10XSHOOTER
Gold $$ Contributor
160 Nosler Accubonds
>>>>>>>BEST .... 7 Mag bullet choice for DRT? <<<<<<
- Thread starter daniel brothers
- Start date
Actually if you want to DRT deer size game dump the 7mm mag and get a 25-06 like I did. I and my buddy did crop damage control on a big farm in east NC for 15 years and we had to take 100 deer a year off the farm. We killed them with about everything from a sharp stick to a 45-70 and the 7mm Rem mag was the worst no matter what bullet we used for deer running on unless you hit CNS. They would slosh on the inside but would run 50 to 100 yards. Can't explain it but that was our results. Had more DRT when yardage got 300+ yards could have something to do with the bullet slowing down. Best bullet was the Hornady 154 Interlock. Had a friend in this area that had a gun shop and he sold 10 to 1 more Hornady 154 gr Interlock or SST ammo to any other in 7 mag ammo. The statement about the 25-06 comes from all the years of experience of both me and my hunting buddy. With most any 100 to 120 gr bullet it is just a stone cold drop them in their tracks killer. Our favorite bullet is the Sierra 117 Pro Hunter.
I have killed a lot of deer with the 139 Interlock at 3100 fps. The 140 Ballistic Tips are good, also. You have no bad bullets to chose from. I am not a fan of the real light bullets, because sometimes they may not penetrate as well. The SST is a bit frangible in my experience, so would be a good bet for a drt with a chest shot. As was stated earlier, there is no magic bullet without a cns shot and the heavier bullets are more apt to have an exit wound to bleed from.
Look at Lehigh Defense controlled chaos 142 gr bullet. The bullet has petals that peal off forming secondary wound channels and the core continues on through. I use a very similar bullet from Cutting Edge in my 357 Max. Awesome results.
My buddy has been shooting the Lehighs out of a 284 and it hammers animals.
My buddy has been shooting the Lehighs out of a 284 and it hammers animals.
My buddy has been shooting the Lehighs out of a 284 and it hammers animals.
I would like to hear more about your buddie's results of hammering critters.... got anymore info?
I would like to hear more about your buddie's results of hammering critters.... got anymore info?
AckleymanII
Gold $$ Contributor
My family(dad, cousins, brothers) has killed in the area of 300 or more whitetails or MORE with 160g Sierra BTSP with 61g of IMR 4350, this bullet hammers hard near and far.
Also, the 150g Sierra BTsp in a 7 Mag with 63g of IMR 4350 will make deer flop hard.
I personally have killed only three bucks with the 154g Hornady SST with 63g of IMR 4350, and this bullet gives massive expansion.
Dan, the 162g SST is a tougher bullet than you would think. Two friends went to Africa with Weatherby rifles after plains game, 6 each including Eland and Kudu. They all got one shot kills from one shot each, and really impressed the PH. In order for these bullets to work well on those thick skin animals, they have to be a somewhat tough bullet.
Most 7 Mags will love a lot of 65.5-66g of IMR 4350 in a rem case with a 9 1/2 primer with a 140g Nosler ballistic tip touching the lands, this is what I shoot today. We got real bored with the 160g Sierra spt, wanted to mix things up a little.
I really have mixed feelings on the whole thing of DRT as a lung shot deer may run, and a buck that is all jacked up chasing a doe is a tough rascal to put down, best to shoot their running gear out from under them.
In low light conditions, sometimes hard to place exact shots.
My brother and two cousins are shooting rem 700 in 7 mags. Brother worked up a very accurate load with the 150g Nosler long range accubond with N160. They have killed half a dozen deer with the load and really will not speak of other loads right now, their latest and greatest deer load. They claim that this bullet is very soft and still penetrates with massive expansion characteristics. I had no luck with this bullet with IMR 4350, and it may have been an issue of bullet jump. I have had exceptional luck with a 280 AI with 9T using the 175g Nosler long range but no shots on hair yet.
Dan, You may eventually get to a 338/06 as these larger bullets hammer hard.
Also, the 150g Sierra BTsp in a 7 Mag with 63g of IMR 4350 will make deer flop hard.
I personally have killed only three bucks with the 154g Hornady SST with 63g of IMR 4350, and this bullet gives massive expansion.
Dan, the 162g SST is a tougher bullet than you would think. Two friends went to Africa with Weatherby rifles after plains game, 6 each including Eland and Kudu. They all got one shot kills from one shot each, and really impressed the PH. In order for these bullets to work well on those thick skin animals, they have to be a somewhat tough bullet.
Most 7 Mags will love a lot of 65.5-66g of IMR 4350 in a rem case with a 9 1/2 primer with a 140g Nosler ballistic tip touching the lands, this is what I shoot today. We got real bored with the 160g Sierra spt, wanted to mix things up a little.
I really have mixed feelings on the whole thing of DRT as a lung shot deer may run, and a buck that is all jacked up chasing a doe is a tough rascal to put down, best to shoot their running gear out from under them.
