7mm rem mag .. varget or IMR 3031?

pnolans · March 18, 2013, 02:32 PM

I didn't buy as much Hodgdon H4831SC as I should have. I'm new to shooting 7mm REM MAG and have started reloading it . (NOT new to reloading).

I'm about half through the only pound I bought when I could still buy it. Can't find much powder anywhere.

I have a pound each of Hodgdon Varget and IMR 3031. My bullets are Sierra 168gr HPBT. (part number 1930). Does anyone know if I can use either/both of these powders for my 7mm rem mag? If so, what weight should I start at?
I'm using Rem 9 1/2 Large Magnum Rifle primers.

Thanks in advance,

Pat

Jimro · March 18, 2013, 02:38 PM

No, both those powders are too fast in my opinion, unless you want to drop your bullet weight down to 115 grains, Hodgdon lists a Varget load for that powder.

There are plenty of slow magnum rifle powders out there, better to get something you know will work well.

Jimro

pnolans · March 18, 2013, 02:48 PM

Thanks... just trying to go with what I have. None of the local stores have ANY powder ...

Jimro · March 18, 2013, 03:00 PM

http://www.gibrass.com/gunpowder.html

Jeff Bartlett has some surplus powders still available with a burn rate more suitable than what you have on hand.

Jimro

AllenJ · March 18, 2013, 04:56 PM

I've had good luck with 4831 in two different 7mm Remington Mags. Both are Remington 700's. Got the starting load off of Hodgdon's reloading site:

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

**Unclenick** · March 18, 2013, 05:00 PM

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond or not covered by currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The Firing Line, nor the staff of TFL assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

PN,

3031 is way to fast. Varget is slower, and Hodgdon has some loads for up to 130 grain bullets with it. You just won't get top velocity or great case fill trying to use it in the 7mm RM. QuickLOAD, after matching the powder to Hodgdon's data for the 130, tells me 75% case fill under the bullet will be roughly at maximum. It's about 49.4 grains. Velocity of around 2630-2650 fps for a 24" tube seems likely. Just not a good match.

pnolans · March 18, 2013, 05:24 PM

I'm convinced. I will use a different powder, suited to the bullets that I have, which are 168 grain.

Thanks for everybody's help.

Pat

hooligan1 · March 18, 2013, 05:36 PM

Anything as heavy as the bullet you intend to use, needs a slower burning powder. What I do sometimes is go to the burn rate chart and see just where I need to pick a powder.
And for 160's or larger in 7mm rem mag (which I load a lot of) I use IMR 7828, and powders in That section of the burn rate chart.
You need a copy of the updated chart on your bench when you are looken to try new powders.

pnolans · March 18, 2013, 06:56 PM

So, I suppose that Pyrodex RS would be TOTALLY out of the question?

JUST KIDDING!!!!

Seriously, I do see what you're talking about. Even though I have done some reloading, I still have a lot to learn. And I do appreciate the help. Very much.

Pat

William T. Watts · March 18, 2013, 10:08 PM

There is some IMR7828 available that can be found in eight pound jugs, you just have to look for it. William

math teacher · March 19, 2013, 12:56 AM

Reloader 22 or any 4350 will also work well for you.

PawPaw · March 19, 2013, 05:28 AM

Yeah, Reloder 22. Like you, I like 4831 in the 7mmRM, but RL22 works great as well.

pnolans · March 19, 2013, 06:59 AM

Thanks. I found some Reloader 25 at a website called "Ballistic Products" ... my Lyman's Reloading Manual mentions that for 7mmREM MAG. I might buy the IMR7828 as well.

Again, thanks.

AllenJ · March 19, 2013, 08:53 AM

My son shot these two 100 yard groups using his R700 in 7mm Remington Mag last weekend. They are Berger 168 grn VLD Hunting bullets loaded with IMR7828SSC and LRM primers. We are going to play around with the COAL to see if we can shrink them a little more.

William T. Watts · March 19, 2013, 12:24 PM

I sent a private message that included the location of IMR7828sc in 8 pound jugs that is in stock NOW!! William

BigD_in_FL · March 19, 2013, 12:40 PM

My 7mm mag liked 4831, 7828 and 4350 the best. Look online, they are available

mhancock · March 19, 2013, 12:44 PM

My 7mm really liked imr 4350 and h1000 the best. It did ok with 7828 and 4831. I wish I was close to you because I would gladly swap any of these for some varget or rl15 for my 308. Nobody around me has powder for my new f class rifle and I have a match coming up.

xLPlushy · March 19, 2013, 01:50 PM

My 7mmRM seems to like 64.5gr of H1000 used with 162gr Hornady SST's. H4831 not so much. I'm also looking for a faster powder(IMR4350 or IMR7828) to use with 130gr Sierra matchking's. care to share your source William T. Watts?! Please?!

William T. Watts · March 19, 2013, 02:28 PM

xLPlushy I sent you a message about the location of 7828SC powder! William

hooligan1 · March 19, 2013, 04:50 PM

This is with IMR 7828, after extensive testing with my rifle. this is 4 rounds byt the way.

