7mag load help
 

I just bought a 7 mag barrel for my encore. I am just getting back into reloading after several years off. Anhy suggestion on a good load?
Thanks

Application?

7mag
 

Antelope hunting this fall and then whitetails after that

Lopers and deer don't need much killing. Hard to go wrong, I'd get bullets 120-162 gr, load em over some rl22 and stuff is gonna die.

Any 7mm RM that I have loaded for shot well with 65.0 of H4831 and any 160 grain bullet..If I had to name one I'd say Speer, but I've had good results with Noslers and others..

Thanks for the info I would really like to shoot 140-150 gr noslers I think. How about reloader 22?

In my friends savage, I ended up with a max charge of rl 22 behind a 120 gr nosler BT and it does 5 under an inch, at 3500 fps.
Hes happy.

My Remmy 700 7Mag likes 64gr H4831SC using a 160gr Nosler Accubond bullet

Go to the Nosler site they have lists for each caliber and grain bullet that perfomed the best. They had a load I remember that was a 140 gr nosler that tested best of the bunch traveling at 3300 or 3400. They say it was very accurate. Check it out.

Use the 4831 in my 7 mm mag. With a 150 gr. bullet is runs at just over 3100 ft/sec. I've never hunted antelope but for whitetails it works well.

Really? Yikes. I just worked up some nice loads with RE22 and Berger VLD's 168 for the 7mag.
Looks like i'll have to look at a different powder when I run out of the 22

I have never experienced a problem with RE-22 powder. It is consistantly the most accurate powder in my 300 WM and my 280 AI. In fact I have shot under .25" groups with 168gr SMKs in my 280 AI and consistant .50" groups with my 300 using this powder.

As far as bullet selection goes I would think a 140 or 150 would be perfect for either game.

150 NBT works in my rem mag loaded over RL22. I did run into a variance though with a lot of Rl22 recently, thankfully i have a proven lot powder which has been consistent in performance. I've had good success with 4831's and IMR 4350 as well with 150< loads in rem mags as well. 160 and up I'd try 7828, H1000, etc.

Hey Ridge,
I'm using RE22 now behind 168VLD's and am not seeing pressure signs at 2850+. Given what you are saying about lot variance, Id like to use IMR 4350 or IMR 4831 (since thats what i have in the house)but start getting a sticky bolt just after 2800 fps with those
Not sure if you have had a chance to use the VLD's on deer. I dont need the speed at short range (less that 100) but i have 2 q's
1. What powder would you recommend if i ditch the RE22
2. What, if any,is your experience with these VLD's at short range

Dan

i had a 7 mag encore ,never did get it to shoot good .traded it for a 300 mag which does shoot good