Any recommendations for a powder to push a Berger 168 gr VLD out of a 26" barrel chambered for 7RM?

Bobby B.

Right now for me it is 72.5 grains of Retumbo. My rifle has a 24" bbl. H1000 would be an excellent choice.

I also think Re22, and Re25 are excellent options.

I bought some Ramshot Magnum to try also as it is allegedly an excellent powder in the 7mag with heavier bullets.

Doc,

What velocities are you achieving with Retumbo? Doesn't either Re22 or Re25 have a reputation for inconsistent powder?

Bobby B.

I tried 64gr of H4831sc and 58gr of IMR4350 both gave very good groups. Dont know velocities as i havent got a chrono.

RE22 will give you better velocity than 4831, but will be more sensitive to temp extreme. I have never seen that big of problem with RL 19 or RL 22 19 for 139-140 22 for the 154-160 class rl 22-25 for 175's

quote:

Originally posted by Bobby B.:
Doc,

What velocities are you achieving with Retumbo? Doesn't either Re22 or Re25 have a reputation for inconsistent powder?

Bobby B.

I don't know as I haven't chronographed the loads yet. But it is 2 grains more than Berger's suggestion of max at 70.4 grains or so.

Don't take this wrong, as it is NOT directed at you or any one person, but this business about the Reloder powders being inconsistent is so over-interpreted in my opinion. The only reason the reputation is still around is b/c folks just won't let it go.

Listen, YES they had a bad batch of Re22 some years ago, and this batch was HOT. Reloder powders are no more sensitive than IMR, Western, or Vihtavuori in my short 20 years of experience. Bofors makes Reloder powder for Alliant in Sweden. They also make Norma powders. Yes, they are different recipes, but Reloder powders are not the worst and not the best with temp sensitivity.

Here's what I've noticed for what it's worth: I've loaded Re19 and 22 pretty hot in multiple calibers during colder months of the year. I took those hot loads to different states when it was much warmer and didn't notice a difference whatsoever. No pressure signs, no popped primers, nada. Same POI at 250 yards.

So, every time I read about Reloder powder inconsistancies, I just smirk at it. If you, however, load up something when it is 20 below and plan on hunting when it is 70 degrees, then you will likely have a problem - but that can happen with any powder. Use common sense.

I've probably killed more deer with various calibers using Re19 and Re22 than any other powder. If they were inconsistent, I didn't notice, and neither did the deer. Granted, most all of my shots were under 250 yards.

So, there you go, my opinion on the scary voodoo powders by Alliant.

I am just saying H4831 will be less sensitive hot to cold. I use RL 19 in my 243 and RL 19-22 in my 7mm rem all the time, don't want to switch. I also don't go over max book load on the 7mm.I do load testing when I have time, which is mostly 85-100 f outside in the shade. I don't worry about to high of velocity in the winter when cold. My limited experience is that the most temp sensitive powder I use is VV 140 and 133 but I still use them along with 540 in the small stuff.

I load Retumbo with 160 and 175 gr bullets. I get 2934 avg chrono'd with the 175 gr Partition.

From Walt 7mmRemMag, 26" bbl:

168 Grain IMR 7828 SSC 62.0 2855 65.3 3002 95.1%
168 Grain H4831 SC 63.0 2802 66.3 2970 96.0%
168 Grain RE-22 62.0 2832 65.0 2984 96.2%
168 Grain H1000 66.0 2826 69.5 2987 100.1%
!68 Grain NORMA MRP2 65.0 2812 68.5 2970 102.4%
168 Grain WIN WXR 62.0 2838 65.3 2982 95.1%
168 Grain AA MAG PRO 65.0 2847 68.5 3007 96.7%
168 Grain Ramshot Magnum 67.0 2845 70.7 3019 98.7%
168 Grain VIHT N165 62.0 2760 65.3 2892 97.5%
168 Grain RETUMBO 66.0 2839 70.4 3022 104.7%

168 Grain IMR 4350 55.5 2802 58.3 2920 88.1%
168 Grain IMR 4831 57.5 2772 60.5 2897 90.8%
168 Grain AA XMR 3100 61.0 2743 64.5 2888 96.5%
168 Grain VIHT N560 62.0 2851 65.6 3014 94.0%
168 Grain RE- 25 64.5 2875 67.8 3012 101.9%
168 Grain NORMA MRP 62.5 2868 65.7 3007 95.1%

Doc,

I have the same reload data from Walt. I wasn't sure if this was data similar from that of the numerous reloading books I possess: the published loads don't equate to my personal experience. The powder charges simply do not generate the velocities described. I'm hoping to find a powder charge capable of producing 3000 fps with the 7mm 168 gr VLD out of my Hart 26" barrel.

Bobby B.

quote:

Originally posted by Bobby B.:
The powder charges simply do not generate the velocities described.

Do they ever?

I cannot recall any load book, well, maybe Speer, that had load data that I could ever duplicate.

I think the chronographs used by those who gather and publish alleged velocities had their equipment calibrated by Al Unser Jr.

Doc,

That was funny. Al Unser Jr....hahaha. So true.

Bobby B.

I saw a larger spread between the RL22 and H4831 with a 160grain bullet than that. Also 4350 would not get that close to 4831. Mine was a 24" at the time, now being upgraded to 26" shilen.

R22 and IMR7828 would be my first choices. I love both under 162 Amaxes.

Reloader