What kind of velocity can you get from a 7mm RM with a 150 grain bullet and a 26" barrel? I don't mind going over max listed loads slightly in this caliber. I would like to stay below 54,000 CUP or 64,000 psi and get 4-5 loads out of my brass. I dont need a lecture about exceeding the max listed load. I work up gradually, and back off as soon as I see pressure signs.

When I look at Ramshot Powders I see that they have 150 grain Nosler CT Ballistic Silvertips going 3081fps with 75 grains of Magnum in a 24" tube.

I would expect that on a really good day you could get 3000fps and be in the pressure range you stated. Is it safe? I don't know

My 7mm RM Sendero gives me 3150-3180 fps with a 150 ballistic tip over reloader 22

I'd be thrilled with 3150. What kind of life do you get from your brass?

I have no trouble getting 3300 chrono'd in a 25" barrel with 140 gr Accubonds with no pressure signs and long brass life. I think you could get 3200 with a 150gr easy. My 140 gr load is RL22 67 gr.CCI 250 primer, Hornady brass

Before I rechambered my #1 to 7mm Dakota, I could get 3150fps from the 26"bbl. & just under 3100fps w/ 160gr bullets using RL22 or IMR7828.

quote:

Originally posted by elkhunter:
What kind of velocity can you get from a 7mm RM with a 150 grain bullet and a 26" barrel? I don't mind going over max listed loads slightly in this caliber. I would like to stay below 54,000 CUP or 64,000 psi and get 4-5 loads out of my brass. I dont need a lecture about exceeding the max listed load. I work up gradually, and back off as soon as I see pressure signs.

I haven't tried the 150-grain bullets in my 7mm RM Ruger No. 1B, 26" barrel yet. But mine will produce 3350 with the 140 grain Nosler Partition (H4831), and 3070 with the 175-grain Nosler Partition (IMR 7828 or Norma MRP). I don't shoot it alot, but have not yet stretched any primer pockets or worn out any brass with these loads.

I'd be very much surprised if it would not produce at least 3200 with the 150-grain bullet with good case life.

I got 3200fps with federal premium ammo 150gr NBT from a sendero.

I'm on the 6th loading on my brass... no problems thus far, but I don't shoot it much anymore since all load development is done.

I could actually get around 3250 fps with the 150's, but accuracy decreased to around 1 inch.

I actually did shoot this gun over the weekend after putting a new scope on it I picked up over the summer. 3 shots in .36 inches with the 140 AB's

You should be able to get 3150 quite easily w/ R22, 7828, or H1000.

66-68 Grns of R22 under 150s is Dy-no-mite out of my 7RMs.

Good Luck

Reloader

How much difference in velocity will I see with 150 gr bullets between a 24 and 26" barrel, if everything else is equal? With a "Magnum" like this will I gain more than the standard 40-80fps?

Elkhunter

I'd say you about in the ball park with your figure. I have two 7MM Remington Magnums one with a 24" and one with a 26" barrel.

For over 12 years I have been shooting 66.0g of N-160 and Nosler's 160 grain partitions at 3050f/s. My 26" barrel model 70 handles this load well, and as a bonus, it shoots Sierra 160 grain Game King HPBT bullets to the same point of impact with no changes in load data other than COAL.
Of the 100 pieces of R-P brass I bought back then, most are still going strong, and all have at least 5 reloads on them. I will probably toss some this year as most will need trimming for the third time and others have been lost.
The only other advice I can offer is to avoid Federal brass as it is softer than cases they sold 10-15 years ago. R-P 9 1/2M and W-W primers are physically smaller too, so don't let that trick you into thinking that loads are excessive. When all is said and done, just pick one brand and stick with it as internal volume varies greatly -enough to make sticky extraction and expanded primer pockets just by switching brands.
As for the 150 grain bullet, I would expect 3200f/s, or more with the right combination. Funny thing tho, I have found some 7 mags like the medium burning rate powders best, so it pays to experiment. Of the slow burning powders, I've had the best luck with IMR's 7828 and vintage H-4831.

elkhunter,

I personally don't feel you'll get any more of a gain than that of regular carts.

All things being equal of course.

I've seen a 24" shoot faster than a 26" w/ the same loads. All has to do w/ minor differences from one barrel to the next. Every barrel seems to be a creature into itself.

Good Luck

Reloader

Right now with R22 and the 160 Accubond I am getting 2940 in a 24" Ruger with 66 grains. Could go higher, but accuracy is awesome. I would expect that your rifle will get a minimum of 3,000 ft/sec and could go to 3,100.