168 vs 175 gr ABLR’s in 7mm

[Rifleman86]

I'm just one of those guys that likes exit holes, and thought since it was a bonded bullet, it would give me one on deer-sized game. It performed, but I've gone to other projectiles that only stop when they hit dirt, after the exit.

Yeah unfortunately I’ve learned through experience that exit wounds are extremely important. As a long range target guy I’ll admit I can get a bit caught up on BC at the expense of terminal performance. But I feel a lot better after my decision to use Hammers. Exit wounds don’t seem to be a problem for them.

 

[83cj-7]

I finally recovered a 168 ABLR! Filling damage permits last night and shot a large doe standing in the soybeans. I could see her head and neck and though I could see part of her side. As it turns out, her rear was facing me. Bullet entered just below the hole and I found the bullet in her brisket. She obviously didn’t move and everything was destroyed.

 

[83cj-7]

Pics

 

[bonepoint]

I loaded up some 168 ABLR for my brother's 7 RM. Right around 3,000 FPS muzzle velocity and 3/4" groups. The 160 ABs shoot at the same POI and slightly higher velocity, same groups, so very similar trajectory. Convenient that he could use them interchangeably with same dial out to around 500 yds.

He just went up to Alaska for a moose hunt. We knew the 160 ABs were probably better for that application, but we had the 168 ABLRs ready to go and went with that. He ended up shooting a caribou and put 2 into it at 250 yds, first one a little far back and nicked the stomach and the second one through the heart. Both hit a rib on entry and neither bullet exited, which we found surprising. He didn't dig through the gut pile to find the bullets.

We will go back to the 160 ABs, especially for elk sized game and larger.

 

[bonepoint]

Forgot to mention that he did find bullet fragments all over. I didn't look up exact impact speed, but surprised they were so explosive at around 2,700 - 2,800 fps.

On the other hand, we have taken a few deer and elk with the 129 ABLR out of a 6.5 Creedmoor, and those held together well and penetrated deep. Perfect bullet for those speeds.

 

[Swandive]

Also following.
I am planning on building a 28 Nosler, and wondering about what I should do the barrel twist rate in hopes of doing the 175g ABLR.
Really like the idea of the high BC, but if the 168g is money, nothing wrong with that.

 

[tak]

Unfortunately I can't say a whole lot better about the bergers or eld-x. I'm to the point I can't hardly trust any of these high bc cup and core bullets anymore, at least for elk.
The terminal ascent bullet worked fantastic for us last year out of a 300wsm. Sure wish they had a heavier 7mm.


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Supposedly they're making it. I haven't seen any though. Haven't been able to find the 155s, or even full factory loads.

http://media.vistaoutdoor.com/presskit/NPS/Federal_Premium/Terminal-Ascent-Component-Bullet-Line-Ext/21-NPS_Ammo_FederalPremium_Terminal-AscentCB-ext1_FNL.pdf

 

[Forest]

Supposedly they're making it. I haven't seen any though. Haven't been able to find the 155s, or even full factory loads.

http://media.vistaoutdoor.com/presskit/NPS/Federal_Premium/Terminal-Ascent-Component-Bullet-Line-Ext/21-NPS_Ammo_FederalPremium_Terminal-AscentCB-ext1_FNL.pdf

That is fantastic news I hadn't seen that. Ironically I had contacted federal a month or so ago asking for this exact thing and got told nothing in the plans but would pass it along to the development team. Would love to get my hands on some and work up a load with both them and 155 hammers. I think I've decided I won't be happy with the performance of the ablr

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[tak]

That is fantastic news I hadn't seen that. Ironically I had contacted federal a month or so ago asking for this exact thing and got told nothing in the plans but would pass it along to the development team. Would love to get my hands on some and work up a load with both them and 155 hammers. I think I've decided I won't be happy with the performance of the ablr

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I hope it hasn't been put on hold because I really haven't heard much about it, and the part numbers aren't on the website.

I had great results with the terminal ascent in 308. I really want to try it in 280 Ackley. 155's are probably perfect for all around. The 175s will be even better in the faster 7's.

 

[Forest]

I hope it hasn't been put on hold because I really haven't heard much about it, and the part numbers aren't on the website.

I had great results with the terminal ascent in 308. I really want to try it in 280 Ackley. 155's are probably perfect for all around. The 175s will be even better in the faster 7's.

I contacted federal again today, when I typed the part number in Google most retailers listed it as 165 gr so I asked about that and the availability, this is the reply I got:

"We are currently not building them in any volume yet as we are trying to get caught up on our loaded rounds of Terminal Ascent due to unprecedented demand. However, they will be 165 grains."



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[PsRpOiGrRiAtM]

My 7mm Rem loves the 155s, so I'd just be happy getting some more of them to load up.

 

[tak]

I contacted federal again today, when I typed the part number in Google most retailers listed it as 165 gr so I asked about that and the availability, this is the reply I got:

"We are currently not building them in any volume yet as we are trying to get caught up on our loaded rounds of Terminal Ascent due to unprecedented demand. However, they will be 165 grains."



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Weird, doesn't seem like enough of an increase from the 155's. Either way sounds like it'll be a while.

 

[tak]

My 7mm Rem loves the 155s, so I'd just be happy getting some more of them to load up.

Hopefully, we'll see them. I've found 308 terminal ascent in stock on Federal's website several months ago, but haven't seen any 280AI, 7 mag, or any 155 projectiles.

Ammoseek doesn't seem to include the direct federal website either, so I try to check directly when I think about it.