Thread: Kimber 16in 7mm08 loads

Yeah I have done a lot of math and comparisons as well for me drop doesn't come into it as I have a good scope that I can dial or hold over with, and energy on target is only part of the performance on game which I will explain next.

A few of years ago I was looking around on the internet for heavy 7mm08 load's as I wasn't really getting good performance with the 139/140 gr bullets I had been using. While on this search I came across a statement that the heavy bullets in the Sierra 7mm range where only suitable in the magnums as they where too "hard" to be used at standard velocity's. Not taking anybody's word for it I email Sierra and asked the question, the reply I got was "You need at least 2000 FPS on impact for reliable expansion with all 3 of those bullets". This was for the 150, 160, 175 Gamekings. So I ran some numbers through a ballistics calc and the original statement holds true with Sierra bullets, you just don't get enough of an increase in BC to overcome the velocity drop to warrant going to a heavy bullet in the Sierra line. Actually for a laugh I ran the 120 Prohunter and it came out on top at 350m (380Yd) but the wind drift was pretty bad.
Admittedly since then there has been a big advancement in bullet technology and this may longer ring true, But since then I have used 2000fps as a minimum velocity rather than the often quoted 1000 ft/lbs of energy when deciding on how far I could theoretically shoot with a given bullet.
I reckon the 150 ELD-X would be one of the better choices from bush distances to as far as you could comfortably shoot, if you can get them to group in your rifle.
Just some food for thought.