After all the threads recently about "failed" bullets and how good or bad Nosler is, I thought this may give people an idea of what we each think is a good bullet for the animals we are hunting.

In the past I shot an '06 for big game, this year I bought a new 7 rem mag so there will ba a little guessing in my selection, but not a major difference.

For deer and antelope, I'll use psp's. I think that at higher velocities you don't need any more than these and prefer a better shot with a bullet that I've had alot of practice with. Probably 140 or 150 grain depending on what shoots best in the new rifle.

For elk this fall, I will use a premium bullet. Not sure which yet, as I haven't found which one shoots best in my rifle, but it will probably be in the 160-175 gr. range.



For elk hunting this fall, I'm not sure yet

I have not yet had the opportunity to try them yet (trying to find a cow elk hunt for 2006) but I have been told by a reliable (doesn't lie too much) source that good old Hornady 175gr spire points are awesome elk smackers.

Those Hornady 175 grainers (pumpkins are we what called them as kids)are very good and reliable,with a good sectional density. For elk they will work very well.
Unless you wanted another gun in the cabinet you did not gain much over the 06'with a good
180 grain at 2700fps though.IMO

Actually Mike, when you jump to a magnum vel. the premium lt.wts. are a better choice. I've seen small deer/antelope badly blood shot w/ a close range, high vel. bullet impact, especially if you get more than ribs. As you go up in weight, you may be able to use a conventional soft, like a Hornady 175grsp with good results. Just something else to think about.
I took a pronghorn a couple years back w/ a 160gr 7mm NP @ 3200fps. SHot right thru the near side leg, nice 25c piece exit & very little bloodshot meat, it was a bang/flop.

Well as for the rifle, my other hunting rifle was an '06 760 Remington. Very nice rifle but short, light and kick like a mule. It just wasn't accurate enough for many of the longer shots that can be common up here. I wanted an all puprpose rifle and the 7mag fits my needs well. It's a cdl with 26" barrel and really is a joy to shoot and allthough I don't have it comletely tuned in yet, it looks like it will do what I need.

In my opinion the best 7mm bullet on todays market is the 160 grain North Fork. My STW says for me to shoot only this bullet because it puts them in one hole. Let your rifle tell you what it likes, just be sure to shoot enough to make a good decision. Good shooting.

For me, the only reason to go to a 7mag over a .280 is to push heavier bullets faster. FWIW, the 7mags shine when you are shooting 160-170gr bullets.

This is a question that I have been pondering this summer. Where I hunt in Texas, hogs have surpassed deer as my #1 game animal. I am looking for a bullet for my 7x57 and 30-06. In the past I have used 139SSTs and 165BTs respectively. While both of these perform OK, I am considering changing to 150 and 165 partitions. It seems to me that they might be the best compromise for a bullet that fragments, yet still penetrates. capt david

captn, if you like plastic tipped bullets, give the NABs a try, I find they are a bit tougher than the HIB in tests. Hopefully I get to whack something this fall w/ the 160grNAB in my .280.

I kind of like the looks of the Swift Scirocco as well, kind of cross between Bt's and Aframe's. Would like to see them in about 160's though.

Actually Mike, the Scirocco is nothing like an A-frame, more like the HIB. They are very soft, w/ great expansion but this does limit penetration. I prefer the NAB to the Scirocco, less expansion & better penetration. The Scirocco is also a pure copper jacket that can cause some accuracy problems in some rifles.

I'm reloading some 160gr. Accubonds for my father-in-law's 7mmRemMag. These bullets performs awesome for me in my 300WM and 270WSM.
Both at the range and on big game (Moose/elk/WT/mulies) for me in Alberta.

I am also going to try the Barnes TSX for all 3 calibers. See what happens I guess.

Try a .300 Win Mag 200gr GameKing SBT.

Those Accubonds do look like a good allpurpose bullet. If I can get some 160's to work well in my rifle, I may use them for both deer and elk.

I have taken both moose and elk with excellent results in my 7mm rem mag with the following:
140 CT Failsafe
150 & 160 Gr Nosler Partitions
160 Nosler AB


Right now alround performance on both ends for deer through moose, I prefer the Nosler Partition. If I can get Barnes TSX printing:<( , that may change however!

One I would never use again was Hornady 154gr Spire Point Interlock, it did the job but came unglued on a calf moose. Great deer bullet but just a bit soft for the larger/thick skinned game IMHO. A 175gr..wouldn't cause the same problems I am sure.

For strictly deer or antelope hunting I have always liked the Nosler Ballistic Tip. 150 gr NBT has been devasting in my 7mm rem mags (but I don't pin shoot..so for a rib shooter on the prairie's this bullet just plain works IME!!)

My partner shoots a 280 rem which has accounted for both species as well:
150 Nosler Partition
160 CT Failsafes
160 Speers Grandslams

His favorite alrounder is the Speers GS for both deer and elk. If just elk or moose is on tap he loads 160 CT Failsafes.