Don't know about you, but I've never been able to dictate what distance I kill stuff at.

Barnes claims that the 139gr .284 LRX will expand 1.7x at 1400FPS and 2x at 1600FPS, it was designed for long range hunting and to expand at low velocities. My understanding is not all LRX bullets use the same data for expansion as the 160gr needs 1600FPS. I have no desire to use the bullet, but thought the information was interesting.

The only way to know is to test it yourself. Between the embellished results manufacturers claim, paid media, and internet experts, it is hard to get the truth.

Agree. Monos are getting better and better. Somehow Barnes can make a low velocity expanding bullet for a 300 Blackout. Maybe they can make an LRX that expands at low velocity as well.

7 SAUM brass is impossible to find.

See if you can find 7 WSM.

Not correct.

I've got ammo getting picked up tomorrow. 7 SAUM with a 180 gr Berger.

It shoots tight and much faster than I expected. He brought me the brass that took him forever to find.

It cycled from the magazine with no problems.

Just a data point for the argument, 7-08 AI, 166 A-Tip, 24” barrel, 2750 fps with 42.85g Varget.

Not enough case there to seat a super long bullet and stay in the magazine. Maybe with Staball.

What’s not correct lol.

"Trying to squeeze long high BC bullets into a shorter action can complicate things".

Not correct.

^^^^Exactly!!
I always think this but never comment about it. Thanks for helping me out.
Does anyone change bullets real quick based on distance??
I just want to shoulder rifle and put the one big crosshairs right on em and squeeze. KISS

So it can’t? Or it didn’t in your example? It has for many.

This is not one isolated example. I've seen the same positive outcome across many short action combinations.

Load to mag length if necessary.

But the O.P. is talking about having a rifle built. In that case, there's not a problem with long high BC bullets being loaded in short mag cartridges. As long as the builder knows what he's doing.

Yeah it works fine but mine would work better with more mag room. I’m sure there are other ways around it than a long action but many go that way. What I said is still in no way incorrect.

Please don’t bash the non reloader here.

As an owner of two 280 Remingtons, Browning A-bolt Medallion and Ruger M77 Mark II, I will say that I chose mine because they are an excellent alternative to the magnum recoil associated with the then 7mm Magnum. Today even with multiple choices in that caliber range I would still choose the 280 or maybe possibly the 280 AI for a new purchase or build for hunting anything in North America except brown/grizzly bears and for extreme long range shooting.

I get wanting a one piece bullet. But why not choose a tried and true hunting bullet like a Nosler Partition or a Nosler Accubond? I realize they aren’t sexy or new but both perform well in both of my 280s.

Sorry for loving Nosler …

Just my 2 cents.
Big Hutch

I don’t have problems with bergers or any other cup and core bullet close. In bergers I’ve used 115 to 215gr. I killed a buck last year at 25 feet(we rattled him in). Most elk aren’t even 20” from outside shoulder to shoulder which makes most deer less then 16”. My shots are pretty much only high shoulder shots or neck/shoulder crease. I was dropping deer last year with a 77gr TMK from 30-250 yards last year zero issue.

I always see a picture of a dead deer with no lungs left and someone’s mad because they think their bullet failed….. failed to do what, retain 80% of its weight? Its lungs are shredded, it’s dead and you found it. If one wants it to drop where it stood, they need to pick better shot placement

All the partition fans don’t realize that front of the partition is built to act like a cup and core bullet, and retain the back 60% like a FMJ, that back FMJ is basically a wound channel similar to a field point arrow.

I don’t think with today’s modern bullet technology and metal combo there is an issue. Shot what your gun likes is way more important. If there is an issue it’s because some one spun a bullet so fast it shed it’s jacket, not to many people on here pushing bullets over 3600 ft/sec so it’s really not an issue.

When people say on cup and core go big as you can, it’s because it increases, BC, sectional density, and surface area when it opens up

If you gun likes them and you like the on game results shoot them.

I think partition fans understand that perfectly. That is what makes them great.

Bobo, your comment after quoting me didnt seem to apply very directly to my comment but Ill address your "shredded lung" comment.
Most anyone would be Ok with bullet performance that resulted in shredded lungs. I think when someone comments about that they ultimately mean a bullet that does that "might do that too early" and never make it to the vitals. Yes, good results on that one but maybe not the next one. I want one that holds together enough to get into where it counts and I dont want to have to worry about how fast or how far etc. Most consistent performance across all possible situations is what I want.
I dont know enough about various bullets to say which bullets may or may not do that so if yours does then great.

Vast majority don’t, also why they are second only to monolithic on small wound channel at low velocity, but if a person never pushes them that far, then there is no problem nor would they know there is one at low impact speeds

No not directed at you, I don’t think you have ever posted a picture of lungs or any bullet performance . Only thing I was rebutting in general was I have zero yard restrictions in reference to being to close. I have zero fear of a bullet exploding and not making it to vitals. A messy wound channel is a big wound channel it is not a bullet failure as some hypothesis

I guess better way to put it is there isn’t a 7mm bullet that won’t go 3”-4” through a shoulder to chest cavity or 1” through rib cab to get to lungs, but there are bullets designed to cause less damage and smaller wound channels

In my book, if a bullet performs as it was designed, it's not a failure. It's up to the trigger puller to use the right bullet for the job at hand. The fact is the Nosler partition was a brilliantly designed bullet over 60 years ago and remains so today. IME is is the most consistent performer (along with the accubond) of any hunting bullet ever made. Often times the accubond is a bit easier to get accuracy though. As Bobo described, it consistently sheds 30-35% of it's weight, leaving the back "partition" in place to aid bullet penetration, which is also consistently does. Other manufacturers took note and immediately began trying to copy the design, and have been playing catch up ever since. I consider an accubond to pretty much be a "tipped partition" since it basically performs exactly the same, but is an ever so slightly better penetrator.

I couldn't care less what bullet a guy uses, but I do know what I like, and most importantly, why.

I have a new Browning rifle. A Xbolt Speed Long Range 280AI 1@8 26-inch barrel. I have several different bullets try.
Hornady
ELD X 162 175 gr
ELD M 162 180 gr
SST 139 gr
Berger 140 168 180 gr VLD hunting
Berger 150 168 gr Classic Hunter
Nosler Accubond LR 150 168 gr

I am hoping the Berger 168 gr Classic Hunter. Will work out well.

That’s why I shoot partitions. Unless I am fighting for my life I will never take a shot where the velocity of my 280 will be low enough for that to be an issue. For my skills shooting a rifle and my hunting set up, a 300 yard shot would be a long range shot.


Jgraider, excellent points about Noslers. Especially other manufacturers still playing catch up.

V master, good luck on finding what performs best in your rifle. That should be a sweet setup.

Just my 2 cents.
Big Hutch

Pick the 168 Classic Hunter and do a load development. If it's not shooting like you want, it's not on the right recipe or you are a bad shooter. There is no need in "trying" all those other bullets.

Varmint master, I can’t say which bullet is right for you, but if I had that many I was considering I would lose my mind before I started. I would pick my ideal one and try to make it shoot to your liking. If it does, you’re done, if not pick the next one.


That’s just me, I tinker too much with one bullet, I don’t think I could handle it.