120gr. Nosler BT for deer
 

I'm trying to work up a mild recoiling load for my nephew (he's 11) to use during the youth season here in MO. I've loaded a few 120's with some BL-C 2 at around 3000 fps. Has anyone used this bullet on deer ? What were your results? I've got various 140's on hand , but since this kid isn't used to shooting HP rifles I thought the 120's would lighten the wallup. He's shot 20 ga. shotguns quite a bit , but the recoil there is more of a push than a pop.Your opinions , please.

RE: 120gr. Nosler BT for deer
 

I use 130gr in .270 and 140gr in 6.5mm

RE: 120gr. Nosler BT for deer
 

Are these 120 gr. 6.5MM bullets? If so, they should work fine. A friend of mine uses these out of 6.5-284 and has even taken a cow elk with them. In the 7MM, however, my understanding is these are OK for antelope but kinda marginal for deer. I would go up to the 140 gr. if its a 7.

RE: 120gr. Nosler BT for deer
 

I guess I should've said that it's a 7mm-08.The shots he'll be getting will be 100 yards max.

RE: 120gr. Nosler BT for deer
 

I think I would opt for the 140 grain. If recoild is a big issue, you could always load it down a couple hundred fps forshotsthat close. I would hesitate to take any sort of quartering shot with the 120.

RE: 120gr. Nosler BT for deer
 

I have used the 120gr ballistic tip out of a 7mm-08 with good results on our large bodied canadian deer.This was out of a model seven at about 2800fps.

RE: 120gr. Nosler BT for deer
 

I used the 120 Bt's early on out of my 280. On broadside shots the bullet works well. After shooting a couple of feral hogs I switched to the 140's and they perform much better. In the 7MM-08 I would use starting loads of IMR4350 and the 140 gr. BT. If your max range is 100 yards the velocity really won't matter and the BT will perform well.

RE: 120gr. Nosler BT for deer
 

Douglasm

I too would recommend using a 140 Grn bullet vs. a 120 Grnin the 7mm-08. The 7mm-08 recoil is already very mild and I don't think youre nephew, who is accustomed to shooting a 20 ga. shotgun,willbe able to notice much difference in recoil between a 120Grn vs 140Grn. If you've got both bullet weighs on hand, let him try a couple of loads from each bullet weight.

I have a Rem 700 Mtn LSS in 7mm-08 and have found the 140 Grn Sierra Game Kings and 140 Grn Nosler Accubonds to be the most accurate in my gun with groups @ 100 Yds averageing in the 1/2"-3/4" range.

You might also want to do a search on "Ballistic Tip" as there has been an awful lot of "Pros & Cons" written here about the BT's. Seems like everyone either loves them or hates them with a passion. I've never used them andbased onwhat I've read on this and other forums, probably never will.

I always like to see when folks are getting kids involved in shooting & hunting. Good Job!!!!

firstshot
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Make your first shot count!

RE: 120gr. Nosler BT for deer
 

I loaded some 120BT in my 7 Rem Mag a few years ago. At 3350fps they left a pretty big hole in the deer. I shot 7-8 deer with them from 50-300 yards. I had no trouble finding them...:D:D All were under 140lbs also. With broadside shots at /08 speed they will be fine, I wouldn't want to try the texas heart shot with one though. The 140gr's would have more reliable penetration (I like the gamekings), but the 120's will be fine for what you are needing; if it's that recoil sensitive.

RE: 120gr. Nosler BT for deer
 

I loaded up some of the 120 BT's and some 140 gr. Sierra sp's and took them to the range last week. The 120's were loaded to about 3000 fps. and managed to print most groups around 1.25".I did manage to get one 3 shot group into .313".The 140's were at about 2650 fps. and shot every group into .9''. The 140's seemed to have a little less recoil at that velocity and really shot well so I think we'll be using that load. Thanks for all the input.