Pulled trigger on 7mm WSM barrel (what bullets)

[elktaker]

After messing with 145 gr LRx's in my factory barrel with multiple loads and no luck. All groups over 3 inches at 200 yd for the best groups. I decide to pull the trigger on a barrel.

I went with Pac-nor since they said the wait time was 8 to 10 weeks and I will at least be Spike bull hunting this fall so I need time to get it shooting.

So here what is is:

7mm WSM, Chrome Moly, medium sporter, 28" and I went with 3 groove - 1:8 twist.

I also decide to pay the $130 and get it threaded with a Pac-nor brake.

Now I need to figure out which bullets to shot. After long consideration, I am willing to load one round at a time. I am thinking of getting Berger 180 VLD but the 168 are still pretty close on paper.

Any other options? Bullet needs to be able to take elk/deer near and far. I was using Berger 168 VLD before, but I am worried about shoulder shots within 300 yd.

I would like to shot paper at 1000 yd with the same load.

 

[azsugarbear]

When in doubt, I always go for the heaviest Berger bullet that will stabilize in my barrel.

 

[elktaker]

Wish the 195's were out but does not look like that will happen anytime soon.

 

[Levi]

I've killed lots of critters with the 168 vld out of my wsm. If you can run the 168 @ 3150 it beats the 180 at 2950 in both wind and energy out to a 1,000. Beyond that, the 180 starts to slightly get the edge. I shot the 180's for a while and was happy with them, but the 168 is a great bullet!

 

[elktaker]

I've killed lots of critters with the 168 vld out of my wsm. If you can run the 168 @ 3150 it beats the 180 at 2950 in both wind and energy out to a 1,000. Beyond that, the 180 starts to slightly get the edge. I shot the 180's for a while and was happy with them, but the 168 is a great bullet!

I killed 3 elk with 168 from 20 to 427 yards. Windage/elevation are probably close enough.

Shifting towards the 180 since they should stabilize better in the 1:8 twist and the energy on target seems quite a bit higher throughout the range with a slight lose in wind/elevation out to 700 yards.

Is either more stable out to 1000 yards?