I introduced someone to the wonders of reloading today

snolden · September 27, 2013, 11:16 AM

I tuned a load for my uncle today. He has hunted for close to 40 years and has always been a 4"+ shot with factory ammo. So we went and picked out some Berger VLD 168 gr bullets, did some research and loaded up a work up load batch. Jeff has shot the same Remington wood stocked 7mm Rem Magnum for decades and taken a lot of elk/mule deer with it.

His first several groups were all around 1.7-2.5" but progressively smaller. The last three were under 0.5" with a node at 61.5 gr IMR4831 resulting in a 0.37" group. His face was priceless. He had heard other people talk about how great the results of hand loading could be, but just thought he was a bad shot.

He is 57 years old and he looked just like a kid at Christmas when he saw that.

Data for them that want it:
61.5 g IMR4831
Win LRM primer
Berger 168 gr VLD Pt#28501 .284"
3.35" COAL which is a 0.12" jump to the lands.
W-W nickel plated case trimmed @ 2.49"
2809 fps
This is a near max load, and I worked up from 58 grains.

Sean

jwrowland77 · September 27, 2013, 11:37 AM

Awesome!

How is IMR4831? I use a lot of IMR4350 for bullets 150grs or less, and IMR7828 for bullets greater than 150 in my 7mm RM. I'm always looking for different powders to play with.

Claude Clay · September 27, 2013, 11:44 AM

3.35" COAL which is a 0.12" jump to the lands.

good what you did and how you presented it to us

just to say that the numbers may/will change with the cut of the chamber
and the set of the crimp will have an effect.

so many variables even with stated info...its why we each have to work up
loads for our own guns and keep track of when we replace comsumables.

snolden · September 27, 2013, 11:51 AM

Imr 4831 sucks for metering and you have to weigh out each charge but it has given me amazing accuracy in .30-06 with 178 gr amax and the 7mm load above. It really likes a full cartridge so fill up a case to the bottom of the shoulder and start from that charge. I think that is why it does so well with the heavier bullets. They help take up more space in the brass.

The recoil is average for that size bullet. Other powders I have used for those bullets: varget imr 4895, h4350, and 4831sc

The .30-06 load gives 0.6" at 100 and 10" at 800 yards with my old Savage 110G.

snolden · September 27, 2013, 11:56 AM

I don't crimp my bolt action loads. Neck tension is sufficient to hold it in place with a 3' drop onto my workbench. I do crimp my semiauto loads.

jwrowland77 · September 27, 2013, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snolden

Imr 4831 sucks for metering and you have to weigh out each charge but it has given me amazing accuracy in .30-06 with 178 gr amax and the 7mm load above. It really likes a full cartridge so fill up a case to the bottom of the shoulder and start from that charge.

I have a single stage, so I weigh every round by hand. I'll have to agree though between weighing by hand and weighing bullets, it's helped me get amazing accuracy out of my 7mm RM.

AllenJ · September 27, 2013, 02:41 PM

IMR4831 is one of my favorite powders. It performs excellent in my son's 7mm Remington Mag, 2 of my cousins 7mm Remington Mags, and my 243 Winchester. As stated above it is a pain to meter and might cause you to do what I did, buy a RCBS Chargemaster. Now I actually look forward to reloading with it

Snolden wrote:

Quote:

It really likes a full cartridge so fill up a case to the bottom of the shoulder and start from that charge.

Snolden, I'm thinking that statement should've come with a disclaimer

Reloader2 · September 27, 2013, 04:46 PM

I'm 57 years old, been reloading for years and I would be smiling too with results like that.

TheNatureBoy · September 28, 2013, 10:09 PM

Thanks for the load data

I have all of the components listed to include a
7mm rem mag sendero.

snolden · September 29, 2013, 11:53 PM

I am at 5100' elevation so make sure to do a proper work up. Near max for me will be at or above max at sea level

TheNatureBoy · September 30, 2013, 08:08 PM

I'm at sea level. I live right down the street from the Chesapeake Bay. Thanks for that

September 27, 2013, 11:16 AM	#1
snolden Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2006 Location: N. E. AZ Posts: 387	I introduced someone to the wonders of reloading today I tuned a load for my uncle today. He has hunted for close to 40 years and has always been a 4"+ shot with factory ammo. So we went and picked out some Berger VLD 168 gr bullets, did some research and loaded up a work up load batch. Jeff has shot the same Remington wood stocked 7mm Rem Magnum for decades and taken a lot of elk/mule deer with it. His first several groups were all around 1.7-2.5" but progressively smaller. The last three were under 0.5" with a node at 61.5 gr IMR4831 resulting in a 0.37" group. His face was priceless. He had heard other people talk about how great the results of hand loading could be, but just thought he was a bad shot. He is 57 years old and he looked just like a kid at Christmas when he saw that. Data for them that want it: 61.5 g IMR4831 Win LRM primer Berger 168 gr VLD Pt#28501 .284" 3.35" COAL which is a 0.12" jump to the lands. W-W nickel plated case trimmed @ 2.49" 2809 fps This is a near max load, and I worked up from 58 grains. Sean

September 27, 2013, 11:44 AM	#3
Claude Clay Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2007 Location: CT Posts: 325	3.35" COAL which is a 0.12" jump to the lands. good what you did and how you presented it to us just to say that the numbers may/will change with the cut of the chamber and the set of the crimp will have an effect. so many variables even with stated info...its why we each have to work up loads for our own guns and keep track of when we replace comsumables. __________________ NRA Instructor -- NRA Basic Pistol & Re-Loading Make a fire for a man and you warm him for the night Light him on fire and you warm him for the rest of his life

September 27, 2013, 04:46 PM	#8
Reloader2 Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2013 Posts: 263	I introduced someone to the wonders of reloading today I'm 57 years old, been reloading for years and I would be smiling too with results like that.

September 27, 2013, 11:37 AM	#2
jwrowland77 Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2012 Location: Conway, Arkansas Posts: 1,398	Awesome! How is IMR4831? I use a lot of IMR4350 for bullets 150grs or less, and IMR7828 for bullets greater than 150 in my 7mm RM. I'm always looking for different powders to play with.

September 27, 2013, 11:51 AM	#4
snolden Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2006 Location: N. E. AZ Posts: 387	Imr 4831 sucks for metering and you have to weigh out each charge but it has given me amazing accuracy in .30-06 with 178 gr amax and the 7mm load above. It really likes a full cartridge so fill up a case to the bottom of the shoulder and start from that charge. I think that is why it does so well with the heavier bullets. They help take up more space in the brass. The recoil is average for that size bullet. Other powders I have used for those bullets: varget imr 4895, h4350, and 4831sc The .30-06 load gives 0.6" at 100 and 10" at 800 yards with my old Savage 110G.

September 27, 2013, 11:56 AM	#5
snolden Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2006 Location: N. E. AZ Posts: 387	I don't crimp my bolt action loads. Neck tension is sufficient to hold it in place with a 3' drop onto my workbench. I do crimp my semiauto loads.

September 28, 2013, 10:09 PM	#9
TheNatureBoy Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2007 Posts: 1,204	Thanks for the load data I have all of the components listed to include a 7mm rem mag sendero.

September 29, 2013, 11:53 PM	#10
snolden Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2006 Location: N. E. AZ Posts: 387	I am at 5100' elevation so make sure to do a proper work up. Near max for me will be at or above max at sea level

September 30, 2013, 08:08 PM	#11
TheNatureBoy Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2007 Posts: 1,204	I'm at sea level. I live right down the street from the Chesapeake Bay. Thanks for that