Good powder for reduced loads in 7mm Rem Mag?

[Suther]

So I'm switching to left handed due to eye dominance. I reload for 243win, 270win, and 7mm Rem Mag. Due to switching to my off hand and not wanting to develop a flinch (i'm right handed and have been shooting rifles right handed for years) I was leaning towards getting a 270win rifle in left-handed, but I haven't found one I like for a reasonable price (or a 243 for that matter). However, I've seen a few 7mm Rem Mag rifles in my price range. This got me thinking about use going with a 7RM and loading things a bit lighter for recoil reasons while I get used to shooting rifle lefty.

So, with that in mind, what powders might be suitable? On my shelf I have the 162gr Hornady BTSP, and 139gr GMX. I'm thinking something like 2700-2800fps for the 162gr bullet (I'm thinking I want to save the GMX for full power loads down the road). The only powder on my shelf is IMR4350, which at minimum book value should give me something in that ballpark (Book lists 56-60gr powder, Nosler says 2888-2998fps, Hodgdon says 2704-2861fps, both used a 24" barrel). Is it safe to go under book max with this powder? Nosler also lists the full-house loads as the most accurate, can anyone comment on their own experiences with mild loads using imr4350?

Thanks for your input!

 

[hunter5425]

The only powder I know that can be significantly reduced is H4895 to 60% of max. other powders can behave strangely when reduced.

 

[Suther]

Nosler/Hodgdon list IMR4895, but not H. Any idea if IMR4895 is safe to download too, or is that specific to the H variety?

 

[Ganderite]

4350 is an excellent choice. Try the Start load and you can load lighter, if required.

The extra airspace in the case will not help ignition/accuracy - so use a Magnum primer.

 

[Suther]

4350 is an excellent choice. Try the Start load and you can load lighter, if required.

The extra airspace in the case will not help ignition/accuracy - so use a Magnum primer.

Thanks for that advise! I'll need to grab some.

 

[mbogo3]

Cross over stock and continue to shoot right handed.

 

[Suther]

Cross over stock and continue to shoot right handed.

Lol that's not going to happen. I already made the switch with shotgun about 2 years ago, it was only a matter of time before I made the switch with rifle too.

Besides, then I'll be a more versatile shooter and be able to shoot from either shoulder...

 

[Why not?]

Got any 3031 on your bench? Try some maximum 7X57 loads for that powder and be pleasantly surprised.

Sierra shows velocity as low as 2500 fps with a 150 and 42.8 gr IMR 3031.

Ted

 

[john-brennan]

Nosler/Hodgdon list IMR4895, but not H. Any idea if IMR4895 is safe to download too, or is that specific to the H variety?

Yes I have loaded my son's 243 when he was small at 60% of Max with IMR 4895 and it was fine.

 

[mbogo3]

Ambidextrous it is then.

 

[manitou210]

https://load-data.nosler.com/load-data/7mm-remington-magnum/

https://load-data.nosler.com/load-data/7mm-remington-magnum/

 

[laker415]

I used 139 grain hornady soft points with some trailboss. They were extremely soft shooting LOL

 

[Eagleye]

Got any 3031 on your bench? Try some maximum 7X57 loads for that powder and be pleasantly surprised.

Sierra shows velocity as low as 2500 fps with a 150 and 42.8 gr IMR 3031.

Ted

X2. I have used IMR 3031 for reduced loads in 7mm Mag and various 30 cal Magnums
Always works well, and is surprisingly accurate. Dave.

 

[Why not?]

Yes, Surprisingly Accurate!

 

[Suther]

Got any 3031 on your bench? Try some maximum 7X57 loads for that powder and be pleasantly surprised.

Sierra shows velocity as low as 2500 fps with a 150 and 42.8 gr IMR 3031.

Ted

X2. I have used IMR 3031 for reduced loads in 7mm Mag and various 30 cal Magnums
Always works well, and is surprisingly accurate. Dave.

Thanks guys! This is a faster powder that could get me into trouble with case as big as 7RM if I'm not careful, right?

 

[1899]

I used 4064 with 150gr Partition for a hair over 2700fps. Very accurate and very mild recoil.

 

[Why not?]

Thanks guys! This is a faster powder that could get me into trouble with case as big as 7RM if I'm not careful, right?

Right. All of these powders suggested, 3031, 4895, 4064, are faster burning than powders usually used for loading the 7mm Rem Mag, and need to be used with caution.

Ted

 

[nowarningshot]

Would trailboss work?

 

[Janeau]

Sierra is listing many powder that fill the bill between 2600 and 2900.
Their accuracy load is 50.9 of IMR 4064 at 2800.
I would start with that.
Note this is for a 160 grains bullet. Since you are using a 162 - start low.
Sierra starting load is 46.3 grains - Max 53.2
You have some jiggle room there

If you want more info, pm me and I will send you the Sierra data.

 

[Suther]

A good start for reduced load is to look into powder used for the cast bullet in that caliber.
7 rem mag powder are listed in the Lyman cast bullet manual.
They list unique, IMR 4227, IMR 4198 , A5744 and RX7.
My choice will be 5744 and RX7 because of they are bulkier than the other.

I don't have a cast manual, and I'm not looking to go THAT reduced. Thanks though!

Right. All of these powders suggested, 3031, 4895, 4064, are faster burning than powders usually used for loading the 7mm Rem Mag, and need to be used with caution.

Ted

That's what I was thinking, but wanted to double check with the experts!