In low light conditions, sometimes hard to place exact shots.
My brother and two cousins are shooting rem 700 in 7 mags. Brother worked up a very accurate load with the 150g Nosler long range accubond with N160. They have killed half a dozen deer with the load and really will not speak of other loads right now, their latest and greatest deer load. They claim that this bullet is very soft and still penetrates with massive expansion characteristics. I had no luck with this bullet with IMR 4350, and it may have been an issue of bullet jump. I have had exceptional luck with a 280 AI with 9T using the 175g Nosler long range but no shots on hair yet.
Dan, You may eventually get to a 338/06 as these larger bullets hammer hard.
Last edited:
Try the Nosler Partition 160 grain, they are accurate enough...just don't look for benchrest accuracy. The Barnes TTSX is also a good bullet, but remember to check your twist. This bullet requires a faster twist for the same weight. I have caused a lot of DRT's in my time, most of which WERE NOT a CNS.
CaptainMal
Silver $$ Contributor
Did two deer DRT with my 7mm mag this year using 154 SST's.
Over the years I find they "put them to sleep" rather quick.
Over the years I find they "put them to sleep" rather quick.
Actually, it has a lot to do with what your rifle likes. Most of those bullets, as well as triple shocks will all give you DRT but if the rifle isn't accurate, all have the propensity to not find the mark and hand you the tracking job you are trying to avoid. If I was the one making the choice I'd look at the Hor. SST or the ELD-X.
I hope this helps,
Lloyd
My experiences as well
I've shot 6 whitetails here in SC this year with the 162 sst, and they were all in the dirt.. except for one 8 pt buck that ran 15 yds. But I also have to say that I've yet to shoot one the the text book broadside lung area... so I'm not sure if it will make them DRT with that shot or not. I guess my whole PERFECT bullet thread was wanting a bullet that is better than most at making them DRT with lung shots. I know there is no guaranteed bullet.... just one that might be better than others. Head, neck, CNS shots don't count in my book... only super shocker bullets that bounce the ground with dead critters. The next time I get a shot at a deer... i'll try for the text book broadside shot for the test.
Thanks Guys for all your helpful info.... I knew I could depend on the Campfire Boys....LOL.
Thanks Guys for all your helpful info.... I knew I could depend on the Campfire Boys....LOL.
150 Berger classic hunter is a death switch. I’ve shot 95 classic on a 400lb black bear and crumbled him at 380 yds with my 243, 135g classic stoned a Muley at 430 with my 6.5x47. And that 150 classic, my dad shot his pronghorn with it at 825 with my .284 and flattened him. I am very impressed with them. I will try and post a pic if I can figure it out.
Attachments
hogpatrol
Gold $$ Contributor
furmaster, PUHLEASE! You'll upset the gotta have an exit hole hunters. Those bullets will ruin the anticipation and excitement of finding their animal several hundred yards from where it was shot. That and the adventure of following a miniscule blood trail through thick brush. sheese, they ruin everything! 
Seriously, the only downside of the Bergers that I found was you can't find the flattened slug to determine weight retention or have them to carry around in your pocket. I've only recovered one jacket.
Seriously, the only downside of the Bergers that I found was you can't find the flattened slug to determine weight retention or have them to carry around in your pocket. I've only recovered one jacket.
Last edited:
I think I will try those Bergers for next year, but right now I guess I'll finish out this year with the 162 SST's that have been putting them down pretty good... and my season is running out... and my quota is filling up.
My search for the best DRT bullet started last year when my buddy explained how his bucks shot with his/our 7 mag allowed the deer to run short distances...sometimes.... and that he always dumped them on the spot with is 300 win mag factory 150 gr loads. Knocking them down with body shots surprised me because i've killed a lot of deer and hogs with my 30-06 and most all ran away with lung area body shots... but they also had serious serious blood trails.
We both wanted to move into the 7 mag with our New Wood Stock Tikkas, which we both love very much... but we wanted the DRT bullet that acted like his 300 win. I believe his 300 would power deer into the dirt with a lot of explosive energy... even when shot location was not the best. Blood trails would not be needed if we could power deer into the dirt with super dupper DRT bullets... when launched with it's best speed.
My search for the best DRT bullet started last year when my buddy explained how his bucks shot with his/our 7 mag allowed the deer to run short distances...sometimes.... and that he always dumped them on the spot with is 300 win mag factory 150 gr loads. Knocking them down with body shots surprised me because i've killed a lot of deer and hogs with my 30-06 and most all ran away with lung area body shots... but they also had serious serious blood trails.
We both wanted to move into the 7 mag with our New Wood Stock Tikkas, which we both love very much... but we wanted the DRT bullet that acted like his 300 win. I believe his 300 would power deer into the dirt with a lot of explosive energy... even when shot location was not the best. Blood trails would not be needed if we could power deer into the dirt with super dupper DRT bullets... when launched with it's best speed.
Similar threads
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.