For the past two seasons, I have had problems with this bullet not creating an exit wound (no blood trail). I have killed several deer over the years with this bullet, but if a deer runs no blood trail is left. This makes tracking difficult.
I shot a good 7 point this morning, and no blood trail. This happened last year with a 9 point I shot, and I ended up finding him 3 days later. My question is, "what ammunition do any of you recommend for a 7 mm rem mag?" I need one that will create good exit wounds, and a good blood trail.

I have shot almost every type of bullet made for my rem .280 and I've gotten the best results from a plain ol rem core lokt. It's the most versatile bullet I've found. Shoots true and holds together . I always get a pass thru.

I shoot lead tip or soft point whatever you want to call it, IN every caliber I got and always will..

You couldn't give me a box of ballistic tips for hunting. BTSP or Core-Lok type bonded bullets only.

What grain of bullet do any of you recommend? I have been using 150 grain.

I love the silver ballistic tips and have never had problems with blood trails. But like said above a basic lead tip will come out the other side most of the time. Are you shooting them in the shoulder? If you shoot them high in the shoulder with that ballistic tip, you won't have to look for blood just walk over and look at your deer. Boom flop

I shoot 165 grain out of my .280. That's the heaviest they make . I like a heavy bullet that will hold together thru brush and delivers a punch.

I try to shoot right behind the shoulder. I have dropped most if the deer I have shot, but the ones that don't drop leave no blood trail.

Core-lokt......the only bullet you'll ever need, and they are cheap.

Shoot them high shoulder

Federal Fusions have worked great out of the rifles I have shot them from. I don't think you would have any problems following the blood trail.

Core-Lokt

I shoot a winchester 7mm wsm , and only use winchesters 140 gr Ballistic silver tips, shoot though branches and everything and I leave a entrance hole as big or bigger than my exit hole, but 9 out of 10 will take a dirt nap on the spot.

I lost the biggest deer I've ever shot with these bullets. I was holding high shoulder when I squeezed the trigger. The deer was 110 yds ranged. Shot the rifle the next day; dead on. I can't say the bullet didn't perform because I never found the deer, but I've made harder shots. Maybe it wasnt the bullet but I changed anyway.

It's hard to argue against the soft points. Core-Lokt and Hornady make some of the best. If you want to keep using a tipped bullet, I'd recommend a Hornady SST, Barnes TTSX or a Nosler Accubond. Find a bullet that is solid copper or one that is bonded, where the copper jacket and lead core will not seperate. The premium bullets I mentioned all expand like a ballistic tip yet hold together like a soft point.

I also think a heavier bullet will help you too. The lighter bullet is traveling so fast that it disintegrates upon resistance. The heavier should punch through.

Another vote for core Lokt! Also like and use the hornady BTSP interlock

never had a problem with them myself. boom flop, plenty of blood.

Same here...I'll NEVER shoot a ballistic tip of any kind!

I use to shoot a Winchester silver tips in my 25-06. I will never do that again. I did not get pass throughs with this setup. I've never had a problem with Core Lokts.

I was told not to use ballistics for that very reason and so I have never used them. was also told ballistics tend to destroy a greater amount of meat, but like I said I don't use them so I can't prove it.

150 grain core locts in my aught 6 only, but one friend swears boat tails perform better. (at about 10 dollars more a box!)