Good Bear Bullet for 7mm that will work on elk.

[Birdhunter1]

I have a 7 Weatherby Mag and have found the 140 gr Barnes TSX to be satisfactory on antelope, though I've only shot two but one was at 250 yards and went diagonally through its entire body end to end and the other was 350 yards broadside that vaporized the lungs and put her down in her tracks. Muzzle velocity of 3550 it gets there fast and I haven't recovered a bullet but they left big enough exit holes that a blood trail would not have been difficult to follow.

 

[Random 8]

I have been a big fan of the 145 Speer Grand Slam in my .280 Rem. The BC isn't anything to write home about, but would hold up well to 300 or so. In your rifle, given the long barrel and increased horsepower potential, I would take a long look at either the Speer Hot Core 175 (better BC) or the Grand Slam 175. I think either will fill the bill nicely. The Speers tend to be easy to find a load for, and it's been my experience they function well over a wide range of velocity. I would try the regular hot core on your bear, and see how satisfied you are with the balance of penetration and expansion. Upgrade to the GS for the Elk if you feel the need. The hot core and BTSP (conventional cup and core) are also available in 160 grain which would be my pick if only deer, bear, antelope were on the menu.

 

[hillman23]

I never did put much stock in "overkill."

If the goal is to kill something, is it possible to kill it too dead?

 

[Random 8]

If the goal is to kill something, is it possible to kill it too dead?

With critters as tasty as antelope, expending a sizeable percentage of your oompa on the prairie behind the critter may be a good thing. I favor an overbuilt bullet for deer for the same reason. Leaves lots of meat on good, clean shots, but has the construction for when things go amiss

 

[Newtosavage]

With critters as tasty as antelope, expending a sizeable percentage of your oompa on the prairie behind the critter may be a good thing. I favor an overbuilt bullet for deer for the same reason. Leaves lots of meat on good, clean shots, but has the construction for when things go amiss

I've always been a "heavy for caliber" fan, for this very reason.

There are so many great 7mm bullets out there (one reason I'm a big 7mm fan for hunting) that the OP has plenty of choices. 160 Accubond is never a mistake IMO. I'm shooting 162 ELD-X from my 7mm-08 but would probably choose a bonded bullet or partition in anything faster.

 

[bjs1187]

Well i guess I’m going to go buy a box of 175gr partitions then and see how the gun shoots.

 

[Obturation]

If the goal is to kill something, is it possible to kill it too dead?

I have to say, kind of. But there are shades of gray, if you intend to eat what was shot or have it mounted. A 50 bmg will make a mess out of squirrel . Just saying.

 

[redneck2]

If the goal is to kill something, is it possible to kill it too dead?

As above. I knew a guy that hit a smallish Alabama white tail in the rear quarter (more of a Texas heart shot) with a .300 Win Mag. Bullet travelled forward to the opposite front shoulder. Only meat that was useable was some of the offside front shoulder

It you blow your critter apart, it kinda defeats the purpose

 

[jmr40]

Sounds like the bullet you used worked just fine. But, honestly you're overthinking this. Any jacketed lead bullet 160 gr and up designed for hunting will accomplish your goals. Bear rarely go straight down when hit, but it doesn't take big gun to kill them. It just takes them a little longer to figure out they are dead and lie down. Elk aren't that hard to kill either. Some bullets designed for target shooting might not work well, but some will. If you're not sure, then don't go there. Any of the solid copper bullets will work well too, but they don't need to be as heavy. A 140 gr copper bullet will likely out penetrate a 175 gr lead bullet.

Some bullets are "hard" and don't expand rapidly, especially at slower impact speeds. Copper bullets are the hardest. But they penetrate very well, especially from bad angles. As long as impact speeds are up there they do still expand. Animals hit with them rarely drop in their tracks. but will die if you hit vitals.

Softer bullets expand very well and provide some shock value to put game down faster. They also expand well at longer ranges where they have slowed down making them a good long range bullet. But since they don't penetrate as well don't workl if you take shots from bad angles. You may have to pass up some shots until you get a clear broadside shot.

