Never Shot 7mm Rem Mag

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blauber

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Have a 7mm Rem Mag coming just in time for Xmas :d. I've done my due diligence but don't want to fuss too long with load development. I'm going to settle on H4831sc and 162 gr SSTs to start - long range targets and deer. Can I go wrong and will I get 3000 fps from a 24" barrel? I find 700s like being loaded on the lands so will start there as well.

The other bullet that intrigues me is the LRAB due to the high BC, but realistically I'm not too concerned about incremental flat trajectory - mostly will be holding over for long range shots with a ballistic reticle. Methinks I like the idea of temp stable powder but have heard that's not the case with RE-22?
 
I highly doubt you'll get 3k with your 162's while staying anywhere close to any current published data, while using 4831.

Retumbo seems to be the propellant of choice for this bullet weight, but still expect to exceed published data to obtain your magic number.

In all reality is 100 to 125fps really gonna matter at the end if the day?
Accuracy first, velocity last.....
 
I have had much success using Retumbo with 162 gr- 168 gr bullets for both hunting and long range target shooting in the 7 mm Rem Mag. Velocities were around 2935 FPS for a 24" barrel and very accurate, Retumbo is an extreme powder and is temperature stable!
 
Lefty #### said:
I highly doubt you'll get 3k with your 162's while staying anywhere close to any current published data, while using 4831.

Retumbo seems to be the propellant of choice for this bullet weight, but still expect to exceed published data to obtain your magic number.

In all reality is 100 to 125fps really gonna matter at the end if the day?
Accuracy first, velocity last.....
Click to expand...

According to Hornady's data, 3000 fps can be attained with a number of powders under a 162 gr bullet, including H-4831. Once you get into the slower powders like Retumbo and R-25, case capacity begins to be an issue with the 7mag. With powders much quicker than 4350, pressure becomes an issue before the optimum velocity is realized, so I think the choice of H-4831 is prudent.
 
Max velocities on Hodgdon's site run a bit under 3,000 fps. Fastest is Retumbo at 2963, followed by Supreme 780 at 2953. Read your manual.
 
I'm running 65.5 gr H4831SC with 160 gr Accubonds at 2980 ft/sec, CCI 250 Primers, and a 24" barrel. This load is over most published loads by a couple grains, and though I can't recall which at the moment, at very max of one manual. What I DO know, if that the load was worked up to and all the way to 66.5 gr without pressure signs, but accuracy seemed to peak at the 65.5 mark, so I've been running that load for a few years now. DO NOT START WITH THIS LOAD!

Safety and accuracy are far more important that a few ft/sec, and as such, I hesitated to even post my load data. I'm only suggesting that the velocity range you mention could be within reach if done with care, but not necessarily.
 
Good choice..7mm rem mag here is my opinion..pick a bullet, a powder and shoot, groups should be 1" at 100 yards easy.
 
Appreciate the comments fellows. I have read that Hodgdon's published data is conservative for H4831sc and the 7mm Rem Mag. For the record, I am after accuracy ahead of velocity, and 3000 fps is almost an arbitrary number. My thoughts are I will start at 64 gr, work up in .5 grain increments until I see groups opening, pressure signs and/or find an accuracy node. Then I'll find tune around that node by bracketing in 0.2 gr increments below and above to find "it".

I have read on other forums the 7mm Rem Mag ability to fill more than the published 66 gr H4831 (max). I have noticed my other calibers doing best near max in M700s...other comments centre around rifle specific velocities as the 7 mm Rem Mag is a little bit of an animal in terms of pegging exact velocity for a given charge...
 
H4831 sc should work very well. You may or may not safely get 3000 fps. Nothing wrong with being in the 2900 range anyways. If you are dead set on higher velocity I've found Retumbo to give insanely high velocity in my 7mag. I had 168's going 3150 fps with no pressure signs. I backed it down to 3050 because I just was not comfortable pushing it that hard. Gun sure kicked hard when launching those bullets at 3150 that's for sure. The Hornady SST is supposed to be a very good bullet and I think you have made a great choice.


My Hunting Load

Rem Case
WLRM Primer
71.5 Retumbo
Berger 168 VLD (Seated .120 off the lands Tikka Mag)
3051 fps

Shoots about 1 moa in my gun.
Easy hits on 16" gong at 1000 Yards. (not much wind here)
 
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Thanks feetfats. I hunted with the 140 AB for deer this fall - got one inside 100 yds, but had trouble tracking it due to rain at dusk. When I did locate it, it was pencil entrance and pencil exit - to be expected at short range for sure.

I selected the SST for a slightly higher BC over the 160 AB (.550 vs. .531) and I read the SST is more frangible, so I'm expecting a larger exit (better blood trail) next time should a short range shot present itself...never shot them before, but heard the 95 gr SST in 6mm is a deadly deer bullet.

If it doesn't shoot then the AB or LRAB most likely will be the next purchase : )
 
Its my go to rifle since 1980, dam deadly. The best results I have seen in my Ruger 77M is using RL22 and IMR4831. I have just read the Hodgdon has just released a new magnum powder, but can't find it anywhere yet ! All my most accurate loads run at about 2900-2975FPS, no need to go any faster with its hitting power. IMO
 
I'm getting 3000 fps with Hodgdons data with a 160 Accubond and 7828. That's 132 fps faster than they're claiming, and yet its not anywhere near hot. I went considerably over that, but accuracy dropped off.

Guessing what velocities manual loads will do in your rifle will drive you crazy. Sometimes they are very close, sometimes you can't get their speeds with a powder if you pounded more in with a jack-hammer and sometimes the starting load will beat the max load's claimed velocity by a couple hundred.

You'd like to think that the fastest powder combination in the manual would at least be the fastest in your rifle, irrespective of what the actual velocity turns to be. Don't bet the farm on that.
 
I have used Norma MRP with 160/162/168 grain pills in the 7mm Rem Mag, and usually expect to get right around 3000 fps with it.

Sometimes a bit under, sometimes a bit over, but accuracy has not been lacking.

Regards, Dave.
 
I can't find it right now but I saw an awesome bullet test done on another forum (or maybe this one I will keep looking).
The guy shot a whole bunch of bullets at meat and bone and photographed and weighed the bullets afterwards. The Hornady SST did very well. Unfortunately the Berger vld's I use did terrible.

I will keep looking and post it up here.
 
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