I have started reloading in the past year and it has been a lot of fun. But now I want more. I am only loading for 7mm rem mag now and have only used 1 powder, IMR4831. While it did a fair job I was a little disappointed on overall velocity. I am using Barnes bullets and all the loads were with the 160gr MRX. I might as well just throw all the data away now that they have discontinued the line. I am going to be using the LRX in 168gr and am not sure I want to use 4831 again. The best I could get out of the 4831 was just over 2800fps with max loads listed in the Barnes manual. I did go over max by .5gr and got some pressure signs, flattened primers and extractor marks. Being that the new Barnes is 168gr I am considering a new powder as well. Would I be best going with RL19, 22 or 25? Retumbo?
My job is to give my kids things to discuss with their therapist
Posts: 26 | Location: CA | Registered: 15 September 2011
Originally posted by KRasmussen: I have started reloading in the past year and it has been a lot of fun. But now I want more. I am only loading for 7mm rem mag now and have only used 1 powder, IMR4831. While it did a fair job I was a little disappointed on overall velocity. I am using Barnes bullets and all the loads were with the 160gr MRX. I might as well just throw all the data away now that they have discontinued the line. I am going to be using the LRX in 168gr and am not sure I want to use 4831 again. The best I could get out of the 4831 was just over 2800fps with max loads listed in the Barnes manual. I did go over max by .5gr and got some pressure signs, flattened primers and extractor marks. Being that the new Barnes is 168gr I am considering a new powder as well. Would I be best going with RL19, 22 or 25? Retumbo?
I've not used the bullets your using, but my go to powder for my M70 7mm is IMR4350. I've used it for 140gr BT's for Coues deer and 160gr NP's for elk.
Posts: 584 | Location: Phoenix, AZ | Registered: 13 August 2004
I am using WC 860. Probably not the fastest selection out there, but accuracy is incredible. 79 grains and a Federal 215 behind a Nosler or Hornady 162 is sweet medicine for anything I will ever hunt with the Big 7...
Posts: 4748 | Location: TX | Registered: 01 April 2005
Unfortunately I am limited on bullets being in Cali. I cannot shoot any of the lead ones. I have to stay with Barnes. I guess I could look at some of the other guilded metals but why, Barnes seems to be the leader in non lead.
I would like to end with a load in the 3000-3100 range and with the 168gr I should have sufficient energy out to 800-900 yds.
My job is to give my kids things to discuss with their therapist
Posts: 26 | Location: CA | Registered: 15 September 2011
Have been load testing for accuracy with H4831SC, H1000 and H4350 in my 7 MM, a 280 Ackley. Am most pleased with H4350, seeing significantly below one MOA.
Posts: 59 | Location: New England | Registered: 02 November 2010
Mine seems to like RL-22 and IMR 4831 about equally with a very slight edge going to the RL-22. But it isn't enough of an edge to worry about if all I have is 4831.
But, I don't use the same bullets. Mine is always loaded up with 160 Gr Noslers. It shoots both Partitions and Accubonds to the same point of impact with the same load. For some reason my rifle doesn't like the 175 gr bullets but does group the 195 gr Barnes originals really well. Unfortunately the supply of the 195's is about done. I can't seem to find them anywhere and I'm down to 2 boxes.
Posts: 2940 | Location: Colorado by birth, Navy by choice. | Registered: 26 September 2010
Just like the bullets that were discontinued powders are often obsoleted. No matter what you think of the velocities pick one such as H4831 or IMR 7828 that is not likely to be obsoleted tomorrow, that is unless you want to be back here in a year or two.
Posts: 13978 | Location: http://www.tarawaontheweb.org/tarawa2.jpg | Registered: 03 December 2008
I did finally get some range time this afternoon. The weather here has been awesome as of late so I thought it would be a good time to get a little non-lead therapy.
RL22 63.5gr Federal 215 primers and Barnes 145gr LRX. I started at 58gr and loaded 10 of each in .5 gr increments. Max load was running 3029fps and accuracy was pretty good. I did have one shell that did not fire, bad primer, but here are the remaining 9 shots at 100 yds.
My job is to give my kids things to discuss with their therapist
Posts: 26 | Location: CA | Registered: 15 September 2011
I used 7828 SSC with Nosler 140 BT and 150 Combined Tech Silver BT. This was by far the most accurate load I worked up. I was loading at max levels without any pressure signs. I was able to get nickel sized 3 shot groups at 200yds. Hope that helps.
Posts: 35 | Location: Montana | Registered: 09 January 2012
The 7mm magnums really shine with 160gr bullets. I have never loaded for a 7mm Rem Mag but extensively used an M60 7x61 Schultz and Larsen rifle, 26" 1 in 12 twist barrel. Although I tried various bullets and loads mostly on targets but some on game, my go to hunting load was 160gr Sierra Gameking boat-tails over 59.0 grs IMR4831 in the original "S&H" case not the later "super" case and standard CCI200 primers. The average and very consistent chronographed MV of this load was 2998fps, near enough to that magical 3000fps for me. Norma factory ammo with their 160gr bullet advertised at 3100fps went 3050fps in my rifle.
I too would be a little disappointed if I could only achieve around 2800fps out of the 7mmRM with 160gr bullets.
Posts: 3926 | Location: Rolleston, Christchurch, New Zealand | Registered: 03 August 2009
I tried some H4831, H1000, H450, and a couple of others but I got my best accuracy with IMR4350. It wasn't the fastest but that sort of thing is well down on my want list. With a 160gr NP or Grand Slam bullet, I got 2950fps and easy bolt lift, good looking primers, and long brass life. Oh, and it killed everything I shot it at.
H1000 has long been known as one of the very best powders for the 7RemMag. Depending on bullet wt, I've had best, most accurate loads with IMR4831, IMR4350, and H1000.
I've not tried 7828 in many years as there was no need. Re22 and 25 are excellent choices as well. And if you want to spend the money, try some VV powders.
Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my guns
Originally posted by Doc: H1000 has long been known as one of the very best powders for the 7RemMag. Depending on bullet wt, I've had best, most accurate loads with IMR4831, IMR4350, and H1000.
I did also load some H1000 and shot it the other day as well. I was only able to load a few rounds however. I did notice that recoil was increased over the RL22 and I wasn't at a max load. Has anyone noticed an increase in recoil with H1000?
My job is to give my kids things to discuss with their therapist
Posts: 26 | Location: CA | Registered: 15 September 2011
