I am in the process of having a 7mm stw built and trying to decide on which bullet to use at the present time I use 150g swift sirocco 11's for all my seven's. but with the new nosler LR accubond with such a high BC, the revised Berger hunting vld's with their high BC's is a real challenge to decide. Any and all thoughts appreciated.
long range bullet decision
- Thread starter accumark
- Start date
The lighter bullets will seem more impressive at the muzzle or under 400 yds.
But a heavier bullet, with a better ballistic co-efficient will reach out farther, in better time with more energy if what I've read is true.
The lighter bullet shed energy and power quickly compared to a (relatively speaking of course) heavier one.
A pretty decent article about this topic in the most recent issue of "Handloading" magazine.
But a heavier bullet, with a better ballistic co-efficient will reach out farther, in better time with more energy if what I've read is true.
The lighter bullet shed energy and power quickly compared to a (relatively speaking of course) heavier one.
A pretty decent article about this topic in the most recent issue of "Handloading" magazine.
Another choice may be the 190 gr VLD bullet from Matrix in Croften, BC
http://www.matrixballistics.com/.284-Caliber-rifle-bullets.html
http://www.matrixballistics.com/.284-Caliber-rifle-bullets.html
Republic of Alberta
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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Something to keep in mind when looking at the numbers is the Nosler LRA have listed BC's that are proving to be very exaggerated. The Bergers BC's are going to be quite close.
I agree, but I think the LRA and the Berger in similar weights/calibers will have very similar BC's. I've shot 3 animals with the 168 LRA out of my 7mm RM - a smallish bear and two bucks - a mulie and a whitetail. All three were one shot kills and I even recovered 1 bullet (from the whitetail). Retained weight was a hair under 50%. I think the LRA gives the ballistics of a Berger with the additional benefit of holding together better.
BigUglyMan
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I would suggest that the Accubond and Scirocco will be better performers on game across the spectrum of ranges. I go back and forth thinking about bullets like the A-Max and Berger for hunting. I'm sure that when things work right you can use an inappropriate bullet with success. But I would guess that the pointier hunting bullets that are designed for hunting will give more reliable performance when things don't work absolutely perfectly. For a few fractions of an inch of potential accuracy I would use the proper tool.
I wish I had a copy of the photo of the guy hauling lumber with a Jetta.
Here it is:
I wish I had a copy of the photo of the guy hauling lumber with a Jetta.
Here it is:
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Barnes has their new long range x bullet too...aptly named, the LRX. 
westcoaster
CGN Regular
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Here it is:
This is an example of Darwin about to do his work of thinning the gene pool, although this person was already in the shallow wading pool end..
Jordan Smith
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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- Calgary, AB
What makes you say that? All the reports I've read so far indicated that the BC's were actually quite accurate, surprisingly.
I would look at the 162 AM, 175 LRAB, and the 180 Berger.
I have the same dilemna, I recently aquired a 7 STW Laredo and have been scouring the country looking for long range hunting bullets.
I must say that I have a few buddies that already shoot long range 7's, (7 STW, 7MM Dakota, 7mm RM, 7 WBY Mag and 7mm-300), they have
played with bullets for a while and I have been picking their brains trying to decide which bullets I will be using for my STW.
In general most of the mainstream bullets will work but if ultimate long range ballistics are the priority only the highest BC bullets will do.
I will not be splitting hairs on which has the highest BC but will be looking for ultimate accuracy within 150 to 180 grain weights.
General feed back has been that the Berger Hunting bullets might or might not work in your rifle and if they do you must be careful with shot
placement because they really come apart upon impact even at very long range, even when compared to regular everyday non bonded
bullets like Sierra's and Ballistic Tips. I believe that a compromise should be made between penetration, accuracy and BC.
I for one will be trying the new Nosler LR Accubond in 150 and 168gr for accuracy since the Accubonds have performed very
well for me in a few different calibers and game, as much as I like the Bergers I am not comfortable with it's fragile construction.
BB
I must say that I have a few buddies that already shoot long range 7's, (7 STW, 7MM Dakota, 7mm RM, 7 WBY Mag and 7mm-300), they have
played with bullets for a while and I have been picking their brains trying to decide which bullets I will be using for my STW.
In general most of the mainstream bullets will work but if ultimate long range ballistics are the priority only the highest BC bullets will do.
I will not be splitting hairs on which has the highest BC but will be looking for ultimate accuracy within 150 to 180 grain weights.
General feed back has been that the Berger Hunting bullets might or might not work in your rifle and if they do you must be careful with shot
placement because they really come apart upon impact even at very long range, even when compared to regular everyday non bonded
bullets like Sierra's and Ballistic Tips. I believe that a compromise should be made between penetration, accuracy and BC.
I for one will be trying the new Nosler LR Accubond in 150 and 168gr for accuracy since the Accubonds have performed very
well for me in a few different calibers and game, as much as I like the Bergers I am not comfortable with it's fragile construction.
BB
I was under the impression that no has had the LRA yet, I have used the sirocco 11's in 150g for many years in 7mm rem mag, 7 mm wsm, and 7x57 AI, and have been very happy they have a BC of .515 so no that bad and more that happy with the accuracy but want to try everything in the 7 stw.
Barnes has their new long range x bullet too...aptly named, the LRX.
Only problem with using any of the mono metals at long ranges is that they require speed to work. Once you start dipping too much below an impact velocity of 1800-2000fps, you are asking for trouble. True long ranges are cup and core domain.
Here is my review:
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/987591-**White-Tail-added**-Field-report-on-7mm-RM-168gr-LRAB-Mule-Deer
Have you tested the 150gr Swift at long range? I have found that Litz's BC numbers are a more reliable place to look than at factory numbers. The only two bullets I use that have equaled factory numbers are the .284" 175gr Sierra Gameking and the .308" 200gr Partition.
