Thread: Need 7mm mag projectile change

I have always reloaded Hornardy 7mm 162gr BTSP in my 7mm magnum. Worked well on reds but started shooting sika and found if you don't hit bone on the way in the projectile just pinholes, with no blood trail to track in tight tea tree.
I would like to perhaps drop to a lighter projectile that will open up better on light animals.
Any recommendations?

Or try 162gr ELDM's

Mate uses 160ab for close shots that work very well, and 162amax for longer(300+). I use 168vld that seem to work well in close (and far) in my saum

140gr nosler partitions, in gelatine they look promising

162 ELD-Ms are very good, but not necessary for tight country.

Partitions would be ideal for the job.

The 162gn BSTP's are hornady Interloks - right ? Pretty soft pill really, should be expanding very readily. Shot placement might be something to think about - drill em thru the shoulders if you're worried about the pill not expanding.

There are plenty of good bullets out there , the ELDX, Noslar BT's and Partitions, Sierra Game Kings and Pro Hunter, Speer Hot Cor to name a few. You may get better expansion with a little lighter bullet.

Originally Posted by chainsaw

The 162gn BSTP's are hornady Interloks - right ? Pretty soft pill really, should be expanding very readily. Shot placement might be something to think about - drill em thru the shoulders if you're worried about the pill not expanding.

Yes, Hornady interlocks and I am using the 7mm mag as not bush hunting but shooting at a 200m plus distance at times.
I may need to get into the habit as I did yesterday and drill even a nice fat hind through the shoulder. I used to hate carrying a deer out with a broken front leg or two but those packing days are over.
Tucking a bullet a bit low and behind the front leg to lessen damage to the shoulder is risky with these tough little deer in tea tree.
Mate says "you don't eat the shoulder and it's less to carry out".
Might be easiest and good advice.

+1 on the shot placement idea I reckon. That way you can keep using what you're used to.

Alternatively I've had success with the 162 ELD-X in my rem mag. Double lung shot a red hind at 320 yards, she went down and kicked around for a little but the bullet expanded well and exited with a hole about the size of a golf ball. Now ideally I would have liked to hit high shoulder, but here we are.

162eldm if you shooting 200m+