7MM Mag factory ammo recommendation for elk

[FEENIX]

I am posting this for a friend that has a Weatherby Accumark in 7MM Mag - not sure of the barrel length (24"?) or twist (1:9.5"?) but he is now using a HSM 180gr Berger VLD grouping ~1.00" at 100 yards. Prior to that he was using 160gr NABs (IIRC), same or close to the Berger grouping.

I offered to load for him if he buys the dies (I have a 7MM STW dies but not the 7MM Mag dies) and whatever bullet he wants but he insist staying with factory ammo. Anyways, not sure where he read it but apparently he is convinced that a 168gr will group better. HSM has 168grainers.

Shots will be all under 500 yards, most likely 200-250 yards. Looking forward for any information to pass to him. Thank you in advance for your support and understanding.

Ed

 

[MudRunner2005]

For my 7RM, I load 70gr of H1000 fitted with a Berger 168 VLD or 160 NAB, and a Federal 215 primer.

COL is up to the individual rifle and chamber.

You do know you can pick up a set of 7RM dies for fairly cheap, and just have him pay you back...

7mm Remington Mag | Rifle Reloading Dies | Dies - Reloading

I use these dies, and they work great: RCBS 2-Die Neck Sizer Set 7mm Remington Mag

 

[wbm]

HSM180gr Berger VLD.

 

[MontanaRifleman]

Ed, If it were me I would start with the cheapest ammo shooting bullets in the 175 class and heavier. BC is not a factor and any accuracy of MOA or less is plenty good to 500 yds. I have read (and experienced) plenty of reports of cheap ammo shooting just as well or better as the premium stuff.

 

[FEENIX]

For my 7RM, I load 70gr of H1000 fitted with a Berger 168 VLD or 160 NAB, and a Federal 215 primer.

COL is up to the individual rifle and chamber.

You do know you can pick up a set of 7RM dies for fairly cheap, and just have him pay you back...

7mm Remington Mag | Rifle Reloading Dies | Dies - Reloading

I use these dies, and they work great: RCBS 2-Die Neck Sizer Set 7mm Remington Mag

Understand but as noted, he wants to stick with factory ammo.

 

[FEENIX]

Wbm, he's sighted in at 2.5" at 100 yards with the 180 Berger with an MV of 2850 FPS (chronoed).

Mark, IIRC he used to shoot corelokts with basically the same result ... and the same reason I offered to load for him. I told him the same thing about standard vs preimum ammo but he's a bit on the stubborn side.

Thanks!

Ed

 

[Varberger757]

Your friend should try Federal's products which in my opinion are of top quality. For large game like elk he needs ammo that penetrates and delivers good terminal performance. 160gr. Nosler Partition, 160gr. Trophy Bonded Tip (my favorite) and 175gr Trophy Bonded Bear Claw.

 

[FEENIX]

Your friend should try Federal's products which in my opinion are of top quality. For large game like elk he needs ammo that penetrates and delivers good terminal performance. 160gr. Nosler Partition, 160gr. Trophy Bonded Tip (my favorite) and 175gr Trophy Bonded Bear Claw.

He harvested a mature cow elk at ~100 yards with his current ammo last year. Will pass on the other recommendations. Thanks.

 

[bigngreen]

I would just stick with the HSM, one inch isn't that bad in a factory rifle and will certainly be minute of elk to 500 yards. You've got a Premium Berger hunting bullet and he seems to not want to let you dial it in better so rock it, unless you can get a Premium Berger 168gr load.

 

[FEENIX]

I would just stick with the HSM, one inch isn't that bad in a[FLOATRIGHT][/FLOATRIGHT] [FLOATRIGHT][/FLOATRIGHT]factory rifle and will certainly be minute of elk to 500 yards. You've got a Premium Berger hunting bullet and he seems to not want to let you dial it in better so rock it, unless you can get a Premium Berger 168gr load.

Amen to that! I was hoping somebody was going to say it. Thanks Rhian.

Ed

 

[MontanaRifleman]

I am posting this for a friend that has a Weatherby Accumark in 7MM Mag - not sure of the barrel length (24"?) or twist (1:9.5"?) but he is now using a HSM 180gr Berger VLD grouping ~1.00" at 100 yards. Prior to that he was using 160gr NABs (IIRC), same or close to the Berger grouping.

I offered to load for him if he buys the dies (I have a 7MM STW dies but not the 7MM Mag dies) and whatever bullet he wants but he insist staying with factory ammo. Anyways, not sure where he read it but apparently he is convinced that a 168gr will group better. HSM has 168grainers.

Shots will be all under 500 yards, most likely 200-250 yards. Looking forward for any information to pass to him. Thank you in advance for your support and understanding.

Ed

My number one go to bullet in the 7 RM was the 160 Partition. I did some experimenting with the 175's but decided on 160's for a little flatter trajectory. In my older and more wiser (IMO ) years, I would go with the 175's.

The only reason I consider Bergers is for their BC and reach to long ranges. That said, they are an extremely effective killing bullet when used within their parameters which for the most part is best using the double lung shot. High velocity tough angle shots requiring penetration is not their best suit. Although I have read some good reports on that, I have also read some not so good reports.

My philosophy on Bergers and similar type bullets is to go with heaviest for cal bullets for lower velocities and greater penetration. For inside 500 yard shooting, I would pick a 1 MOA 180 over a .7 MOA 168. The elk will never notice the .3 MOA difference.

Sounds like he is set on the 168's. Shoot them and see how they do

 

[MontanaRifleman]

I would just stick with the HSM, one inch isn't that bad in a factory rifle and will certainly be minute of elk to 500 yards. You've got a Premium Berger hunting bullet and he seems to not want to let you dial it in better so rock it, unless you can get a Premium Berger 168gr load.

HSM Trophy Gold Ammo 7mm Remington Mag 168 Grain Berger Hunting VLD

A lot more than I would pay for factory 7mm ammo... you can tell him I said that

 

[MudRunner2005]

Understand but as noted, he wants to stick with factory ammo.

I was just saying that since you reload, and since reloading is ALWAYS more accurate than factory mass produced ammo, why not spend $ 40 on the dies and load for him.

But if he wants good factory ammo, try these...

Nosler Trophy Grade Ammo 7mm Remington Mag 160 Grain AccuBond Box of

Nosler Custom Ammo 7mm Remington Mag 160 Grain AccuBond Spitzer Box of

The first one I listed (Nosler Trophy Grade) is in stock and available @ Midway. I would highly suggest that he shoot 160gr Nosler Accubond factory loaded ammo, until he is ready to handload, as Bergers tend to be a little more tricky to load for in a generic sense. The Ogive design of the VLD's make them a bit finnicky to load for, and tend to have to be adjusted to find out where your individual rifle likes them, so it is best to hold off on the Berger VLD ammo until he can reload for his rifle, unless he wants to keep getting 1 MOA groups, which is more than plenty good enough to kill a deer out to 500 yards.

 

[FEENIX]

HSM Trophy Gold Ammo 7mm Remington Mag 168 Grain Berger Hunting VLD

A lot more than I would pay for factory 7mm ammo... you can tell him I said that

Mark,

I too am a heavier bullet fan, I talked him into the 180s over the 168s last year. BTW, I already told him about the cost on my handloads. He gave me all his spent brass and saving it for him when he finally realize it. lightbulb

Ed