I have had this rifle for 8 years or so and have shot maybe a dozen deer with 140gr Winchester Silvertip Ballistics with no real issue.

I started using the Silvertip Ballistics in my .30-06 (150gr) and ALWAYS dropped that deer in its place...the 7WSM usually finds the dead deer 10-30 yards from the point of impact.

I know shot placement was pretty similar among all of the deer taken with the 2 calibers. My assumption is that the 7wsm is just punching through and through before all of that energy is expended--although the .30-06 was always a through and through as well.

ANYWAY..that is just the backstory as to why I chose the Silvertips for the 7WSM..because I grew up shooting them in my -06.

Despite killing deer, I cannot get the gun to group tighter than 2 inches at 100yds..just can't do it. I am going elk hunting this fall and plains game in South Africa in 2 years, so I decided if ever a time for bullet change it is now, so that I can try to kill a 1/2 dozen more animals in the mean time to see how the bullet performs. I am looking at the 160gr Winchester XP3..but have heard inconsistent field reports from this ultra premium round.

Other 7mm WSM shooters....what bullet/weights give you the best grouping and performance in the field?

Sorry for the long story to get to the question..but I appreciate hearing folks' opinions!