7mm rem mag for deer

Archblackmage · 03-23-2005, 08:39 PM

My brother is looking for a light load reciepe for the 7mm rem mag for whitetail deer in PA. It will be shot out of a custom sako action lathed barrel his father used to use.

James B · 03-23-2005, 10:20 PM

From the new Lyman manual here is a load using IMR4350. The starting load is 58.0 grains for a velocity of 2842. Max load is 66.0 grains for 3136. This should be a pretty good load for deer.

In case you have not read or expierenced reduced loads of any slow burning powders, this can be more dangerous than an overload. This because the powder when reduced to far will explode rather than burn. This load listed here should be safe but DO NOT REDUCE IT ANY MORE THAN THEY RECOMMEND. I learned this the hard way and hope to avoid this problem for others. Get a good Manual and study it over good. I like the new 48th Edition Lyman manual as it gives loads for cast bullets as well as Jacketed bullets. It also give good reduced loads for most calibers.

driftrider · 03-24-2005, 07:36 AM

You might want to look at Accurate Arms 5744. It seems to be a great powder for reduced loads.

They offer limited load data on their website:

www.accuratepowder.com

Mike

Roskoe · 03-26-2005, 10:14 AM

You might also look into a lighter bullet, like the 120 grain Nosler Ballistic tip. While this bullet is fairly explosive at 7 Ultra Mag full throttle velocities, it becomes a pretty good medium-game controlled expansion bullet when loaded down to 7 X 57 speeds. The Hornady SST would be another good choice. Roscoe

James B · 03-26-2005, 01:02 PM

I shoot the Sierra 120 Pro-Hunter in my 280 @about 2900 fps. Works great on Mule deer.