I just picked up two model 70 to day.my question is what is a good starting powder for a 150gr bullet or any suggestions are welcome both are 7mm mags they are for medium deer only a big deer here is 200 poounds most of my shots are under 100 yards. thanks for any help.

After I sold my Model 70 7Mag, I loaded 154 Hornadys over 63grs. IMR4831 for my buddy who bought it. Though now I'd try 64grs. H4831sc with the same bullet being that H4831sc flows better through my powder measure, and it's close to IMR. Otherwise, RE22 would be my second choice. Jay

My only comment would be not to go with the 150 gr bullets in 7mm Mag. You have a much more versatile loading using the 160grain bullets, and you give up nothing but slightly more recoil. I give some serious consideration to loading it down a bit if you are not stretching the range any. Kudude

I also like the 160's in my 7mag. I use 64 gr of RE22 with Accubonds.

I to would sugjest RL-22 as a good starting place and I might also agree with a 160 grain bullet. Often a very accurate combination, although I would not recomend loading it down much.
if you want a .280 or a 7X57 (both great rounds) buy one. never understood a notion of too much power...tj3006

The 7mm RM that I used the most was a 22" tubed Ruger #1 and I did not load it to the top for woods hunting. This seemed to work out fine and a little less recoil and muzzle blast did not hurt. There is still some of the kegs worth of surplus 4831 left. I would use a powder like that one.

I used the 130 Speer Flat Base, 140 Sierra Flat Base, 150 Corelokt and 140 Partition. One incident with the 160 Sierra Boatail resulted in a lung shot deer running way into a swamp. There was no blood trail either. I feel that that bullet was too hard for whitetails.

Of all the standard bullets I used on deer I felt that the 150 Corelokt was just right.

I have been happy with 66.0 grains of VV-N160 and 160 grain partitions. Velocity is 3060FPS+ and accuracy is sub-MOA. It is my opinion that both RL22 and H1000 burn faster than anticipated, and both vary significantly from lot to lot. RL22 that wouldn't give me the velocity claimed/wanted in 7m/m magnum, worked great in the 300 Winchester, so go figure.

Ok guys the recoil don't bother me i shot 338 with maxs loads with 225 and 250 gr bullets and i love it but in my 7mm stw i only shoot a 150 gr bullet and it does the job very well i have on hand about 500 rounds of bullets that i bought for the 7 stw that i haven't loaded yet it wouldn't bother me to go to the 160 if need be. Thanks again for your help.

For deer I was using 140gr Sierra GameKings pushed by RL19 over book max, WLRM primers. Accurate and smokes the deer.
Now using a bullet I picked for a combo deer and elk hunt so it's way to much for deer but good for elk. It's a 160gr Barnes XLC, pushed with RL22, and WLRM's. Nate

Hi
If you are bound and determined to use 150's then I would start with IMR4350. I've never seen a 7mmMag that didn't shoot well with that combination.
Be aware that there are wide variances in chamber dimensions from Mfr to Mfr so work up loads carefully!
Next I would try H-4350 then Rx19.
Let us know how it works out..

quote:

Originally posted by kudude:
My only comment would be not to go with the 150 gr bullets in 7mm Mag. You have a much more versatile loading using the 160grain bullets, and you give up nothing but slightly more recoil. I give some serious consideration to loading it down a bit if you are not stretching the range any. Kudude

I have had heaps and i mean heaps of success with 150`s and to a lesser extent the 175`s.... both in WIN factory ammon

I dont understand what would be wrong with the 150's in the 7mm Mag. He said he's going to be shooting medium size deer not moose.

Gryphon,
I like to shoot a slightly heavier bullet rather than a light one for a given caliber just in case I need it for a heavier animal.

If you got 150's and you are shooting deer, go for it. Kudude

PS: With a well constructed 160gr, a 7mmRM is adequate for anything they'll let you shoot it at. Kd

And some of those stags could weigh in at up to 700 pounds mind you and the 150 gr`s knock them dead using the 7mm RM

quote:

Originally posted by AAdams:
I just picked up two model 70 to day.my question is what is a good starting powder for a 150gr bullet or any suggestions are welcome both are 7mm mags they are for medium deer only a big deer here is 200 poounds most of my shots are under 100 yards. thanks for any help.

I use Nosler 140 most of the time with IMR7828...

Ok RDud I went with the 150 win p.p and h4831 at 65 gr. They shot great and at about 70 yards i shot a deer right behind the shoulder and it exited about 3" behind the other deer dropped right there it was only about a 120 pounds. hopefully i will get to pull the trigger again
this weekend and see if it will work again.Thanks again for your reply.

AAdams,

I only load for one Model 70 that's a 7RM, it seems to like H4831 under the 140 Nosler ABs (68 Grns), pushes them at 3100 fps 12-15' from muzzle. Shoots in the .5-.75 range w/ that combo. I haven't loaded anything heavier in that particular rifle, the guy is dead set on 140s and I just loaded him about 80 rounds w/ the 140 ABs, he seems to like them.

My Model 700 7RM likes 150s ahead of R22. 66grns will spit them out a little over 3100 from a 24" tube and drive them into .5" and less groups(NBTs and SBs).

I bought a box of the 160 ABs a while back but haven't tested them in any 7mm yet. They are rather long bullets, longer than 180 grn .308 NBTs. I'm probably going to try them ahead of 65 grains of R22 during spring testing.

Good Luck

Reloader

I have loaded for the 7mm Wby. and 7mm Rem. Mags for a while now and used bullet weights from the 139 Hornady BT and Flat base up to the 175 Hornady. I finally settled on one load for everything and it is the 160 Nosler Partition in front of 80 grains of H-870 and a Fed. 215 primer for 3100fps. Accuracy is around .75 and works on everything. I don't have to jump aroung from bullet weight to bullet weight and it keeps things simple. Nosler blemished bullets shoot just as well as the 1st quality and that keeps cost down somewhat if that is an issue. It shoots flat, carries energy well, and does not tear up small whitetails but will penetrate from any angle. Works for me.

I know you asked about the 150 gr, but I've settled on 140 Barnes TSX over RL22. Flat, fast,accurate and a penetrating fool.

I shot a mulie in Colorado on the point of the shoulder, exit was in the off hip. That bullet broke bone on both ends and penetrated the length of him. I was impressed.

I have seen the results of using the 140gr tsx on deer,elk and moose,and they do a very impressive job.

I use the 160 Accubonds and RL 22 at about 2900fps and I've never had a problem with any animal not dropping dead. Great accuracy, less than an inch.

My suggestion is to a. immediately sell one of those two cannons b. acquire someting more suited to the deer you have in that part of the world( say a .257 roberts or a .260 Rem ) c. book a moose hunt where your 7mm mag would be appropriate.