William T. Watts · March 19, 2013, 06:45 PM

I hope you fellows ordered the IMR7828SC powder because it's gone now.. William

pnolans · March 19, 2013, 07:26 PM

Thanks William T Watts. I snoozed, I lost.

That Goldurn work keeps getting in the way of my personal life!

@mhancock... Me too... but Georgia is a little bit of a drive from here. Last time I was there, it took 2 days.

William T. Watts · March 19, 2013, 10:41 PM

Brunos list both IMR7828 and IMR7828SC in stock, I have not tried to order anything from them and have no idea if what is listed on their website is current or not. It is pricy!! William

Clark · March 20, 2013, 12:42 AM

7mmRM I have chronographed:
180 gr 3030 fps with Re22
175 gr 2875 fps with H4831sc
162 gr 3000 fps with H4831sc
150 gr 3259 fps with H4350
140 gr 3236 with Re17
120 gr 3652 fps with H4350

pnolans · March 20, 2013, 07:57 AM

Quote:

IMR7828 & IMR7828SC 8pd jugs
Brunos list both IMR7828 and IMR7828SC in stock, I have not tried to order anything from them and have no idea if what is listed on their website is current or not. It is pricy!! William

Yes, it is pricey. If I hadn't just bought 3 pounds of Reloder 25 yesterday, I would have bit the bullet (no pun intended) and paid the extra.

Bruno's is now in my bookmark list! I will check them next payday.

March 18, 2013, 02:32 PM	#1
pnolans Member Join Date: December 7, 2011 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 95	7mm rem mag .. varget or IMR 3031? I didn't buy as much Hodgdon H4831SC as I should have. I'm new to shooting 7mm REM MAG and have started reloading it . (NOT new to reloading). I'm about half through the only pound I bought when I could still buy it. Can't find much powder anywhere. I have a pound each of Hodgdon Varget and IMR 3031. My bullets are Sierra 168gr HPBT. (part number 1930). Does anyone know if I can use either/both of these powders for my 7mm rem mag? If so, what weight should I start at? I'm using Rem 9 1/2 Large Magnum Rifle primers. Thanks in advance, Pat __________________ ”You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind each blade of grass.” ~Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto "DUMP HICKENLOOPER".. my soon to come bumper sticker.

March 18, 2013, 02:38 PM	#2
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	No, both those powders are too fast in my opinion, unless you want to drop your bullet weight down to 115 grains, Hodgdon lists a Varget load for that powder. There are plenty of slow magnum rifle powders out there, better to get something you know will work well. Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.

March 18, 2013, 02:48 PM	#3
pnolans Member Join Date: December 7, 2011 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 95	Thanks... just trying to go with what I have. None of the local stores have ANY powder ... __________________ ”You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind each blade of grass.” ~Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto "DUMP HICKENLOOPER".. my soon to come bumper sticker.

March 18, 2013, 03:00 PM	#4
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	http://www.gibrass.com/gunpowder.html Jeff Bartlett has some surplus powders still available with a burn rate more suitable than what you have on hand. Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.

March 18, 2013, 05:00 PM	#6
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond or not covered by currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The Firing Line, nor the staff of TFL assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information. PN, 3031 is way to fast. Varget is slower, and Hodgdon has some loads for up to 130 grain bullets with it. You just won't get top velocity or great case fill trying to use it in the 7mm RM. QuickLOAD, after matching the powder to Hodgdon's data for the 130, tells me 75% case fill under the bullet will be roughly at maximum. It's about 49.4 grains. Velocity of around 2630-2650 fps for a 24" tube seems likely. Just not a good match. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

March 18, 2013, 04:56 PM	#5
AllenJ Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2009 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,766	I've had good luck with 4831 in two different 7mm Remington Mags. Both are Remington 700's. Got the starting load off of Hodgdon's reloading site: http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

March 18, 2013, 05:24 PM	#7
pnolans Member Join Date: December 7, 2011 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 95	I'm convinced. I will use a different powder, suited to the bullets that I have, which are 168 grain. Thanks for everybody's help. Pat __________________ ”You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind each blade of grass.” ~Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto "DUMP HICKENLOOPER".. my soon to come bumper sticker.

March 18, 2013, 05:36 PM	#8
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,586	Anything as heavy as the bullet you intend to use, needs a slower burning powder. What I do sometimes is go to the burn rate chart and see just where I need to pick a powder. And for 160's or larger in 7mm rem mag (which I load a lot of) I use IMR 7828, and powders in That section of the burn rate chart. You need a copy of the updated chart on your bench when you are looken to try new powders. __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

March 18, 2013, 06:56 PM	#9
pnolans Member Join Date: December 7, 2011 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 95	So, I suppose that Pyrodex RS would be TOTALLY out of the question? JUST KIDDING!!!! Seriously, I do see what you're talking about. Even though I have done some reloading, I still have a lot to learn. And I do appreciate the help. Very much. Pat __________________ ”You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind each blade of grass.” ~Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto "DUMP HICKENLOOPER".. my soon to come bumper sticker.

