7WSM deer load

stan5677 · September 17, 2022, 10:25 AM

Looking for a deer load for a 7wsm build i'm putting together. With 7wsm speeds I know I would have to a heavier with a better constructed bullet. Would a 150g TTSX work? Any recommendations appreciated.

Scorch · September 17, 2022, 04:01 PM

Even if you are shooting deer built like tanks, a 150 grain TTSX cannot fail. For all-around (coyotes to elk), I like 140-150 gr bullets in all of my 7mms.

ChimpMunk20 · September 17, 2022, 05:10 PM

Something heavy enough or strong enough for the 7wsm speeds that it won’t blow up.

As an example. 162 eldx at 3200 = no good inside of 300 yds. 175 eldx at 2975 much better (from experience)

160 accubonds likely better if you want the speed because they are tougher (assuming).

Go as heavy as you can or whatever gets you close to 3000fps is my 2 cents.

std7mag · September 17, 2022, 07:20 PM

With a name like std7mag, you know i HAD to weigh in.

Essentially any bullet adequent in the 7mm Rem Mag will suffice in the 7WSM.

Personally, i dislike Barnes bullets though. Going mono i'd use Cutting Edge, or Hammer.

Otherwise bullets like Noslers 150gr Ballistic Tip, 150 or 175gr ABLR, any weight Partition.
168gr & up Berger.
150gr & up Sierra.

taylorce1 · September 19, 2022, 07:24 PM

120 grain TTSX would work just fine.

GeauxTide · September 20, 2022, 07:44 AM

I've used Hornady 154 Interbonds in my 7mmRM a long time, but I'm sure your Barnes choice will be dandy.

reynolds357 · September 20, 2022, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stan5677

Looking for a deer load for a 7wsm build i'm putting together. With 7wsm speeds I know I would have to a heavier with a better constructed bullet. Would a 150g TTSX work? Any recommendations appreciated.

150 Nosler ballistic tip performs wonderfully. Never had one not exit.

Nathan · September 21, 2022, 04:41 AM

Where are you hunting and at what ranges? What is a long shot to you?

stan5677 · September 22, 2022, 07:16 PM

Whitetail here out east between 100 - 500 do want an elk hunt eventually.

Nathan · September 22, 2022, 09:10 PM

150gr would be great with a tough bullet like the CX or TSX.

168 or bigger, if using something like the Interbond or other cup n core bullets just to slow it down a bit to prevent explosive performance under 100 yards.

Don’t pay extra for bc. It won’t really matter out to 500.

Pathfinder45 · September 22, 2022, 10:48 PM

It looks to me that the optimal bullet weight for that caliber is 160 grains or so. Find some Nosler Partitions in that weight for hunting and something similar but less expensive to practice with.

stan5677 · September 23, 2022, 10:35 AM

Based upon components I can find I'm looking at the 160gr Accubond/partition, 150gr TTSX, 150gr Hornady CX, 150gr E-Tip, and 168gr VLD

Pathfinder45 · September 23, 2022, 01:17 PM

I would look for 160 grain Sierra Game King or Speer equivalent to be the cheaper alternative to the Nosler Partition.

stan5677 · September 23, 2022, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathan

150gr would be great with a tough bullet like the CX or TSX.

168 or bigger, if using something like the Interbond or other cup n core bullets just to slow it down a bit to prevent explosive performance under 100 yards.

Don’t pay extra for bc. It won’t really matter out to 500.

With the CX or TTSX how do they perform with just going for vitals and not trying to break them down at the shoulders

Nathan · September 25, 2022, 07:10 AM

For shorter ranges, under 500 yards, your impact velocity will be high enough to expand them without losing much weight. That will make them fine on deer, better on elk.

At 500 yds, you should have 2100fps impact velocity. That is great for monos or cup n core.

At 50 yds, impact velocity is like 3000fps. Monos can handle this, but many cup n core are explosive over 2500 fps.

stan5677 · September 26, 2022, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathan

For shorter ranges, under 500 yards, your impact velocity will be high enough to expand them without losing much weight. That will make them fine on deer, better on elk.

At 500 yds, you should have 2100fps impact velocity. That is great for monos or cup n core.

At 50 yds, impact velocity is like 3000fps. Monos can handle this, but many cup n core are explosive over 2500 fps.

Any recommended powders from my research I read H4831sc is pretty good.

stan5677 · September 27, 2022, 01:05 PM

Based off the components I can find and keeping with manufacturer load data I'll develop the 150gr E-Tip, 145gr LRX, and 160gr Grand Slam with H4831sc powder and see what shoots best.

Red Devil · September 28, 2022, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stan5677

Based off the components I can find and keeping with manufacturer load data I'll develop the 150gr E-Tip, 145gr LRX, and 160gr Grand Slam with H4831sc powder and see what shoots best.

Shoot the similar .277"/150 gr. Grand Slams from the .270 Win. at ~ 2800 fps.

Great performer and very precise.

... But wouldn't push them any faster, unless I was sure the impact ranges would be long.

A good controlled expansion bullet, but still a cup-n-core.

Red

stan5677 · September 28, 2022, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Devil

Shoot the similar .277"/150 gr. Grand Slams from the .270 Win. at ~ 2800 fps.

Great performer and very precise.

... But wouldn't push them any faster, unless I was sure the impact ranges would be long.

A good controlled expansion bullet, but still a cup-n-core.

Red

looking at the speer manual it won't get above 2890 at a max charge and cci 200 primers

Red Devil · September 29, 2022, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stan5677

looking at the speer manual it won't get above 2890 at a max charge and cci 200 primers

That would be a very versatile and inexpensive load.

