So I loaded up some Sierra Pro Hunter bullets in my wife's 7mm-08. The load is 120gr SPT being pushed by 47gr of Hodgdon 4007 SSC powder. I don't have a chronograph, but the load should be somewhere around 28-2900 FPS. She shot a 190-200 pound whitetail this weekend through the rig cage at about 60 yards. The bullet lodged just under the off side hide so we were able to recover the jacketed mushroom. I cleaned the bullet and weighed it when we got home. I'm a little disappointed in the weight retention of the bullet. The bullet only weighed 73.6gr. Should I be concerned about this much weight loss in a rib lung/liver shot? Any thoughts from the reloading brotherhood? BASSHAWK

The result was perfectly predictable, to my mind, in that the 120 is a light for bore size bullet weight. Why weren't you using 140 grain bullets, which are very much standard in the 7mm-08?

I agree. I tried the 120gr PH bullet through my 7-08. I got several "no-exit" results from central tx deer. I stepped up to the 140gr GameKings 5yrs ago, and have yet to recover a bullet from a few dozen pigs and deer.

The 120's anchored them, but I like an exit wound.

I had similar results with 120gr Nosler BT'S. I had/have some 140gr Nosler Accubonds to test or use but haven't tested them yet. I used 162gr Hornady's last year with outstanding results.

The bullet lost 38% of its weight. The Pro Hunter bullets are a cost effective, basic lead hunting bullet. It's one of the best hunting bullets out there. The 120 is on the medium to light weight side out of the 7mm. The 140's and heavier will give you better penetration. Weight retention will be about the same, but you have a heavier bullet to start with. I'd say the 120 grain gave good performance, and it was fairly predictable with the results.

Well the biggest reason we went with the 120gr bullets was for a few pounds less recoil. With that said, should I be concerned with the weight loss or should we be okay? If I am going to continue to use the lighter bullets, would it be better to step up to one of the "premium" offerings? Say the TSX, partition or interbonds? BASSHAWK

If you want to stay with 120 range bullets and still get pass thru on broad side ribcage shots, use the Partition. I do not have experience with other premiums but have complete confidence in the NPs

Good advice. Except that the lightest partition in 7mm is 140gr.

Unless you go to a bonded core or monolithic bullet you are going to loose weight on impact. The BT's are fine on game they just didn't give me consistent exits on game which I prefer. This was even the case on shots where no heavy bone was encountered.

Another good option for weight retention and pass thru shots are 120gr TTSX, I won't shoot anything else in my 7mm-08.

I've been loading Nosler 120 gr BT in 7-08 for the last 4 years. I have shot deer and hogs with this gun and the only time I have not had a pass through was on head shots on large boars. I have yet to have to track an animal. Most of my shots are between 50-250 yards.

Hmmm, never thought that they wouldn't have 120 class Partitions but you are right JJH, So now we have a bulet they should add to their offering of 7mms
TC

I bought a box of 120gr Nosler Hunting Ballistic tips a couple of weeks ago. I was running out of time before opening weekend of rifle season. We were still working on load development and still sighting in and still getting comfortable with shooting a new rifle and breaking in the barrel. Yes, I know that is a lot of things to be doing in the weeks before opening day. Now that we have done all of these fun things, we can really get down to having some fun with different bullets. I'm thinking the next bullets are going to still be 120gr. One will be the Nosler BT's and the other will probably be TSX's. BASSHAWK

Another consideration.

I made some 110 grain .277 cal pro hunter loads for my wife to shot in my 270. Acording to the data I have they are moving around 2600 fps. I have not recovered one yet with 2 does and 2 hogs(all over 100 pounds) and two were through and through both shoulders on 1 deer and 1 hog.

If you slow the PH's down just a tad they will likely exit and retain a little more weight.

If you want wgt retention use Barnes and their loading manual. You can shoot a 100 grain Barnes faster and have about 100 percent wgt retention. You will have to probably have to change your cleaning procedures and all of your load materials except brass and primers, but you will solve your problems. I wore out a 7mm Remington Mag and used about every premier bullet made in the 70-80s because of the same problem on Elk and Mulies The expense may be in load development.

I'm not really worried about the expense. Once you get a good load developed, your cost to shoot drops way down anyway. Plus, we have found a good plinking round with the Sierra load. It doesn't really need to be tinkered with. I have a box of the Nosler BT's and will work on that one next to see if anything looks promising. Then to the TSX or some other bonded type bullet. BASSHAWK

The .284 120 grain ballistic tip is something of an anomaly. Check out the first couple pages of this thread:

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/8026995/1