Best powder for 168 & 180 gr bergers for 7mm Rem Mag

Twodogs10mm · July 5, 2012, 10:09 PM

Just picked up 100 Remington brass and 100 Berger 168 gr hunting VLDs for my 7mm Rem mag build that is almost done.
Now I need powder and I want to know which powder to get.
I'm looking for highest velocity and of course best accuracy

Temp stability would also be good.

The build I'm completing is a savage 111 accutrigger
Criterion 26" 9 twist ss light varmit barrel
precision ground recoil lug
Boyds thumbhole varminter stock with limb saver recoil pad.

Any advise would be appreciated

Thanks Doug

NESHOOTER · July 5, 2012, 11:56 PM

I've used HUNTER from Ramshot wasn't bad, and I am currently using RETUMBO I've seem to get better accuracy on my Hornady interbond's with it. The FSP and less powder weight along with a med crimp seems to hold it more consistent through the crony and a more even FSP spread.

Jimro · July 6, 2012, 12:07 AM

I'm fond of IMR 7828 in 7mm Rem Mag, but you can use plenty of slow powders such as H1000, Retumbo, or WC867 or WC872 to get acceptable performance with the 180 grainers.

But it is hard to go wrong with 7828.

Jimro

Bart B. · July 6, 2012, 04:24 PM

Most cartridges don't shoot at their best accuracy level when pushing out bullets at their highest muzzle velocity. It's one of those tradeoff's most folks sooner or later realize.

When a good friend broke the 1000 yard scope sighted rifle match at the Nationals in 1970 with a borrowed 7mm Rem. Mag. rifle and ammo, that started a never ending fad with that round. Most folks in competition got best accuracy with IMR4350 or IMR4831 powders or others of that speed under 168-gr. bullets. Some of Hodgdon's slower powders would push the bullets out faster, but they wouldn't land as close together on target down range.

If an extra 50 to 75 fps is more important than smaller test groups at long range, then by all means use a powder that wins the race to the target for your bullet of choice.

TheNatureBoy · July 8, 2012, 05:30 PM

I've used 63.5 grains of RE-22 under 168 grain pills with great success for about 3 years in my Sendero. You can email Berger Bullets and they will give you some load data.

5R milspec · July 11, 2012, 02:42 PM

cannot say much for I do not load for a 7mm rem mag.but a friend of mine loves a 180gn berger vld under a charge of R22.he says they just lay out a deer at any range.

TheNatureBoy · July 11, 2012, 03:16 PM

With a 1-9 twist you should be ok with the 180 grain berger.

July 5, 2012, 10:09 PM	#1
Twodogs10mm Junior Member Join Date: May 27, 2012 Location: Springfield Oregon Posts: 5	Best powder for 168 & 180 gr bergers for 7mm Rem Mag Just picked up 100 Remington brass and 100 Berger 168 gr hunting VLDs for my 7mm Rem mag build that is almost done. Now I need powder and I want to know which powder to get. I'm looking for highest velocity and of course best accuracy Temp stability would also be good. The build I'm completing is a savage 111 accutrigger Criterion 26" 9 twist ss light varmit barrel precision ground recoil lug Boyds thumbhole varminter stock with limb saver recoil pad. Any advise would be appreciated Thanks Doug

July 11, 2012, 03:16 PM	#7
TheNatureBoy Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2007 Posts: 1,204	With a 1-9 twist you should be ok with the 180 grain berger. Last edited by TheNatureBoy; July 11, 2012 at 05:29 PM.

July 5, 2012, 11:56 PM	#2
NESHOOTER Senior Member Join Date: October 16, 2009 Posts: 517	I've used HUNTER from Ramshot wasn't bad, and I am currently using RETUMBO I've seem to get better accuracy on my Hornady interbond's with it. The FSP and less powder weight along with a med crimp seems to hold it more consistent through the crony and a more even FSP spread.

July 6, 2012, 12:07 AM	#3
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	I'm fond of IMR 7828 in 7mm Rem Mag, but you can use plenty of slow powders such as H1000, Retumbo, or WC867 or WC872 to get acceptable performance with the 180 grainers. But it is hard to go wrong with 7828. Jimro

July 6, 2012, 04:24 PM	#4
Bart B. Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 8,927	Most cartridges don't shoot at their best accuracy level when pushing out bullets at their highest muzzle velocity. It's one of those tradeoff's most folks sooner or later realize. When a good friend broke the 1000 yard scope sighted rifle match at the Nationals in 1970 with a borrowed 7mm Rem. Mag. rifle and ammo, that started a never ending fad with that round. Most folks in competition got best accuracy with IMR4350 or IMR4831 powders or others of that speed under 168-gr. bullets. Some of Hodgdon's slower powders would push the bullets out faster, but they wouldn't land as close together on target down range. If an extra 50 to 75 fps is more important than smaller test groups at long range, then by all means use a powder that wins the race to the target for your bullet of choice.

July 8, 2012, 05:30 PM	#5
TheNatureBoy Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2007 Posts: 1,204	I've used 63.5 grains of RE-22 under 168 grain pills with great success for about 3 years in my Sendero. You can email Berger Bullets and they will give you some load data.

July 11, 2012, 02:42 PM	#6
5R milspec Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2009 Location: South Carolina Posts: 360	cannot say much for I do not load for a 7mm rem mag.but a friend of mine loves a 180gn berger vld under a charge of R22.he says they just lay out a deer at any range.