Originally Posted by
awganr
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.
Huh? Bombs kill just fine. The talk about bullets not opening up at close range is bull. Any bullet that will open up at long range will at short range.
I have used sst's in a .30-06, and at short range, they did make quite a hole when they hit bone. That was with 180 grains so velocity should have been relatively low. It didn't happen all the time, and they were pretty good bullets overall.
For just all around hunting out to 300 yards I would recommend Triple shocks. The only drawback to them is lower BC and that won't come into play till you get out there farther. That and they are expensive.
Otherwise, bonded bullets like the interbond or accubond will perform at any range. Expansion will be less at long range.
The only reason for premium bullets in my view is that they will hold together better, and not act like a varmint bullet.
I don't think that plain jane regular bullets will be that bad. Avoid shooting the shoulder blades and they will work fine.