7mm RM 150 & 160 grns.

N

NWTHunter

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I've looked at the Barnes, Lyman, and Hornady manuals, and found suggested loads from Hodgdon, IMR, and Winchester websites, as well as a few from reloading sites. I'm looking to use 150 and 160 grain bullets. According to what I've read, it seems that anywhere from 2,700 fps to 3,000 fps is attainable.

Now, because I'm curious, I'd like to know what loads CGN members are using for their 7mm Rem Mags with 150 and 160 grain bullets.
 
a 24-26" 7mm Rem Mag should be able to do 2950-3050 fps with 160 gr. bullets, and 3100-3200 fps with 150's.

Best powders to try for max speed will be RL19, RL22, RL25, IMR 4831, IMR 7828, H4831sc, H1000, & Retumbo.

I would go first choice with H1000, it worked for me well in my m700 Sendero SF 7mm
​
 
150's:
Retumbo From 67.9 grains to 72.5 grains
CCI-200 Primer

160's:
Retumbo From 65.0 grains to 71.3 grains
CCI-200 Primer

BUT...my favorite is:
168 Sierra HPBT
64.6 grains of RL-22
CCI-200 Primer
 
I'm getting good accuracy and velocity using IMR 7828 with Barnes 160gr XLC. I've also used RL22 and IMR7828 with 160gr Accubonds. Both worked well. I used to use H870, but it is no more.
 
I get excellent accuracy with the following loads.

150 grn Sierra BT, 62.2 grains IMR 4350, chrony'd @ an average 3010 fps

150 grn Nosler ballistic tip, 62 grains IMR 4350 chrony'd @ an average 3130 fps ( don't ask me why such a difference between the Nosler and the Sierra)

I am currently working on a load using around 60 grains of IMR 4350 and a 160 grain Accubond. I haven't chrony'd it yet so I can let you know but it should be close to 2900 - 3000 fps.

I have found that my gun REALLY likes IMR 4350, but the main contributor to overall accuracy is my COL of 3.345 ".

Jacky
 
Jacky:
Why are you quoting the COL for your rifle? It means nothing in anyone elses rifle, it's kinda like a finger print. every one is different. How far are you from the lands is what you want to quote.
The example you show indicating marked differences even when changing bullets, is why I feel anything short of working up loads is useless.
Buy a manual, or surf the web, but taking loads from a non verified source is nutz.
 
in my opinion it depends on what your doing with your bullets. If your just killing paper than the only way to get the best groups is shoot a sh!t load of diffrent loads till you find the right one. If your killing large game you have pretty big vitals so you dont really need sub moa. So find out what your gun can handle for pressures and go with the fastest bullet cuz it will give you more energy.As long as you can hit a pie plate at 300 yards the critter will be dead. So Im assumeing your hunting with the 7mm rm so go with fast and hard hitting.
Like I said just my $0.02
Daniel
 
7mm

I like H1000,Retumbo but if you can find it H870 is the best for 160gr. or heavier, i only use 160 partitions with 81gr. H870 for 3100fps and great accuracy. I have'nt used the Reloader line of powder but i hear R22,R25 work well.
 
I have some 160 grain Barnes TSX, and use this gun for hunting.

Although I do spend a couple of hours a week at the range, I spread that time between two or three rifles a week. I'd like to have pinpoint accuracy, but find that I usually end my range time by knocking around the six inch gong that hangs at 225 metres.

I understand that I need to tailor the load to my rifle, I'd just like to arm myself with as much information as possible before going any further. The O.A.L. Guage and calipers have been applied already. I know that relatively slow burning powders work best with the 7RM, and now I can confirm some of what I've read by using the suggestions that you have provided.

I had pretty much decided on the Hodgdon extreme powders (H4831sc, Retumbo, H1000) because I've read, and been told by experienced reloaders, that they produce less variation in pressure due to temperature changes.

I read somewhere that H870 is tough to come by, does anyone have experience with Vihtavuori 24N41? Its right below H870 on the burn rate chart.
 
Lefty #### said:
Jacky:
Why are you quoting the COL for your rifle? It means nothing in anyone elses rifle, it's kinda like a finger print. every one is different. How far are you from the lands is what you want to quote.
The example you show indicating marked differences even when changing bullets, is why I feel anything short of working up loads is useless.
Buy a manual, or surf the web, but taking loads from a non verified source is nutz.
Click to expand...


Maybe it is to illustrate that the SAAMI official COL is not always the optimum length for a rifle?:rolleyes: :rolleyes:
 
Lefty #### said:
Jacky:
Why are you quoting the COL for your rifle? It means nothing in anyone elses rifle, it's kinda like a finger print. every one is different. How far are you from the lands is what you want to quote.
The example you show indicating marked differences even when changing bullets, is why I feel anything short of working up loads is useless.
Buy a manual, or surf the web, but taking loads from a non verified source is nutz.
Click to expand...

Lefty
You are correct in that every rifle is different and will produced different results using the loads I or anyone else has listed. Now I really do not know EXACTLY how far I am from the lands, however as Gatehouse has pointed out the listed COL is not always the best and regardless of the load there are other factors that can affect accuracy. I must say that I absolutely agree that anything short of working up loads is useless. Even when I have asked for a load using a certian powder I always ask for a min and max and work up my load or use a manual. I have found that the web sometimes has some ridiculious and often dangerous loads listed. IMHO it is always best to reference from a manual of some kind. For most cartridges I have found that Ken Water's "Pet Loads" has been an invaluable resource.
Hope that clarified things

Jacky
 
7m/m mag

I've taken probably a dozen whitetails and a muley with 150 Sierra and Nosler Partions using 63 gr. IMR4350. Very accurate and flat shooting, but think these bullets are a bit much for deer. Plan to try Nosler Ballistic-tips or Accubonds.
Geoff in Victoria,BC.
 
If I could add a caution, with these slow powders don't start to low , it can cause pressure problems.Please note I am Not saying that the data given here is low, just that if your working up a load be aware of this.
Frank
 
true, if I was loading anything slower than 7828 in a 7mm Mag, I would not venute too far below 2 grains below book max as a start. make sure you use magnum primers too.
​
 
longbranch* said:
I've taken probably a dozen whitetails and a muley with 150 Sierra and Nosler Partions using 63 gr. IMR4350. Very accurate and flat shooting, but think these bullets are a bit much for deer. Plan to try Nosler Ballistic-tips or Accubonds.
Geoff in Victoria,BC.
Click to expand...

I have tried all four the Sierra, Partitions, Ballistic tips and the 140 grain accubonds. I didn't not like the partitions (although I realize I am kinda alone in this) and the ballistic tips blew up my deer ( huge holes and major meat damage). I really like the sierra's and the accubonds and have taken bear and deer.

Jacky
 
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