have had good results with 140 gr. ballistic tips on deer-don't expect an exit hole--just expect a dead deer.

I have not lost a Deer or Pig since I started using Ballistic tips in my 30.06 and 308.
I use 150 grain outta the .06 and 165 outta the 308.

I have had both huge exit wounds and no exit wounds but in every single case the result was as cdhunt said, a dead animal that died in their tracks.
Ballistic tips are designed more for long range shots where bullet velocities are not as great and fast, easy bullet expansion is needed as a result of reduced velocities.
Stories of fragmentation are usually the result of short range shots where velocities are greater. It should be noted that all my shots are almost always under 150 yards with 70 or 80 being the norm, but I have had excellent results.

I wont even touch the Elk/big enuff cartridge thing but for Pigs and deer the 7mm 140's would be a great combo.

140 grain is good for deer, the fast expansion means the right amount of tissue damage for a clean kill. Plus, the 140 grain 7 mag bullet amounts to less recoil than the 150 and 160 grain bullets. 160 grain class is meant strictly for elk and bigger. They literally won't expand in small game like deer, I made this mistake, and got to see it firsthand.

[ This Message was edited by: Captain_Obvious on 2004-02-07 19:16 ]

Utah,
I have been reloading for over ten years and Nosler ballistic tips have been one of my most utilized bullets.Good performance on game and accuracy that is usually the best of any designed for game animals.
In my findings having killed a lot of deer with Ballistic Tip bullets in calibers smaller than .284(7MM) go for the heavy for caliber bullet weight and you will get good results along with a good exit hole in a dead deer on broadside presenting targets or shots where heavy bone is not encountered.If normal shots are closer than 100 yards along with high velocity at impact such as your 7 mag will produce with 140 grain bullets and target presentation may require severe angling shot I would recommend at least shooting 150 gr Ballistic Tip or better yet the all around Nosler Partition in 150 or 160 gr weights.

Generally speaking, ballistic tips are for quick expansion and less penetration. On animals deer sized or smaller, the 140 grain in 7mm is an outstanding performer. You should have no problem with this load on Mulies.

However, these bullets are not suitable for elk or pig hunting. Pigs have a bone structure that makes getting to the vitals a challenge. Controlled expansion like a Partion or bonded core bullet would be far more effective for pig hunting. You've got to get past some big bones in most cases, and the bal tip just may not be enough, even in the 7 mag.

For elk, you've got more mass to go through to get to the vital area. A quick expanding 140 may not make it through the lungs, and elk can take a lot of punishment and still run off. It would be better to poke a broomstick sized hole through both lungs than to thump them in the side with a sledgehammer. You might knock him down that way, but when he gets up he will most likely be gone. The last elk I shot was with a 160 grain 7mm controlled expansion bullet. I hit a rib on the way in at 100 yards, and it blew up and create a 2+" diameter wound on the entry side. The bullet blew apart anyways, but the resulting explosion of 4 square inches of ribs and bullet minced up his lungs and he fell down and never got back up again. I found 2/3 of the bullet on the opposite side of him in his shoulder and lodged in the opposite rib, no exit wound. Had that been a 140 grain bal tip, I doubt I would've got through the entry rib like I did. That was a spike, too.

depends on what "ballistic" tip your talking about ??
I load a "varmit" ballistic tip for small game and Load a silver tip Ballistic for deer ! a varmit load I would not recommend on deer! It will go in and basicly
go into little pieces, the silver tip will opens fast but controlled expansion.
I use the 140 silver tip myself (7mm WSM) and just love the results on deer!
Even the entry hole is a nice size hole 8)

nosler bullets are my pic,, I shoot a 2506 with ballistic silver tips and I like them for deer, haven't lost one yet and I even get full pass throughs most of the time unless a hit in the shoulder but it still puts them down quickly,, I have watched hunting shows with people using a 180gr. ballistic silvertip in a 300 mag,, and seen them put moose down in their tracks, and the 7mm isn't much smaller so if you went with a heavier bullet for elk I would say that you would be okay using the ballistic silver tip

I'm don't shoot a 7mm. I prefer a 270 or 30. The 140gr - 284 Ballistic tip would be a good round in open terrain where the wind would be a factor to contend with. I don't believe they were designed for heavy boned game, but they work well enough.
I use a 130gr - 270wsm for coyote in open terrain because they beat the wind. I was 22-250 and 243 varmint shooter until I tried the 270wsm.
I think these 130gr fly around until they find what I was aiming at and tag it. HaHa.
They go where I point them. I can't see why the 140gr 7mm wouldn't do the same thing.

I like the 140 grain boat tails or Noslers best. I just see the best performance from them in my 7mm Magnum rifles.

UTAH........First off the 7mm ballistic tips you have are more for the taking of animals in the 300 pound weight class and downward. The bullet itself is designed for long range use, thus the boatail giving added BC to the bullet. Less air drag on the bullet, so it keeps it's energy level higher than other types of bullets.

I have seen both sides of these bullets used on deer and bigger game animals. On deer and antelope they seem to work very well, as long as one doesn't strike a shoulder bone etc.......they will explode during such a hit and not penetrate as deeply perhaps as need be.

The Nosler Accubond is a much better suited bullet in my humble opinion for long range or short range taking of big game animals with a magnum type caliber such as you have. I personally would forgetabout those bullets you have and just use them for target practice only or taking of perdators and varmints perhaps.

I have done tests on the Nosler Accubond and I was impressed with this bullet, that only costs half as much as Swift A Frames or Bear Claws. I will be shooting more Accubonds in the near future........the price it right and the bullet is a tuff one on big game from whitetail to moose size animals. On bears I will use the Nosler Partition Gold or Swift A Frames for added insurance on dangerous critters.