weight up from here too
Uses would be mule deer/elk
Which one would hold up, which one will not at either power levels. I have 160 AB right now but haven't been able to find any and limited on those so I want a little more selection and I am unfamiliar with the eld-x
Would either have trouble stabilizing anything heavier?? Which ones to avoid at closer range and I doubt I'd go past 600yd so I think any of those would be a problem at that distance I'm worried about closer shots if presented

Both the 168gr and 180gr Berger VLDH will stabilize just fine, I shoot both in my 7mm Rem Mag with a 1 in 9.25" twist.

I have not tried the 162gr ELD-X, but have not read good things/reviews when used on elk especially at close range.

The 162gr SST is an awesome bullet for the 7mm Rem Mag, can be pushed fast for long range and yet tough enough for close shots. Even though it's not bonded it holds together pretty well on elk and not to mention on deer. Seen several elk taken with it and it does a number on them. It doesn't have the higher BC of the other bullets you mentioned but it works great and kills fast. If this bullet would've been designed specifically for a magnum 7mm cartridge, Hornady could've not done a better job.

For close range the 162gr SST or 180gr VLDH will work best, and provably also for long range.

 

[squeeeeze]

I am needing a few opinions on some options for 7mm bullets I can get.
these will be for
7mm RUM
And maybe 7mm RM
Both have 9.25 twist
Both standard with factory chamber/throats
I can get 168 vld or heavier (180)
162 sst 162 eld-x I think also maybe the next weight up from here too
Uses would be mule deer/elk
Which one would hold up, which one will not at either power levels. I have 160 AB right now but haven't been able to find any and limited on those so I want a little more selection and I am unfamiliar with the eld-x
Would either have trouble stabilizing anything heavier?? Which ones to avoid at closer range and I doubt I'd go past 600yd so I think any of those would be a problem at that distance I'm worried about closer shots if presented

Berger has a twist rate calculator I like to use that you plug all the bullet info into and tells you how stable your bullet will be with said speed, velocity, temp, altitude etc. Looks like your probably close to sea level where you're at, maybe 900' or so above? With that your bullet is above the 1.5 SG bullet stability factor. I've attached a pic from the numbers I've estimated for you with the 180's and provided a link. I'm getting 3,030fps out of my 7WSM 26'BBL with 180's for example.

Twist Rate Stability Calculator

Our newly updated Twist Rate Stability Calculator not only tells you what your SG is, but it also lets you know if you are reaching your optimized BC.

bergerbullets.com

We have have had good luck with the 168 and 180 Berger VLD hunting bullets. If your shots are going to be close you could always consider the 180 Hybrids as they have a thicker jacket and don't fragment near as much as the hunting VLD's. Would be great for close shots or heavier boned animals like Elk. I prefer the Hunting VLD's myself but we've killed game with both Hybrids and hunting VLD's. A lot of people love the Hybrids for game and swear by them.

The 162 ELD-X is a great bullet that acts more like a bonded or controlled expansion that retains bullet weight. Would be good for heavy bone or closer shots at high speed. I'm more of a Berger guy due to the consistency.

 

[meatyrem]

Thanks for the responses. I did not know that about the hybrids. I am just unfamiliar with Berger's and the new hornadays.

 

[Dosh]

In factory 7mm Rem, the 168 Bergers and a slower powder is the bomb! Good luck

 

[Aussie Hunter Steve]

I have shot a fair amount of game with the 162 ELDX, and compared to the Accubond they are less reliable. Normal range expansion is normally more violent with the ELDX, but at extreme ranges the AB still mushrooms uniformly, while the ELDX tends to bend at the nose and performs poorly.

 

[Salmonhead]

Consider looking at the 150 swift scirocco, 160 accubond, 160 A Frame, or any of the barnes bullets. The velocities the RUM generates exposes the weak construction of cup n core bullets when in close. If shots stay under 600, you aren't giving much up with the leader BCs. Way tougher bullets to withstand the higher impacts.

 

[meatyrem]

Well actually the scirocco and AB are the only ones I have but finding them is not easy. Lgs has an abundance of Berger's and hornadays which is why I'm asking those who have used them to find out if I should or should not. I thought of just sticking with the sciroccos for the rem mag and staying with the 160AB for the rum which I'm fine with but have limited supply on them and have to use them sparingly.