7mm Rem Mag, new to reloading

[CBRADGO]

I've decided to try my hand at it, now to start with my first load. I'm going to use the 168gr Hunting VLD's, unsure of powder type and amount and primer. Using once fired Hornady brass from this gun unless ya'll suggest otherwise. Not loading or shooting until I hear from you! Thanks!!!

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

My 7 RM really likes RL-22 so thats the powder I started and ended up using with the 168g VLD's.

My load was 63g RL-22, Fed 215 primer, Win case, bullet seated to just touch the rifling. I was averaging 2950-3000fps and 1/2-1 MOA to 1000 yards.

The 168g vld is a very accurate bullet and great for target shooting, but I wont use them on deer again based on my experiences with them.

I shot 1 deer at 618 yards, shoulder shot, he dropped but was not dead. He took a finishing shot. Upon inspection that 1st shot just barely broke his shoulder enough to put him down, but he was definately not out. I would say it was a total bullet failure as it blew up way to much, even at 618 yards. I was expecting it to plow through and leave a 2-3 exit hole. Not the case.

My friend used my rifle on the same hunt to shoot his buck at about 150 yards or so. He is a meat hunter and shot his buck behind the shoulder. At the shot, I instantly saw blood spouting out from behind him. He ran up the hill about 10 yards, then fell back down to where he was first standing. The bullet exited leaving a 2-3" hole and the damage inside was massive. I would say this is expectable and good performance.

The next year I decided to use the 180g vld to see if I could get better penetration. I figured it would since it weighed 12g more, had a higher SD, and was moving about 175fps slower.

Well the time came and mr muley showed up broadside 100 yards. Not exactly what I had hoped or been practicing for all year, but what the hel. I'm not one to pass up on oppurtunity so I let him have a 180g VLD behind the shoulder. He stood there like nothing freaking happened, I was in disbelief. He literally soaked up that 180g vld and just stood there like nothing happened. At that point he started walking and I put another through his shoulder. That finally anchored him. Well when I walked up to him the first thing I did was roll him over to look for exit holes. I really had to look and wasn't finding much but I knew they had to exit. Upon skinning we did find 2 exit holes but there were .284" diameter exit holes and there wasn't very much internal damage to the organs. Pretty much acted like a FMJ. Once again, not good performance from a bullet IMO.

Now everyone can ask what my problem is, I never lost an animal blah blah, thats not the point. The point is I very well could have lost my 2 deer I shot with Bergers if I wasn't able to quickly put another one in them as the 1st initial shots just weren't killing shots. The last thing I need to be worrying about is whether my bullet is going to penetrate to little or expand to much or putting it behind the shoulder or in the shoulder to get expansion.

I solved the problem by going back to Noslers and using NBT's and AB's. They give exits 95% of the time and expand 99% of the time the way there suppose to and deliver consistent and reliable performance time and time again.

 

[CBRADGO]

Wow, good to know. Thanks a ton. Sounds like I've got two bullet options since I'm not much of a BT fan. I have been shooting factory 139 BTSP from Hornady and performance is satisfactory but not quite the "roll your own" smile I'm looking for. I have a MOA gun but want to squeeze the groups down as much as I can. Anyone else?

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

Since your not a NBT fan, I would look real hard at the 160g AB. I've also done some tinkering with them from my 7 mag but have yet to shoot anything with them. My rifle does .5" at 100 yards with 61g RL-22 and the 160g AB at 2900fps.

The 160g AB would be tough to beat for an all around bullet IMO. It will work on deer and elk, both near and far, shoulder, behind the shoulder. I wouldn't hesitate to shoot at any deer or elk that walks out to 800 yards with a good 160g AB load.

I myself just dont care for bonded bullets all that much. I think there more hype then anything and I dont think the animals have gotten any tougher over the years. The only AB I used faithfully for hunting was the 200g AB from my 300 RUM, which was a HAMMER on anything it hit. It left baseball size holes through the shoulders of a few elk and deer.

You'll probly get all sorts of responses sooner or later but more then likey a lot of guys will tell you the AB is a very good bullet and will do everything you want. There will also be a lot of guys that will tell you the 168g vld is a very good bullet and will do everything you want.

The only way to know for yourself is to shoot a couple animals with them and find out how they work for YOU.

 

[Limbic]

70g of Retumbo. .08 off the lands.


I have to bump the neck back after each firing. Not much but 1-2 thou.

RL22, VV 560, Retumbo, ImR 4831 have all worked well.

I use Federal 215 primers.

Currently trying to get the hang of runout and neck turning. THe groups I shot today blew my mind. The best brass shot the largest group and the brass that I thought was the worst with the most runout shot just less than 1/2 MOA at 200 yrds. Currently I using the fact that I have poorly turned necks and poor neck tension for my excuse. It may change next week.

Just when I think I know something I get a reality check.



