Round nose bullets for 7mm

tlo7mm · Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 8:06 pm Post subject: Round nose bullets for 7mm

I was curious if anyone on here has ever tried loading 7mm calibers with round nose bullets? I know its not out of the relm of possibility. I realize that loading a round nose bullet may reduce the potential of the flat long shooting 7mm's but I was still interested in any input someone may have about reloading them. Is there an advantage or should I just stick with pointed bullets?

slimjim · Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 8:34 pm Post subject: Re: Round nose bullets for 7mm

I think the advantage is higher bullet mass and sectional density for penetration. If you are hunting large game at close range this is an advantage. A round nose bullet is also shorter in length for a given weight and can be stabilized with a slower twist and fit in shorter magazines.

Elvis hunts with round nose 6.8 mm bullets (160gr .270). He might have other insight.

However, looking at Hornady's options, they make both round nose and pointed in 175 grain. You are taking a whopping hit in BC going with the round nose.

www.hornady.com/store/...mm/?page=2

Elvis · Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 9:00 pm Post subject: Re: Round nose bullets for 7mm

Ive got some grouse 170grn rn speers for my .270 they are accurate enough for me and so far 1 shot= 1 very dead red hind. I know its not 7mm but its plurry close.If you hunt in the scrub/ forest and dont shoot long range why not try them as theres nothing to loose. Ive got another long range accurate load that I carry with me. I figure a long range oppertunity will have more than enough time to get set up and change the load in the magazine.

tlo7mm · Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 1:21 am Post subject: Re: Round nose bullets for 7mm

cool, You confirmed one of my thoughts Elvis with packing long range ammo with you. That is definitly something I am going to consider.

Aloysius · Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 2:41 am Post subject: Re: Round nose bullets for 7mm

And don't forget: the nose of a round nose is much stronger than a spitser when seating in the magazin. Ever seen how accurate a spitser remains after ruining its point?

And there are degrees in "round". In my 300 WM I'm using standard the 180 grs RN of Sierra but in the 6.5x54 MS I use the 160 grs SMP. The fast twist of the 6,5 likes the long bullets.

SingleShotLover · Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 7:31 am Post subject: Re: Round nose bullets for 7mm

slimjim wrote:

A round nose bullet is also shorter in length for a given weight and can be stabilized with a slower twist and fit in shorter magazines.

That is the most common reason for using round-nosed bullets...to be able to use a bullet weight that is a little too long for a particular barrel twist if in a spire-point design. In some cases, like timber or brush country, extended range may not be that much of an issue but the heavier bullet might be important. Before dismissing the distance capabilities of the round-nose for distance, however, try crunching the numbers compared to your favorite spire-point. At your anticipated ranges the difference might be of no real consequence.

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 10:50 am Post subject: Re: Round nose bullets for 7mm

I load the Speer 160 grain Magtip, which isn't a round nose but is pretty blunt, in my .280 for deer here. Shooting distances are generally short compared to out west. However I've only taken one whitetail with it so far so I can't offer much experiance there. He only went about 20 yards after a double lung shot at 35 yards.

Aloysius · Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 12:03 pm Post subject: Re: Round nose bullets for 7mm

I just got me a question: I'm convinced that a round nose is bad for hunting in a .22 LR or an airrifle, even a spitser is a no-go. So why don't we take flat noses instead of RN or SP in the heavier stuff?

Don't get me wrong: the airrifles used in field target competition get round noses for the best results. But for hunting/pest control the target is better served with a flat nose.

Azar · Member Joined: Jan 04, 2010 Posts: 275 Location: Utah

Every time I've "crunched the numbers" the round nose bullet holds it's own out to 250 yards. After that, the benefit of a more aerodynamic bullet becomes readily apparent. So, for short range work I don't really see a downside.

One benefit to round nose bullets is at the shorter ranges where you use them they can often me more accurate than a spitzer due to having such a long bearing surface. This can be especially helpful in a less-than perfect bore.

The 6.5mm 160g Sierra RN (discontinued) is the most accurate bullet I've tested out of my 6.5x55. I've never hunted with them though. Where I hunt shots can be as long as you want to make them so I like better B.C. for longer shots.

fnuser · Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 6:30 pm Post subject: Re: Round nose bullets for 7mm

the penetration on game animals is pretty straight line also so if you are trying to reach a vital the round nose goes in a line usually even after bone contact. this comes from the center of balance being closer to the nose lapua used to make a "forex" I think that was especially front heavy. I have used 220g .308's for much the same reason Azar (less then perfect bore) and got great improvement on 100 yard groups, I was also attributing this to more contact but they also reach further into the throat if your lands are a little eroded this is a plus too.