7MM Rem Mag/Barnes TShock/ What powder?

[Kerrdog]

My son and I just got into reloading a few months ago. It started because we got interested in IDPA. Now I am reloading our rifle ammo... and having a ball! I bought the dies for .243, .30-.30, 7mm Rem Mag, and .30-06. I am particularly interested in my Weatherby Vanguard 7mm Rem Mag.

I finally shot up the remainder of some old, but very good, Winchester SilverTips in 125 Grain. These bullets gave me amazing performance on our 'lil 'ol deer down here in Florida! Since I can't find that same bullet, I chose Barnes Triple Shock in 120 grain. It was my thinking that I could get one powder to load all these rounds, and I bought Varget. The Barnes rep told me later that Varget was not a good powder to use for 7 mag... he told me to use an IMR spec that I can't remember, nor can I find the note! I would appreciate your recommendations and advice as to what will give me the best velocity and accuracy. The Varget, per Barnes at their recommendations, gives me about 2700fps... which kind of defeats the prupose of shooting a 7 mag... IMO!

Thanks for your help...

Kerrdog

[Big Z]

I could RL22 in the 243, 30-06 and 7RM, though I don't shoot a 30-30 (kinda think varget would be good for it though)

[Ridge Runner]

IMR 4350 will work very good in all but the 30/30, and try a 120 gr nosler ballistic tip, you just don't need a controlled expansion bullet in a 7mm mag for a 110# deer. RR

[Ridge Runner]

PS, the discontinued wins were not silver tips, just 125 gr soft points, I used them for years in the 7 RM, awesome deer bullets RR

[Kerrdog]

Originally Posted by Ridge Runner

IMR 4350 will work very good in all but the 30/30, and try a 120 gr nosler ballistic tip, you just don't need a controlled expansion bullet in a 7mm mag for a 110# deer. RR

What kind of velocity could I expect with 4350? The Natchez rep recommended the Barnes. Being a Newb, I had no idea. Is the TShock overkill or is it a bad performer for mid-size game?

Originally Posted by Ridge Runner

PS, the discontinued wins were not silver tips, just 125 gr soft points, I used them for years in the 7 RM, awesome deer bullets RR

You're right. Thought I remembered Silver-Tip on the box... had to go look!

[Big Z]

The TSX is a good bullet, but like RR said it doesn't take much for deer hunting. I've used cheap/light bullets with great success. I save the TSXs in my 7 for elk, and use cheaper 'standard' bullets of one flavor or another that I like, for deer. Or mebbe you can just bum some of RRs 200 grainers

[Colorado Cajun]

You may want to invest in a Barnes reloading manual. I have a friends here (Number 3). If you want, PM me your email address and I can email you some info. The number 3 manual is old and doesn't have the BTS but it has a different 120 gr. bullet.

[Ridge Runner]

I'd load 120 gr nosler ballistic tips to about 3200 with IMR 4350, according to the hodgdon manual IMR 4350 would also work with the others including the 30/30.wouldn't use a real expensive premieum bullet for deer, they are light thinned skinned game and not at all hard to kill. In the big mags where high velocity impacts are possible, then I would use a controlled expansion bullet, but the most you'll get from a 7 RM is 3200 fps or so and the 120 gr ballistic tip has a thicker jacket than a 140 so it should hold up. just stay off the shoulder out to 100 yards.RR

[7MMXBOLT]

For the 7mm Rem Mag I can use either the IMR4831, RL19, or RL22 using the 140 grain TTSX in my Browning with under 1" MOA. All loads I use Nosler brass & GM215M primers.

[BarnesX.308]

IMR4350 for the most useful powder across all rounds except for 30-30.

RL22 for the 7mm Mag. It's my favorite powder for the 7mm.