Big Bore Hunting Round?

[RTman26]

Back in the early 90's my dad used to do quite a bit of IHMSA shooting (my first "job" was setting targets) and has since passed most of his guns along to me. These include a T/C in 22 hornet, 357, and 7tcu; as well as two E. Arthur BFs--one in 7mm super mag (which is my absolute favorite), and the other in 7us. He also has an xp in 7br...but that he still has firmly tucked away in his own closet.

Now I know the basics of these cartridges, and how to reload them, I Just get a little confused as to which would have the best knockdown power for a deer. I'm looking to buy a T/C rifle barrel and stock for an unused receiver (Original style "G1" contender) that he has and I'm really not sure which one to choose. I have a Speer reloading manual, but it telling me that something is traveling at the speed of light doesn't really help me as to whether or not it will take down something that weighs 150 or 200 lbs (fingers crossed).

Any information you guys might have would be greatly appreciated. Oh, and one other thing: I'm having a hard time finding information on the 7mm super mag. I know its a 357 max necked down to a 7mm (i think), but does anyone have any specs on it? I also know it's a little tricky to load. Ok, that's enough out of me. Thanks in advance!

[19 Turkeys]

You did not specify the animal(s) you would be hunting. Thus, I will assume deer and smaller. Any of the chamberings you mentioned will work save the 22 Hornet. The main thing will be bullet selection. You will need a hunting bullet that will provide reliable expansion at the velocities you will be running. To illustrate, years ago a silhouette shooter in Ohio took his Dan Wesson .357 Magnum hunting and he used his silhouette load which was using a 200 grain 35 Remington spire pointed rifle bullet. He hit the deer six times with no bullet expansion and he just drilled pencil holes in it. He was lucky that the last shot was a heart shot.

I hope this helps.

Steve W.
PS: Shooting IHMSA matches will hone your hunting skills! Come on back!

[RTman26]

Yeah I knew the hornet wouldn't work for something like that. I guess I'll just bug the old man and see which one he would pick.

Any info on the 7mm super mag?

[RTman26]

Looking at some of the specs on eabco, I want a 7brm but the wait is about 17 weeks which is longer than I care to wait. I also l
ike the 6.5 brm and will probably order one of those for now, but do any of you have any experience with either of these rounds?

[marshall623]

RT I would go with the 7US I think it would be close to a 7-30. Should put the drop on any white Tail with 120gr bullets

[Win1917]

+1...any of those 7's with a 120 gr Ballistic Tip would be ample deer medicine.

[rr1220]

i have had a 6.5brm for 2years now and have used it with some success in uas,i do not hunt but believe it could be used for such with the proper load,reloading and forming your own brass is a must if you want any case life though,eabco formed cases lasted 3 loadings for me ,the necks split and the cost of $88 for 100 cases prompted me to form my own,i am currently on my 5th loading with some lots,proper forming takes the brown die set and a 7-30 waters die and proper headspace is a must again for case life,fireforming is done with COW method.Hope this helps in your decision,you can pm me if you have further questions about this caliber ;)

[RTman26]

Thanks for all your info guys. I think a scope is going to find it's way onto the 7us falling block. I have a TC barrel in 7us but the EABCO platform just seems much more stable and comfortable to me.

[ihmsakiwi]

Yeah I knew the hornet wouldn't work for something like that. I guess I'll just bug the old man and see which one he would pick.

Any info on the 7mm super mag?

Hi RTman,

I shoot the BF in 7mm Supermag in IHMSA matches. It is a 40 gun / caliber.
My load is 24 - 25 grains of ADI 2206 (BLC2) with either a 150 gr Blem or the 139gr Hornady. Funnily enough mine shoots the Blem 150gr better than the 139gr. Usual rules apply with starting low and working up. It is not a fussy case to reload, basically a 7TCU with a rim and no neck.
Peter

[RTman26]

My dad said he used to have to anneal all of the cases first to expand the neck. I didnt know if that process was very picky or not. I'm probably just going to use the 7us. I have tons of brass and the dies to do both, I'll just mess around with powder and bullets to see what works out the best. Thanks for the info though!