7mm mag elk load?

troy_mclure · June 28, 2010, 09:51 AM

im heading to colorado this october to hunt me a cow elk.

ill be using a savage 111 in 7mm rem mag, 22"bbl.

ranges will be 50-400yds.

what bullet and powder and loads do you guys reccomend?

azar92 · June 28, 2010, 10:07 AM

I'm in the process of developing a load for the same cartridge for the same purpose, although my cow elk hunt (if I draw) will be in Utah. I'm currently testing both the 150g TTSX w/ IMR 7828 SSC and the 160g Nosler Partition w/ Reloder 25.

The TTSX turned in a 0.565" 3-shot group at 63.9g of IMR 7828 SSC. This was chronographed at 2,941 fps. Not screaming for a 150g, but with it being a Barnes that doesn't faze me a bit.

I'm still in the middle of testing the 160g Noser Partition / RL-25 combo but it's showing potential accuracy around 68.6g with a velocity in the ballpark of 2,995 fps.

Either one should flatten a cow elk nicely.

briandg · June 28, 2010, 02:32 PM

I'm going to have to agree. Those are two basic and perfectly functional rounds. The speer mag tip, safari, or whatever they are calling them now, would be a great choice, and any of the other high tech bonded would work.

But, being as you may be firing at either close or long, I really like partition or solid shank.

William T. Watts · June 28, 2010, 02:40 PM

The original factory loading from Remington was a non canister lot of IMR7828, I've use this powder with 150's and 160gr Nosler Solid base (older lead tip) and Partitions, use starting load and work up. This powder has provided outstanding accuracy in my Model70 Winchester Classic. William

oneounceload · June 28, 2010, 02:51 PM

MY gun likes the Sierra 160 and the Nosler 160 Partition. Powders giving hunting-acceptable accuracy were IMR 4831, 4350 and 7828. For ME, acceptable accuracy was 3 shots 1" or less at 100 yards hitting 3" high that kept MOA out to 300 and dropped no more than 6 inches, giving me a point blank-acceptable range of 400 yards (give or take a few)

Replay13 · June 28, 2010, 02:55 PM

160 gr Nosler and IMR 4350 works good for me. Good luck on your hunt!

Mobuck · June 28, 2010, 10:53 PM

I've had excellent results with 160 Nosler Partition and IMR 4350. Best group was 2 holes touching and the 3rd out about 1/2" and around 2950 fps or a little more. Works well up close and as far out as you can hit. I've used it successfully at 50 feet and over 300 yards w/o bullet failure. I'll be in Colorado for the muzzleloader season with a cow tag.

rogn · June 30, 2010, 09:22 AM

My limited experience was one bull, guessed abt 550-600# broadside @ 150 yd. Down and never moved 2" exit, no recovery. Barnes 140TSX 7mm WSM. Love partitions but the TSX is very impressive. Not a 7 Rem, but the bullet info was interesting. One powder that seems good in both 7's is H-1000. Accuracy in several loads (TSX)= 1" @ 200

Clark · June 30, 2010, 07:41 PM

If you can get a choice of broadside shots and hit the lungs, heart, or liver, then a fast expanding bullet is best.

But if all you ever get is a quartering away shot, then maybe a partition works better.

GeauxTide · July 1, 2010, 07:18 AM

In a 22" barrel, I'd use a faster powder like IMR-4831 or RL 19. The 150 Nosler Partition is the best all around bullet for the 7 Mags.

June 28, 2010, 09:51 AM	#1
troy_mclure Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2008 Location: gulf of mexico Posts: 2,716	7mm mag elk load? im heading to colorado this october to hunt me a cow elk. ill be using a savage 111 in 7mm rem mag, 22"bbl. ranges will be 50-400yds. what bullet and powder and loads do you guys reccomend? __________________ There is only one tactical principle which is not subject to change. It is to use the means at hand to inflict the maximum amount of wound, death, and destruction on the enemy in the minimum amount of time."

June 28, 2010, 02:40 PM	#4
William T. Watts Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2010 Location: Central Arkansas Posts: 1,074	IMR7828/7mm mag The original factory loading from Remington was a non canister lot of IMR7828, I've use this powder with 150's and 160gr Nosler Solid base (older lead tip) and Partitions, use starting load and work up. This powder has provided outstanding accuracy in my Model70 Winchester Classic. William

June 28, 2010, 10:07 AM	#2
azar92 Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2009 Location: Utah Posts: 209	I'm in the process of developing a load for the same cartridge for the same purpose, although my cow elk hunt (if I draw) will be in Utah. I'm currently testing both the 150g TTSX w/ IMR 7828 SSC and the 160g Nosler Partition w/ Reloder 25. The TTSX turned in a 0.565" 3-shot group at 63.9g of IMR 7828 SSC. This was chronographed at 2,941 fps. Not screaming for a 150g, but with it being a Barnes that doesn't faze me a bit. I'm still in the middle of testing the 160g Noser Partition / RL-25 combo but it's showing potential accuracy around 68.6g with a velocity in the ballpark of 2,995 fps. Either one should flatten a cow elk nicely.

June 28, 2010, 02:32 PM	#3
briandg Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2010 Posts: 5,468	I'm going to have to agree. Those are two basic and perfectly functional rounds. The speer mag tip, safari, or whatever they are calling them now, would be a great choice, and any of the other high tech bonded would work. But, being as you may be firing at either close or long, I really like partition or solid shank.

June 28, 2010, 02:51 PM	#5
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	MY gun likes the Sierra 160 and the Nosler 160 Partition. Powders giving hunting-acceptable accuracy were IMR 4831, 4350 and 7828. For ME, acceptable accuracy was 3 shots 1" or less at 100 yards hitting 3" high that kept MOA out to 300 and dropped no more than 6 inches, giving me a point blank-acceptable range of 400 yards (give or take a few)

June 28, 2010, 02:55 PM	#6
Replay13 Junior Member Join Date: April 26, 2010 Posts: 9	160 gr Nosler and IMR 4350 works good for me. Good luck on your hunt!

June 28, 2010, 10:53 PM	#7
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	I've had excellent results with 160 Nosler Partition and IMR 4350. Best group was 2 holes touching and the 3rd out about 1/2" and around 2950 fps or a little more. Works well up close and as far out as you can hit. I've used it successfully at 50 feet and over 300 yards w/o bullet failure. I'll be in Colorado for the muzzleloader season with a cow tag.

June 30, 2010, 09:22 AM	#8
rogn Senior Member Join Date: December 25, 2005 Posts: 203	My limited experience was one bull, guessed abt 550-600# broadside @ 150 yd. Down and never moved 2" exit, no recovery. Barnes 140TSX 7mm WSM. Love partitions but the TSX is very impressive. Not a 7 Rem, but the bullet info was interesting. One powder that seems good in both 7's is H-1000. Accuracy in several loads (TSX)= 1" @ 200

June 30, 2010, 07:41 PM	#9
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	If you can get a choice of broadside shots and hit the lungs, heart, or liver, then a fast expanding bullet is best. But if all you ever get is a quartering away shot, then maybe a partition works better.

July 1, 2010, 07:18 AM	#10
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,424	In a 22" barrel, I'd use a faster powder like IMR-4831 or RL 19. The 150 Nosler Partition is the best all around bullet for the 7 Mags.