7mm Magnum and 139 grain SST Interlocks

Going to try to work up a some loads for deer season because I only have a few loaded 160 Accubonds from last year. I like to salvage bullets I already have on the bench, looking to use the 139 grain SST Interlock ( old red box ) and RL-19 and see what pops up at the range. Looking to push it close to 3300 fps with the 26 inch Brux barrel.

Any great powders that you guys use with 139 grain Hornady SST Interlocks in the 7 Magnum?
Thanks

IMR 4350 is my go to in 7RM for 139-140 grain Bullets.

I wouldn't try for warp speed loads with the 7mag/139SST combo. I've had some gruesome results with them at close range, high speeds several years ago. When I load for my 7mags I usually reach for RL22 first.

x2.

How fast were you pushing the SST's when you had the gruesome results? What would be the preferred speed using the SST's without blowing baseball sized holes? I normally shoot through the lungs so I wont have to worry about bloodshot meat.

IT was 3270 from muzzle, impact at 100 yds. Shots off of bone may be fine, as my issues have been when bone was encountered.

If your not looking for destruction on the muzzle end I’d look into a different bullet and combo.

First and quick trip to the range, done round robin on six 3 round charges in .3 increments. Looks like a good deer load with the SST Interlock with 65.5 grains of RL-19 at a speed of 3,100 fps average with 8 fps ES. This speed should do it without too much frangibility hopefully. I have not pushed it further nor will waste my time fiddling with it. Group is reasonable for 300 yards and under.

Side note, maximum charge in the Nosler manual states 65.5 grains at over 3,300 fps, and according to Quickloads after inputting my data, I found that my H20 case capacity is 5.25 grains more than the standard, it could be reason why its pushing it slow. It seems I have more room to push it faster. Just a thought.

It certainly shoots just fine. I will bet the SST at 3100 fps used at under 200 yards produces big wounds.

I would agree. I also think the "interlock" is a gimmick it does not stop core separation.

I have had many of the spire point innerlok bullets perform as they are supposed to. The SST I think is designed to lose more weight and high velocity doesn't help.

I have made a batch with the 139 SST Interlocks for deer season and kept the speed at 3100 fps. so it won't frag as much and I want an exit on lung shots. Also ran another grain on the existing ladder test as well and speed went up to 3340 fps. before I saw pressure. Just using the ladder test for my notes.

Thanks fellas for the advises.

Massive exit wounds and extensive internal damage. I shoot this and the 162 SST exclusively in my 7 mag

Just got in from my hunt, bagged a cull 8 point buck using the 7mm Magnum with those 139 grain SST Interlocks. Used RL-19 and velocity around 3125 fps and hit the buck broadside at the crease behind the shoulder and exited the opposite side and it broke into a run into the heavy brush. Blood splatter where it stood and a nice blood trail for 40 yards and a pool of blood where it stopped and keeled over. Bullet hit where I wanted it to at 165 yards. Starting in the morning to do the meat process. Game camera captured the same buck a week before.

Good work.

Do you cut the ribs?

Thanks, I sliced and took the slabs of meat from the ribs and lower flaps, they have some decent meat on there for ground. There aren't much between the ribs, maybe for beef jerky but I never have tried to process jerky. Hopefully one day.

What about you?

Yeah we cut the meat between ribs and add it to the ground. I don't think I have seen about anyone else who keeps them is why I ask. Heck most people get the 4 legs traps and maybe tenders and call it good.

I’m curious how a person makes beef jerky with deer meat.

Meat below the knees have lots of fibers, I also save them cut out most of the outside fibers and throw those meats in a crock pot with ingredients for around 6 hours and real tasty and tender. Fibers tend to dissolve when cooked longer. You won't notice its there.