March 18, 2013, 10:08 PM	#10
William T. Watts Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2010 Location: Central Arkansas Posts: 1,074	Cabelas has IMR7828 in stock in one pound containers!! There is some IMR7828 available that can be found in eight pound jugs, you just have to look for it. William Last edited by William T. Watts; March 18, 2013 at 10:19 PM.

March 19, 2013, 12:56 AM	#11
math teacher Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2012 Location: Southwest WA Coast Posts: 559	Reloader 22 or any 4350 will also work well for you.

March 19, 2013, 05:28 AM	#12
PawPaw Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2010 Location: Central Louisiana Posts: 3,137	Yeah, Reloder 22. Like you, I like 4831 in the 7mmRM, but RL22 works great as well. __________________ Dennis Dezendorf http://pawpawshouse.blogspot.com

March 19, 2013, 06:59 AM	#13
pnolans Member Join Date: December 7, 2011 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 95	Thanks. I found some Reloader 25 at a website called "Ballistic Products" ... my Lyman's Reloading Manual mentions that for 7mmREM MAG. I might buy the IMR7828 as well. Again, thanks. __________________ ”You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind each blade of grass.” ~Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto "DUMP HICKENLOOPER".. my soon to come bumper sticker.

March 19, 2013, 08:53 AM	#14
AllenJ Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2009 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,766	My son shot these two 100 yard groups using his R700 in 7mm Remington Mag last weekend. They are Berger 168 grn VLD Hunting bullets loaded with IMR7828SSC and LRM primers. We are going to play around with the COAL to see if we can shrink them a little more. Last edited by AllenJ; August 17, 2013 at 01:00 PM.

March 19, 2013, 12:24 PM	#15
William T. Watts Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2010 Location: Central Arkansas Posts: 1,074	Check private messages/William I sent a private message that included the location of IMR7828sc in 8 pound jugs that is in stock NOW!! William

March 19, 2013, 12:40 PM	#16
BigD_in_FL Junior member Join Date: December 20, 2012 Location: The "Gunshine State" Posts: 1,981	My 7mm mag liked 4831, 7828 and 4350 the best. Look online, they are available

March 19, 2013, 12:44 PM	#17
mhancock Junior Member Join Date: March 19, 2013 Location: Georgia Posts: 6	My 7mm really liked imr 4350 and h1000 the best. It did ok with 7828 and 4831. I wish I was close to you because I would gladly swap any of these for some varget or rl15 for my 308. Nobody around me has powder for my new f class rifle and I have a match coming up.

March 19, 2013, 01:50 PM	#18
xLPlushy Senior Member Join Date: March 7, 2012 Location: Eastern PA Posts: 160	7mm rem mag .. varget or IMR 3031? My 7mmRM seems to like 64.5gr of H1000 used with 162gr Hornady SST's. H4831 not so much. I'm also looking for a faster powder(IMR4350 or IMR7828) to use with 130gr Sierra matchking's. care to share your source William T. Watts?! Please?!

March 19, 2013, 02:28 PM	#19
William T. Watts Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2010 Location: Central Arkansas Posts: 1,074	xLPlushy I sent you a message about the location of 7828SC powder! William Last edited by William T. Watts; March 19, 2013 at 06:42 PM.

March 19, 2013, 06:45 PM	#21
William T. Watts Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2010 Location: Central Arkansas Posts: 1,074	pnolans/xLPlushy I hope you fellows ordered the IMR7828SC powder because it's gone now.. William

March 19, 2013, 07:26 PM	#22
pnolans Member Join Date: December 7, 2011 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 95	Thanks William T Watts. I snoozed, I lost. That Goldurn work keeps getting in the way of my personal life! @mhancock... Me too... but Georgia is a little bit of a drive from here. Last time I was there, it took 2 days. __________________ ”You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind each blade of grass.” ~Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto "DUMP HICKENLOOPER".. my soon to come bumper sticker.

March 19, 2013, 10:41 PM	#23
William T. Watts Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2010 Location: Central Arkansas Posts: 1,074	IMR7828 & IMR7828SC 8pd jugs Brunos list both IMR7828 and IMR7828SC in stock, I have not tried to order anything from them and have no idea if what is listed on their website is current or not. It is pricy!! William

March 20, 2013, 12:42 AM	#24
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	7mmRM I have chronographed: 180 gr 3030 fps with Re22 175 gr 2875 fps with H4831sc 162 gr 3000 fps with H4831sc 150 gr 3259 fps with H4350 140 gr 3236 with Re17 120 gr 3652 fps with H4350 __________________ The word 'forum" does not mean "not criticizing books." "Ad hominem fallacy" is not the same as point by point criticism of books. If you bought the book, and believe it all, it may FEEL like an ad hominem attack, but you might strive to accept other points of view may exist. Are we a nation of competing ideas, or a nation of forced conformity of thought?