7mm Rem Mag Recipe needed
 

I'm fairly new to reloading and I need a good (excellent)recipe for my Winchester 7mm Rem Mag (26" Barrel). Any suggestions?

One problem I'm having is that the cheap, store bought, Remington "Core Lokt" shoots the lights out and I can't even come close to a reload that shoots as well. This off-the-shelf stuff will shoot a 1/2" group @ 100 yd (and that's good for my skill level) and it seems like I should be able to find a recipe that shoots at least as good. I've followed a few of the recommended loads but have had pretty bad results (2" group @ 100 yd).

I've been using the following materials:
- 160 gr Sierra spbt
- Reloader #19 or IMR 4350 powders
- Federal #215 primers
- Remmington and Federal once fired brass
- Overall length 3.26"

I've been restingthe bullet directly on the rifling. I know it because I have to work a little harder to close the bolt action. Remmington factory loads have an overall legth of 3.16", could this be a culprit? Also, the recipes I've followed are for a 24" barrel and I have a 26" barrel, could this affect things? Any help would be appreciated...

RE: 7mm Rem Mag Recipe needed
 

To start with you have only tried a single bullet.Perhaps your gun simply does not like that bullet.Trying others could improve things dramatically.The same goes for the overall length.Try varying it to see if the accuracy changes.You might also find that other powders work better.In short you may simply need to try more variables until you find the right combination.I do hope that you are not mixing federal and remington brass as doing so certainly will not help accuracy.

RE: 7mm Rem Mag Recipe needed
 

exactly.....try different bullets.....such as Hornady interlocks and Speer's hot core

I'd also try some ballistic tips.

RE: 7mm Rem Mag Recipe needed
 

I would try H4831 powder, Nosler B.tip 150gr bullet, with your Federal 215. I would seat .010 of the rifling. I use a Lee crimp die with 1/2 turn crimp. This $8.00
crimp die is well worth it. Both IMR and Hodgdon 4831 are good go to powders for the 7mm mag. H4831 meters better then IMR 4831 through the powder measure.Seating bullets in a hunting rifle on the Rifling is asking for problem with max loads. You don't need a case getting stuck in the chamber from high pressure in the woods. I have great results in my 7mm rem mag with nosler 150gr B.tips....hope that helps.

RE: 7mm Rem Mag Recipe needed
 

You've been given some good advice. Definitely try some different bullets and powders. I've had good success with IMR 4831 and 7828. H4831 has worked pretty well too. The 150 gr. Nosler ballistic tip has been superbly accurate in my rifle and so has the 140 gr. Barnes TSX. Currently I'm loading the 160 gr. Nosler Accubond and it shows promise too.

If I were you I would NOT seat the bullets out to where they jam into the rifling when you chamber a round. You need to measure the actual distance to the rifling and then seat the bullet at least .010" less and really, .030" would be my preference.To measure the distance to the rifling take a fired case and very lightly squeeze the neck with a pair of pliers, just enough to lightly hold a bullet in place.Now, takea bullet and place it into the empty caseabout 1/8" or so and then chamber this round. As you chamber it, the bullet will contact the rifling and will be pushed back into the case.Carefully extract it and then measure the length. This will be the OAL to the lands.Take another 8 or 10 bullets from the same exact batch and do the same thing with them. After you've measured the length of these dummy rounds you can arrive at an average, which will be a more reliablefigure than just measuring one or two.Subtract .030" or so from that figure and this will give you the OAL you should start with. If you're using Barnes bullets you need to subtract .050". Keep in mind that any time you change bullets you'll need to recalculate the OAL since different types of bullets will not measure the same distance to the lands.

RE: 7mm Rem Mag Recipe needed
 

RE 19 and 4350 are both too fast for optimim results in the 7mm Mag. You reach max pressures with these before your loading density is high enough for the most consistent ignition.

You should try IMR 7828, Re 22, Norma MRP,H4831, or other powders with comparable (slow) burning ratesfor best results.

RE: 7mm Rem Mag Recipe needed
 

Excellent advice from all- If you think of anything else, let me know. Thanks Solitary Man for the OAL measuring procedure, I've always wondered how to do that...

