What do you prefer for smallish deer/antelope: faster 120's (probably Btips), the Sierra 130's as a compromise, or slower 140's with higher BC? Opinions Spock?

I have two 7-30 Waters and use two different bullets but in the range you asked about. My super 14 w/custom break likes the 120grn Nosler BT's or the 120grn Hornady VMax. The VMax is shooting 2034fps from my 14" barrel. I use the Nosler Ballistic Tips for deer here in Oklahoma. I use the VMax for Coyotes and have taken some Prairie Dogs with the Vmax. I also shoot the 14" in Silhouete matches and I use the Hornady 120 SP due to it being less expensive but it is right on out to 200 yds where we shoot the rams. It slams the steel Rams down and I'm sure it would be just as good for a deer.
My TC 7-30 Waters hunter barrel which is about 12" barrel and 2" break likes the Hornady 139grn SST. The 139grn SST is running 2000fps from this barrel. This pistol has taken two whitetail and one hog with the SST bullet and performs great.

You are prabably going to have to try a few different loads. I had a 12inch w/ a factory muzzle brake and it was a little picky. I finally ended up going with powder density, my 140's took up a little more room w/ the same OAL. I never chronoed my loads, but 140 Balistic tips shot a 3/4 inch group @ 100. I killed 3 deer, and got a coyote at 224 yds. Good luck, I think you will be happy w/ any of those bullets!

You may find that your choice of bullets is dictated by the length of your chambers throat. I currently load the Sierra 130 grain SSP bullet, but when I try to seat the bullet just off the lands I find that the bullet is not seated deep enough in the case. The Nosler reloading manual notes that " A seating depth of one bullet diameter inside the case neck gives good alignment and neck tension for ignition". I have been following this rule, and can not complain about accuracy 1" at 100 yards. I expect to be working up some loads this week using the Nosler 140 grain balistic tip just to see if getting closer to the lands will improve the accuracy. Unfortunately I haven't taken any deer with a handgun, so I can't comment on bullet performance on an actual deer.

My barrel loves 120gr V-Max's and RL-7 or 10X. They are right around 2400fps from the Super 14. I've had them to nearly 2600fps ( ) but the brass life is veerryyyyy short! How far do you expect to be shooting??

Thanks for your input, guys. My skills and confidence limit to 250 under field conditions, DanB. I considered the distance issue prior to posting but still figured increased BC to be of importance. Coltfan, I can reach the lands, but only with 140 Btips. This seems similar to my experiences with other factory barrels. I'll just have to see how it affects accuracy - throat length doesn't seem to bother my 6mm TCU.