I wouldn't say R-22 is the best by any means. R-22 is good for the lighter bullets, but R-25 has been around 250fps faster and far more accurate with the 150's and up in all of my 7mags. Brett

Rick, as I said availability of RL22has beensuspect, so while I have a good/proven supply I figured what better time to do some testing!!
Think somebody forgot to take theirmeds today?

Brett, got any load data you'd like to share with regards to RL25?

Skeeter- I use 154gr Interbonds because their BC(.525) is almost as good as the 160 Accubonds (.531), but I can push them around 100-125fps faster than the 160's.

My favorite elk load is 72gr of R-25 under a 154IB. In my 26" barrel this averages 3255fps in 50 degree weather. In my rifle this load shoots 3/4". This is a flat flat shooting load! I believe this load is around .5gr over max in the new Hornady manual so start around 67gr and work up slowly. I have no pressure signs, but as you know, all rifles are different. Hornady max load says it will only do 3000fps, but I've confirmed this velocity in two other rifles. My buddy's 24" gun will do 3205fps. I can only get the 160 Accubonds around 3140fps safely. This makes the 154 a flatter shooter by a pretty good margin. I can only get around 3000-3050fps w/ R-22 and these bullets. Hope this helps, Brett

I have discovered that there is a pretty wide variation in performance of RE22 in the 7mm Rem. Mag. For example, this stuff is said to "be the same as" Norma N205 or Norma MRP. But in the two different lots of it I have used with both the Sierra and Nosler 175-grain bullets in the 7mm Remington Magnum (26" barrel), neither gave the same speed as either N205 or MRP- RE22 fell short by over 100 FPS in MV with the same loads, and no increase was possible before pressures got too high for good case life.

For the 175-grain bullets, I found that of currently available powders, I had to switch to IMR 7828 to get the performance I was getting BACK IN THE EARLY 1970'S with Norma N205! I wish Norma had not discontinued that powder, as you could get more of it into a case than RE22 as well. Its density was greater, and thegrains were smaller as well.....

In addition, in MY 7 Mag., H4831 will permit me to get over 3300 FPS with 140-grain bullets, and my cases can be reloaded at least 10 times before they have to be tossed.

So, IMO, RE 22, as good as it is (and it is!) is not the ONLY useful powder for loading 7mm Magnum cartridges!

Thanks Brett for the info.

I needed some 7828 for 300 loading so restocked on it anyway and will add something else to the mix be it RL25, H1000, Retumbo, etc to try under the 160AB's. I also havefew 154 IB's as well.