I got a 7mm magnum for my birthday 2 years ago and have yet to hunt with it. I'm not really use to or know a whole lot about magnums. I hunt with a 270. I recently did some shooting a few weeks ago with some 7mm factory ammo. I shot rem core lokts, federal power shoks, and trophy bear claws (reloads). Results were 1 1/4" to 1 1/2". The power shoks shot the best. I hear lots of talk about magnums not expanding fast enough and just punching a small exit whole through deer at short ranges. I have several hunting spots in different counties that I hunt at, and in some areas my longest shot is 30 yards and others can offer up to 300 yards (private fields). I really like hornady sst, but I'm afraid at magnum velocities and shorter ranges it would act like a bomb. I'm curious as to what would be a good bullet or factory ammo for a 7mm magnum at the shorter ranges too.