7mm Rem Mag and 180g Berger Bullets long range loads

[wolfmanjrw]

I am loading 180g VLD hunting Berger bullets for my brother's stock 7mm mag Browning A-bolt with H-1000 powder, Winchester brass, and Federal 210 or 215 primers. We live in Pa. and he will be using this mostly for Elk in Colorado, that's why we are using the 180g bullet. What is your favorite load for these parameters that will perform well at least out to 700-800 yards? I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks

 

[4bycamper]

Welcome to LRH.

We hunt elk in CO with 7 mm mags. I like 168 VLD for that. Seems like the 7 mag, wsm, saum all fall off pretty badly at 700 yards. This will give you "across a narrow canyon" shot. Check your ballistic tables to be sure.

So my suggestion is to load it up with H 1000 as hot as will give reasonable accuracy. At least 3000 fps if you can. The boiler room on a elk is a pretty big target. MOA is all the accuracy you will need, IMO.

Works for me, anyway.
Good luck on your hunt.

 

[Lrt307]

69.5 grains h-1000 2.756 comparator oal. Fed 215 primer 2995-3005 fps. Shoots awesome in my gun. 659 b.c. Advertised in Berger actual is about .650. Jlk is .735 b.c. I use 2.774 comparator oal on jlk. Also 71 grains of retumbo. This is faster about 3050-3070.

 

[wolfmanjrw]

Thanks for the info. What kind of brass are you using?

 

[Lrt307]

Winchester. 2.114 case comparator sized for my gun works great.

 

[COBrad]

What is the rate of twist in your barrel?
I shoot this bullet out of a 28" 9 1/2 twist. Using 64.3 gr. H4831 SC I get 2980 fps. This load is about 3 gr. over max according to the Hodgden Annual Manual. I am using a BAT action and straight taper #19 Kreiger barrel.
I have found the bullet to be very accurate and it shoots pretty good in a light wind out to around 1200 yards. Getting out closer to 1400, it seems to be much more affected by wind.

 

[brentc]

I'm getting similar performance to the above said. However, I would never consider the range of the berger 180 to be limited to 700 yards as stated earlier.

I use 69.0 grains of H1000 with a Fed 215M to hit 3010, and 70 grains of Retumbo with the same primer to drive them at 3050. Both loads are 1/2 MOA accurate off a bipod with the same POI to 300 yards in my long throated 28" Pac Nor barreled Rem 700.

 

[wolfmanjrw]

Thanks gentlemen! There are two similar loads (69g and 69.5g of H1000) that you are both having success with. Looks like that's a good place to start. Thanks again for your feedback.

 

[COBrad]

I'm getting similar performance to the above said. However, I would never consider the range of the berger 180 to be limited to 700 yards as stated earlier.

Agreed.
I don't usually shoot at varmints with this bullet/load unless they are at least 800 yards out.
Any closer and it is just not sporting.
I've shot lots of marmots over the years, out to 750 yards, with .277 bullets and G1 BC's of .488. They will go further, but became pretty sensitive to wind after that.

 

[brentc]

Thanks gentlemen! There are two similar loads (69g and 69.5g of H1000) that you are both having success with. Looks like that's a good place to start. Thanks again for your feedback.

Just a note. For me, primer choice has a significant effect on velocity with the H1000 load. Accuracy is there with CCI 200, 250, Fed 215 and 215M, however the average velocity with 200s is 2920, the 250s are 2960, and the 215s are 3010. The Federals put the 69 grain load right on the edge for pressure.

 

[Lrt307]

It all depends on seating depth for on the edge pressure. I can shoot mine @ 69.5 and 110 degrees outside with no issue. Brass is holding up fine. On the edge psi would be more like 72 grains of Retumbo.....

 

[wolfmanjrw]

Thanks again, you guys are a great help!! I have 215's to use. Again, I really appreciate all your feedback. This saves me a lot of time.