PS on the MDWFP and MSDucks I'm known as Blackduck.

 

[AJ Peacock]

RL-22 and Nosler 160gr Accubond loaded to around 3000 or a bit more.

I use non-magnum primers, as I've had better consistency/accuracy than with the magnum primers. I use Norma Brass and Rem 9 1/2 primers.

I get better than .25moa at midrange and 1/2moa out to 800yds.

AJ

 

[eddybo]

HMMM 1/2 inch at 200 is 1/4 MOA.......is the new bedding working better? Give me a call tomorrow if you get a break and tell me about it. Other than a skim pass to even the brass up I would not turn for that chamber. If you are going to neck turn your going to need to get a bushing die so you can get the neck tension you need.

70g of Retumbo. .08 off the lands.


I have to bump the neck back after each firing. Not much but 1-2 thou.

RL22, VV 560, Retumbo, ImR 4831 have all worked well.

I use Federal 215 primers.

Currently trying to get the hang of runout and neck turning. THe groups I shot today blew my mind. The best brass shot the largest group and the brass that I thought was the worst with the most runout shot just less than 1/2 MOA at 200 yrds. Currently I using the fact that I have poorly turned necks and poor neck tension for my excuse. It may change next week.

Just when I think I know something I get a reality check.



PS on the MDWFP and MSDucks I'm known as Blackduck.

 

[eddybo]

CBRADGO,

I would try either the bergers or the 162 A-Max if your going to try your hand at long range hunting......otherwise I would stick with the 160 accubond. In either case your going to have to listen to the gun and see what she likes. Not sure what part of the state your located in, but if you feel like driving to Mccomb I will gladly give you a crash course.......I have only blown one gun up.

I have most of the bullets your interested in and maybe I can save you a few bucks. There is no need to buy every possible bullet you may want to shoot. I am always willing to help out MDWFP members.

BTW listen to limbic on the 7RM he has been doing a bunch of loading for it lately.

 

[CBRADGO]

CBRADGO,

I would try either the bergers or the 162 A-Max if your going to try your hand at long range hunting......otherwise I would stick with the 160 accubond. In either case your going to have to listen to the gun and see what she likes. Not sure what part of the state your located in, but if you feel like driving to Mccomb I will gladly give you a crash course.......I have only blown one gun up.

I have most of the bullets your interested in and maybe I can save you a few bucks. There is no need to buy every possible bullet you may want to shoot. I am always willing to help out MDWFP members.

BTW listen to limbic on the 7RM he has been doing a bunch of loading for it lately.

As soon as "outage season" is over I will do just that and make a trip. McComb isn't too far from Brandon and I may see if I can get Kevin and/or Zack to carpool with me and Limbic too if you want to go. Anyways, I've been wanting to contact you about some work on my M70 so we will definitely get together soon. I'm getting a nice collection of once fired brass thanks to my shooting addiction but may get some shiny new stuff as well. Thanks for your help, talk to you soon!

 

[Limbic]

I can tell u what not to do!!!! Ha. Eddybo fo sho knows his stuff. Shoot me an email if you wanna shot around jxn or we can roll down to the " topisaw 767" and shoot with Eddybo.

 

[eddybo]

Sounds good, looking forward to having yall come down.

 

[roninflag]

from your post i can't tell if you are shooting targets or elk. or what gun or distance. my 700 adl shoots .6; with 69.5 h-4831 and 139 horn( norma horn rem and fed brass) ; rem 9 /12 and wlrm primers. my sendero shoots everything i have tried good. re-9 and re -22 ; 168 berger ; nosler brass. 9 1/2 m and wlrm primers,

 

[JD338]

You can't go wrong with a 160 gr AB and RL 22 in your 7mm Rem Mag.

JD338

 

[CBRADGO]

from your post i can't tell if you are shooting targets or elk. or what gun or distance. my 700 adl shoots .6; with 69.5 h-4831 and 139 horn( norma horn rem and fed brass) ; rem 9 /12 and wlrm primers. my sendero shoots everything i have tried good. re-9 and re -22 ; 168 berger ; nosler brass. 9 1/2 m and wlrm primers,

Paper for now and whitetail come November, the elk population in MS is pretty thin. I'm shooting a bone stock Win M70 Black Shadow with DBM and a 26" barrel that I have GOT to clean. Went from gnat's eyelash trimmer to spray and pray. Two & a half boxes between cleanings will do that though...

EddyBo, if you don't mind and have some time, please see what you can come up with as far as "custom" treating this gun. I'd like a new stock but finding one to fit the M70 with a DBM is tough and I love the gun, the action, and especially the DBM. Don't want to rebarrel just yet but I'm sure that isn't far off, especially getting into this kind of shooting more seriously. I went out in 100 degree temps last week to punch paper with my brother in law in Columbus. That's when you know you have problems...