7x64 120 gr copper

[Tobe]

New to this forum but I have a Scultz & Larsen in 7x64. I bought it in 2017 and I have shot TTSX 150 gr with a bunch of Norma MRP (hot load), and the precision in that load is prefect.
Now the authorities have lowered the requirements for bullet weight from 139 gr to 120 gr for copper bullets for class 1 (fellow, red deer, boars, moose, bear) in Sweden. and I thought I would test TSX 120 gr in the caliber.
I realize that Norma 204, Norma MRP and VV N160 are a bit too slow. What is recommended to ligher bullets? Norma 203-B, Norma URP, VV N550?

In Sweden we just have Norma and Vithavouri powders. Some hunting stores have other varieties but that is unusual.

 

[Heym SR20]

New to this forum but I have a Scultz & Larsen in 7x64. I bought it in 2017 and I have shot TTSX 150 gr with a bunch of Norma MRP (hot load), and the precision in that load is prefect.
Now the authorities have lowered the requirements for bullet weight from 139 gr to 120 gr for copper bullets for class 1 (fellow, red deer, boars, moose, bear) in Sweden. and I thought I would test TSX 120 gr in the caliber.
I realize that Norma 204, Norma MRP and VV N160 are a bit too slow. What is recommended to ligher bullets? Norma 203-B, Norma URP, VV N550?

In Sweden we just have Norma and Vithavouri powders. Some hunting stores have other varieties but that is unusual.

Not the 7x64 but its sister the 7x65R i have been using the RWS 140gn HIT factory load to good effect. I have also used the 145gn Fox to good effect.

Looking at the Viht data N160 looks to give the best velocities and the data shows a good load for Barnes 150gn TSX bullet.

Even with lighter 120 bullets it seems a good choice.

7x64 / 65R usually have pretty fast twist barrels so a 150gn bullet will stabilise, as you have found. If it works, as you suggest it does, why bother changing?

When I started loading the 7x65r 15 odd years ago Norma MRP seemed powder of choice, but was unobtainable in the UK at that time.

 

[r judd]

I load 120gr TTSX in my 7x64 using N150.
51.9 gr 3200fps

 

[Tobe]

Norma has annouced that MRP is out of order. So that's why I will find something to replace that powder with.


I tested this two bullets today with Norma URP, and shot over a cronograf.
Barnes TSX 120 gr
COL 82,5 mm (3,250 in)
CCI250
Norma case (app. 66 gr/h20)
54,1 gr - 890 m/s (2935 fps)
54,8 gr - 935 m/s (3065 fps)
55,5 gr - 950 m/s (3115 fps)


Barnes TTSX 140 gr
COL 84,0 mm
CCI250
Norma case (app. 66 gr/h20)
51,1 gr - 850 m/s (2790 fps)
51,8 gr - 865 m/s (2835 fps)
52,5 gr - 875 m/s (2870 fps)

I simulated the loads before in Quickload and I can see that in reality I am about 40 m/s (130 fts) lower.

I got the best accuracy with the middle load of 140 gr. Three shots of 10 mm. 120 gr did not shoot badly, but was around 20-25 mm.

 

[Selous]

I have used the 7mm 120g TTSX for years in the 7mm Rem Mag for Roe, red, fallow and Sika deer. Great bullet…. I found the optimum velocity to be 3200-3300fps. This should be achievable in the 7x64 I would guess. Faster than that and petals get shed with close shots. I have shot hundreds of deer and never had one fail to exit.

 

[Tobe]

I loaded up some to the drivenhunt this weekend. I tested them both, i got a chance on a boar about 70 kg with TTSX 140 gr. And I don't think the first shot had passed through. I can se if I find the bullet!
I had the luck to also shot a fellow calf, then I shot with 120 gr TSX. About 85 m. And it was dead before it hit the ground.