Range day and bullet weights

Wendyj · February 24, 2018, 01:12 PM

I shot these out today from some I reloaded. I didn't expect the 7-08 to run neck in neck with the 6.5 since it is a heavy barrel and set up for this. I'm not to keen on the 120 grain bullet for hunting and was wondering if the accubond might group as tight with the 7-08 as the 6.5 did. I was out of match ammo so just loaded what I had. 7-08 group was okay for the 150's but would like it a lot better if it grouped like the 120's. calipers didn't show on the 120 bullets but under 1/2 inch.
Std7mag. Any input from you on the 7-08 I would appreciate.

std7mag · February 24, 2018, 04:27 PM

Wendy,
What can i say but WOW!

I'm using the 140 gr. Berger VLD Hunting. Pricing on the Bergers is actually cheaper per 100 than the Nosler Ballistic Tip.
My 5 shot groups at 150 meters run in the 0.8-0.9" range. This with Alliant Power Pro 2000.

I couldn't get the regular Accubond to group well in either my 7mm-08 or my Rem Mag.
The ABLR groups very well.

The Nosler 120gr Ballistic Tip should work, but i like the 140gr.
The 120gr bullets that i have are discontinued Hornady HP Varmint.

Wendyj · February 24, 2018, 06:14 PM

I appreciate that information. I need to check cabelas local and see if they have them in stock. 120 is plenty of bullet here but the bc is not too good. I still plan on that Antelope hunt out west this year and want a good bc bullet to travel to 300 with no issues. I'll have to stay mag length for hunting but how far off the lands are you seating the 140 Berger bullets. I think that will make or break the Bergers in my rifle. I tried the 163 grain Hornady eldx today but groups were pretty bad. Only powder that would run the eldx in my 260 was h4831 sc but not a lot of speed. I got appr 2800fps running 45 grains of H4350 out of the 120 Nosler bt's today. Speed and accuracy there but would really like a better bullet with a good bc. The 6.5 so far has been my only rifle that has shot the accubond ver good. I was planning on some Berger match bullets for it. Accubonds too expensive to shoot paper.

std7mag · February 24, 2018, 07:19 PM

The 140 Berger are seated 0.005" off of the lands.
Bullet goes in game about 3" then comes apart. Massive internal damage.
First hand experience.

If they are too long to fit the mag.
Then i practice with 139gr. Hornady SST.
Hunt with 140gr. Nosler ballistic Tips.
Same powder charge, same BC( 0.486), the Noslers just group a little better.
Seat about 0.020 off the lands.

Getting 2836 from PP2000 with VERY low ES/DS.

Wendyj · February 24, 2018, 07:27 PM

Bergers are hard to find. I've been to every on line store I can think of.

std7mag · February 24, 2018, 07:37 PM

Bullets.com is going out of business.
Can't beat the prices!
Get 2 boxes. Lol

hounddawg · February 24, 2018, 07:42 PM

Wendy have you tried the Hornady ELD-X line? I am not a hunter but my son in law is and he loves them for hogs and white tails

std7mag · February 24, 2018, 08:33 PM

Gotta say, Hounddawg has a good idea.
I'm shooting the 150gr. ELDX in the 284 Win with really good accuracy.
Supposed to work well on game.

Wendyj · February 24, 2018, 08:43 PM

I shoot the 163 out of my 7 mag. Great results. Also used the 143 in my 260. I can't find any 284 bullets in eldx line in the 140 grain range.

std7mag · February 24, 2018, 09:55 PM

You won't. 150 is lowest weight in 7mm.
You mean the 162gr? Lol

Wendyj · February 24, 2018, 10:10 PM

Yes. I had to look at the box to see. I had been shooting 160 partitions but prices are sky high now.

Yosemite Steve · February 24, 2018, 10:25 PM

Nice shooting, Wendy. The ELD-X are what I would like to be shooting but I'm a cheapskate so I shoot SST's. They are not the best for retention but they have been very consistent dimensionally from one lot to the next.

