It was a good morning for my 24” MGM Contender barrel in 7-30 Waters but a bad morning for a couple area hogs. Right after daybreak, I popped a sow at what later lasered 197 yards. The 140 grain C-T BST, which is pushed by a book load of 748 for right at 2600 fps, smashed through the onside shoulder, ripped up one side of the heart, broke the opposite shoulder and wound up just under the hide on the far side. That bullet, which I have yet to weigh, is pictured above. The destroyed muscle tissue of the heart is shown in the background.

On impact, the hog whirled, ran perhaps 15-20 yards and piled up in a cloud of dust.

About 10 minutes later, after having loaded the sow, I noticed something moving towards me at a pretty good clip. It was another hog, but he was still several hundred yards out. I am guessing he may have caught a reflection off the truck’s windshield as he soon skidded to a halt and was facing me at a slight angle. I had no time to figure the range as I knew I was busted and that he’d be gone any second. I quickly put the crosshairs just above the back – at what I figured to be a foot or so above the vitals – and touched off a shot.

Everything felt good, and I could tell the hog was hit hard as he made just a few steps before tumbling down a dry wash. It later ranged at 353 yards, my longest-ever shot on a hog. The bullet, which retained well over 1200 ft./lbs. of energy at that range, plowed through the onside shoulder, made a mess of the lungs, punched all the way through a grape and corn-filled stomach and apparently wound up in the large intestine. I did not find it – not yet, at least. (EDITED: I now have it. Pic is farther down in thread.)

With my usual 220 yard sight-in, my ballistics program tells me the bullet should have been just over14 inches low at that range. It all happened quickly, and I recall touching off a shot when the crosshairs elevated a bit above the hog’s back and I could see ample daylight. It was nothing more than a lucky guesstimate, but – fortunately – it worked out just fine.

I actually took yet another hog last night just after midnight with the 7mm Bullberry and the 140 grain Accubond at 2480 fps, but there are no photos of it. I had no help then, and it still was 90 degrees, so there were matters more pressing than snapping a photo. To boot, I misjudged the hog’s position, thinking he was perfectly broadside. He wasn’t (it’s really hard to determine that at night on a dark animal that was moving and has just stopped for a moment!). Anyway, the bullet entered tight behind the shoulder but exited between the last ribs and hip, leaving a rather nasty exit in its wake.

Great shooting (and photography!) as always, Bobby! Good to see you thinning out the Texas hog population!

brush_buster:

Here is your photo.

By the way, congrats on the hog! What load did you use, what was the range and how was terminal performance?

Bobby I use Silver State Armory factory ammo most of the time. This one is loaded with the Sierra Pro Hunter 110s. The pig was at 85 yds. and was DRT.

When I reload I still use the SSA brass, Pro Hunters, and load with H322.

BTW - I wasn't trying to hijack your thread.

WTG, Bobby!

Hey Bobby,

I think you have your "head of steam" up again! Keep 'em coming!

brush_buster-I sure enjoyed finally meeting you face to face and hunting with you on the Posse Hunt last weekend.

Bob

Nice hog, brush buster! Congrats!

The "whackmaster" strikes again.

Who'd a thunk it. Pointy bullets in a rimmed case.

And muzzle velocity under 3K.

Bobby, you're a heretic!

But that just might be why we likes ya' so much.

Best

GWB

Look what I found...

Great photo, Bobby!

Great post as always Bobby. I know you shoot a lot of 7mm, any experience with the 120 NBTs in 7mm? I heard they are actually built pretty tough.

Good posts and photos, thanks for sharing them with us, and congratulations on another successful hunt.

Thanks, fellows. This wasn't exactly hunting, but it still was fun to make these shots.

Scott-

The 120 grain BTs are made using the jacket of the 140 grain BT that has been cut down, so it is a rather robust bullet. I've shot completely through several hogs with them, and yet they'll still expand down to around 1650/1700 fps or so.

In the past year, 2 friends of mine experienced lass-than-complete penetration on 2 whitetail does using cartridges of moderate velocity. Both were broadside. It could just be sheer coincidence. I hope Nosler has not changed anything. On those type of shots, I almost always would get an exit. But again, in hunting, strange things do often happen when fast-moving metal hits flesh and blood.

Bobby,

Have enjoyed your piggie posts for some time.

Well done indeed ... you the Man Congrats!

Thanks Bobby, I'll give the 120 NBTs a whirl and see how they do.

Great reporrt as always.