IMR 4350, old Nosler 150 SB Spitz BT and COAL in the 7mm RM and

Wyoredman · September 6, 2012, 10:35 AM

Just started loading for a 7mm RM (win model 70) that I purchased at an auction. It came with a box of old Nosler 150gr Solid Base Spitzer boattail bullets.

I loaded up some test rounds last night for load work up:
F-C Brass, trimmed to 2.490"
WLRM primers
COAL of 3.285" (0.007" off lands if I measured the chamber right?)

5 rounds each at 60, 61, 62, 63 gr of IMR 4350.

Now for my question: I did a search here befor loading and found a thread that had some data by hooligan that showed his COAL with Nosler partitions around 2.800". Doesn't that seem short to you? Am I making mine too long?

http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...mington+magnum

Thanks.

ligonierbill · September 6, 2012, 10:53 AM

Can't see anything wrong with your loads. I load to 3.29" for my Remington 700 with 160's. On the other hand, 0.01 shorter probably won't have much effect for a hunting rifle, assuming you meant 3.28 for the other guy. If you mean 2.8, there's a typo somewhere.

Brian Pfleuger · September 6, 2012, 11:12 AM

If they fit your gun they're not too long unless the bullet won't stay in the case.
Yes, 2.800 seems short but, again, it doesn't matter if it works.

The only thing I see with your loads that I would change is that your powder increments are too large. 0.7-1.0% steps are your best bet. 1% would be .6gr, 0.7 would be about 0.4gr.

SL1 · September 6, 2012, 12:19 PM

Brian,

Remember, the OP has only one box of discontinued bullets. And, I think that is a box of 50, not 100.

So, he is already committing 20 to load development at 1.0 grain charge increments.

If he goes to 0.4 grain increments, he will have only 5 to 10 bullets left, depending on what he does with the "half increment." And, that does not count using any to "verify" what the ladder test suggests.

If it were me, I would load two each at 0.5 grain increments (14 rounds) and see if there is a "pause" in the "walk" across the target(s) as the charge increases, then shoot some 3-shot groups (maybe 9 rounds) in the charge range of any "pause." That would at least leave me with about half the bullets to sight-in and actually shoot something with, IF they turned-out to be accurate enough.

By the way, my old Nosler manual #2 with the Solid Base bullets shows start load at 59.0 and max at 63.0, with the asterisk for "most accurate load tested" on 63.0 grains. That manual shows the same charge weight range for the 150 grain Partition, but with the asterisk at 61 grains. My more recent Nosler Manual #6 shows one chart for both the successor Ballistic Tip and the Partition, with the asterisk on 63.0 grains. Your results will probably vary.

SL1

Brian Pfleuger · September 6, 2012, 12:29 PM

That's a good point. I guess I wouldn't even be inclined to put forth effort and components for 50 bullets that can't be bought. I'd use them for foulers or light loads for kids or something. That's a lot of effort and components for 20 or 30 so "usable" rounds.

hooligan1 · September 6, 2012, 01:32 PM

Wyoredman, My coal of 2.800 is because I zeroe my comparator after I install it on my digital calipers,.
Also I would like to add that I found that my load developement went easier if I weighed and dropped powder in .3 increments,, like 61.3- 61.6 61.9 etc., because the 7mm rem mag is a little picky about powder charges,. Work up your OCW (optimum charge weight) then test coal in small increments like .005 at a time, so you won't miss it. Oh and all my developement rendered me 5 different loads and bullets for my rifle and they almost all have the same poi.

Wyoredman · September 6, 2012, 02:09 PM

SL1,

You hit the nail on the head! I should have done as you say with the 0.5 gr incriments and only 2 ea. But that is water under the bridge as I already have the loads made.

I was planning on finding the best of these then making 3 at 0.5 gr above and below that load. This will leave me 26 bullets to load for this comming season if I chose to use the 7MM on something. I didn't realize these Nosler bullets were discontinued. That makes things a bit more interesting. Maybe I am wasteing my time?

Hooligan,

Thanks for the clarification. I was wondering what you did? I was doing the research last night and found your post. The info was great help, though. Thanks.

Brian,

I normaly do as you suggested, but the old Nosler manual I have lists 59gr as starting, 61gr as median and 63gr as max for this bullet. My Lyman 49 lists 150gr winchester bullets at 64gr max, so I decided on the 1 gr increments listed above to get me close.

I can't shoot these tonight, but tomorrow I will get to the range and let you all know. Thanks again.

Edit- P.S. I seem to have the same Nosler manual as SL1. The data is the same!

Wyoredman · September 6, 2012, 02:41 PM

Another Queston:

This setup also came with a set of RCBS Neck sizer dies, but no brass. I got the brass from a buddy and bought a set of Lee RGB dies for the FL resizer (the two die set was $19.99 where as just a FL RCBS die alone was $28.99).

Has any one used the RGB FL sizer die? It seems to do a decent job, but it makes a high pitched "ping" as I raise the case into it. Just wondering?

