Which bullet is THE long range bullet for whitetail deer for the 7mm-08?

[jsthntn247]

162 amax is perfect for the 7-08

 

[284winner]

The velocity range for the AMAX has been well documented with field testing on game animals. The person doing the testing did state that depending on the caliber the 1400 fps recommendation could vary.

The Nosler LRAB are very soft in the nose / ogive area and this is why their velocity window is 1300 fps on the low end. I have not seen any reports that I would call valid as to their performance on close up shots.

Most other bullet manufacturers set theirs minimums at 16-1800 fps which are probably a little conservative.

Berger lists theirs at 1600 fps but I have found by trimming the meplats they work below this lower limit just fine. This being said my sample number was very small unlike the sample number of the amax which is in the hundreds.

As far as 1200 ft lbs as a minimum then you are saying that most 44 magnum loads at PBR are not acceptable. If the bullet is still performing as designed then 1200 ft lbs is not an issue. I am sure their fps limit is based on the ft lbs / energy for that bullet design. The amax is a different story because it is a target bullet but like I said above there is plenty of documented evidence that it is a good hunting bullet.

IMO there are two types of bullets for hunting. One is solids or partition type bullets that plow through and rely on hydrostatic shock by opening a wide wound channel or two which are fragmenting / explosive type bullets that destroy flesh / vitals. The Partition to me is the best killing bullet I have ever used but its effective range is limited.

Yes I will say the same about the partition. Pistol rounds are a different animal. As I said I've killed deer with a pistol load at ranges up to and beyond 50 yards with well under the required text book foot lbs recommended. The 44 mag is more than adequate out to and beyond 150 yards. Again small bore vs big bore and high power rifle vs magnum to semi magnum pistol. Apples to oranges but they do get it done.

 

[Bryan Webster]

GOOD CHOICE !!!!

I am a fan of both cartridges, but the 7mm-08 will do just fine with Hornady A-Max or ELD-M 162 grain bullets out to 800 yards. These bullets will do the job right down to a velocity of 1500 feet per second.
I have shot whitetails out to 750 yards with these bullets in my 7x57 as well, and they performed well.
These distances are not for every shooter however, and variables like wind can ruin a good day in a hurry.

 

[Bryan Webster]

The 3 bullets that I actually had in mind to use in the 7mm-08 at the longer ranges are the

Nosler LR Accubond 168 grain --- Suggested minimum velocity for proper expansion 1300 fps

Hornady ELD-X 162 grain --- Suggested minimum velocity for proper expansion 1600 fps

Hornady AMAX 162 grain --- Suggested minimum velocity for proper expansion NOT TESTED & NOT RECCOMENDED FOR HUNTING

This info is per the manufacturers website.

So, I have heard a lot more input on the 162 AMAX. I have read that the LR Accubonds tend to splatter and fragment and not penetrate well. I have not found much about the ELD-X.

The input here leads to the AMAX for the most part.

Someone suggested the 160 grain Accubond. Has anyone actually used the regular Accubond in a 7mm-08 on deer between 400-700 yards?

I have a Shilen 24 inch barrel varmint contour with a 1 in 9" twist. Will this barrel work for all of the above mentioned bullets?

for the 7mm-08 I would stay with the Hornady 162 grain A-Max or its recent replacement, the ELD-M. THe LR Accubonds do not penetrate well. The Hornady ELD-X 162 grain bullets perform a lot like the SST bullets but with more efficient damage to vitals at long range due to the larger hole. In my experience I would not look farther. My 7mm barrels are all 1:9 twists and work fine. I like to load to an accuracy node that has relatively high velocity to ensure animals like the 175 gr ELD-X will remain stable out far.

 

[rifleman700]

for the 7mm-08 I would stay with the Hornady 162 grain A-Max or its recent replacement, the ELD-M. THe LR Accubonds do not penetrate well. The Hornady ELD-X 162 grain bullets perform a lot like the SST bullets but with more efficient damage to vitals at long range due to the larger hole. In my experience I would not look farther. My 7mm barrels are all 1:9 twists and work fine. I like to load to an accuracy node that has relatively high velocity to ensure animals like the 175 gr ELD-X will remain stable out far.

Can you expound on the LRAB comment? I have heard just the opposite and have seen some very impressive pictures showing them to be excellent. I like to get as much info as I can so as much detail as you can give please.

 

[284winner]

Can you expound on the LRAB comment? I have heard just the opposite and have seen some very impressive pictures showing them to be excellent. I like to get as much info as I can so as much detail as you can give please.

I too have seen very impressive penetration with the accubonds. Everyone's experiences are not all the same. Typically pass thru's are common depending on range and impact velocity. I have seen some not exit but damage was very impressive and instant anchoring was the result as well. I have had bad results before with Barnes TSX bullets but again it more than likely was the exception as they are good bullets.