A newbie with a couple of questions

[DeerJerky]

I'm on this site almost daily but seldom post anything because I know pretty much nothing about LRH but I am very interested and have a few questions to help me get started in the right direction.

1. I have a Thompson Venture 338 Win Mag and a Savage 7mm Rem Mag. Which would be the best gun to start with for a 500-800yd Deer Hunting Rifle?

2. It looks like one of the preferred bullets to reload is the 300gr Berger VLD Elite Hunter, but I have looked everywhere local and on the internet and no one has them in stock or even knows when they might get them back in stock. So what would be a close second to this bullet?

3. What would you say is your best reloading recipe for the caliber that you would go with out of these two?

Thanks so much and I promise not to be a pest, just want a good place to start.

dj

 

[WildRose]

I'm on this site almost daily but seldom post anything because I know pretty much nothing about LRH but I am very interested and have a few questions to help me get started in the right direction.

1. I have a Thompson Venture 338 Win Mag and a Savage 7mm Rem Mag. Which would be the best gun to start with for a 500-800yd Deer Hunting Rifle?

The one which you consistently shoot the best.

2. It looks like one of the preferred bullets to reload is the 300gr Berger VLD Elite Hunter, but I have looked everywhere local and on the internet and no one has them in stock or even knows when they might get them back in stock. So what would be a close second to this bullet?

I doubt you want to try that bullet with the 338wm. You don't have enough powder capacity to push it fast enough to take advantage of the high BC. You almost certainly will run into problems with case capacity even trying to seat it deep enough to function in your rifle. That round is designed for the .338 Edge, .338 Lapua etc.

3. What would you say is your best reloading recipe for the caliber that you would go with out of these two?

Thanks so much and I promise not to be a pest, just want a good place to start.

dj

Asking questions is what 99% of us do here on a regular basis. Don't even begin to think it makes you a pest.

Welcome.

 

[Kennibear]

Start with the 7mm. It is plenty for deer to 1000 yards and lots of good loads on this site. There are alot of LR/VLD bullets that the 7mm RemMag can toss at usable velocity. Stick with >160 grain bullets and you will be pleased.

Nothing wrong with the 338 but of the two the 7 mm has a flatter trajectory.

KB

 

[dogbuster0006]

There are tons of long range rifles built on a savage action, and 7mm will be a **** fine deer rifle further out than most people can accurately shoot. My ruger 77 in 7rem really likes the hsm loaded 168vld, I haven't found the 180 in stock to try yet. The furthest I've killed with it to date has been 485yd and the doe never knew what hit her, bang flop is an understatement.

I don't know enough about the t/c bolt actions to advise on their accuracy potential and haven't seen any write ups involving them yet. This is probably just due to the fact they're new to the market. Most of the reading I've done everyone says 210-250gr shoot best for the 338win, the longer bullets will severely cut into your powder charge and might have trouble getting them from mag to chamber they'll just be too long without seating deep into the case. This is simply what I've read I have minimal experience with that caliber just too much gun for anything we have in KY. My suggestion would be to buy several factory brands in different configurations which ever gives you best results will be a good starting point for hand loading in the future that's what I do with all of my guns.

Good luck and happy hunting keep us informed.

 

[DeerJerky]

Thanks so much guys for the responses. Well, I think I will go with the 7mm and see how she does.

If anyone has a recommendation for a Bullet/Powder Combo I could start out with that has worked well for you, that would be great.
Thanks again,

dj

 

[WildRose]

Thanks so much guys for the responses. Well, I think I will go with the 7mm and see how she does.

If anyone has a recommendation for a Bullet/Powder Combo I could start out with that has worked well for you, that would be great.
Thanks again,

dj

H1000 and the 150gr Swift Sirocco II, or Nosler Accubond. You can't go wrong with either for your applications.

 

[Barrelnut]

H1000 and the 150gr Swift Sirocco II, or Nosler Accubond. You can't go wrong with either for your applications.

Heard someone say on here that H1000 was harder to find than a pink unicorn, or something like that.

If you cannot find H1000, might want to try Alliant Reloader 25. It works well with heaver bullets in the 7mm Mag. Also they had it in stock earlier today at: www.natchezss.com

Reloader 22 is pretty good also..