February 24, 2018, 06:14 PM	#3
Wendyj Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2015 Location: North Georgia Posts: 1,372	I appreciate that information. I need to check cabelas local and see if they have them in stock. 120 is plenty of bullet here but the bc is not too good. I still plan on that Antelope hunt out west this year and want a good bc bullet to travel to 300 with no issues. I'll have to stay mag length for hunting but how far off the lands are you seating the 140 Berger bullets. I think that will make or break the Bergers in my rifle. I tried the 163 grain Hornady eldx today but groups were pretty bad. Only powder that would run the eldx in my 260 was h4831 sc but not a lot of speed. I got appr 2800fps running 45 grains of H4350 out of the 120 Nosler bt's today. Speed and accuracy there but would really like a better bullet with a good bc. The 6.5 so far has been my only rifle that has shot the accubond ver good. I was planning on some Berger match bullets for it. Accubonds too expensive to shoot paper. __________________ God is NOT dead!!!!

February 24, 2018, 07:27 PM	#5
Wendyj Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2015 Location: North Georgia Posts: 1,372	Bergers are hard to find. I've been to every on line store I can think of. __________________ God is NOT dead!!!!

February 24, 2018, 07:42 PM	#7
hounddawg Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Posts: 4,232	Wendy have you tried the Hornady ELD-X line? I am not a hunter but my son in law is and he loves them for hogs and white tails __________________ “How do I get to the next level?” Well, you get to the next level by being the first one on the range and the last one to leave.” – Jerry Miculek

February 24, 2018, 08:43 PM	#9
Wendyj Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2015 Location: North Georgia Posts: 1,372	I shoot the 163 out of my 7 mag. Great results. Also used the 143 in my 260. I can't find any 284 bullets in eldx line in the 140 grain range. __________________ God is NOT dead!!!!

February 24, 2018, 10:10 PM	#11
Wendyj Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2015 Location: North Georgia Posts: 1,372	Yes. I had to look at the box to see. I had been shooting 160 partitions but prices are sky high now. __________________ God is NOT dead!!!!

February 24, 2018, 04:27 PM	#2
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	Wendy, What can i say but WOW! I'm using the 140 gr. Berger VLD Hunting. Pricing on the Bergers is actually cheaper per 100 than the Nosler Ballistic Tip. My 5 shot groups at 150 meters run in the 0.8-0.9" range. This with Alliant Power Pro 2000. I couldn't get the regular Accubond to group well in either my 7mm-08 or my Rem Mag. The ABLR groups very well. The Nosler 120gr Ballistic Tip should work, but i like the 140gr. The 120gr bullets that i have are discontinued Hornady HP Varmint.

February 24, 2018, 07:19 PM	#4
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	The 140 Berger are seated 0.005" off of the lands. Bullet goes in game about 3" then comes apart. Massive internal damage. First hand experience. If they are too long to fit the mag. Then i practice with 139gr. Hornady SST. Hunt with 140gr. Nosler ballistic Tips. Same powder charge, same BC( 0.486), the Noslers just group a little better. Seat about 0.020 off the lands. Getting 2836 from PP2000 with VERY low ES/DS.

February 24, 2018, 07:37 PM	#6
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	Bullets.com is going out of business. Can't beat the prices! Get 2 boxes. Lol

February 24, 2018, 08:33 PM	#8
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	Gotta say, Hounddawg has a good idea. I'm shooting the 150gr. ELDX in the 284 Win with really good accuracy. Supposed to work well on game.

February 24, 2018, 09:55 PM	#10
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	You won't. 150 is lowest weight in 7mm. You mean the 162gr? Lol

February 24, 2018, 10:25 PM	#12
Yosemite Steve Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2017 Posts: 460	Nice shooting, Wendy. The ELD-X are what I would like to be shooting but I'm a cheapskate so I shoot SST's. They are not the best for retention but they have been very consistent dimensionally from one lot to the next.