This fine cartridge is one that all present-day reloading manuals have succeeded in emasculating to the point that if you use current data, you might as well be shooting a 7X57mm!! In other words, this is one of the several glaring exceptions to the generally accepted rule, "NEVER EXCEED BOOK MAXIMUM LOADS"!!



When I got my 7 Mag. in 1968, (a Ruger No. 1B with 26" barrel), I could get 3070 FPS from it using the 175-grain Nosler Partition bullet and 68 grains of Norma N205 or MRP powder. Last year, I ran out of all the old ammo that I had loaded with N205/MRP, and decided to work up a new load with hopefully similar ballistics using the same bullet, which of course is a somewhat different design from the early Nosler Partitions. I had read that RE 22 was similar in composition and performance to old Norma MRP, but I found that 2900 FPS was about all I could safely get with it in a max. load using the new style Nosler 175-grain Partitions. So I tried IMR 7828, which is very similar in burning rate to RE 22, but perhaps a hair slower in the 7 Mag. I found that it took 70 grains of IMR 7828 to achieve 3050 FPS with excellent accuracy, and normal pressure indications. Note that this load exceeds current reloading manual maximums by a considerable margin, so it must be approached with considerable caution!!



So far, I have only shot one animal with this load, a bull elk about 5 years old which weighed around 700 pounds. He was shot at less than 100 yards quartering towards me, on the point of his left shoulder. This elk hit the ground so hard and fast that he literally bounced, and never even twitched after the shot! This, of course, proves nothing much, but I believe this load is adequate for both elk and moose. I currently use nothing but the 175-grain Nosler for all game in 7mm Rem. Mag. and both of my 7X57mm's.

It would be hard to beat the 160grNP over H4831sc, RL22 or IMR7828 for an all round deer/elk load. You can expect 3050-3100fps & moa accuracy from a good rifle. I like Steve's load, but wouldn't hazard sticking a SMK into an elk.

What are your favorite loads for the 7mm Rem Mag? I just bought one and I need to start on a good note. I'll be hunting deer and elk, so I'd like a good all around load.

I've had mine since 79. I like the Nosler Partition 160 gr over H1000 and a FED 215 primer for a all around load.Deer this year will be with the Hornady 139 Interbond over RL 19 and a CCI 250 primer.Good luck. Try the favorite load area for some other good ones

Factory Winchester 150 gr. Noting fancy, just the plain silver box. In my Rem 700 they shoot sub 1 in. t 100 yds, and about an inch+ at 200 yds.

sodbuster,

I believe it was in 1963 or 1964 that my dad got his stainless Mod 700 7mm Mag. I have the load written down in my Speer #7 that he used until he died two years ago. 139-140 gr Hornady or Sierra, CCI 200, 68.0 gr IMR 4350. Speer #8 reduced the load 3 gr, but they used a CCI 250 with that load. According to Speer #13, the #7 load is about a 6 gr overload.

My nephew has the gun now and it still shoots as good as ever and I still have good brass for it that is over 30 years old. Overloaded brass doesn't last for 30+ years.

Remember, I told you it is an overload according to the newer manuals, so work up to it. Just because a 40 year old gun can stand a continuous diet of 68.0 gr doesn't mean the newer guns can stand it.

150 Scirocco over max IMR4350



160 partition over H1000 and H4831



To me H1000 is the go-to powder for 7mag. I'm a 1 bullet 1 gun shooter. If you want one load and one only, I'd recommend the 160 Partition for everything. This was/is Mike Eastman (of Eastman's Journal) do all load for many years. He's killed a large number of elk and deer with this combo. How do you argue that?



Only difference b/w Rob and me is I use WLRM primer.



Good luck and good shooting. Pop a big one.

Bullet: Sierra 168 Grain Hollow Point Boat Tail
Powder: 64.6 grains of RL-22
Primer: CCI Large Rifle
Case: Remington
Firearm: Ruger 77R
Velocity: 2943 FPS @ 15' from muzzle

5-shots, 200-yards

That is an excellent group but do you recommend that bullet for hunting?

139gr Hornady SP or a 140 Nos-Part will do the same with H-4831-69.8gr and a Fed 215 at 3245av.fps or a max load I never used was 71.4grs at just over 3325fps-Hornady Vol.#2-Used for over 35yrs-Very accurate load used in 3 different guns-Ruger-Savage 110 and Wby Vanguard Vgx all 1" groups. The 162 Hornady Interlock BT I load for my friend is with H-4831-67grs-Fed 215 just at 3000 av.fps;;

I've been using it for many, many years, on white tail, mule deer and antelope. Never had any problems with it.

I've been using these for years,..they both consist of the Hornady 162 grain Interlocks /Interbond as the projectile.
ANYTHING that I have hunted with either of these loads have dropped right in their tracks,... all you have to do is place the shot.

(1st choice)

Reloader# 22 @ 66.0 grains
CCI# 250 Magnum Primers
Remington Brass

(Back-up Load)

Accurate Arms# 7900 @ 79 grains
CCI# 250 Magnum Primers
Remington Brass

Both of these loads are very close to one another as far as performance and accuracy go out of my 700 BDL and are on the edge of MAX load for both of these respective powders.

Either one I can cover a 3 shot grouping with a dime and I chrony'd both in the 3000+ FPS @ 10 ft. from the muzzel of the 24 inch barrel with my F-1