7mag powder preference

[rickdavis81]

I'm sure this has been brought up many times before but I always seem to get conflicting info. So here's my story. Bought a Savage lrh 7mag a couple years back to go on a mule deer/antelope hunt. We decided to go to Sturgis instead, because I love boobies and beer. Anyways, didn't like the muzzle brake or fact that the barrel was actually only 24.5" instead of the advertised 26". Changed out the barrel to a Lilja 26", changed trigger, recoil lug, bolt knob and bedded the action and swapped out the scope from a Bushnell 4200 6-24 (because I always wanted to try one) to a Sightron SIII 6-24. So my question is, I bought a bunch of 162gr Amax's. What powder would you guys run? I used to run H1000 in my Sendero and still have a few pounds left. But I hear it's not up there in velocity as some others. Any pet loads anyone would like to share?

 

[J E Custom]

I'm sure this has been brought up many times before but I always seem to get conflicting info. So here's my story. Bought a Savage lrh 7mag a couple years back to go on a mule deer/antelope hunt. We decided to go to Sturgis instead, because I love boobies and beer. Anyways, didn't like the muzzle brake or fact that the barrel was actually only 24.5" instead of the advertised 26". Changed out the barrel to a Lilja 26", changed trigger, recoil lug, bolt knob and bedded the action and swapped out the scope from a Bushnell 4200 6-24 (because I always wanted to try one) to a Sightron SIII 6-24. So my question is, I bought a bunch of 162gr Amax's. What powder would you guys run? I used to run H1000 in my Sendero and still have a few pounds left. But I hear it's not up there in velocity as some others. Any pet loads anyone would like to share?

I was using a 7mm Rem Mag for 1000 yard matches and had great luck with the H 4831 and 4831 SC using 168 SMKs.

It gave the best groups at 600 and 1000 yards and very low SDs with highest velocities at the time
(Retumbo and H1000 were not available). If I were still shooting this rifle I would have to try H 1000 and Retumbo but I would also have to try some of the 4831 SC .

J E CUSTOM

 

[MudRunner2005]

IMR 7828 SSC or 7977. I have had great results and velocities using Berger 168 VLD's.

Also, for your magnum cartridges, do yourself a favor and get some new Nosler brass.

 

[Dosh]

H1000 or IMR7977 with 168 Bergers.

 

[jpd676]

I'm shooting 162 Amax's in my 7mm with Retumbo at 2950 fps out of a 26" tube. I got great accuracy with Re-22 but the velocity was low. H1000 and 4831sc would also be good powders to try.

 

[Firecat]

I've got a load with retumbo and 160 grain accubonds that's simply awesome. They're coming out of my factory Ruger mk1 at 3020fps with a 24 inch tube. My buddy is shooting it out of his Rem 700lr with great results. His last groups at 820yds were under 4 inches.

 

[jrock]

I've used 4 powders, 7828, 7828 ssc, H1000, and retumbo all with the berger 168 VLD. I found the 7828's shot the best and had the best velocities. H1000 was slower and had a very hard wall off over pressuring and I'm still spending money on trying to make it group better than it is. I think Retumbo was bit too slow of a powered as the velocities sort of capped out near full case capacity. Shot well but descided to save the retumbo (short supply) for another gun. I'd go with H1000 unless it doesn't work for your gun.

 

[JLB-MT]

I have tried IMR 7828SSC, Retumbo, RL 22 and RL 19 with 168 VLD's. I get the best accuracy from RL 22 and 7828SSC. Retumbo is ok lighter charges but anything near the top end of the charge range does not give me any accuracy. I am shooting a factory 24" barrel in an older Rem 700.

 

[SansSouci]

I was using a 7mm Rem Mag for 1000 yard matches and had great luck with the H 4831 and 4831 SC using 168 SMKs.

It gave the best groups at 600 and 1000 yards and very low SDs with highest velocities at the time
(Retumbo and H1000 were not available). If I were still shooting this rifle I would have to try H 1000 and Retumbo but I would also have to try some of the 4831 SC .

J E CUSTOM

^^^He's nailed it^^^

Hard to beat H-4831

I get 3100+ FPS in W-W brass, 67 grains of H-4831, Fed 215 primers, and a 160 grains Nosler Partition out of a 24" barreled Sako AV, which is my proven elk load. It's accurate and huge elk don't like it, which means I like it. I know I could get 3200 FPS (I've done it with R-22), but I won't fix what ain't broken. It's actual performance makes me think that a 150 Partition or Accubond will work just as well. And I think that a 150 Partition from a .270 Win will kill huge elk just as dead. But I've not yet killed an elk with a .270 Win. But I will.

I like a lot of powders. I love H-4831SC & H-4831.

 

[cape cove]

Don't have a 7mm Rem, but in my 7mm Weatherby Norma MRP is my go to powder by far. I get great accuracy and velocity with this powder with bullets from 145 grs to the 175's.

 

[SansSouci]

Don't have a 7mm Rem, but in my 7mm Weatherby Norma MRP is my go to powder by far. I get great accuracy and velocity with this powder with bullets from 145 grs to the 175's.

cape cove,

Norma's MRP, which is RL-22 (made by same manufacturer), is EXCELLENT powder. I can't remember that charge, but I get better than 3000 FPS with RL-22 and 175 grain Partitions out of my 24" barreled 7MM Rem Mag.

I've loaded my elk load, 160 grain Partitions with 67 grains of H-4831, some 25 years ago. This load will chrono at better than 3100 FPS. I have about 75 of these left. If I had to start anew, I'd of gone with RL-22 (Norma's MRP).

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

I always liked H1000 or Retumbo

 

[dah605]

Both my 23" mountain rifle and my heavy 28" long range rig like H1000 with the Berger 195 EOL bullets. I get 2698fps out of the 23" and 2850fps out of the 28".

-David

 

[jweigel]

7828SC with 168 and N570 with 180s.

jjw
ND