Is 160 to big a bullet?

G

Godsten

Guest
Hey All,

So as everyone knows it hasn't been really easy to find ammo recently. I ran by the local Cabelas and found some 160 grain 7mm Rem Mag ammo. Assuming that my rifle likes either one of the types i picked up is 160 grain to much for deer and antelope. I have been looking around but I only ever see 150 or less in the soft point stuff and my rifle doesn't seem to love it. Just wanted to see if 160 would be ok, assuming the rifle shoots them well that is. Thanks a bunch everyone. Good Luck to everyone who was lucky enough to draw this year.

Godsten
 
In my personal opinion, I think 160 will do just fine. I, however, try to shoot as little grain as possible so that my trajectory is flatter. Before I bought a 300 RUM, I used to shoot 130 grains in 270 and never had a problem even on elk. I was lucky enough (or skilled enough) to hit my mark though. If you aren't a great shot, you might want to go heavy.
 
When I first got my Weatherby in 7mm REM mag, I wanted to shoot 150's but tried about 5 different bullets from 140 to 160 in everything from Scirraco, Barnes, Horanady, Speer, & others. My best groups came from the cheap Speer BTSP 150's and 160's with the 160's being the best group of those two.

I then tested both bullet weights at 500 yds. To my surprise, the 160 shot just as flat as the 150- it's higher ballistic coefficient was enough to offset the extra weight. So I settled on the 160. I've shot 7 bucks since then and the 160 has done fine- not too much bullet for deer. If your rifle likes 160, shoot 'em.

The Christian
 
I shoot 160's in my 7mm RUM and they work great.

____________________________________________________________________
"Now we come to the most important pre-season question. Do you just want to go elk hunting, or do you want to bring one back? If you desire the latter, there is no substitute for hard work. The bigger your goal, the harder the work required to get there. Good luck!" - Cameron R. Hanes
 
Years ago I had a 7mm mag that I shot for a few years and I handloaded Nosler 160's with if I remember correctly was 66.5 grains of 4831. The rifle was a older Browning bolt action and it shot the 160's better than any other bullets. Every deer I took with the rifle was one shot game over.
 
I'm in the same boat. I shoot 140gr accubonds, but am considering having a scope with the custom drops put in and wondering if I should try and locate a good 160gr bullet that my rifle likes to have the drops matched to instead of the 140. I hunt mostly whitetail and mule deer, but you never know when I'll finally draw that elk tag, you know.
 
I just got back from the range and the federal topped with the tsx gave 1 moa groups over three sets of three with two of the groups having bullet holes that overlapped. Can't ask for much better from a factory load and a factory gun. I was pretty pleased and hearing that so many of you have used 160 I feel much better. Now I just have to find those rounds again since there was only one box. A couple more trips to the range and I should be ready. Thanks a bunch everyone and good luck.
 
IMHO the 160 grain bullet is the perfect weight for a 7mm. As you found out most 7mm will shoot them into very small holes.
Good huntin.

Phantom Hunter
 
I handload a 160 gr Sierra Gameking over 63gr IMR 4831 with a Rem. large rifle primer in my 7 Mag. (Remington 700)

Accurate, fast, flat shooting and deadly on mule deer.
 

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