Looking to go antelope hunting next year and need to work up some loads. I have barnes 120gr x, 150gr nosler bt's and some 160 seirras. I will get what ever I need. I have lots of brass and federal gm mag primers. I want to shoot the 7mm because my grandpa gave it to me and I have been shooting it since I was 14. I will take the .25-06 too, but thats another thread.
7mm rem mag antelope loads
- Thread starter sigpros
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WYdogtalker
New member
if you are willing to buy some new components try 168 gr bergers over 71grs of hodgdon retumbo. this is the load that they use on the best of the west tv show in their long range 7 mags. they shoot out to 1000 yrds with it. it works well in my 7 mag. might back it down a few grains, to start, if you want to use magnum primers. i didnt with some rem 9 1/2 magnums and it was way to hot. good luck.
kyotekiller25
Well-known member
140g NBT's with a healthy dose of RL22 shoots 1/2 MOA sometimes less from my 700 BDL custom deluxe in 7 RM at 3250fps. Gauruntee thats an antelopes worst nightmare...
That 140g NBT load shoots great out to 800 yards, but if I wanted to shoot further, I'll take my 162g AMAX's with a healthy dose of H1000 for 2950fps and 1/2 MOA. Kill em as far as you can hit em...
That 140g NBT load shoots great out to 800 yards, but if I wanted to shoot further, I'll take my 162g AMAX's with a healthy dose of H1000 for 2950fps and 1/2 MOA. Kill em as far as you can hit em...
I am not that good of a shot to shoot that far. But I am going to get a load worked up and get to practicing. I have a little over a year to get ready. And I don't have a problem buying new components, I just have a bunch of stuff from a gun shop that was going to quit selling reloading so I picked up all the stuff for "my" calibers so thats the stuff I had in 7mm.
cornstalker
Active member
My wife's 7mm Mag likes 140 NAB's over H870. Since H870 is all but gone, and very dirty, you could use H1000 or RL22 and expect good velocities and accuracy.
I have been playing around with Hybrid 100V lately and it shows a lot of promise, but nothing has been FULLY tested for temp sensitivity yet.
We have had perfect terminal performance on four goats with the 140 NAB, but I have become dismayed after watching a number of the tips break off. I have never had that happen with NBT's so I believe I would have to second kyotekiller and recommend the NBT's.
I have been playing around with Hybrid 100V lately and it shows a lot of promise, but nothing has been FULLY tested for temp sensitivity yet.
We have had perfect terminal performance on four goats with the 140 NAB, but I have become dismayed after watching a number of the tips break off. I have never had that happen with NBT's so I believe I would have to second kyotekiller and recommend the NBT's.
Don Fischer
New member
Originally Posted By: sigprosLooking to go antelope hunting next year and need to work up some loads. I have barnes 120gr x, 150gr nosler bt's and some 160 seirras. I will get what ever I need. I have lots of brass and federal gm mag primers. I want to shoot the 7mm because my grandpa gave it to me and I have been shooting it since I was 14. I will take the .25-06 too, but thats another thread.
I assume you have a load worked up now. What's wrong with it?
I assume you have a load worked up now. What's wrong with it?
zilla
New member
I have killed a lot of antelope.. Mostly with a 243.. I'd recommend that you use the 25-06/120 grain bullet, rather than the 7-mag.. If you want to use the 7-Mag for nostolgia purposes, I'd find a light bullet and load to minimum.... 7-mags tend to do a lot of meat damage on antelope..
Go figure I hunt antelope and have for many years with a .300 Win mag. and 180 gr. bullets. Just be careful where you shoot 'em. I bet I haven't wasted 2 lbs of meat total in the last dozen years or so.
You could shoot them with a cannon ball if you know how to hit them and not mess them all up.
You could shoot them with a cannon ball if you know how to hit them and not mess them all up.
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zilla
New member
Originally Posted By: skb2706Go figure I hunt antelope and have for many years with a .300 Win mag. and 180 gr. bullets. Just be careful where you shoot 'em. I bet I haven't wasted 2 lbs of meat total in the last dozen years or so.
You could shoot them with a cannon ball if you know how to hit them and not mess them all up.
I'll take that bet..
You could shoot them with a cannon ball if you know how to hit them and not mess them all up.
I'll take that bet..
kyotekiller25
Well-known member
Depends what bullet weight and type your using, that has a lot to do with it.
I've only killed 2 antelope, one in wyoming at 300 yards with a 300 win mag and 180g NBT's. Shot him in the shoulder and went out the neck, left a big exit hole and of course ruined quite a bit of meat, that whole shoulder was toast, I dont care anyways, antelope is not very good IMO. Second antelope I shot at 550 yards with a 25-06 and 117g SGK, once again, shoulder shot and exited leaving a decent hole, while ruining quite a bit of the shoulders.
If your using a lighter for caliber, quick expanding bullet, like an NBT or any cup and core bullet, its still going to ruin a little meat, espeically if you hit a rib going in.
What are you shooting in a 300 mag that you've only wasted 2 lbs of meat over the years, full metal jackets??
I've only killed 2 antelope, one in wyoming at 300 yards with a 300 win mag and 180g NBT's. Shot him in the shoulder and went out the neck, left a big exit hole and of course ruined quite a bit of meat, that whole shoulder was toast, I dont care anyways, antelope is not very good IMO. Second antelope I shot at 550 yards with a 25-06 and 117g SGK, once again, shoulder shot and exited leaving a decent hole, while ruining quite a bit of the shoulders.
