7mm mag powders

09 February 2012, 07:18

KRasmussen

7mm mag powders

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?

09 February 2012, 07:46

7MMNut

quote:
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.

09 February 2012, 10:27

Code4

Retumbo

09 February 2012, 17:08

Doubless

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...

09 February 2012, 18:19

kreyten

I have had good success with RL22 and barnes TSX 160's in 7mm rem mag.

I settled on a mid velocity load of 63 grs RL22...chroned at 2850 fps. Have killed muley, elk and whitetail...never needed a second shot.

Give it a try...I think you will like it.

Good luck

09 February 2012, 19:36

KRasmussen

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.

09 February 2012, 19:43

BighornBreath

I've had good luck in the past with IMR 7828 and 160 and 175 grain Partitions. Produced a higher velocity than RL 22.

09 February 2012, 21:11

jstevens

RL22 and 7828 and H4831 are good places to start. 160 TSX and 175 partitions are my go to bullets.

09 February 2012, 21:21

ramrod340

I liked MRP and 7828 with 160s in my 7mag.

11 February 2012, 08:26

BigNate

quote:
Originally posted by ramrod340:
I liked MRP and 7828 with 160s in my 7mag.

Mine too. I have seen many who recommend VV N560 for heavier 7MM RM loads and N165 for the 160's.

I haven't tried it yet but my stock of 160gr XLC's pushed with IMR7828 and RL22 have been pretty good. Nate

11 February 2012, 16:50

vines

RL-22

11 February 2012, 17:44

Woodrow S

I use RL-22 as well. Top velocities and superb accurracy.

11 February 2012, 19:23

jaydub in wi

I've had good results with RL25 and IMR 7828 behind 160s in my 7RM

11 February 2012, 23:17

jackalhunter

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.

12 February 2012, 04:37

Stealth

Ditto, IMR-7828 with 160gr+ bullet weights.

12 February 2012, 05:47

Flags

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.

12 February 2012, 07:03

SR4759

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.

12 February 2012, 08:20

seafire/B17G

Gee, and guys like me get by with powders like IMR 4064, 4895, 3031, RL 15, Varget etc..

might give up a 100 to 150 fps MV.. but two clicks on the old scope elevation knob compensates for any trajectory change that might occur...

and they are more accurate, strictly because more folks can shoot better with lower powder charges..

27 February 2012, 07:26

KRasmussen

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.

27 February 2012, 09:07

wdagel

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.

27 February 2012, 09:43

eagle27

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.

27 February 2012, 09:44

wasbeeman

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.

28 February 2012, 08:05

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'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.

28 February 2012, 16:52

KRasmussen

quote:
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?