7mm RM advice

[7rm1337]

Ok I have weatherby vanguard vgl that has a 20 inch barrel . My question is what would be the ideal
powder to use with 168 vld being it has such a short barrel.

 

[MudRunner2005]

I would guess Reloder 19... But don't hold me to that.

 

[7rm1337]

Thanks ill try that I have alittle left I think.

 

[Jud96]

I recently tried RL-19 in my .243 WIN and my Dad's .30-06 and I didn't like it. The velocities were not consistent and I had unburnt powder kernels in my .243's barrel. Don't know if I had a bad lot or what but I'm staying away from this stuff. IMR 4350 should be a good choice for that barrel length and bullet weight. Never heard of a 7mmRM with such a short barrel so don't have much on load info for one.

 

[AZShooter]

Use the same powder as if it were a longer barrel. It is a myth that short rifle barrels need faster powder.

I got my information from an old article that Ross Siefried wrote, where he experimented with various powders in his friend's short barreled rifle. Within the article Ross also stated that short barreled rifles loose less velocity with heavier bullets.

 

[RobG5589]

R22 has always been good in my 7's. Don't sweat the shorter barrel, just load and shoot it.

 

[CogburnR]

H1000 works for mine at 23".

 

[LoneTraveler]

Hornady's 7th edition they show listings from IMR 4350 fastest to RL-25 as the slowest powder. for 162 and 175 gr. bullets in the 7MM Rem Mag. I would suggest just pick a powder and take loads, the rifle with a chronograph and a couple old white bed sheets to the range. Lay the sheets out in front of the bench and set up the chronograph and start. Check the velocity. And see if any unburned powder ends up on the sheets. Every gun barrel is a puzzle of its own. You may have a fast barrel that even being short may surprise you. Good Luck

 

[7rm1337]

Im not really worried about the barrel being short . Well ive got some imr4350 and 7828 I'll give those a try and see what happens.

 

[MudRunner2005]

I use 7828 SSC in mine since I shoot 168's out of a 26" barrel, but figured with lighter bullets (sub-160 grain) and the shorter barrel that Reloder 19 would be a good one.