Looking for a powder

cdoc42 · December 16, 2018, 01:43 PM

I'm getting into long range shooting out to 1000 yards, but just for fun, not competition.

My plan is to use a 7mm Rem Mag and I'm going to try a Berger 168gr VLD Match and Hornady ELD 162gr Match, but I wonder if anyone out there can recommend a powder or two just to save me some time.

Nathan · December 16, 2018, 02:37 PM

I would look at the Hodgdon Extreme line line the h4831sc

disseminator · December 16, 2018, 02:51 PM

Reloder 26, Accurate MAGPRO, and vvN570 have all been good for me.

cdoc42 · December 17, 2018, 08:22 AM

Thanks for the suggestions; it presents a better start than me searching the manuals.

Chainsaw. · December 18, 2018, 02:49 PM

Actually if you read your manuals correctly they’ll tell you which loads are potentially most accurate.

cdoc42 · December 19, 2018, 09:00 AM

Chainsaw, you're correct, but I've not found, over 40 years of reloading, that information to be helpful. I suspect it holds true if you use the same rifle the producers of the manual did, but there are other variables that interfere, like COL, brass case used. I'm just looking for suggestions from the experience of fellow shooters, to compare to the information available in manuals.

hagar · December 19, 2018, 01:29 PM

I use RL22 with the 162 Amax, and it shot extremely well at 1000 yards.

RC20 · December 19, 2018, 01:33 PM

I think the H4831 regular or SC would be the first powder I try.

Not that there are not other good ones but its been a gold standard for 7mm RM

T. O'Heir · December 19, 2018, 03:03 PM

If you're going to beat yourself up with a 7mm Mag use a heavier bullet for 1,000 yards. 160's and 168's are best out to roughly 600.
Sierra makes several Matchkings that are more suitable than a 160ish or 168 grain bullet. I'd be thinking 197 or 180 grain bullet.
Knew a guy who regularly won 1,000 yard matches using a custom built .300 Win Mag(weighed 17.5 pounds) and 190 grain match bullets.

std7mag · December 19, 2018, 03:55 PM

RL26 is good for high velocities with the heavier bullets. But i usually only use it for my hunting loads. Can be somewhat punishing if stock isn't just right in your shoulder.
For target i usually use RL19, or IMR 4831. Sometimes RL22.

hooligan1 · December 29, 2018, 06:38 AM

We use a lot of IMR 7828, and H1000, with bullets 160 grns and heavier, we also use N160 for 140's-150's with real nice results.

bobznew1 · December 29, 2018, 08:57 AM

I see a lot of folks mention 4831. Does no one else have the same results as I have had with IMR 4350? I've been using this for 20+ years in my 7mm rem mag, and it's been the most accurate.

Bfglowkey · December 29, 2018, 12:26 PM

I second the use of H1000 in this application. It has all the qualities of RL26, easier to get and lots of rifles seem to like it.

RC20 · December 29, 2018, 03:07 PM

Quote:

I see a lot of folks mention 4831. Does no one else have the same results as I have had with IMR 4350? I've been using this for 20+ years in my 7mm rem mag, and it's been the most accurate.

One powder tends to be a good given for a caliber and its 4831 for 7mm

Others work as good or better in a given gun. 4350 is a good one as well.

If I am doing a new load I go with the most common one, then branch out as I tend to have the powders to do so.

Very likely you will get good results with 4350, maybe not the best and maybe better.

bobznew1 · December 30, 2018, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RC20

One powder tends to be a good given for a caliber and its 4831 for 7mm

Others work as good or better in a given gun. 4350 is a good one as well.

If I am doing a new load I go with the most common one, then branch out as I tend to have the powders to do so.

Very likely you will get good results with 4350, maybe not the best and maybe better.

Great point.