If your using a lighter for caliber, quick expanding bullet, like an NBT or any cup and core bullet, its still going to ruin a little meat, espeically if you hit a rib going in.
What are you shooting in a 300 mag that you've only wasted 2 lbs of meat over the years, full metal jackets??
Originally Posted By: kyotekiller25
What are you shooting in a 300 mag that you've only wasted 2 lbs of meat over the years, full metal jackets??
Says ye with a grand total of 2 kills. I use 180 gr. Sierra BTSPs. There are plenty of members and ex-members who have been with me shooting and hunting. If ya wanna know just ask.
Heavier tougher bullets work best...but that just my opinion. Based on actual observations in the field.
What are you shooting in a 300 mag that you've only wasted 2 lbs of meat over the years, full metal jackets??
Says ye with a grand total of 2 kills. I use 180 gr. Sierra BTSPs. There are plenty of members and ex-members who have been with me shooting and hunting. If ya wanna know just ask.
Heavier tougher bullets work best...but that just my opinion. Based on actual observations in the field.
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sigpros, I just worked up a load with the 162g AMax out of my Rem 700 with Rem cases, Fed 215's, 71g of Retumbo,Bullet jammed in lands .005, shot a single ragged hole at 100 yards@ 3100 fps out of my rifle. Work up to this load in your rifle.
I switched to the 160g Sierra BTSP, groups went to heck with high pressure due to increased bearing surface of the Sierra, had to back off load...yet to be done.
For many years, I have shot the 140g Nosler BT with a load of 65.0-66.0g of IMR 4350, Rem case, 91/2, bullet jammed .003 into the lands at 3250 fps, 1/2" accuracy.
For a lighter bullet 3500-3600 fps, the 120g Nosler BT, Rem Case, CCI-250 primer, 71-72g of R#22, will shoot tiny, tiny groups in many 7 Mags, but they blow an antelope up.
It will never hurt to have your rifles that you inherited from your grand pa bedded and the barrels floated.
Pass the rifles down to your kids with your hunt stories. It will just enhance the value to your kids if you have to replace the barrel at some point...no worries.
I switched to the 160g Sierra BTSP, groups went to heck with high pressure due to increased bearing surface of the Sierra, had to back off load...yet to be done.
For many years, I have shot the 140g Nosler BT with a load of 65.0-66.0g of IMR 4350, Rem case, 91/2, bullet jammed .003 into the lands at 3250 fps, 1/2" accuracy.
For a lighter bullet 3500-3600 fps, the 120g Nosler BT, Rem Case, CCI-250 primer, 71-72g of R#22, will shoot tiny, tiny groups in many 7 Mags, but they blow an antelope up.
It will never hurt to have your rifles that you inherited from your grand pa bedded and the barrels floated.
Pass the rifles down to your kids with your hunt stories. It will just enhance the value to your kids if you have to replace the barrel at some point...no worries.
cornstalker
Active member
Quote:I want to shoot the 7mm because my grandpa gave it to me and I have been shooting it since I was 14.
That's all any of us should need to know. For crying out loud guys, give him some data, not your soapbox speech.
Steve's right though. If you hit them in the ribs there is no meat loss, even with a cannon ball. There isn't any meat on the ribs.
That's all any of us should need to know. For crying out loud guys, give him some data, not your soapbox speech.
Steve's right though. If you hit them in the ribs there is no meat loss, even with a cannon ball. There isn't any meat on the ribs.
Jim n Iowa
New member
I have had good results at 200+yds, using Sierra 160g SPBT with IMT 4831/ less than max loads, Even a 90 degree running shot. I think the 139g Hornady hpbt would be a good choice for standing or grazing animals closer in, if possible.
Jim
Jim
Thanks guys. I have no load now I have been shooting the 4 boxes of factory loads. 1or2 a year they last awhile. The rifle is a ruger it has been bedded, timmeny trigger, and a leupold vx3 3.5x10. I think I will look at the 140's. I don't want to blow them up, I want to get one mounted if I connect. Thanks again
zilla
New member
Originally Posted By: skb2706Ribs in ribs out, nothing but bone. Seen it happen a hundred times. I take half dozen guys every year out and watch them all kill antelope. Started as a child, I'm 53 now so I have a little practice at it too.
Those who can't always doubt those who can.
I'm 62 and came out of the womb with a tag in my hand.. I have taken many more than half a dozen guys out over the years, as well as shooting goats, deer and elk myself .. It's not that I can't but that I have done it.. I have seen first hand the results.. Now keep tellin me there is no bloodshot with a 30 cal 180 grain bullet.
Those who can't always doubt those who can.
I'm 62 and came out of the womb with a tag in my hand.. I have taken many more than half a dozen guys out over the years, as well as shooting goats, deer and elk myself .. It's not that I can't but that I have done it.. I have seen first hand the results.. Now keep tellin me there is no bloodshot with a 30 cal 180 grain bullet.
bigwheeler
New member
I use a 162 grain hornady spire point running at 3000 fps. Same load I use
for deer and elk. I hit one out of a few dozen high in the spine and ruined
about 1/4 of the back straps. Lung shots ruin a few ribs and send a little
blood between the flank meat.
for deer and elk. I hit one out of a few dozen high in the spine and ruined
about 1/4 of the back straps. Lung shots ruin a few ribs and send a little
blood between the flank meat.