7WSM Deer Bullet

[stan5677]

In the process of gathering components for my 7WSM build which includes reloading equipment. Does anyone have any recommendations for a deer bullet.

 

[Tahoe1305]

Something heavy enough or strong enough for the 7wsm speeds that it won’t blow up.

As an example. 162 eldx at 3200 = no good inside of 300 yds. 175 eldx at 2975 much better (from experience)

160 accubonds likely better if you want the speed because they are tougher (assuming).

Go as heavy as you can or whatever gets you close to 3000fps is my 2 cents.

 

[stan5677]

Something heavy enough or strong enough for the 7wsm speeds that it won’t blow up.

As an example. 162 eldx at 3200 = no good inside of 300 yds. 175 eldx at 2975 much better (from experience)

160 accubonds likely better if you want the speed because they are tougher (assuming).

Go as heavy as you can or whatever gets you close to 3000fps is my 2 cents.

Would something like a 150g TTSX work?

 

[Tahoe1305]

Would something like a 150g TTSX work?

Not familiar with those, sorry. That’s awfully light for wsm IMO. But it would be flat!

I think wsm shines 160-180 class. Again just my opinion though. I’m sure many kill with 150s and 140s

 

[6mm Remington]

Any of these would work for you and work very well at that!

Nosler:
140 gr: Accubond - Partition - E-tip

150 gr: Accubond - Partition - E-tip

160 gr: Accubond - Partition

I have a custom 280 Ackley Improved that I used on my grizzly bear hunt in Alaska in 2019. I had complete confidence using the rifle with my load shooting 140 gr. Nosler Accubonds. ONE shot at 158 yards and my bear was dead almost instantly. I hit him tight behind the right shoulder in the lungs. He spun 180 degrees into the shot and did two somersaults and was done. Never moved again. Shoot any of these that your rifle likes best and use it for Everything big-game wise.
David

 

[SpringM1A]

The 139gr Hornady SSTs are a good choice for deer out of the .284s. I used this load on many many deer and have had some very terminal deer. I have also used accubonds, partitions, fail safes, combined technology BTs, etc. As long as you put the bullet where it needs to be placed the deer will never know what hit them.

 

[Tahoe1305]

The 139gr Hornady SSTs are a good choice for deer out of the .284s. I used this load on many many deer and have had some very terminal deer. I have also used accubonds, partitions, fail safes, combined technology BTs, etc. As long as you put the bullet where it needs to be placed the deer will never know what hit them.

Brother I have to respectfully disagree. At slower velocities SSTs are great ( I like them on 6.5g and 300blk, even 308) but unless you throttle way back a 7wsm, they’d be traveling about 3400fps from the barrel. That bullet is softer than eldx.

I have a well placed 162eldx in a white tail at 80 yds. Impact was maybe 3100fps. From what I could tell it didn’t hit bone(rib) and it fragmented everywhere.

To your point, the animal was very dead. But cleaning a deer that has multiple fragments through the guts isn’t enjoyable and the meat gets a part of that as well.

That’s my only point. WSM is a fast round. Faster than 280AI. And most 7mm cartridges. A very tough bullet is required or you will have issues (thinner skin animals will no doubt die still).

 

[mxgust]

The 160 accubonds have done really well for me on both elk and mule deer out of my 7wsm. I also used to use some factory federal trophy bonded tip with good success too. Bunch of kills with both mostly between 100-400 yards

 

[rootacres]

168 Berger
140/150/160 Accubond
150 TTSX
143/155 Hammer

What barrel length will you have? My 22" 7 WSM pushed 168gr Berger classic hunters at 2850 fps, my 7 SAUM pushes 168gr VLDs at 2830 fps. At those speeds I wouldn't hesitate to use Bergers/ELDX.

Truth be told, aside from going with a super light bullet with crazy velocities pretty much any reputable bullet will do just fine.

 

[260madman]

120 NBT. Crank em out fast at 3400+fps or reduced load and less recoil at 3000 fps. You’ll have a magnum or 7-08 with one rifle. I use these in my 7RM for deer and the occasional coyote that has the horrible luck of crossing the field in front of me when deer hunting.

 

[hersh2209]

Accubond 160gr have taken muleys, elk, and whitetail.. they shoot great outta my Browning A bolt

 

[Kimber7man]

Would something like a 150g TTSX work?

Yes. Drill shoulders....

 

[TheHammer]

168 LRX

 

[stan5677]

168 Berger
140/150/160 Accubond
150 TTSX
143/155 Hammer

What barrel length will you have? My 22" 7 WSM pushed 168gr Berger classic hunters at 2850 fps, my 7 SAUM pushes 168gr VLDs at 2830 fps. At those speeds I wouldn't hesitate to use Bergers/ELDX.

Truth be told, aside from going with a super light bullet with crazy velocities pretty much any reputable bullet will do just fine.

24'' barrel

 

[stan5677]

24'' barrel and i'm keeping the build as a short action

 

[zrodwyo]

The 7mm wsm is basically a ballistic twin of the 7mm rem mag.

I’ve owned several 7mm WSMs and killed elk and mule deer with the 162 eld-x, berger 180 hybrids, and the 168 Berger hunting VLD. They all performed well and shot good.

Attached are photos of a 162 ELD-X @3050 muzzle velocity and the elk was shot behind the shoulder at 500 yards. Bullet stopped in the offside hide.

 

[stan5677]

The 7mm wsm is basically a ballistic twin of the 7mm rem mag.

I’ve owned several 7mm WSMs and killed elk and mule deer with the 162 eld-x, berger 180 hybrids, and the 168 Berger hunting VLD. They all performed well and shot good.

Attached are photos of a 162 ELD-X @3050 muzzle velocity and the elk was shot behind the shoulder at 500 yards. Bullet stopped in the offside hide.

View attachment 454069View attachment 454070

I plan on keeping this build as a short action so I'll be limited on the longer high bc bullets

 

[zrodwyo]

I plan on keeping this build as a short action so I'll be limited on the longer high bc bullets

I run a short action as well. I was single feeding the 180s. The others fed through the magazine just fine.

 

[stan5677]

Based upon components I can find I'm looking at the 160gr Accubond/partition, 150gr TTSX, 145gr LRX, 162gr ELD-X, 150gr Hornady CX, 150gr E-Tip, and 168gr VLD

 

[260madman]

Out of those I’d go accubomb. Other guys will say 162 ELD-X.