Thread: Just the tip......7 rem mag A-Tip load development

Recently picked up a Bergara B14 Wilderness in 7mm rem mag and have been keen to get into load development (always the way).
I have owned a few Rem mags (3 from memory) and developed loads for a few more as well.
Earlier efforts saw me using 162gn ELDM's to devastating effect, mode recently I have loaded 180gn ELDM's again super accurate and phenomenal BC
I am a self proclaimed BC slut and despite that I have decided to try Hornady 166gn A-Tips even though the 180gn ELDM's have a superior BC.
I just like trying different stuff
I'm holding high hopes for these A-Tips and rightboff the bat I can say they are super consistent in finish, weight and length.
Really nice to work with.



I couldn't find load data with Retumbo/ADI2225 in hornady load manual however Hogdon list 166gn a tip data on their website which was very handy.



First up I set about working out my jam length using the loctite method I learnt from Ultimate Reloader on YouTube.
I came up with 2.4715" ogive measurement and 3.4585 C.O.A.L (I never work with C.O.A.L but have included it for reference later).
For my charge ladder I will work up in 1gn increments with the A-Tips seated 10thou off my jam measurement.
I have started my ladder at 72gn and have loaded right up to 75gn (yes 2 gn over book max )
The reason for this is that at book max of 73gn Hogdon states it is a compressed load when seated to SAAMI length 3.290" C.O.A.L
My C.O.A.L is 3.4485" which is a decent bit longer giving me ample room in the case resulting in a book max load not being anywhere near compressed, in fact even at 2 full grains over book max I am still not compressed.
Obviously the usual warnings apply work up carefully and every rifle is different etc etc, if at any stage I get pressure signs (velocity being the best indicator) then I don't need to shoot the higher charges, obviously I'll be watching for sticky bolt and super flat primers but velocity will be my primary pressure indication if even if none of the other signs are evident.
I'd like to see an accuracy node around 3000fps but will have to see what the rifle likes at the end of the day.
Anyway I'm all set to go just need to pray for a break in the weather so I can shoot my ladder and analyze the results.










(I didn't load 71gn as i felt my longer COAL would see my velocity drop too much)

As a side note, I will say it's nice to be working with a rem 700 action where I can decide seating depth based on my jam length and still have ample room in the mag, rather than have my seating depth dictated by the mag length

On a side note what speed did you get and powder did you use with the 180s?

Originally Posted by matto1234

On a side note what speed did you get and powder did you use with the 180s?

2870fps over adi2217 although I reckon adi2225 would also work and possibly even give slightly higher velocity

We tried the 153gr Atip in a 6.5 PRC. Possibly the most accurate bullet Iv worked with. From a sako S20 the worst group it shot was .62 out of a dozen on the initial run down, only got better from there. The down side was 4 shots in the field with ranges in the 400-500 yds, all hits verified by spotter no deer recovered. I sectioned a couple and they had no cavity at all. The alloy tip was in contact with the lead core maybe creating a fmj effect. 6.5 bullets were thin on the ground at that time so I switched to Hunter bullets 123gr AH . Results have been more than satisfactory.
153gr with a 135gr on the right.

Originally Posted by sneeze

We tried the 153gr Atip in a 6.5 PRC. Possibly the most accurate bullet Iv worked with. From a sako S20 the worst group it shot was .62 out of a dozen on the initial run down, only got better from there. The down side was 4 shots in the field with ranges in the 400-500 yds, all hits verified by spotter no deer recovered. I sectioned a couple and they had no cavity at all. The alloy tip was in contact with the lead core maybe creating a fmj effect. 6.5 bullets were thin on the ground at that time so I switched to Hunter bullets 123gr AH . Results have been more than satisfactory.
153gr with a 135gr on the right.
Attachment 247795

Interesting, certainly heard a lot of differing opinions on their effectiveness on game (more that they perform well, than not), will update when I've had a chance to try them. Hopefully my results are positive maybe the 7mm will perform better. If not I have 180gn ELDM's and 162gn ELDM's available but may actually try 168gn VLDH next.

