Powder Combos for 7mm Mag Berger 168 grain Classic Hunters

[Dmayer]

Just as the title suggests, I am looking to see what powders people have tried for the subject bullet and what was successful for them. I currently have RL 22, AA4350, IMR 7828 and IMR 4831 in my garage, so if anyone had success with any of those and at what weights, your info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

 

[Corey Schwanz]

No pet loads because I don't shoot a 7 Mag myself, but if you drop us an email to [email protected], we'd be happy to send you the starting and max loads for a variety of powders. I'm sure someone who has shot that cartridge may come along with exact loads that worked for them. They may or may not work for you in your rifle, though.

 

[Jud96]

I personally don't shoot a 7mm RM but have heard of excellent results with IMR 7828 and H1000 using 168s.

 

[Dmayer]

Hey Corey, I have the Berger reloading book and I have been using the recommended starting and max loads shown for the 168 grain VLDs as the book does no include the classic hunters. Does Berger recommend different amounts for the classic hunters or to use the same powders and weights shown for the VLDs?

 

[Dmayer]

Thanks Jud96, I will have to try the H1000 if I can manage to get ahold of some. I tried 7828 already, mostly up near the max recommended and wasn't getting the results i was looking for. I may experiment at the lower ends of the recommended weights and see what happens.

 

[brentc]

To start off, I'd set your Bergers at .050" off the lands, then work up a powder charge starting at 63.0 grains in half grain increments with 7828. Once you have a consistently accurate powder charge, run a seating depth test with three shots each at .040, .050, and .060 off the lands. I've found a sweet spot at .050" off with Berger hybrids in several rifles.

 

[Jud96]

Thanks Jud96, I will have to try the H1000 if I can manage to get ahold of some. I tried 7828 already, mostly up near the max recommended and wasn't getting the results i was looking for. I may experiment at the lower ends of the recommended weights and see what happens.

What results are you looking for? Did it not group well or were the velocities lower than you expected?

 

[Corey Schwanz]

Hey Corey, I have the Berger reloading book and I have been using the recommended starting and max loads shown for the 168 grain VLDs as the book does no include the classic hunters. Does Berger recommend different amounts for the classic hunters or to use the same powders and weights shown for the VLDs?

They were still in development when the 1st edition printing was finalized. For now, you will just use the same data as the VLDs. In any future editions, they will be listed together on the same page.

 

[Dmayer]

What results are you looking for? Did it not group well or were the velocities lower than you expected?

I wasn't getting the groupings I was looking for.

 

[Dmayer]

To start off, I'd set your Bergers at .050" off the lands, then work up a powder charge starting at 63.0 grains in half grain increments with 7828. Once you have a consistently accurate powder charge, run a seating depth test with three shots each at .040, .050, and .060 off the lands. I've found a sweet spot at .050" off with Berger hybrids in several rifles.

Thanks for the starting point Brent, I will give it a try.

 

[Dmayer]

They were still in development when the 1st edition printing was finalized. For now, you will just use the same data as the VLDs. In any future editions, they will be listed together on the same page.

Do I need to email Berger to find out which grain weight had the best accuracy for each powder? Or is that not recorded? I noticed other reloading books highlighted the the best powder out of all tested and included best weight of each grain.

 

[brentc]

Do I need to email Berger to find out which grain weight had the best accuracy for each powder? Or is that not recorded? I noticed other reloading books highlighted the the best powder out of all tested and included best weight of each grain.

Find what's accurate in your rifle. 7828 is a great powder in the 7 RM. If you can find some H1000, get some. It's a great powder in the 7 RM too.

I've seen 7 RM work very well around 65 - 65.5 grains of 7828 with a 168. The old Berger data has a max at 65.3.

 

[PNWsportsman]

Retumbo and H-1000 work best for me. I ended up with a lower Es with retumbo. Imr 7828ssc worked well also but was not the best.

 

[Punisher]

I use 70.4 grains of Retumbo. H4350 is okay, but i can't get it to shoot as well.