7mm bullets / older Remington 700

[NaviDave]

It is time to reload for the beast. I believe it is a late 70's R700 with a 24-26” barrel - likely 1:9.25” twist. I am not a super shot - groups touch at 100 yards with factory 160gr/3050fps Accubonds (Federal?).

I did drop one deer a few years back with that load at 100 yards. Perfect heart shot - like Thor’s hammer. Going to use factory managed recoil at that range in the future - too much energy for an average whitetail at short range.

I have a lb of Reloder 25, CCI Large Rifle Magnum primers and assorted brass (even some Norma).

The following bullets are being considered:
Barnes LRX 145gr
Barnes TTSX 150gr
Plain old 160gr Nosler Accubonds
168gr Nosler Long Range Accubonds

I would like to reach out to 400 yards - maybe up to 600 yards with practice. I have a Bushnell Elite 4-16?x40 scope mounted (lapped Leupold rings).

I have concerns about bullet failure and of course - accuracy. I know it likes the 160gr Accubonds. Dual use in 7mm-08 would be a bonus.

Any feedback is appreciated.

 

[The Outsider]

Nothing plain about 160 grain Accubonds in a 7MM Rem Mag, that's what I used to kill a nice 4X4 muley buck this year.

My rifle was an older, late 1970's Remington 700 as well.

I used 65 grains of RL 22 for a deadly accurate, hard hitting load,
the mule deer dropped in his tracks.

Between 68-70 grains of RL 25 should provide nice results as well.

Start low and work up, as usual.

 

[Zedbra]

I have messed around with Berger 150g and now use Barnes TTSX 150gr on both an old Parker Hale and a new Steyr 7mm, both rifles push them very accurately and consistent. I'd have to find my load book, as the older Parker Hale prefers a slightly less hot load than what I can push down my Steyr with H1000.

 

[Eagleye]

I, too, have an older M700 Remington in 7mm Rem Mag.
It dotes on the 160 AB or Partition.
I use Norma MRP in mine, 67.0 grains, for a very accurate,
effective load.
I recently tried the 168 LRAB, and was very please to see
them shoot excellent groups as well. No game with them yet.
The suggestion of 68-70 grains of RL 25 sounds about right. D.

 

[BlackRam]

I have used the 160 gr AccuBond in factory ammunition in both the 7mm Rem Mag and STW. It is both very accurate and a solid performer on big game.
I have taken many animals with these, from antelope, whitetail, mule deer, caribou, elk, moose, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, and stone sheep, from 15 yards to 475 yards.
Any recovered bullets have been expanded to twice the original diameter and retained 90-95%of their original weight.
Accuracy has been stellar; sub=MOA consistently. My STW is shooting the Federal Premium ammo into 1" groups at 300 yards.
Since my rifle shoots the factory stuff so well, I have not yet tried a handloadwith the 160 gr Ab or 168 grLRAB in it (although I do have them on hand to do so). I also have a good supply of ammo left. It is a shame that Federal has stopped loading this bullet in lieu of their own bullets.

 

[Markus]

I too will steer you towards the 160 Accubond and away from the TTSX. The TTSX does not have a very good ballistic coefficient for reaching out very well. Great terminal ballistics though.

 

[Jim870]

It is time to reload for the beast. I believe it is a late 70's R700 with a 24-26” barrel - likely 1:9.25” twist. I am not a super shot - groups touch at 100 yards with factory 160gr/3050fps Accubonds (Federal?).

I did drop one deer a few years back with that load at 100 yards. Perfect heart shot - like Thor’s hammer. Going to use factory managed recoil at that range in the future - too much energy for an average whitetail at short range.

I have a lb of Reloder 25, CCI Large Rifle Magnum primers and assorted brass (even some Norma).

The following bullets are being considered:
Barnes LRX 145gr
Barnes TTSX 150gr
Plain old 160gr Nosler Accubonds
168gr Nosler Long Range Accubonds

I would like to reach out to 400 yards - maybe up to 600 yards with practice. I have a Bushnell Elite 4-16?x40 scope mounted (lapped Leupold rings).

I have concerns about bullet failure and of course - accuracy. I know it likes the 160gr Accubonds. Dual use in 7mm-08 would be a bonus.

Any feedback is appreciated.

Unsure how a 160 grain Accubond from a 7mm Rem mag is too much for whitetails at shorter range. That is what I used this year on a spike horn at 75ish yards and with little bloodshot meat but great expansion, largest piece of lung on field dressing was slightly larger than a toonie. Deer went approximately 4 feet, down and onto its back. I have trimmed away more bloodshot from many other cartridge and bullet combinations. I have certainly killed deer with lesser bullets and can understand saving premiums for larger and tougher critters, but if I was looking for a single load for anything I'd do with a 7mm magnum out to 600 yards I'd be inclined to pick the 160 Nosler partition or Accubond in that order, despite of the partitions lower BC.
Of the bullets you have listed I'd lean 145 LRX and 160 Accubonds particularly for dual use in a 7mm-08. I have a lot of faith in Barnes bullets particularly the TTSX and LRX but I do not think I'd be choosing either over 160 Accubonds especially if ranges are going to be stretched.