There wasnt a lot of information on terminal performance at the time and even now there only seems to be anecdotal reports based on small sample size. I was hoping they would be more like an Amax. I have a box of 135gr I was going to use in the 6.5x284 but Iv seen enough to leave them for range work. The other issue I see with them is the alloy tip extends out covering the edge of the jacket which I think coupled with the lack of cavity prevents reliable expansion.Im sure they will kill well sometimes but there are other far more reliable options that are available again. Bergers 140 EH Im finding very good along with the 143eldx and Hammer bullets offerings be they a bit spendy. .

Originally Posted by sneeze

The other issue I see with them is the alloy tip extends out covering the edge of the jacket which I think coupled with the lack of cavity prevents reliable expansion.. .

I think your assessment is pretty spot on regarding them not being able to expand. Just look at bthp pills when the tip is fully closed up and how they fail to expand even with the large tip cavity.

If I was @dannyb I would section one of his 7mm Atips just to be sure. The 6.5 Atips might be different internally than the 7mm Atips.

@sneeze the 147gr eld-m in my 6.5prc has been an absolute hammer on the deer I've shot recently (150m-500meters) (7 reds in last 2weeks) , a noticeable impact difference to the 143 eldx and 140gr gold dots. (I'm shooting bonded bulllets in the bush).

Originally Posted by Roarless20

I think your assessment is pretty spot on regarding them not being able to expand. Just look at bthp pills when the tip is fully closed up and how they fail to expand even with the large tip cavity.

If I was @dannyb I would section one of his 7mm Atips just to be sure. The 6.5 Atips might be different internally than the 7mm Atips.

@sneeze the 147gr eld-m in my 6.5prc has been an absolute hammer on the deer I've shot recently (150m-500meters) (7 reds in last 2weeks) , a noticeable impact difference to the 143 eldx and 140gr gold dots. (I'm shooting bonded bulllets in the bush).

Make of it what you will, I'll report back with real world results after next week. My observation is, it doesn't appear to be much different compared to a 150gn eldx (all i had to compare it to but eldx are marketed as a "hunting bullet") jacket thickness looks similar and tip dimensions look similar with the only difference being what the tips are made of. The o.g amax pills had ally tips which by all acounts worked outstandingly.

Originally Posted by dannyb

Make of it what you will, I'll report back with real world results after next week.

Real world results are the only ones that matter!

Obviously they will kill deer, its just the consistency of performance and speed of death that matters, especially in the bush or tiger country.

Keep us posted.

@dannyb, that ELD-X is probably hiding a cavity behind the tip if you grind it back a little further. Certainly all the ones I’ve sectioned in different calibres have had a proper cavity.

Originally Posted by Flyblown

@dannyb, that ELD-X is probably hiding a cavity behind the tip if you grind it back a little further. Certainly all the ones I’ve sectioned in different calibres have had a proper cavity.

Nope, just been out and sectioned it a bit more....if it's hiding a cavity then it's well hidden....i know from personal experience the 150gn eldx is an extremely good hunting bullet.

Originally Posted by Roarless20

I think your assessment is pretty spot on regarding them not being able to expand. Just look at bthp pills when the tip is fully closed up and how they fail to expand even with the large tip cavity.

If I was @dannyb I would section one of his 7mm Atips just to be sure. The 6.5 Atips might be different internally than the 7mm Atips.

@sneeze the 147gr eld-m in my 6.5prc has been an absolute hammer on the deer I've shot recently (150m-500meters) (7 reds in last 2weeks) , a noticeable impact difference to the 143 eldx and 140gr gold dots. (I'm shooting bonded bulllets in the bush).

Had they been available at the time I would have given the 147s a spin but like everything else back then people were paying stupid money for what little there was. . The Hammer bullets while spendy were and are readily available. The user is sold on them and dosnt mind the cost.

I don’t get the propensity of kiwi hunters to use a bullet manufactured and marketed for targets and load them for shooting deer and expect hunting bullet results.

Bullet manufacturers might know what they are talking about, I mean Hornady has only been making bullets since 1949.

Load some Speer grand slams and I bet you will get good, ethical results

Originally Posted by 300_BLK

I don’t get the propensity of kiwi hunters to use a bullet manufactured and marketed for targets and load them for shooting deer and expect hunting bullet results.

Bullet manufacturers might know what they are talking about, I mean Hornady has only been making bullets since 1949.

Load some Speer grand slams and I bet you will get good, ethical results

Bro have you been hiding under a rock