I just bought a Winchester model 70 in 7mm magnum and have been at the range shooting. I have zeroed in at 225 yards and am shooting 2" groups. I do not reload and am shooting Remington Core Lokt 150 gr. ptd. soft point bullets. They seem to shoot very accurate but is this bullet weight heavy enough for trophy bulls? If not, what grain should I be shooting. Thanks, and Merry Christmas!

Any bullet weight from 150 gr and up in 7 M (.284 calliber) will have sufficient sectional density to give you the penetration that you'll want. Although corelokts work on elk, they are much more suited for deer-size game. On the chance of a lifetime, make sure your bullet is the best you can get. I'd look into the nosler partition from winchester.

Thanks for the info! If I draw, this will be the hunt of a lifetime and hopefully will get the chance of a lifetime. I am doing my homework now to eliminate any mistakes. I've heard alot about the Nosler partition bullets and will be checking them out.

I have killed several elk using the 140gr partition.

you might also look at the nosler accubonds

160 gr bullets have been mostly used for my Moose and Elk hunting needs. Personally have used Failsafe, Nosler Partion and Nosler Accubond in 160 gr version in a .284, all have proved capable of this task. Others you can consider are the Barnes TSX, Speers Grand Slam and TBBC. All can be found in over the counter ammo (ie: Federal, Winchester, Nitrex).

IMHO the corelokts are best left for the smaller game.

My buddies here use 160 grain bullets on elk out of their 7 Mag's. I think a premium bullet should be used. They have killed deer & elk with standard bullets (speer & core-lokts) but seems to be a little messy. I think with the speed of the 7 Mag---you are pushing the envelope of standard bullets. CB

I have taken Elk with the 140 partition as well. I like the 175 grain for moose though.

I'd go with the 160 gr. in a premuim bullet Barnes, Failsafe, A-Frame.

I used the 140gr partition for moose as well.I find moose are actually easier to kill than elk.They may not drop at the shot but they never go far.They either stand in place until they fall of bed down very close to die.Elk are much more likely to run great distances if not hit properly.