RANGE REPORT, 7 mag, and 162 A Max, and 168 VLD

[7stw]

Just got back from range, and wanted to pass along some info on 7 mag with 162 A max, and 168 VLD. Using 64.5-4831ssc, and 162, groups at 100 were .437. When I moves it out to 200' groups ran an average of .582. The rifle is a " stock" 700 LSS, that has 74 rounds down the barrel now. I picked it up in December from a collector, who bought it new in 1999. Gun was unfired. I also shot the 168 VLD, with same charge, but was not as consistent. The VLD shoots amazing in another 7 mag that I have, but so far, not this one. These darn 162 A Maxes seem to shoot in about everything I stick them into. Did not take chronograph with me today, as I was just testing accuracy first. So far, this gun likes, 140 TSX, 154 spire point, flat base, and 162 A Max. I am thinking that due to barrel length, the powder mentioned will yield best velocity, along with RL-19. Any thoughts? Which bullet would be your pick?

 

[backwoods83]

my best load for the 24" barreled 7mm mag i have is the 162 amax at 3.407" or .010' in the lands, in federal premium brass, with Fed210M primers, and 67.5grns H4831sc. shoots under .4" consistantly and runs an avg velocity of 3055fps. also work good in Win or Norma brass with a .5grn higher powder charge. i have hit close to 3200 with H1000 but ES was horrible, groups sucked, and barrel carbon fouled quick. H1000 works great in 26" and longer barrels with CCI 250s or BR2s.

 

[7stw]

my best load for the 24" barreled 7mm mag i have is the 162 amax at 3.407" or .010' in the lands, in federal premium brass, with Fed210M primers, and 67.5grns H4831sc. shoots under .4" consistantly and runs an avg velocity of 3055fps. also work good in Win or Norma brass with a .5grn higher powder charge. i have hit close to 3200 with H1000 but ES was horrible, groups sucked, and barrel carbon fouled quick. H1000 works great in 26" and longer barrels with CCI 250s or BR2s.

Yea' that's the reason I went with the 4831 too. I felt like I was going to lose to much velocity as well. It works awesome in my 26 inch barrel on my 700p, and my sons Winchester. What do you think of RL19? Thanks for the reply.

 

[backwoods83]

I normally try to stay away from reloader powders even though there distribution center/factory is less than 2 hours away. i think they are to temperature sensative, and very inconsistant from lot to lot. Imr 7828ssc is another good choice. for accuracy and ES sake i would veer away from mag primers if thats what your using. Imr 4350 is the most consistant powder in that cartridge, but its hard to get any good velocity without pressure.

 

[7stw]

I normally try to stay away from reloader powders even though there distribution center/factory is less than 2 hours away. i think they are to temperature sensative, and very inconsistant from lot to lot. Imr 7828ssc is another good choice. for accuracy and ES sake i would veer away from mag primers if thats what your using. Imr 4350 is the most consistant powder in that cartridge, but its hard to get any good velocity without pressure.

I have been using Winchester WLR primers and have have great luck with them. I have always felt that you do NOT always have to use a mag primer in a seven mag, or even a 300 win mag for that matter, but after that, you probably are better off. I tried 4350 in a seven years ago, and you are right, accuracy was great, but when I approached my velocity, pressure signs showed up. Thanks for the reply! ( again).

 

[jsthntn247]

.5 groups at 200 is 1/4 moa, pretty dang good. You are right about h-1000 in a 24" tube, your high es was due to inconsistent powder burn, I saw the same thing. 4831 is the perfect powder in the 7mag and anything over 3000 fps is all you can ask for. Good shooting

 

[kermodie]

The 162 gr A-Max also has an accuracy node around 2950 fps. Verified in several rifles. I run 65 gr H4831 with Rem 9 1/2 M in Win brass and get consistant 1/4 MOA out to 800 yards with a 26" barrel. The 168 Berger and 70 gr Retumbo gives the same size groups but run at 3060 fps. It's worth a try in the 24" barrel. I find the Retumbo to be more consistant than the H1000.

