All Around Bullet for 7mm-08
 

What do you think the best all around bullet weight is for deer sized game and under. I would like one bullet for varmints and deer. I was thinking about the 120 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip. Any opinions?

RE: All Around Bullet for 7mm-08
 

I have only ever used the 139 gr btsp. works on everything, maybe a little heavy for songdogs but they don't go far when you connect with one. Sorry I can't help but I don't see that the 120 is a poor choice. Have you considered the bullet design available in that weight? Never having used it I think they come in a hollow point which would be ok for varmits, not my choice for deer though. Sorry I guess this doesn't help much

RE: All Around Bullet for 7mm-08
 

I feel that the 120 ballistic tip is a little on the lite side, if you hit the deer in the rib cage Im sure it would put the animal down real quick, however take the same 120 slug and have it hit the shoulder and I really doubt that it will be able to punch through. A few years ago I smacked a big doe at 15 yards with a 140 grain ballistic tip and it didnt go all the way through the shoulder, only the huge spray of bone fragments stopped this from being a wounded deer with a very long track job.

RE: All Around Bullet for 7mm-08
 

My buddies and I usually use 140 gr. bullet in all of our 7mm guns Most people say the 140s are usually the most accurate.(I think)

Danville Va.LAST CAPITAL OF THE CONFEDERACY

RE: All Around Bullet for 7mm-08
 

For deer and below, I'd use the 140. If you add elk to this list, the 150 Nosler Partition is a good choice at 2600-2700 FPS.

Keep yore powder dry!!

RE: All Around Bullet for 7mm-08
 

Since I haven't gotten my dies yet I am stuck shooting factory ammo, which is limited to 140 grain bullets as far as availability is concerned. Since my rifle shoots the 140 grain factory loads so well, I will load up some 140 grain pills when my dies come in. Looking at either Nosler Partitions or Sierra Game Kings.

RE: All Around Bullet for 7mm-08
 

I have tryed a lot of different bullets for the 7mm-08 and the best preformer I found under all conditions (long range to 20 yard shots) is the Hornady 139gr BTSP. Sierra bullets didn't open up fast enough..jacket too thick and the Nosler BT's,not much penetratoin on long shots!
Just my $.02...<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Hunt Safe!

Jack

RE: All Around Bullet for 7mm-08
 

I had great results using the 140gr ballistic tip.They expand well and hold together very well at 7mm-08 velocity.

RE: All Around Bullet for 7mm-08
 

I like the 139 gr spire point from hornady and the 145 speer hot-core.

RE: All Around Bullet for 7mm-08
 

I own two 7mm-08 rifles one is a SAKO Hunter and the other is a Remington Model 7. I shoot 120gr. bullets in both with good accuracy and results on game, and they are both loaded to about 3150 fps. in the SAKO's 24 inch barrel. Haven't chrono'd the Model 7. My dad and I handload the ballistic tip and the Barnes X. The ballistic tip is a little more accurate but I feel that for performance on game you can't beat the Barnes X. I always get a good blood trail shooting the Barnes X and the deer don't go far. I use the ballistic tips on hogs since I want it to open up and expend all it's energy inside the hog. Both perform well and I think that the 120gr. bullet in 7mm-08 is about perfect, just remember that bullet construction is more important than weight.

RE: All Around Bullet for 7mm-08
 

140 grain Nosler ballistic tips, work best in mine.

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White tail hunting
 

I've been hunting with 120 gr. nosler hunting ammo. It worked great for me, dropped a nice 4X5 in his tracks last year. You just want to make sure you get the hunting bullet and not the v max. They are designed different to give more penetration and retain more mass. Good luck with whatever you use and remember placement of the bullet is most important.

I used Nosler BT 120gr. for years in both my 7 MM 08's a Remington 700 Mountian rifle and a Remington Model 7. Never saw or had a problem with them except the price.
Last batch I loaded with Hornaday 120 V max's but haven't had the chance to try them on game except one coyote. Entered left side of the neck at a 45 degree angle and popped it's eyeballs out at 80 yards.
If I switch again I'll go to the sierra 140gr. HPBT game kings.

:D Al

As it has been eleven (11) years since this question was asked I am guessing the OP has it figured out by now.

Most guys I know that use this cartridge are using bullets in the 130-140 gr. weight. With great results on deer sized game.

I use the 145 gr. Speer Grand Slam for everything from rock chucks to elk. For me varmint shooting is just rifle practice for hunting season so I shoot the same load for everything.

120 gr ballistic tips, toughest ballistic tip made in 7mm.
RR

140gr bullet sprays them all over the place. 120gr is a better choice