7mm mag bullet question

[homesick]

Has any one used the Nosler 120 gr BT bullet for deer? I've use 140 and 150 gr. in the past but am out at present. However I do have several boxes of 120s.

[Mike38]

I have used Nosler 120 gr BT bullets for both whitetail and pronghorn in my 7mmSTW loaded down to 7mm Mag velocities. Very good results. The pronghorn measured out at a 429 yard shot. It literally spun the animal around, then it dropped in a heap.

[homesick]

Thanks Mike38 any idea how the bullets held together or was it a massive hole.

[Mike38]

Thanks Mike38 any idea how the bullets held together or was it a massive hole.

On the 429 yard pronghorn, the bullet did not exit. The heart was in two pieces, what was left looked like hamburger. I never thought to recover the bullet, but wish I would have. On the whitetail, it was at around 120 yards or so (not sure I didn’t measure it). Exit was about twice the size as the entry. Heart and both lungs taken out. Kind of on the messy side as compared to something in a soft point.

[GeauxTide]

Game bullets for the Mag start at 140. If you're going to use 120s, don't shoot anything less than 200 yards because of the light construction.

[homesick]

I went to the big box store and bought some 140 Nosler BT last night. I just did not feel the 120s was the right way to go. I spend mega bucks to go up north to hunt so trying to save a few bucks on bullets just does not make sence. Kinda like putting recap tires on my Suburban won't do that cuz it just don't make sence.

[black mamba]

All good advice, with the exception of the 120 gr. solid copper bullets like Barnes TSX. These penetrate and retain weight so well that you can go down 10-15% in bullet weight and have the same results.

[GeauxTide]

Thanks, BM. I forgot about the Barnes line.

[homesick]

BM I looked at the Barnes bullets but the store did not the 120 gr so the Nosler was the choice. I have only used the Barnes in a couple calibers 22 and 25 in both cases they shot well.