7mm RM 180 vld-h over RL26???

SSG Graybush

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My 1st post so thx
I have a 7mm RM with a 8T, and I am wanting to load a 180 gr vld-h and get the most performance. Wanting to try the 180s over RL26 but theres no load data by Alliant or my older Berger manual. Anybody done a work up on this combo and if so where did you find pressure at? I dont want to have to pull to many bullets. And did it out perform H1000? Thx
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I have used H1000 only with that bullet in my 7mm RM and I do get more than 2830 with it. I would assume if I loaded up RL26 I could get higher velocities but the performance with H1000 will never have me switching for this bullet. My load is truly half MOA, shooting that or better from the bench on every outing.

I hear RL26 can be awfully unpredictable at the upper end, spiking pressures quickly, so I usually stay away from that, keeping a few grains buffer from the very first signs of pressure, which would put you in the realm of conventional powders. I have since switched my load to hammer hunters and RL23. Good luck.
 
I have shot up to 64.6 was 2922. My node was 64.2 which was 2901 and 64.4 was 2902. That was .050 off the lands. I might have to revisit this. You could try retumbo too.
 
Using a 26" barrel I was able to hit 3000 fps with 69gr of Retumbo. I briefly tried H1000 and couldn't get the speed or accuracy of Retumbo.
 
I have used H1000 only with that bullet in my 7mm RM and I do get more than 2830 with it. I would assume if I loaded up RL26 I could get higher velocities but the performance with H1000 will never have me switching for this bullet. My load is truly half MOA, shooting that or better from the bench on every outing.

I hear RL26 can be awfully unpredictable at the upper end, spiking pressures quickly, so I usually stay away from that, keeping a few grains buffer from the very first signs of pressure, which would put you in the realm of conventional powders. I have since switched my load to hammer hunters and RL23. Good luck.
I got in touch with Alliant, their new manual has the data. 64.0 is their max with a 180 vld-h at 2830 fps. I'll try both and see which works better. Thanks for the reply.
 
I have shot up to 64.6 was 2922. My node was 64.2 which was 2901 and 64.4 was 2902. That was .050 off the lands. I might have to revisit this. You could try retumbo too.
Theres no Retumbo available anywhere at the moment. For rl26 I have a "ladder"/speed node test set up as well as a jump test 64 gr at .015, .025, .045 and .065 for tomorrow. If .045 is close to .065 Ill go there so it will stay in the good as throat erosion occurs. In the past Ive found .065 worked well with vld's, but you never know. First time with rl26 so I started low and went up to 64.5. Hopefully I find that node around 64.3. 2900 fps and .5 moa and Ill be a happy camper. Thx for the info.
 
I have loaded rl26 in several different 7 mags. I did not have any of the spikey issues as mentioned, very stable and predictable. I also don't generally shoot in hot weather, if you do, your experience may vary, but living in Wyoming, 85+ is super hot, and not common. Most hunting is done in the 20°-60° range.

Here is my load data from one 26" 7 mag, in conjunction with the brass, 3 of each. The ones with arrows pointing at them had ejector marks prior to shooting. This is a factory Remington, and has a very sloppy firing pin, the craters appear even at nearly 7mm-08 performance. Brass ended up lasting 3 more firings at 68.5, and primer pockets were still fine. Replaced the brass with Norma for better consistency. This was using a CCI 250.
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I found a good speed node at 63.7 to 64.2 of RL26 with a spread of only 12 fps. And I loaded 64.0 grs to test jumps. Loaded 5 rd sets at .065, .045, .030 and .015. .065 shot the best. 64.0 grs es of 7 and a sd of 3 at 2844 fps AV with .065 jump. Group was .75 for 4 shots in a vertical string and I pulled the last to 1 moa slightly left, maybe, could have been a flyer. Going to load .085, .095, .105 and .115 jumps for tomorrow. .115 should be about book coal. Today as my jump shortened the sd's went slightly up but not over 10 in any set and speed went slightly up as well with .015 jump having as sd of 10 at 2867 AV but group opened to 1.25. One thing I did notice today also was my scope is 1 slot too far forward, which is causing a cheek to stock weld issue, am stretching. If I cant get rid of the flyer I will continue up in charge weight, but I can live with 2844 fps with a sd of 3 if I can get the moa down below .625. Am curious what speeds you got at 68.5. Cuz I am wasnt close to any pressure signs at 64.5.
 

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I found a good speed node at 63.7 to 64.2 of RL26 with a spread of only 12 fps. And I loaded 64.0 grs to test jumps. Loaded 5 rd sets at .065, .045, .030 and .015. .065 shot the best. 64.0 grs es of 7 and a sd of 3 at 2844 fps AV with .065 jump. Group was .75 for 4 shots in a vertical string and I pulled the last to 1 moa slightly left, maybe, could have been a flyer. Going to load .085, .095, .105 and .115 jumps for tomorrow. .115 should be about book coal. Today as my jump shortened the sd's went slightly up but not over 10 in any set and speed went slightly up as well with .015 jump having as sd of 10 at 2867 AV but group opened to 1.25. One thing I did notice today also was my scope is 1 slot too far forward, which is causing a cheek to stock weld issue, am stretching. If I cant get rid of the flyer I will continue up in charge weight, but I can live with 2844 fps with a sd of 3 if I can get the moa down below .625. Am curious what speeds you got at 68.5. Cuz I am wasnt close to any pressure signs at 64.5.
If you look at the first pic, it lists velocity. 3023 fps average
 
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