Thread: can't leave well enough alone 7mm rem mag 180gn eldm and VLD

Good to see im not the only nocturnal member. Yip to right i always shot the amax loved them then i used the edx when i came to the end of my amax shot a few lost as many then 175eldx shot a few lost a couple then sighting in the new 6.5 using the eldm it came with found one of the jackets on the face of the beer box . The short of it is I and Im only speaking for me I no lots of others seem to have better luck . Hate them red tipped little buggers and will be dammed if i ever buy another box again. The Bergers are pricy but my round counts bugger all once its tuned so not to much of a worry I shot a goat at 400 the other day with a 130 vld and was well happy with the hole . Another mate of mine down souths found the eldm a real meat fucker to . So for me if my trophie stags going to run a k and die or my meat animals meats ruined their not for me. Youll have fun with a RM im yet to find a fussy one and man they kill dead over all rangers

My vote goes to the 180 eldm. More predictable at closer ranges due to the extra mass, they don't tend to blow up at high speed like there lighter counterpart. Also less wind drift.
I believe the 180 Berger works the same.
In the 7rm I also enjoyed the Barnes 120 ttsx @3330fps. Was flat shooting and no lead poisoning.
End of the day it is trial and error to see what is an accurate but also one that has terminal Ballistics to your liking.

Shot my ladder today and have included my best 3 loads here.
First pic 2 shots @ 100cyards gave 2965fps and 2929fps
Second pic 2 shots @ 100 yards gave 2974fps and 2970fps
3rd pic 2 shots @100 yards gave 3007fps and 3014fps
Gonna load up 5 at each of those weights and see how it goes.
Interestingly enough up around the 3080 to 3140fps my accuracy was awful groups opened out to 3 or 4 inches and speed variations opened up to 32fps, not that it matters with a 4" spread I want accuracy and don't intend to shoot out past 650 yards in the field, I got no signs of pressure at all even on my hottest load that was .5gn above adi book max so there's every chance I could chase a higher node but I think with the eldm's driving them faster may just make them more explodey at closer ranges ie: within 200 yards.
Keen to hear opinions and I'm sure I will

Sweet as pic 5, 2970 fps. That's a good load, off hunting you go!
I assume that's the 162 eldm?

Originally Posted by Gkp

Sweet as pic 5, 2970 fps. That's a good load, off hunting you go!
I assume that's the 162 eldm?

Have loaded up five in each of the charge weights listed above will shoot them in the morning to see which is most consistent speed and grouping and run with that.

Back at the range this morning and good results put 4 shots into a .34" group unfortunately I muffed the 5th but that's on me I'm still getting used to shooting this rifle.
Got consistent speed with an es of 20fps over 5 shots and average speed of 2963.4fps
I'd say she's ready to go hunting....
I could have shown you a .34" 4 shot group but here's the honest 5 shot with one flier.

Danny, 162's and 2217 right?

Originally Posted by Dicko

Danny, 162's and 2217 right?

162's and 2225 mate

Nice shooting Danny even with the flier. Time to line up some game.

Originally Posted by Mooseman

Nice shooting Danny even with the flier. Time to line up some game.

Time to load up some hunting ammo but I'll be shooting ducks for the next few weeks, possibly head up Kaikoura after that.
I was lucky enough to get out for a hunt a few weeks ago and put 3 fallow in the freezer so no rush.

Originally Posted by Mooseman

Nice shooting Danny even with the flier. Time to line up some game.

Have now dropped 3 reds with the 162eldm and all 3 were bang flops 2 through the shoulder and 1 through the neck all at 200 yards give or take, pretty pleased with them.
I have however had the house to myself today so loaded up a ladder of 168gn bergers to try out when the weather clears.

@dannyb ive got 14 175gr berger elite hunters if you want something else to tinker with....

Originally Posted by wsm junkie

@dannyb ive got 14 175gr berger elite hunters if you want something else to tinker with....

Thanks for the offer I'll see how these bad boys go first

For anyone wondering I have shot a few deer with the 180 eldm out of my rem mag. Very pleased so far. Shot a red hind at 742 yards in the shoulders she never took another step. Ill keep running them to see how they perform on a few more deer

I have found the 180 eldm to give far more consistent results at various ranges than the 162s and 168s of the above mentioned.