I also forget sometimes that the gun I’m shooting — a Ruger M77 which I purchased used in 1997 for $315 (scope mounts included, kid you not) — has been an exceptional find. The thing just loves 63.0g of IMR 4350 behind a 150gr Nosler BT. Once I worked up to that load, I quickly found that the gun shoots better than I am able to hold it still. So I stopped looking elsewhere for powder. I don’t think I’ve ever shot another powder in it, apart from IMr4350. Probably would shoot just as well with even slower burning powders. But like I said, I’m really at the limitsnof my own ability to hold it still, even with sandbags.

December 16, 2018, 01:43 PM	#1
cdoc42 Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,687	Looking for a powder I'm getting into long range shooting out to 1000 yards, but just for fun, not competition. My plan is to use a 7mm Rem Mag and I'm going to try a Berger 168gr VLD Match and Hornady ELD 162gr Match, but I wonder if anyone out there can recommend a powder or two just to save me some time.

December 18, 2018, 02:49 PM	#5
Chainsaw. Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2015 Location: Issaquah WA. Its a dry rain. Posts: 1,774	Actually if you read your manuals correctly they’ll tell you which loads are potentially most accurate. __________________ Just shoot the damn thing.

December 19, 2018, 01:29 PM	#7
hagar Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2000 Location: Colombia, SC Posts: 745	I use RL22 with the 162 Amax, and it shot extremely well at 1000 yards. __________________ I don't have time for busy people

December 19, 2018, 01:33 PM	#8
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	I think the H4831 regular or SC would be the first powder I try. Not that there are not other good ones but its been a gold standard for 7mm RM __________________ Science and Facts are True whether you believe it or not

December 19, 2018, 03:03 PM	#9
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	If you're going to beat yourself up with a 7mm Mag use a heavier bullet for 1,000 yards. 160's and 168's are best out to roughly 600. Sierra makes several Matchkings that are more suitable than a 160ish or 168 grain bullet. I'd be thinking 197 or 180 grain bullet. Knew a guy who regularly won 1,000 yard matches using a custom built .300 Win Mag(weighed 17.5 pounds) and 190 grain match bullets. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

December 16, 2018, 02:37 PM	#2
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,331	I would look at the Hodgdon Extreme line line the h4831sc

December 16, 2018, 02:51 PM	#3
disseminator Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2016 Location: Minnesota Posts: 960	Reloder 26, Accurate MAGPRO, and vvN570 have all been good for me.

December 17, 2018, 08:22 AM	#4
cdoc42 Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,687	Thanks for the suggestions; it presents a better start than me searching the manuals.

December 19, 2018, 09:00 AM	#6
cdoc42 Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,687	Chainsaw, you're correct, but I've not found, over 40 years of reloading, that information to be helpful. I suspect it holds true if you use the same rifle the producers of the manual did, but there are other variables that interfere, like COL, brass case used. I'm just looking for suggestions from the experience of fellow shooters, to compare to the information available in manuals.

December 19, 2018, 03:55 PM	#10
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	RL26 is good for high velocities with the heavier bullets. But i usually only use it for my hunting loads. Can be somewhat punishing if stock isn't just right in your shoulder. For target i usually use RL19, or IMR 4831. Sometimes RL22. __________________ When our own government declares itself as "tyrannical", where does that leave us??!! "Januarary 6th insurrection". Funny, I didn't see a single piece of rope...

December 29, 2018, 06:38 AM	#11
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,585	We use a lot of IMR 7828, and H1000, with bullets 160 grns and heavier, we also use N160 for 140's-150's with real nice results. __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

December 29, 2018, 08:57 AM	#12
bobznew1 Member Join Date: April 14, 2013 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 31	I see a lot of folks mention 4831. Does no one else have the same results as I have had with IMR 4350? I've been using this for 20+ years in my 7mm rem mag, and it's been the most accurate.

December 29, 2018, 12:26 PM	#13
Bfglowkey Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2018 Posts: 302	I second the use of H1000 in this application. It has all the qualities of RL26, easier to get and lots of rifles seem to like it.