Where does the 7mm Wby shine.

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JRWhit

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I'm starting to get set up for the 7mm Wby mag and was trying to decide on bullet weight. For any of you guys who have had bench or field time with these rifles, "Mark V 26", what bullet weight really lets this cartridge shine? I was looking from 140-150gn as anything beyond 150 seams to show diminishing returns but please educate me.
 
Bullet construction is what you need to concider in something with that kind of mv..I personaly could never put one to good use ,but I can understand someone out west using magnums for long range hunting ,because it will still be carrying more energy at long distance..You may hit a amimal at 400 yards or better with a 7mm-08,but it may not have enough umph to get the job done,even with equal placement..
 
What are you going to hunt with it?
I see you are in Missouri. If hunting corn field white-tails, a 139-140gr bullet will do you well. Likewise mule deer or prong horn antelope. These have a flatter trajectory to 400yds.
If hunting elk or moose, a 160-175 is your choice.
These are given we're talking about cup and core bullets.
I would use the Weatherby standard 139gr BtSpt load. It uses the excellent Hornady 139gr Interloks. I've not used them in the Weatherby, but have in my 7mm08, as well as the .257" 100 and 117gr BtSpt in my .257wby. (and MANY other calibers .24-.375).
I consider the Interloks as good as the Nosler Partitions.

For elk, either the 154gr or 162gr Hornady/Weatherby and 175gr Interloks for Moose.
Of course you can plug in others like the Nosler AccuBond, but price goes up dramatically. $2-3 a shot, just for the bullet. 7mm Weatherby factory loads can approach $4 a shot with such as the excellent Swift A-frames. Yep, $100/20!

My favorite bullet for my .300RemUltraMag is the lowly 180gr Remington Corlokts. They hold together at close range with good penetration, but also expand well "way out yonder" No, they aren't some sexy plastic tip uber bullet, they just "work" Likewise, the Hornady Interloks.
There's a reaso they were Roy's (Weatherby) choice for close to 50years in his factory ammo.
 
Heavy, top quality bullets, a few ten-thousandths bigger than groove diameter will probably shoot most accurate if accuracy is most important.

If taking game animals is the use, it depends on animal and environment details.
 
In Missouri I have everything covered with a 243 win. This is an everything else rifle. It's use will be for the upper end of medium. Likely elk will be the largest. I don't have any projected moose hunts but I wouldn't rule it out. For bullet construction I've read that the Hornady SSTs do well to avoid bullet blow up at closer range. But as far as real world experience I have none with the magnums other than target work.
Thanks for the link. Very informative.
 
I'm starting to get set up for the 7mm Wby mag and was trying to decide on bullet weight. For any of you guys who have had bench or field time with these rifles, "Mark V 26", what bullet weight really lets this cartridge shine? I was looking from 140-150gn as anything beyond 150 seams to show diminishing returns but please educate me.
Wow..beautiful rifle & powerful cartridge, but way overkill for your average deer hunt..lol
 
The 160-162 gr weight will give you the best long range performance. That is the sweet spot for BC's in 7mm. You don't need that much bullet for deer, but sometimes lighter bullets at close range and at magnum velocities come apart on impact.
 
What defines the BC sweet spot for any caliber?

Is there a formula or some rule of thumb used?
 
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