One more thing; I use an RCBS 2-die set and a #4 shell holder/extractor. I've been neck only sizing the brass (I think). When I set the die so that the shell holder comes in contact with the bottom of the resizing die, the shoulder of the case will dimple. So I have had to back outthe die so that the neck is the only thing thatgets resized at the top of the press handle stroke, but the die does not come in contact with the shell holder. Is this right?Sometimes when I extract the cases from the sizing die, the rim of the seat will bend down slightly, like it's having to much friction when being pulled back out. I've tried playing with the amount of case lube, but nothing seems to help. I'm a mess...

RE: 7mm Rem Mag Recipe needed
 

You're quite welcome. There are other methods for measuring OAL to the rifling, but the one I described above is the one I've settled on and it seems to work okay. There are also tools you can buy for this purpose, but I haven't seen a need to buy one.

I don't know if I can answer your other question. I don't useconventional full length dies.If you're satisfied you're using enough lube on the cases (outside and insidethe neck)then maybe the die itself is at fault.The interior surface of the die could berough and in needof polishing if the cases arethat hard to extract. Hopefully someoneelse can offer some better advice on this.

RE: 7mm Rem Mag Recipe needed
 

I just thought of something: if you're seeing dents in the caseshoulder when you try to full length size then you may have a buildup of lube inside the die. Make sure you clean out the die, especially in the area where it contacts the shoulder.

RE: 7mm Rem Mag Recipe needed
 

All good advice,but don't over look the rifle itself,you may have a bedding issue.As for a load H4831sc,Federal 215 M primer and 154gr. Hornady interlock SP bullets.

RE: 7mm Rem Mag Recipe needed
 

Thanks for the load recipedvdegeorge. What is a bedding issue? Would factory ammo shoot well if my rifle had a bedding issue?

RE: 7mm Rem Mag Recipe needed
 

A bedding issue is that your stock to barrel and action fit may be a problem.But if you have a factory load that shoots well you are probably O.K. you just haven't found the right load (powder bullet) or seating depth your rifle likes.The loadI listed shoots well out of my rifle as well as others I know.The 154 gr. hornady is very accurate from the 7mm.I get 1 inch groups with factory loads and sub 1" groups with handloads with this bullet and H4831sc.

RE: 7mm Rem Mag Recipe needed
 

I think you are doomed to failure if you want a handload that beats the CoreLokt loads accuracy. My 06 is doing the same thing to me it shoots 150 Grain Core Lokts at 1 inch and my best handloads only get 1.5". See the link with a page from the barnes manual. They have more info on the 7MM Mag on their website.

http://www.barnesbullets.com/images/c281.jpg

The 150 Grain TSX boattail looks interesting with a .529 BC and should be great from whitetail to elk. The * means it was found to be accurate by Barnes during load development.

RE: 7mm Rem Mag Recipe needed
 

IF your rifle can shoot 1" groups with a factory load, and you are unable to develop a handload that will shoot equally well, you are doing something wrong!

RE: 7mm Rem Mag Recipe needed
 

I like this kind of attitude eldeguello!!! I'm thinking I've got to be able to come up with something at least as accurate as those boys down at Remington. The factory Corelokt is made to shoot well in most everyone's rifle... it's pretty unlikely that it just happens to be the "sweet load" for my rifle. If I'm shooting 1/2" groups with Corelokt, I can't wait to see what kind of groups I'm shooting when I find my load...

Thanks for all the help...

RE: 7mm Rem Mag Recipe needed
 

Yep, just keep experimenting, you'll find something that works.

RE: 7mm Rem Mag Recipe needed
 

I am sure you are right about the handloads. Just too busy to fine tune it so far. I was kind of teasing shawn about his "problem" shooting cheap factory ammo in 1/2" groups. Alot of folks would love that "problem"..

RE: 7mm Rem Mag Recipe needed
 

I would have to agree with Stubble, only trying one bullet powder combination is probablyl your problem, it took me a year and a combination of 6 bullet/powder combinations to get my 7 rem mag shooting well. I finally settled on RL22 and Nosler 140 BT's they give me .75" at about 3150 out of my Ruger77.

RE: 7mm Rem Mag Recipe needed
 

Now if you can just get your hair care products combination right and get a new photo you will be in biness.

RE: 7mm Rem Mag Recipe needed
 

I have found that on a slow twist barrel a COL length .027 off the lands seems to work well for accuracy with safe chamber pressures.

RE: 7mm Rem Mag Recipe needed
 

I just bought some H1000, because of it's slower burn rate, as discussed by eldeguello. I've heard very good things about the Sierra 160gr spbt bullet, so I'll continue trying to make that bullet work. Maybe the H1000 will help.