 

[WildRose]

Heard someone say on here that H1000 was harder to find than a pink unicorn, or something like that.

If you cannot find H1000, might want to try Alliant Reloader 25. It works well with heaver bullets in the 7mm Mag. Also they had it in stock earlier today at: www.natchezss.com

Reloader 22 is pretty good also..

When I was shooting the 7mm Rem and loading for it all we really had was H870 and then H1000. I'd be hesitant to recommend a powder I personally have not used.

Alliant powders have been very hard to get hold of for the last few years as well but I'm going to be buying up a few kegs of both RL 22 and 25 when I have some extra cash that needs a home.

 

[Kennibear]

Hodgdon's lists Retumbo as a close companion to H1000. They have similar data points in Hodgdon's 2013 manual with Retumbo using a pinch more. Most loads discussed on LR Hunting have both as favorites for most shooters. They are both made by ADI in Australia, same Extreme powder technology.

It is a good backup for H1000 and lately if the stores don't get one they might get the
other. I am looking for either as I am going to develope a 300 WinMag / Berger 210 load and those two are the front runners.

Don't overlook the Barnes LRX & Nosler ABLR bullets too. With Berger's offerings you have a good choice to reach out 800 yards with the 7mm RemMag.

KB

 

[Kennibear]

P.S. to my last post.

All Unicorns are pink during a blue moon if you recall your Mythology.

So if you are looking only during a blue moon.... how hard can it be?

KB

 

[DeerJerky]

Thanks so much for all the replies. Some great info here.
I too have had a hard time finding any H1000. Going to start looking for some Retumbo this week.
The biggest problem is that if I want to use the Berger bullet it seems that I am out of luck. I searched for two hours last night on the net for anyone that has the 168gr or the 180gr VLD hunting bullets in stock.
Is there anything out there that is a close second or is there a bullet that you guys like as well or better than the berger for long range?
I will try to find some of the barnes that were mentioned.
A friend that goes to my church told me that he has uses the Sierra Game Kings. Anyone have any experience with them? Thing is, I know he doesn't shoot out past 300 yds.

Thanks again for you patience,
dj

 

[WildRose]

Thanks so much for all the replies. Some great info here.
I too have had a hard time finding any H1000. Going to start looking for some Retumbo this week.
The biggest problem is that if I want to use the Berger bullet it seems that I am out of luck. I searched for two hours last night on the net for anyone that has the 168gr or the 180gr VLD hunting bullets in stock.
Is there anything out there that is a close second or is there a bullet that you guys like as well or better than the berger for long range?
I will try to find some of the barnes that were mentioned.
A friend that goes to my church told me that he has uses the Sierra Game Kings. Anyone have any experience with them? Thing is, I know he doesn't shoot out past 300 yds.

Thanks again for you patience,
dj

Try the 162gr Hornady SST, The 160gr Accubond, 168gr Accubond LR or the 150gr Swift Sirocco II and I think you'll be very happy.

 

[Barrelnut]

Midway USA has Berger 180 7MM VLD in stock right now. It is in 500 count though. Savage barrels have a 1:9.25 twist. Berger says min for 180 Gn is 1:9. So it would be close but probably OK. You could always sell the 180 Gn if they don't work.

Natchez still has the 1 Lb. Reloader 25. It will throw those 180 berger amazing well.

Don't wait too long..

 

[Kennibear]

You do not indicate where you are but Tuesday of last week (6th?) Sportsman's Warehouse in Federal Way WA had Bergers in several flavors of 7mm including the 180's. They had 250 count boxes of the 308-210 VLD's also.

All the components are hit and miss. I check Sportsman's and Sportco locally at least once a week, usually Tuesday as Sportsman's gets powder shipped in on Monday night. It helps to talk to the clerks as they have a feel for it. Bergers were gone up until about a month ago.

I have personally used Sierra GMK's for years and they are a fine bullet. They have a high BC compared to most. Started at the same velocity they drop enough less at 300 yards to be noticed. Sighted in @ 220 yds (200m) they print higher on the 300 yard paper than the others.

KB