7mm Rem Mag Berger VLD 168 velocity problems

[Jumpalot]

RL22 gets a bad rap for temperature swings. When I was shooting 180 grain Accubonds in my 300 WM, I used RL22. I always worked up my loads in the summer when it was hot out (90*+) and it shot fine in temps down below 0* out to 600 yds. I think most ran into problems when they worked up loads when it was cooler and then shot when it heated up. With that being said, I run H4831 and H1000 in everything now.

 

[leadhucker]

This is good information.

 

[7magcreedmoor]

I was seeing no more than 2875fps out of the factory 24" bbl on my 7mag, and made the decision to replace the tube with a 26 inch, 9 twist, 3 groove PacNor. Easily achieved 3050fps with Retumbo while breaking it in. Tried the 180 grain VLD when I couldn't find 168s, and was able to run 2905fps at about the same muzzle energy level. The heavier bullet grouped slightly better (shaved another half inch off the 300 yard group) and retains more energy at longer distances with less wind drift, so I stayed with it.

 

[leadhucker]

This is so interesting. I believe that mine says 25 3/4 inch barrel on it. It is not here with me at the time it is stored in another place. But next time I get next to it I will look and see. I am also going to add aa muzzle break so will the inch and a half that it adds on help with velocity?

 

[trebark]

This is so interesting. I believe that mine says 25 3/4 inch barrel on it. It is not here with me at the time it is stored in another place. But next time I get next to it I will look and see. I am also going to add aa muzzle break so will the inch and a half that it adds on help with velocity?

Muzzle brakes do not provide any additional velocity. They may change your point of impact though.

 

[7magcreedmoor]

Lotta folks find they shoot better with the brake because they have better form after the recoil reduction, so practical accuracy improves, even though mechanical accuracy really did not change.

 

[leadhucker]

I can see that as this gal kicks like a Missouri Mule. So I aim to tame her down. Thinking about a wedl clamp on. Have you ever used them or seen them used/?

 

[leadhucker]

Yea I heard someone else say that as well. I better put the break on befor I get my load doctored up to get to a grand first. Thank yOU.

 

[leadhucker]

h4831 LOOKED LIKE A GOOD ONE TO USE. u HAVE SOME 162 GR hORNADY LOADS WITH rETUNBO BEHIND THEMM RIGHT NOW. iT SHOOTS OK BUT i WANT BETTER. tHANKS sorry bout caps this darned laptop is a womans machine for sure.

 

[dave1]

Powerman,
I'm starting the load work up here soon for my new 7 mag. I have three cans of regular 7828 I plan to use. My Lyman dps powder throw throws it fine. I contacted burger to make certain regular and ssc cut would be the same loads. I am exspecting the new vortex pst to arrive in a few days. I have 500 berger 168 vld Hunter is my starting components.
How well do you like 7828 do you chrono ur loads? How's the e.s ?

 

[MudRunner2005]

I'm running 168 VLD's and 7828 SSC in mine, and it's pushing them to 3,115 fps out of a 26" barrel. That load killed me 2 deer 2 days in a row back in January. 1 ran 15 yards, the other hit the ground dead and never moved.

Works great for me, but every rifle is different. You will definitely want to work up your load to make sure that's not too hot of load for your rifle.

 

[leadhucker]

I am waiting for my boolits to arrive. First time loading for them. I really need to get me a chronograph as I have none yet. But I just got interested in the long range shooting a little while back. So I also was think 7828ssc as I can find this powder either that or retumbo. But what I have seen so far is 2900 range and some change. So it will be a load that has room for moe powder and the retumbo fills the case. So that is why I am leaning towards 7828ssc. I will have to load and tweak it up and up until I show pressure problems then back it down a half grain. I have some 162 grain Game Kings loaded with 72 grain of Retumbo and at 220 yards knocked a whitetail buck right off his feet.

 

[leadhucker]

Thank You for this information I greatly appreciate it. I will work up some loads and try them as soon as I get my boolits. I have a friend that has a chrony so I may get to use it and figure the E S and all that for my best load.

 

[upacreek]

7mm RemMag Load Data..... Hope this helps.

Berger 168 VLD (from the Berger manual)

IMR 4350: Min - 52.5 (2596) Max - 58.3 (2920)
Hybrid 100V: Min - 52.5 (2614) Max - 58.5 (2846)
IMR 4831: Min - 53.5 (2648) Max - 59.4 (2887)
Alliant Reloder 19: Min - 56.0 (2673) Max - 62.4 (2944)
H4831 SC: Min - 57.0 (2618) Max - 63.4 (2904)
AA 3100: Min - 58.0 (2619) Max - 64.5 (2888)
Alliant Reloder 22: Min - 58.5 (2701) Max - 65.0 (2984) *** I run 67.0 for my 168's in my 7Mag
IMR 7828 SSC: Min - 59.0 (2721) Max - 65.3 (3002)
Viht N165: Min - 58.5 (2617) Max - 65.3 (2892)
Viht N560: Min - 59.0 (2718) Max - 65.6 (3014)
Norma MRP: Min - 59.0 (2716) Max - 65.7 (3007)
Alliant Reloder 25: Min - 61.0 (2731) Max - 67.8 (3012)
AA Magpro: Min - 61.0 (2669) Max - 68.0 (2984)
Norma MRP 2: Min - 63.0 (2726) Max - 68.5 (2970)
H1000: Min - 62.5 (2669) Max - 69.5 (2987)
Ramshot Magnum: MIn - 63.5 (2685) Max - 70.7 (3019)
Retumbo: Min - 65.5 (2721) Max - 71.2 (2975)

Berger 180 VLD

IMR 4350: Min - 51.0 (2512) Max - 55.7 (2705)
Hybrid 100V: Min - 53.0 (2606) Max - 56.0 (2720)
IMR 4831: Min - 53.5 (2594) Max - 56.6 (2719)
H4350: Min - 52.5 (2570) Max - 57.2 (2743)
Alliant Reloder 22: Min - 57.0 (2628) Max - 60.3 (2771)
H4831 SC: Min - 56.5 (2587) Max - 61.2 (2792)
IMR 7828 SSC: Min - 58.0 (2627) Max - 61.3 (2821)
Viht N165: Min - 58.0 (2585) Max - 61.3 (2720)
Viht N560: Min - 58.5 (2692) Max - 61.5 (2826)
Alliant Reloder 25: Min - 60.5 (2700) Max - 63.7 (2831)
AA Magpro: Min - 61.0 (2671) Max - 64.4 (2824)
Norma MRP 2: Min - 62.0 (2683) Max - 65.5 (2838)
H1000: Min - 62.5 (2672) Max - 66.0 (2830)
Ramshot Magnum: MIn - 63.5 (2692) Max - 66.8 (2844)
Retumbo: Min - 63.5 (2635) Max - 69.2 (2881)

After working tirelessly to get good data I found out today my powder mesuring scale is NOT accurate! And my chonograph is very picky with light.
Frustrated! Can anyone tell me how magpro has worked for them? I have found a load that makes 2.5" groups consistently at 400 yrds when I use my beam scale to verify powder charge off of the digital scale then reweigh on the digital scale until everybody agrees.
As hard as I tried to be accurate it looks like 2990fps with 66gr magpro and 180 hybrids. Chonograph says 3010 with 66.3gr magpro.
Chonograph showed slower speeds with H1000. And best group was 4.5" at 400yrds.
Gonna go out and order some better tools tomorrow. This is frustrating!
Do these seem right to anyone? Or should I just throw all the data I have made and start over?