Anyone use a 7X57 load with 120 grn bullets ?

jacky

jacky

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I was thinking trying the 120 Nosler Ballistic tip bullet with my 7X57 for deer next year. I was wondering if anyone has loaded a 120 grain bullet ? I searched the form and no one has given written anything. There is one thread that states the 120 grain Nos holds together well ?

I am using a bolt action 24" barrel. It shoots the 140 grain Nos accubond well.
 
They are accurate and fast out of my 7mm-08, but I am on the fence in regards to their tough construction. They do hold together well for their sectional density.

I blew a shot at about 175 yards on a deer last year, placed it right into the front shoulder on a broadside:mad: . There was an exit wound on the opposite side near the neck/shoulder and I couldn't fi.d the bullet, so I guess it made it through. It or the shrapnel punched some holes in the lungs and it died in about 20 seconds, so it worked out ok, minus the wasted meat.

Personally I now believe that if you want to use tipped bullets they need to be heavy for caliber or bonded for the most reliable results, even in non-magnum chaberings. This is just my opinion based on my limited experience.

That being said I have 200 more 7mm 120gr btips and will try them again on deer next year. I also have some 130 gr speer hot cors I want to try, and some 140gr accubonds.

Varget, rl15, rl17, win760, should all give you excellent velocities if loading to modern pressures.
 
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The 140 grn Accubonds work great in my 7X57 and my 7mm mag. As far a kills, these things are awesome.

I was just thinking that a 120 grn bullet would kill a deer just as well. I used the 150 grn ballisitic tips in my 7mm mag a few years ago and found that they did not hold together well. Upon impact they just blew up, destroying a lot of meat.

I was wondering how well the 120 grain bullet would shoot in a 7X57 ? Sometimes the smaller bullets do not do well.

I currently load both my 7mm's with IMR 4350 as it seems produce very accurate loads.
I am not sure if that powder is good with the 120 grn. Maybe IMR 4831 or H414 ? The IMR web site list loads using those powders and IMR 4350.
 
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