RE: 7mm Rem Mag Recipe needed
 

I like my 175 GR. Horn. Rounds with RL 22. I get a consistant 1/2 Inch group out of my T/C Encore. @ 100 Yards.

Hunter338.

RE: 7mm Rem Mag Recipe needed
 

Try the new barnes tsx in the 130 grain with IMR 4831 it shoots awsome in my 7mm rem mag in a weatherby rifle Iam also looking into the 160 grain barnes tsx so far I like the IMR 4831 and 7828 but iam fairly new to reloading my self. Use the Barns X data for loads but start at the bottom.

Cameron

RE: 7mm Rem Mag Recipe needed
 

shawn, I don't use seirra bullets personally but do know a few gents who do in 7mm rem mags, both use H1000 & 160gr seirras.

I have had goodresults with Imr7828 and RL22 in my 7mm rem mag for 160 gr Nosler bullets. For 150grNBT'sI havebeen usingImr4831 which shoots exceptional. This is my first year using 140 Gr Barnes TSX and RL22 shoots great!! I shot my first animal with the TSX just over a week ago, raghorn bull elk and received excellent performance. Not the biggest bull or toughest test but none the less a complete pass through of ribs with slightly quartering shot, severed lungs and dead elk approx 75 yards later. Blood trail wasn't required but I will say at the shot site it was small but within the first 10 yards or sowas evident and if I had to trackthis animal I would have no problems. I am not sure how it will work on a rib shot for a deer? I hope to find out this fall as I will not be switching this year like in the past.

As far as seating depth my noslers are .010-.015 off the lands. The Barnes are .030 off the lands. In my rifle the accuracy is slightly better the closer to the lands I get but I still want to remain safe and within pressures...these are basically as close as I'd seat them for the loads I am using.

Good Luck and be sure to let us know how your progressing/thoughts on the H1000.

RE: 7mm Rem Mag Recipe needed
 

i like hornady's 162gr spbt in front of reloader 22 (.5 grain BELOW max in lee man.) with a cci lr primer (not magnum). i get 5 shot groupsat 3/4 to 1/2 inch.
i also load a 100gr sierra hp in front of h4831sc 1.5 grain below max also with a cci primer.

i tried using magnum primers in the 7mag withdismal results. most people believe if its a mag round use a mag primer. this not really the case. you dont have to use a mag primer unless youare charging more than 70 grains (if im reading my manual right).

good luck to all this coming season.

RE: 7mm Rem Mag Recipe needed
 

I, like others have mentioned, like the IMR 7828 in my 7mm. In fact I use it for every bullet I load from 140 to 175. I'm working up a load for the 160 Accubond right now and at first blush, it looks good. The 140 Nosler Balistic Tip load I use averages .5" at 100 yards and velocity just under 3400fps. I do use a CCI mag primer due to the slow burn characteristics of 7828. Got such good results that I never felt the need to try a standard primer.

Good luck with yours.

RE: 7mm Rem Mag Recipe needed
 

Hello Shawn. Part 1. You have many things going on here and I need more info to help you. First, why are you loading such heavy bullets? Are you Elk hunting? Second, what grain bullet are the factory shells you shot such good groups with? Third, the reason you are having problems closing the bolt is not because you are jamming the bullet into the lands. The reason here is that a 7 Mag is a powerful belted magnum that requires full resizing after each shooting. The shoulders of your brass is being restricted in the chamber. Then the brass must be trimmed to 2.490. Try this with an empty and see how easy they chamber. My guess is that your OAL of 3.26 is not into the lands although that would explain the wild groups to some extent.

Part 2. My experience of 40 odd years monkeying with the big 7 has been filled with a mix of the agony of defeat and the thrill of victory. It wasn't until I became a serious reloader that the mystery was revealed. First, the 140 gr bullet is king in the big 7. When you consider the extremely long bullets available ie the Nosler Accubonds and BT's, these bullets are extremely accurate and efficient. The problem is when you get in the heavier bullets, they get so long and have to be seated so deep as to keep the bullet off the lands, they will not stabalize in many rifles. You are also in most cases compressing the powder which is not good for most powders. Second, you need an OAL gague. They are cheap and they take all the guesswork out of the equation.