September 6, 2012, 10:35 AM	#1
Wyoredman Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2011 Location: Wyoming Posts: 1,373	IMR 4350, old Nosler 150 SB Spitz BT and COAL in the 7mm RM and Just started loading for a 7mm RM (win model 70) that I purchased at an auction. It came with a box of old Nosler 150gr Solid Base Spitzer boattail bullets. I loaded up some test rounds last night for load work up: F-C Brass, trimmed to 2.490" WLRM primers COAL of 3.285" (0.007" off lands if I measured the chamber right?) 5 rounds each at 60, 61, 62, 63 gr of IMR 4350. Now for my question: I did a search here befor loading and found a thread that had some data by hooligan that showed his COAL with Nosler partitions around 2.800". Doesn't that seem short to you? Am I making mine too long? http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...mington+magnum Thanks. __________________ Go Pokes! Go Rams!

September 6, 2012, 11:12 AM	#3
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,694	If they fit your gun they're not too long unless the bullet won't stay in the case. Yes, 2.800 seems short but, again, it doesn't matter if it works. The only thing I see with your loads that I would change is that your powder increments are too large. 0.7-1.0% steps are your best bet. 1% would be .6gr, 0.7 would be about 0.4gr. __________________ https://ecommercearms.com I am the owner/operator! Ask me for custom prices! No sales tax outside CO!

September 6, 2012, 12:29 PM	#5
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,694	That's a good point. I guess I wouldn't even be inclined to put forth effort and components for 50 bullets that can't be bought. I'd use them for foulers or light loads for kids or something. That's a lot of effort and components for 20 or 30 so "usable" rounds. __________________ https://ecommercearms.com I am the owner/operator! Ask me for custom prices! No sales tax outside CO!

September 6, 2012, 02:09 PM	#7
Wyoredman Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2011 Location: Wyoming Posts: 1,373	SL1, You hit the nail on the head! I should have done as you say with the 0.5 gr incriments and only 2 ea. But that is water under the bridge as I already have the loads made. I was planning on finding the best of these then making 3 at 0.5 gr above and below that load. This will leave me 26 bullets to load for this comming season if I chose to use the 7MM on something. I didn't realize these Nosler bullets were discontinued. That makes things a bit more interesting. Maybe I am wasteing my time? Hooligan, Thanks for the clarification. I was wondering what you did? I was doing the research last night and found your post. The info was great help, though. Thanks. Brian, I normaly do as you suggested, but the old Nosler manual I have lists 59gr as starting, 61gr as median and 63gr as max for this bullet. My Lyman 49 lists 150gr winchester bullets at 64gr max, so I decided on the 1 gr increments listed above to get me close. I can't shoot these tonight, but tomorrow I will get to the range and let you all know. Thanks again. Edit- P.S. I seem to have the same Nosler manual as SL1. The data is the same! __________________ Go Pokes! Go Rams!

September 6, 2012, 02:41 PM	#8
Wyoredman Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2011 Location: Wyoming Posts: 1,373	Another Queston: This setup also came with a set of RCBS Neck sizer dies, but no brass. I got the brass from a buddy and bought a set of Lee RGB dies for the FL resizer (the two die set was $19.99 where as just a FL RCBS die alone was $28.99). Has any one used the RGB FL sizer die? It seems to do a decent job, but it makes a high pitched "ping" as I raise the case into it. Just wondering? __________________ Go Pokes! Go Rams!

September 6, 2012, 10:53 AM	#2
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,641	Can't see anything wrong with your loads. I load to 3.29" for my Remington 700 with 160's. On the other hand, 0.01 shorter probably won't have much effect for a hunting rifle, assuming you meant 3.28 for the other guy. If you mean 2.8, there's a typo somewhere.

September 6, 2012, 12:19 PM	#4
SL1 Senior Member Join Date: November 8, 2007 Posts: 2,001	Brian, Remember, the OP has only one box of discontinued bullets. And, I think that is a box of 50, not 100. So, he is already committing 20 to load development at 1.0 grain charge increments. If he goes to 0.4 grain increments, he will have only 5 to 10 bullets left, depending on what he does with the "half increment." And, that does not count using any to "verify" what the ladder test suggests. If it were me, I would load two each at 0.5 grain increments (14 rounds) and see if there is a "pause" in the "walk" across the target(s) as the charge increases, then shoot some 3-shot groups (maybe 9 rounds) in the charge range of any "pause." That would at least leave me with about half the bullets to sight-in and actually shoot something with, IF they turned-out to be accurate enough. By the way, my old Nosler manual #2 with the Solid Base bullets shows start load at 59.0 and max at 63.0, with the asterisk for "most accurate load tested" on 63.0 grains. That manual shows the same charge weight range for the 150 grain Partition, but with the asterisk at 61 grains. My more recent Nosler Manual #6 shows one chart for both the successor Ballistic Tip and the Partition, with the asterisk on 63.0 grains. Your results will probably vary. SL1

September 6, 2012, 01:32 PM	#6
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,619	Wyoredman, My coal of 2.800 is because I zeroe my comparator after I install it on my digital calipers,. Also I would like to add that I found that my load developement went easier if I weighed and dropped powder in .3 increments,, like 61.3- 61.6 61.9 etc., because the 7mm rem mag is a little picky about powder charges,. Work up your OCW (optimum charge weight) then test coal in small increments like .005 at a time, so you won't miss it. Oh and all my developement rendered me 5 different loads and bullets for my rifle and they almost all have the same poi. __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.