7 Sherman Max powder ideas?

Corvalliscory

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Need some advice. My 7 Sherman Max is done. 100+ rounds fired and ADG brass fire formed twice. It's built on a Tikka action, 22inch 1in8 twist HCA barrel, etc. It's about 8- 8.5 lbs scoped.
Trying the 145gr Badlands BDG2 bullets. Seated .020 off the lands, 3.055 COAL and I tried N550 powder and CCI 250 primers. 60 grains of N550 produced about 3160 FPS and is grouping good , but it's cold out and already is starting to get some heavy bolt lift. I'd like a powder with more case fill and something to bump me over 3200 FPS and 3250 would be better. I've heard H100v will do it but that's not a temp stable powder for our west here. If that's not do able, I'd like to run the 162 ELDM bullets. No sense running 145's at the same speed I can get out of 162's IMO. I have other VV powders. Maybe N555? What should I try that is not temp sensitive for the 145-162gr bullet class and 22in barrel? I don't want to run 180+ gr bullets, so it's easier for my wife to shoot when she uses it and I'm not using it. So N555 with 145's? Or N560? Or N565 with the 162's? Just want some ideas. She shot my 28 Nosler with 195's at 3160 fine, but that rifle was 10lbs scoped. Also I cannot find the 7 Max load development thread... Has anybody tried any of this with this cartridge and bullet weights/barrel length?

Thanks, Cory
 

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If you have n564 I would try that I think a lot of people are using rl26. N570 maybe but might not pressure out with it, h1000 too. Nice rifle. Is that a Mesa stock? I ha e two of them I like them.
 
Need some advice. My 7 Sherman Max is done. 100+ rounds fired and ADG brass fire formed twice. It's built on a Tikka action, 22inch 1in8 twist HCA barrel, etc. It's about 8- 8.5 lbs scoped.
Trying the 145gr Badlands BDG2 bullets. Seated .020 off the lands, 3.055 COAL and I tried N550 powder and CCI 250 primers. 60 grains of N550 produced about 3160 FPS and is grouping good , but it's cold out and already is starting to get some heavy bolt lift. I'd like a powder with more case fill and something to bump me over 3200 FPS and 3250 would be better. I've heard H100v will do it but that's not a temp stable powder for our west here. If that's not do able, I'd like to run the 162 ELDM bullets. No sense running 145's at the same speed I can get out of 162's IMO. I have other VV powders. Maybe N555? What should I try that is not temp sensitive for the 145-162gr bullet class and 22in barrel? I don't want to run 180+ gr bullets, so it's easier for my wife to shoot when she uses it and I'm not using it. So N555 with 145's? Or N560? Or N565 with the 162's? Just want some ideas. She shot my 28 Nosler with 195's at 3160 fine, but that rifle was 10lbs scoped. Also I cannot find the 7 Max load development thread... Has anybody tried any of this with this cartridge and bullet weights/barrel length?

Thanks, Cory
Nice Rifle! Try some RL26 and maybe 7828
 
I really like the performance of RL26 but it's done funky things for me and I don't trust it. 7828 huh? Hadn't even thought about that one. I have pretty much all the VV 5xx series powders but not opposed to trying other powder if needed. And thanks!
 
If you have n564 I would try that I think a lot of people are using rl26. N570 maybe but might not pressure out with it, h1000 too. Nice rifle. Is that a Mesa stock? I ha e two of them I like them.

Yes sir it's a Mesa. I love this rifle build so far. Just don't see the point of 145's over 162's unless I can get a little more performance. But also wanting to know my best options for powder if I can't get the 145's where I want and 162's will be my next bet.
 
I really like the performance of RL26 but it's done funky things for me and I don't trust it. 7828 huh? Hadn't even thought about that one. I have pretty much all the VV 5xx series powders but not opposed to trying other powder if needed. And thanks!
You might try some Ramshot Hunter too.
Maybe even a case full of RL23
 
Rl23 will be your friend, rl26 will go very fast too. I was pushing 151 solids in my 7max over 3400 with it. A HOT load but accurate.
 
I have a lb of Rl23 to try... Kind of thought it was a little too slow for a 22in barrel pushing only 145's and they'd be much better for like the 162's. Glad I'm getting some real world feedback.
 
I have a lb of Rl23 to try... Kind of thought it was a little too slow for a 22in barrel pushing only 145's and they'd be much better for like the 162's. Glad I'm getting some real world feedback.
Take this with caution, as it's my rifle, not yours. These are 151 solids pushed with RL26 in a 26" barrel. The bullet has a short bearing and drive band, so it generates lower pressure. I'd say starting at 67gr would be safe. Start at 65 w/ RL23.
 

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