Pick your poison, both tactics work. Just don't pick a bullet and ask it to do a job it wasn't designed for. If you go with a softer bullet it is a good idea to go heavy for caliber in order to still get penetration. If using a hard bullet you don't need the weight for penetration and can use a lighter bullet. Which helps with expansion since it impacts faster.

I'd either use a 140-150 gr solid copper bullet, or any 160-175 gr jacketed lead bullet. I don't think manufacturer matters that much. Find what works best in your rifle.

 

[Picher]

I used a 140 grain Accubond in my .270 Win to kill an 860 lb. moose...one shot kill at 270 yards. Perfect! I'm using the same load for deer also.

 

[Peakbagger46]

I would suggest the regular Accubonds. They have been outstanding in regards to quick kills and little meat loss in my .308 and 30-06 on numerous mule deer. Always good expansion and an exit wound.

 

[Peakbagger46]

Very interesting that you had no expansion with the long range Accubond. I have zero experience with that bullet, but would have expected OVER expansion with it.

If expansion is in order, be very careful about shot placement and range with an all copper bullet. I DO have field experience with that bullet design and will not be using a monolithic again.

 

[Peakbagger46]

Sounds like the bullet you used worked just fine. But, honestly you're overthinking this. Any jacketed lead bullet 160 gr and up designed for hunting will accomplish your goals. Bear rarely go straight down when hit, but it doesn't take big gun to kill them. It just takes them a little longer to figure out they are dead and lie down. Elk aren't that hard to kill either. Some bullets designed for target shooting might not work well, but some will. If you're not sure, then don't go there. Any of the solid copper bullets will work well too, but they don't need to be as heavy. A 140 gr copper bullet will likely out penetrate a 175 gr lead bullet.

Some bullets are "hard" and don't expand rapidly, especially at slower impact speeds. Copper bullets are the hardest. But they penetrate very well, especially from bad angles. As long as impact speeds are up there they do still expand. Animals hit with them rarely drop in their tracks. but will die if you hit vitals.

Softer bullets expand very well and provide some shock value to put game down faster. They also expand well at longer ranges where they have slowed down making them a good long range bullet. But since they don't penetrate as well don't workl if you take shots from bad angles. You may have to pass up some shots until you get a clear broadside shot.

Pick your poison, both tactics work. Just don't pick a bullet and ask it to do a job it wasn't designed for. If you go with a softer bullet it is a good idea to go heavy for caliber in order to still get penetration. If using a hard bullet you don't need the weight for penetration and can use a lighter bullet. Which helps with expansion since it impacts faster.

I'd either use a 140-150 gr solid copper bullet, or any 160-175 gr jacketed lead bullet. I don't think manufacturer matters that much. Find what works best in your rifle.

I would take jmr40’s advice with more than a large grain of salt.

 

[cowboy77]

I really like Nosler bullets and think the accubond is a great bullet. I've been trying the Hornady ELDX and am really wanting to see what it does on the black bear here in the Carolinas. I don't expect it to fail me by any means.

 

[Goosey]

I would take jmr40’s advice with more than a large grain of salt.

Why with salt?

 

[Peakbagger46]

Why with salt?

JMR40 wrote,

“I'd either use a 140-150 gr solid copper bullet, or any 160-175 gr jacketed lead bullet. I don't think manufacturer matters that much. Find what works best in your rifle.”

Based on the OP’s use for the bullet (bear and eventually pronghorn elk out to longish range), the advise of “pick whatever old soft point that shoots best” is questionable.

The ideal bullet for the stated use is likely a tipped bonded or partition part. He is looking for something that will expand at distance but also hold together for brush shots.

 

[cowboy77]

. All shown are the 160 spritzer , 175 grand slam, 139 sst, 150 Nosler, 150 combined technology, 140 Barnes ttsx, and the 162 eldx. All would work fine with maybe exception I’d the 139 sst which I’ve had come apart too many times and not expand very good. I’m a firm believer in the 160 for bigger is better bullet but since using the Barnes in both 7 mag and 7-08 it’s killing power and longer range trajectory has become my favorite for the 7 mms.