 

[7stw]

The 162 gr A-Max also has an accuracy node around 2950 fps. Verified in several rifles. I run 65 gr H4831 with Rem 9 1/2 M in Win brass and get consistant 1/4 MOA out to 800 yards with a 26" barrel. The 168 Berger and 70 gr Retumbo gives the same size groups but run at 3060 fps. It's worth a try in the 24" barrel. I find the Retumbo to be more consistant than the H1000.

I think you are onto something, about the accuracy node at 2950. My son has a model 70, that shoots at that speed, and is smokin' accurate. Have not chronoed anything yet, but now you have my curiosity up. I think I am on the right powder with this gun. My other 7 has a 26inch barrel, and LOVES H1000, and 168vld.
On another note,I get lower ES, and SD, when using h1000 where used, over Retumbo. I may stick with the 162 a max in this gun as well. Thanks for the reply.

 

[sendero72]

I switched to the A-max in my 7mag and they work great. Best group shot last month was 6" @1098 yds. Use 71grs Retumbo, Fed GM215M primers, seated .017 off the lands. Barrel is a 26" Hart, 9 twist. MV is 2970. Lost accuracy at the higher speeds.

 

[7stw]

I switched to the A-max in my 7mag and they work great. Best group shot last month was 6" @1098 yds. Use 71grs Retumbo, Fed GM215M primers, seated .017 off the lands. Barrel is a 26" Hart, 9 twist. MV is 2970. Lost accuracy at the higher speeds.

Those 162 A Maxes are shooters in everything that I have shot them in. My Sako 7 STW loves them, my sons 7 mag loves them and this one does too. I was given three boxes of the a maxes that preceded the ones we are shooting now. They do not shoot as well as the new ones. I think that they need a 1-8 twist to really stabilize them.thanks for the reply.

 

[kermodie]

I think you are onto something, about the accuracy node at 2950. My son has a model 70, that shoots at that speed, and is smokin' accurate. Have not chronoed anything yet, but now you have my curiosity up. I think I am on the right powder with this gun. My other 7 has a 26inch barrel, and LOVES H1000, and 168vld.
On another note,I get lower ES, and SD, when using h1000 where used, over Retumbo. I may stick with the 162 a max in this gun as well. Thanks for the reply.

Before you give up on the Retumbo, try it with different primers. I found the 215's produced the highest ES. The CCI 200, and Rem 9 1/2M gave the lowest (12 and 10 fps respectively). I settled on the Rem 9 1/2M for both the H4831 and Retumbo loads.

58 gr H4350 is another good load in many rigs but produces lower velocity.

 

[Fred Ea]

My 2 cents worth is on IMR4831 also, I have always got the most consistentcy and accuracy with it in the 7RM 24in. and 26in. barrels with bullet wts.of 140gr. and 160gr.
FE

 

[7stw]

My 2 cents worth is on IMR4831 also, I have always got the most consistentcy and accuracy with it in the 7RM 24in. and 26in. barrels with bullet wts.of 140gr. and 160gr.
FE

HEY, Ain't you one of them 7 mm STW lovers????? Thanks Fred, I do have some IMR 4831. Actually, I have about 4 lbs of it. Two pounds are in the " Dupont " cans. Yes, I agree, that stuff was the "go to " powder years ago before long barrels and super slow powders came out. Seeing how this rifle has a 24 inch barrel, that may just be the ticket. It does not have a accuracy problem, very accurate, I do not know the speed yet as I have just been doing some trial shooting. Then I will do some chrono work. Thanks for the reply, " Brother".

 

[malikinam]

I havent been reloading long, and keep realizing how much I dont know from reading these posts. I am basically holding the reloading manual's hand in everything, so customizing a load for my rifle is driving me crazy.