Almost Playoff time

[wilmsmeyer]

After a long series of load development I have 3 very good loads that have repeated at least 3 times each in my 7mm Mag

1) 175 gr Sierra Match Kings with 57 gr H4350 - 3 group average of about 5/8" - 3.29 COL
2) 150 gr scirocco with 68 gr IMR7828SSC - 3 group average of just over 5/8" - 3.36 COL (35/1000ths off lands)
3) 120 gr Barnes TTSX with 72 gr Re22 - 3 group average of 7/8" - 3.24 COL (way off lands as suggested by Barnes)

All with Win std large rifle primers. All cased trimmed to same length.

So, all you 7mm deer killers: What would be your choice from these 4 loads?

Consider that my shots will be from 30 yds out to maybe 300 yds tops.

I am leaning on the 120 gr Barnes for the sole reason that I won't have lead fragments in any meat.

I loaded 5 rounds of each load for my next range trip just to totally confirm earlier results.

This is the only Scirocco load that has done better than 2" so I was tickles to see that they can shoot.

[Dave W]

Probably the Barnes since shots under 300 are the norm.

[Deleted]

Hornady 154gr interbonds and interlocs were my all time favorites for whitetails out of the 280 Rem and 7mag, (some ole timer at a gun show recommended them to me, and man was he spot on)
I'd say out of your three choices I'd say the Barnes for the same reason you have stated..

[7mmfreak]

Barnes for normal shooting. I like the SMK for long work.

[wilmsmeyer]

Thanks guys. I guess they would all work inside 300. Just not wanting to blast a deer to smithereens or be chewing on lead/copper frags. This gun came to me, I didn't come to it. I shoots awesome. It's very accurate and easy to carry.

I am a layman with 2 other center fire. Until 4 years ago a center fire was only a way to kill woodchucks and shoot paper. I have a big heavy .243 Rem Model 700 with a 26" bull barrel and a Marlin 336 in 30-30. All deer killers. I reload for them all and have many choices of recipes. The 30-30 is the easiest to carry and has all you need to kill a deer but limited in range to 200 yds or less. The 7mm is a tack driving thunder stick and carries very well. 20 years ago I would carry the heavy .243 but not anymore.

Tough tough decisions from someone who had to carry a Savage ML to get a leg up on the sluggers we had to use.
Now we have it all.

Hunt a stand that commands the 30-30 with short shots in the woods. BUT....on your way to the stand there are opportunities that are above what the 30-30 has to offer. On your way out, you may have long shots after you leave the woods.

With what I have, I may carry the 7mm exclusively while after bucks with big racks. In late season, the 30-30 will get the nod. That's why I am leaning on the coppers.

One day I will acquire a medium sized bolt action .243 and be done with it. Load it with coppers or 85-100 gr partitions and have the best of all worlds.

I have been really impressed with the bench results of my new...old...7mm Mag. Having "mastered" trigger control...and accepting recoil with a hot loaded Savage Ml... this gun is easy to shoot, Even the stout loads seem easy to squeeze well with....after doing the same with 80 gr H4198 and a 250 TMZ in the Savage at 2,800+fps

Crazy