Which 7mm bullet do you prefer 168 or 180?

[Hunter609]

Which bullet do you prefer in a .284 168 or 180?

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Let the rifle decide.

 

[XLR]

Run the numbers and see what will stabilize the best out of your rifle!

 

[amassi]

Nothing you point it at will ever know the difference

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

 

[2five7]

168 for 7mm rem/280 AI sized cases, 180 for 7 stw/28 Nosler and up.

 

[N2TRKYS]

Neither of the options listed.

 

[WCB]

160 grain Trophy Bonded Tip...realistically depends if the gun likes it or not. I talk to WAY too many guys that are stuck on a specific bullet or grain weight with ZERO idea if it will actually work in their firearm or not. And at the distances where 99% of animals are killed it will make ZERO difference.

 

[Coues7777]

I shoot the 180 bergers out of my rifle but have 1/8 twist rate....

 

[hereinaz]

Run the numbers. Unless you are shooting beyond 600 yards it just doesn't matter that much, IMO. I shoot 180 because I can get it over 3000 fps and its better beyond 600 yards.

 

[rsiros]

Hit the range and let the gun decide.

 

[Hunter609]

Would probably help to know which bullet(s) you're comparing specifically, at what muzzle velocities, from what twist rate barrel, and what's the intended use for the bullets.

168hvld 2960 and 180hybrid 2840 8” twist and using for any of oregons big game

 

[ungrounded]

During these times, I might just go off of whatever I could find in stock if I were you.

This is your best bet

 

[hereinaz]

168 hvld has a G7 of 0.316 and with a MV of 2960: 2960 * 0.316 = 935.36

180 hybrid has G7 of 0.349, and with a MV of 2840: 2840 * 0.349 = 991.16

ASSuming they both shoot well out of your rifle, the 180 will have a little better exterior ballistic performance. However, in reality, you will likely have a little bit of BC degradation based on lower velocities, so realistic performance will be pretty similar. If you're shooting mid or close range, it obviously won't matter much.

Even at relatively low elevation and temperature, both will be stable out of an 8 twist at those velocities.

Based on assumed charge weights, recoil will be very similar between the two from the same rifle.

Prices are very similar from what I can see.

During these times, I might just go off of whatever I could find in stock if I were you.

Agree.

I typically find it is better to go with velocity over weight/BC and default to the lighter faster bullet. I've run the 168 and 180 Bergers, and unless I can get the 180 to about 3000 fps I default to the 168. I do that because typically in the first 500 yards velocity beats BC for wind deflection based on TOF. At some point, the higher BC will give better ballistics, but then you are really out there. So, they are pretty much the same ballistically, not a clear winner.

For terminal ballistics, I haven't seen a huge difference in killing effectiveness between the two weights. Both work if you put them in the boiler room. I run the 180 but only because I can get the velocity to put the BC to work.

My buddy and his son killed two CO elk last year with his 280 AI Savage ultralight at 430 and 610 with the 168 Bergers I loaded at 2800is fps. The furthest a bull made it was 30-40 yards down hill. It was his first year with that rifle and my only experience with the 168 on animals. Where we were hunting, those were the shots and closing the distance wasn't a practical option.

Precision wise, I have gotten the 168 and 180 to shoot under half an inch in the guns I have tried them.

 

[Kimber7man]

175 elite hunter

 

[Super tag]

My 7 loves the 168VLD with 70.5 grains of H1000 extremely accurate, .015 off lands, I’ve loaded many, many different bullets and combos, cant beat this one for accuracy. Has taken a lot of game at varying distances.

 

[mossyoak52]

162 eldx

 

[Swamplord]

neither

I shoot 195 gr bullets at 3250-3300 fps

 

[5MilesBack]

I've been using 175gr in my 7mag for decades.......Partitions and A-frames.