Preferred 7mm bullet design for big game?

[Eshiloh31]

Thinking about big game loads ( Elk, Mule Deer, occasional Black Bear ) and cast bullet performance
Cartridges aside, 7mm cast at roughly 2000 FPS.
What bullets ( mold make and part number of you don’t mind sharing) have been proven successful and to what range?
What bullets have had some trouble or even down right failed in any way on game and what range?
Looking for any and all experiences, Thank you for any info

[richhodg66]

I used a Lyman 287308 that had been hollow pointed on a deer a couple of years ago in a 7x57, range wasn't far, but the bullet penetrated deep and expanded well. I need to cast more up and do some more experimentation with it.

Since then, I picked up one of the older RCBS 168 grain 7mm molds, it's different from the one they make now, apparently with a bigger nose that works better through the generous throats of rifles like mine.

My practice bullet is the "soup can" from Mid South. I actually think that one would be good enough for deer hunting, it has a flat nose and shoots well, but I wanted something heavier.

[waksupi]

For any cast bullet rifle, you want heavy for bore size, Loverin designs always being a top performer.

[sharps4590]

As with Rich, I use the RCBS-168, which weighs 178 from my mold. Mine is a new mold but works fantastic in my pre-war 7 X 64 Brenneke.

[Eshiloh31]

Don’t think I’ll have to make any changes. I’ve got Lyman molds 287308 and 287405 to work with. I also just found a RCBS-168 mold that’s available, just have not made that happen. Thanks

[MT Gianni]

Mule deer is the largest I would target with 7mm cast. The difference between cost of 7mm 135 gr and 35 cal 220 grain can't be 10 cents. For deer I would consider the 7mm Thor NOE, 135 Midsouth soup can and Noe 150 hunter, 168 fp. At 7mm meplate is huge as far as initial impact and tissue disruption.

[SwissShooter]

l-o-n-g and HEAVY !

[Eshiloh31]

with a barrel twist rate of 1-10” how long or heavy can I go and maintain stability? Just for knowledge sake this is in .280 Rem, 26” barrel. With J-bullets accuracy typically heads down hill after 160 gn

[fatnhappy]

DJ and I collaborated on the NOE 150 grain hunter. It's essentially a SAECO 071 with a .18" meplat specifically intended to fit in the neck of a 7-08. I haven't had the chance to use it on anything larger than a 150 lb doe, but it killed every one of them nicely within 50 yards of where they stood, and I like to punch a shoulder on entrance or exit. they were all through and through with evidence of moderate expansion. Truth be told I, like many here, fall into the "heavier is always better" camp.

Since you're talking about an animal with claws and Elk, let's hypothetically assume I don't own a dozen 30 cal hunting rifles. I'd probably look at heavier boolits like the older style 168 RCBS (which I have and prefer in my 7 x 57) or my 287405. Then I'd practice with it on a couple deer first.

my 2¢ for what it's worth.

[Eshiloh31]

Those 2 pennies are what I’m looking for so Thank you. This 280 is a new project for me to play with casting for. Typically when chasing bear in the past I’ve always reached for the 45/70 and either a 340 gn or 405 gn flat nose. Never had to worry about energy, penetration, and clean kills. That was also the better part of a decade ago though. Getting back into the cast bullet game along with some added cartridges to lead and try and a different part of the country to do it in. Whether or not an Elk or a Bear ever get taken from this rifle and a cast bullet is still way up in the air at this point. Deer are certainly in its future though. Looking at working up cast loads and the capability of this cartridge with jacket bullets I believe it can be done properly. Hence the ask for experiences and thought. As it’s been recommended multiple times I purchased the RCBS 168 gn mold that I found. Out of curiosity what are the differences between the old and new style as mentioned?

[sharps4590]

Eshiloh, a friend sent me some older RCBS 168's and the only difference I could see was one had a bigger meplat...and I don't remember which one it was!!!! Whichever it was, at 7mm the difference had to minimal.

[beltfed]

Go Back to that 45-70 if you go after game larger than deer,
especially if it is game that may bite back!
Otherwise, I think my 358 win with 250 gr rn 358318 Paper patched at 2350fps
would be an ok elk round out to maybe 200yds max
beltfed/arnie

[quilbilly]

The Lee 130 gr round nose and Lee 135 gr RF design from Midsouth both shoot well in my 7mm at that velocity. The 135 gr RFGC worked very well on the local blacktail deer around here that average about 150# on the hoof and on mule deer over the mountains that average closer to 200#. I have never found one inside the animal, just a little hole in an a bigger one coming out and I have never needed to take a shot over 125 yards. The round nose version is slightly more accurate but not enough difference to matter except on ground squirrels. I would have to think on a bear if it was a smaller one but definitely not the one that pushed over my apple tree last fall who looked to be well over 300# in My yard light. What I am shooting is a carbine in 7mm TCU at a hunting velocity of 1950 fps. BTW - That 135 gr Lee 7mm RFGC "soup can" from Midsouth actually drops from my mold at 141 gr. and my lead alloy is not very hard which I prefer for hunting. Welcome to our board!!

[Eshiloh31]

Beltfed the 45/70 has been my go to since about age 17 and will always remain so. A PP Boolit in your 358 Win, now that a neat idea.

Thanks for the welcome quilbilly

Enjoying all of the different knowledgeable views on this

[RickinTN]

I have no experience with 7mm cast. I'm enjoying the thread as I have a custom 7mm-08, also with a 10 twist barrel. It goes south with jacketed bullets anything over 150 grains. I think our twist rates are going to be the limiting factor on how heavy (long) a bullet our rifles will shoot with accuracy. I think a good additional question would be what approximate alloy are others shooting in their 7mm bores along with which bullet.
Watching with interest,
Rick

[Beerd]

how about a Bruce B soft point or something similar?
..

[Eshiloh31]

Beerd, a Bruce B soft point? Please elaborate as I am not familiar with this. Sounds quite interesting

[richhodg66]

There is a detailed thread in the stickies about how to do it, basically you cast a bullet of two alloys by pouring a small amount of soft alloy in the nose and then a stronger alloy on top. Allows for good velocity with a soft, expanding nose.

[richhodg66]

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?53234-BruceB-s-Cast-Softpoints-(as-of-MAY-2009)

[Eshiloh31]

Thank you, I know of the technique and have done it before. Just didn’t realize it had a name. Does make for a nice soft nose type bullet

[Harter66]

I did some research on the Mountain Molds I had a 1-8.5 twist . At 9.5 I was surprised to see 215 gr as a practical weight which for his needs requires a .190 or larger nose flat . I didn't follow that up . I have a 285 150 Hunter that no longer fits my new barrels . To further my personal tragedy the 7mm-168 I have is too nose small for the barrels also .

I've backed down to a 27-130 FP and paper patched up to .285 for the little case .

[Eshiloh31]

That is an interest weight recommendation for sure. I may have, well really want, to mess with the paper patching. I played with it in a 45/70 and black powder years ago but never committed to figuring out a good combination. For now I’ll keep to figuring out what is and is not going to work

[Hook]

For those of you that have successfully used the 7mm on deer sized game, what BHN alloy are you casting them with?