7 Mag reloads
#1
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
From: Denver, Colorado
I need some good reloads for my 7mag!! for elk and deer with good velocity and good nrg and of course great trajectory. Well since i'm new to reloading n my unlce said if i get wat i want i'll just have to supply him and he'll make them.. And ofcourse he is new to it to!! i just need an idea if possible it would be greatly appriciated!!! thanks ahead of time!!!
#2
ORIGINAL: Hunter4life81
I need some good reloads for my 7mag!! for elk and deer with good velocity and good nrg and of course great trajectory. Well since i'm new to reloading n my unlce said if i get wat i want i'll just have to supply him and he'll make them.. And ofcourse he is new to it to!! i just need an idea if possible it would be greatly appriciated!!! thanks ahead of time!!!
I need some good reloads for my 7mag!! for elk and deer with good velocity and good nrg and of course great trajectory. Well since i'm new to reloading n my unlce said if i get wat i want i'll just have to supply him and he'll make them.. And ofcourse he is new to it to!! i just need an idea if possible it would be greatly appriciated!!! thanks ahead of time!!!
One factor complicating the loading of the 7mm Rem. Mag. is that in some (but NOT ALL) guns, for some reason, high pressures are reachedbefore it reachesdecent ballistic levels. For example, when it first came out, the factory loaded the 175-grain bulletto 3070 FPS;today, that same bullet is listed in factory charts as achieving only 2870 FPS, or about the same as a good .280 Rem/7X64mm load! The reason for this seems to be that a number of 7 Magsdevelop too-high pressures with the originalloads.
If you look at today's reloading manuals, most seem to also show relatively low-velocity maximum loads for the 7mm Rem. Mag. There has to be some reason for this other than lawyer-itis, I suspect.
So when you start developing loads for your particular 7mm Remington Magnum rifles, it is doubly important to start with the recommended starting loads and work up very slowly and carefully, and to know enough about signs of too much pressure so you can quit increasing powder charges before things get dangerous! That said, if you know what to look for, it MIGHT BE possible to develop a good load for yourspecific 7mm Rem. Mags. that out-perform the maximum loads shown in a given loading manual - but you have to be able to read pressure indications!
I don't use any of the loading data shown in any current manual, because my particular 7mm Rem. Mag. shoots much better with heavier loads than shown in the manuals, both as regards ballistic performance and accuracy as well. (When I want 7X57mm Mauser ballistics, I use a 7X57mm!)
If you want some good load data for the 7mm Rem. Mag., I recommend that you go to your local library and see if they can locate a copy of Bob Hagel's book, GAME LOADS & PRACTICAL BALLISTICS FOR THE AMERICAN HUNTER. You can substitute Re22 powder or IMR 7828SSC for N205 or MRP in STARTING LOADS. Re22 is about like N205/MRP, and IMR 7828 is even slower than N205.....
#3
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,600
Likes: 0
From: S.W. Pa.-- Heart in North Central Pa. mountains-
Eldequello gave good advice. I personally have loaded for several 7 Mags and none of them shot the same loads with equal accuracy. Guns are individuals unto themselves, and just like people, have different tastes As stated before, get some older reloading manuals if you can, and try locating different powders. I have used 4350 with some success in the past, and it is currently available also. It is very important to know and be able to interpret signs of excessive pressure as you develop your loads.
#4
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,568
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
I could not find a factory load to shoot in my Ruger Mk II stainless 7mm rem mag. So I bought a reloader and started working on it. My best load has been68.5grains ofHogdon H4831sc powder with a 140 grain nosler. THAT IS A MAX LOAD FOR MY GUN, don't try it starting out. I hope I get a chance this year to get some Re22 powder and try to work a load with it. I agree with what's been said about 7 mags being particular so start out at factory and work up in 1/2 grain increments.
#5
H4831, IMR4831, Re22 and IMR7828 have all worked well for me in 7mm rem mags with various bullets. I use Re22 the most now as it seems to work well with 140 -160 gr pills. Like said giving you a starting or good charge level is impossible as we don't know if it is safe or will work in your rifle, so get some references and work up slowly. Change only one component at a time and track the results till you find loads of interest. I use .5 gr changes once I find loads that show promise, till then I usually run 1 gr increminets when load developing.
As far as bullets the list is pretty long for your requirements. Honestly Nosler has always been my go to in terms of bullets, they have always worked well for me on antelope thru moose. However others such as hornady, barnes, etc have also worked just depends on what I am hunting, terrain, time to develop, etc. I'd suggest looking at Nosler Part 140-160gr, Nosler Accubond 160gr, Barnes TSX BT 140 or 150gr. Other such as 154gr InterlockSP or Interbond by Hornady, swift aframe, CT Failsafe, etc are also options for you.
Good Luck and enjoy.
As far as bullets the list is pretty long for your requirements. Honestly Nosler has always been my go to in terms of bullets, they have always worked well for me on antelope thru moose. However others such as hornady, barnes, etc have also worked just depends on what I am hunting, terrain, time to develop, etc. I'd suggest looking at Nosler Part 140-160gr, Nosler Accubond 160gr, Barnes TSX BT 140 or 150gr. Other such as 154gr InterlockSP or Interbond by Hornady, swift aframe, CT Failsafe, etc are also options for you.
Good Luck and enjoy.
#6
I have been loading for my 7mm for many many years now. One thing that never changes is, no matter which bullet I am shooting, RL22 is pushing it. My 7mm was never real finicky for loads, I did have to back down from max load almost a grain when I loaded up 160gr Barnes TSXs for an elk hunt. For some reason I was having my cases "stick" in the chamber.
For deer hunting I have been using Hornady 139gr SSTs, they are very deadly, and shoot very well out of my gun. Last year I did shoot a doe with Nosler 160gr AccuBonds just to try 'em out, needless to say it was a very dead doe. This year I think I might load up some 140gr AccuBonds for deer as well as a bunch of 139gr Hornady SSTs.
For deer hunting I have been using Hornady 139gr SSTs, they are very deadly, and shoot very well out of my gun. Last year I did shoot a doe with Nosler 160gr AccuBonds just to try 'em out, needless to say it was a very dead doe. This year I think I might load up some 140gr AccuBonds for deer as well as a bunch of 139gr Hornady SSTs.
#7
I like RL22 in my 7mm Mag. Shooting 160g Accubond's. I used the Nosler manual and loads listed for the 160g Partition (double checked with the newest manual to insure the loads were the same) and I've loaded it up to their max listed load. Published velocity is right around 3000 fps and that is good enough for me. She shoots around 1 MOA, usually a little under that. No pressure signs and consistant, that's the name of the game. Might have to try 4831 or some of the other slow burning powders too in order to find what your rifle likes.
Welcome to the world of handloading!
Welcome to the world of handloading!
#8
Fork Horn
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: Botetourt County, VA
I have used IMR 4831 for the longest time in my Savage 110. All of my bullets were 150 grainers, either Core Lokt or Power Point. I recently switched to Hodgdon H4831 and have gotten similar results. I load near the maximum published loads and have been satisfied with the performance I get. One of these days, I'm gonnna try some 140 grain premium bullets.
#9
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,081
Likes: 0
From: New Mexico
I have been loading for my 7mm Win 70 for about 5 years and it really shines with IMR 7828. I've worked up loads for 140 Nosler Balistic tips, 175 Rem Corlokt, and am currently working up aome 160 Nosler Accubonds. So far I have been able to find loads that group under an inch with all of these bullets using 7828, for hunting it doesn't need to be much better than that. The 140's load is flat enough to give a 6" point blank sight in range of 350 to 400 yards depending on your altitude. It sure has worked for me.