Part 3. The OAL with a 140 gr Nosler BT is 3.370 in my Tikka. I have found this rifles likes to jump a bit and seat the bullet 45 thousandths off the lands which equates to an OAL of 3.325.I have used nearly every powder and bullet combination in the books and have settled on one. I use 70gr RL22 and push the bullet at 3160'/sec. Groups are very consistent 1/2 inch at 100, 1 3/4 at 200 and 3 1/4 at 400 yards. This is a deer load. If you want to hunt Elk, just stick a new accubond in there and you are set. The 140 gr Game Kings should work just as good....maybe better. I go with the Noslers as they have a better BC and I need a 400 yard gun. If you aren't shooting super long distances, the 140gr Sierra Pro Hunter is also a great bullet.

Part4. Safety. Never jam a bullet into the lands....very dangerous chamber pressures will happen. Don't compress the powder unless the receipe says it's ok.

I hope this helps you and wish you good luck with your rifle. Regards, Rick.

RE: 7mm Rem Mag Recipe needed
 

Best advice, go buy a reloading manual (Nosler is very good). Read it cover to cover.

RE: 7mm Rem Mag Recipe needed
 

Are you weighing every charge ? Are you mixing primers or powder lots ? Are you mixing up different brands of brass ? All these things can have a negative effect. I would also try seating the bullet in a little deeper ( off the lands ) and see how that helps first. In the end you may need to switch powders. My Sako loves IMR 4831 but hates IMR 4350, you need to expirement a bit more.

RE: 7mm Rem Mag Recipe needed
 

My pet load was RL19 (around 63g I think), Federal case, Federal Gold Match 215M primer, and a 160g Accubond. Velocity is over 3,000 fps and for the deer and elk hunting I do that's good enough. I don't have a chrono so I can only go off the Nosler manual or some ballistics programs I've found on the web as far as performance. I've shoot paper out to 300 yd and they seem to be about where they are supposed to be.

I'm currenlty switching over to IMR 4831 just to see if accuracy is better or worse. With RL19 I was getting around 0.8" 5-shot groups at 100 yards. Plenty good enough but as a handloader it's always fun trying new stuff. Like they said, make sure to get the bullet OFF the lands by at least 0.010" to 0.030". Never seat the bullet so long that it touches, very unsafe unless you really know what you're doing.

RE: 7mm Rem Mag Recipe needed
 

I am shooting 140gr Nosler Partitions with 64 gr. of IMR 4350. OAL of 3.29" for my 7mmRem Mag. Usually shoots sub MOA at 100 yds.

Hope this helps!

RE: 7mm Rem Mag Recipe needed
 

FYI, looking at powder cans yesterday saw that RL22 bottle actually states right on it that it was made for the Rem. 7mm Mag. Must be a good choice I'd think.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/products/reloder_22.php

Also, look here for more good info.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/7mmRemMag.htm

RE: 7mm Rem Mag Recipe needed
 

To Shawn St. in regards to the 7mm Mag recipe----First, if you are truly getting 1/2 " groups with factory ammo, you are probably wasting your time and money trying to reload for it. Self satisfaction is about all you will gain if you can even duplicate it with your own handloads. Second, with a rifle shooting this well, I highly advise leaving the bedding alone. I shot a 7 Mag for 20 yrs. hunting white tail, and hand bedded the gun, loaded 4350 with 139 gr. Hornady S.P., and was quite pleased with sub-1" groups. After it started getting erratic, I had it rebarreled with a Shilen. Needless to say the old load would not shoot as well in the new barrel. Still working on it.

RE: 7mm Rem Mag Recipe needed
 

What puzzles me on these forums are some of the " I've done it this way for 30 years" posts without any other emperical evidence. I can tell all of you that reload the 7mm mag with 140gr bullets that if you have not tried RL22 you are missing the boat....this is based on three different rifles....Sako, Tikka and Rem 700BDL. Folks, the RL22 is just superior in the 7mag.....Try it, chrony it look at the groups then come back here and say 4350, Retumboor whatever is better.....sheeese.....try it before you make a fool of yourself on the forum. When someone says that something works.....I try it!!!! Regards, Rick.

RE: 7mm Rem Mag Recipe needed
 

48thguns...I do the OAL the old fashioned way and after reading your post I tried to get a OAL gauge - NO LUCK I have tried 2 places and everyone knows what I am talking about but they don't stock them.
2 questions:
Do you need a OAL gauge for each caliber reloaded or is one universal?
Suggest anyplace I can send for one? before I start searching on the internet