But I'd also load a few and test out the terminal ballistics at 25 yards, too.

2850... even 2800... would still be a great load, especially if it hung together as a woods round.

W/ a BC of 0.389, it's about a 400 yard load at any of those muzzle velocities.

So, to me, it's a good practice to avoid the potential close range failure, at the expense of an extra 25 yds past 400.

There are long range bullet options if 400 doesn't do it for you...

Red

stan5677 · September 29, 2022, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Devil

That would be a very versatile and inexpensive load.

But I'd also load a few and test out the terminal ballistics at 25 yards, too.

2850... even 2800... would still be a great load, especially if it hung together as a woods round.

W/ a BC of 0.389, it's about a 400 yard load at any of those muzzle velocities.

So, to me, it's a good practice to avoid the potential close range failure, at the expense of an extra 25 yds past 400.

There are long range bullet options if 400 doesn't do it for you...

Red

I agree 500 is my max but if i'm being realistic 400 is where i'm sitting so don't really need high bc at the moment. This rifle will be used out west in a few years for a New Mexico mule deer hunt

September 17, 2022, 10:25 AM	#1
stan5677 Member Join Date: May 6, 2015 Posts: 71	7WSM deer load Looking for a deer load for a 7wsm build i'm putting together. With 7wsm speeds I know I would have to a heavier with a better constructed bullet. Would a 150g TTSX work? Any recommendations appreciated.

September 17, 2022, 04:01 PM	#2
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Even if you are shooting deer built like tanks, a 150 grain TTSX cannot fail. For all-around (coyotes to elk), I like 140-150 gr bullets in all of my 7mms. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

September 17, 2022, 07:20 PM	#4
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	With a name like std7mag, you know i HAD to weigh in. Essentially any bullet adequent in the 7mm Rem Mag will suffice in the 7WSM. Personally, i dislike Barnes bullets though. Going mono i'd use Cutting Edge, or Hammer. Otherwise bullets like Noslers 150gr Ballistic Tip, 150 or 175gr ABLR, any weight Partition. 168gr & up Berger. 150gr & up Sierra. __________________ When our own government declares itself as "tyrannical", where does that leave us??!! "Januarary 6th insurrection". Funny, I didn't see a single piece of rope...

September 19, 2022, 07:24 PM	#5
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,242	120 grain TTSX would work just fine. __________________ NRA Life Member

September 20, 2022, 07:44 AM	#6
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,423	I've used Hornady 154 Interbonds in my 7mmRM a long time, but I'm sure your Barnes choice will be dandy. __________________ Reloading For: 223R, 243W, 6.5 GR, 6.5 CM, 260R, 6.5-06, 280R, 7mmRM, 300HAM'R, 308W, 30-06, 338-06, 9mm, 357M, 41M, 44SPL, 44M, 45 ACP, 45 Colt, 450BM.

September 17, 2022, 05:10 PM	#3
ChimpMunk20 Member Join Date: April 16, 2020 Location: GA Posts: 70	Something heavy enough or strong enough for the 7wsm speeds that it won’t blow up. As an example. 162 eldx at 3200 = no good inside of 300 yds. 175 eldx at 2975 much better (from experience) 160 accubonds likely better if you want the speed because they are tougher (assuming). Go as heavy as you can or whatever gets you close to 3000fps is my 2 cents.

September 21, 2022, 04:41 AM	#8
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,328	Where are you hunting and at what ranges? What is a long shot to you?

September 22, 2022, 07:16 PM	#9
stan5677 Member Join Date: May 6, 2015 Posts: 71	Whitetail here out east between 100 - 500 do want an elk hunt eventually.

September 22, 2022, 09:10 PM	#10
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,328	150gr would be great with a tough bullet like the CX or TSX. 168 or bigger, if using something like the Interbond or other cup n core bullets just to slow it down a bit to prevent explosive performance under 100 yards. Don’t pay extra for bc. It won’t really matter out to 500.

September 22, 2022, 10:48 PM	#11
Pathfinder45 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Posts: 3,224	It looks to me that the optimal bullet weight for that caliber is 160 grains or so. Find some Nosler Partitions in that weight for hunting and something similar but less expensive to practice with.

September 23, 2022, 10:35 AM	#12
stan5677 Member Join Date: May 6, 2015 Posts: 71	Based upon components I can find I'm looking at the 160gr Accubond/partition, 150gr TTSX, 150gr Hornady CX, 150gr E-Tip, and 168gr VLD

September 23, 2022, 01:17 PM	#13
Pathfinder45 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Posts: 3,224	I would look for 160 grain Sierra Game King or Speer equivalent to be the cheaper alternative to the Nosler Partition.

September 25, 2022, 07:10 AM	#15
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,328	For shorter ranges, under 500 yards, your impact velocity will be high enough to expand them without losing much weight. That will make them fine on deer, better on elk. At 500 yds, you should have 2100fps impact velocity. That is great for monos or cup n core. At 50 yds, impact velocity is like 3000fps. Monos can handle this, but many cup n core are explosive over 2500 fps.

September 27, 2022, 01:05 PM	#17
stan5677 Member Join Date: May 6, 2015 Posts: 71	Based off the components I can find and keeping with manufacturer load data I'll develop the 150gr E-Tip, 145gr LRX, and 160gr Grand Slam with H4831sc powder and see what shoots best. Last edited by stan5677; September 28, 2022 at 03:04 PM. Reason: New info