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Old September 9, 2012, 01:47 PM   #1
jwrowland77
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Question about 7mm Rem Mag

Well I took my first ever 7mm RM work up out to the range today and was pretty pleased with myself, I do have a question though.

I was pretty happy with a couple different groups though. If you had a couple different groups, which load would you go with? I had a few different groups that were fairly close to the same which is why I'm asking.

Would you go with the group that is the easiest on the shoulder, or would you go with group with the most powder that would have the fastest fps? I don't have a chrony yet to see how big a difference the fps would be.
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Old September 9, 2012, 02:02 PM   #2
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What do you intend to do with your loads, punch paper or hunt? If you are going to hunt, then what? What bullets are you loading? A mild 140 grain load is adiquate for any deer. I use full bore 160 grain Accubond loads because I also use them on elk and moose.
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Old September 9, 2012, 02:07 PM   #3
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I plan to use them to hunt. I am using 139gr Hornady Interlock BTSP. The low end of the work up was 53gr of IMR4350. The upper end of the work up was 60gr. I had several shoot that I was pleased with. 56.5-58. The one I was leaning towards was the 57gr charge. It was maybe a hair better, but not much.

I will be hunting Whitetail Deer.
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Old September 9, 2012, 02:08 PM   #4
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Use the one You like, dude, but don't stop there find some more bullet types and loads that your rifle likes..
My 7mm rem mag loves five different loads that it shoots almost to the same POI, which at my house is a phenom.... SHOW PICS OF THE DIFFERENT TARGETS (loads and groups).
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Old September 9, 2012, 02:17 PM   #5
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Here's the workup in pics.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1347218202.985616.jpg
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1347218225.882917.jpg
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1347218245.782188.jpg
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Old September 9, 2012, 02:19 PM   #6
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ImageUploadedByTapatalk1347218310.361936.jpg
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1347218330.745980.jpg
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1347218350.706584.jpg
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Old September 9, 2012, 02:20 PM   #7
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ImageUploadedByTapatalk1347218385.528571.jpg
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1347218404.496847.jpg
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Old September 9, 2012, 02:22 PM   #8
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Old September 9, 2012, 02:23 PM   #9
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ImageUploadedByTapatalk1347218551.995858.jpg

I was using IMR4350 under a Hornady 139gr Interlock BTSP.
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Old September 9, 2012, 02:34 PM   #10
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The mild load should be more than adiquate for white tail deer. While I use a 7mm mag for deer, I would use a 7mm-08 for deer if I had one. If I hunted only deer with the 7mm mag, I would load down to that level.

Last edited by math teacher; September 10, 2012 at 12:34 PM.
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Old September 9, 2012, 03:57 PM   #11
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I'd try 56.0, 56.5 and 57.0 again.
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Old September 9, 2012, 03:59 PM   #12
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For deer the 7Mag is way over what is needed.I would load it down considerably to save wear and tear on everything,including my shoulder. I use .243 for deer, and it is enough(though brush is a limit).
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Old September 9, 2012, 04:06 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian Pfleuger View Post
I'd try 56.0, 56.5 and 57.0 again.
Thank you. That's kind of where I was leaning towards.

If it was you, would you go from 56.0-57.0 by increases of .2 or .3?
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Old September 9, 2012, 06:51 PM   #14
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I'd go with Brian's advice, which puts you in 7-08 to 280 power. My experience with the 7RM is standard bullets under 150 grains and 3000fps and over are very explosive. The Weatherby line got it's reputation in the 60s and 70s with Hornady bullets.
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Old September 9, 2012, 07:32 PM   #15
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With that bullet I would also try IMR 4831, which is what I use for the 140 grain Accubond, my likes 61.4 grains and it's a creampuff as for recoil, 1/2 moa at 100yds. but you need to work up from minimum.
Dunerjeff 7mm rem mag is fine for whitetails, some go as big as 300 lbs, and shots way out past 2 or 3 hundred yds maybe,,, so I wouldn't put it in the "Too Big for Deer" category.
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Old September 9, 2012, 07:36 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by hooligan1 View Post
With that bullet I would also try IMR 4831, which is what I use for the 140 grain Accubond, my likes 61.4 grains and it's a creampuff as for recoil, 1/2 moa at 100yds. but you need to work up from minimum.
Dunerjeff 7mm rem mag is fine for whitetails, some go as big as 300 lbs, and shots way out past 2 or 3 hundred yds maybe,,, so I wouldn't put it in the "Too Big for Deer" category.
I'll have to try that. I was also able to get my hands on a little bit of IMR7828 compliments of my mentor. As far as too big a gun, I actually shot a 8 point at 600yds with my 7mm rem mag when I was stationed out in Texas. Hit right at the base of the neck and it dropped like a sack of potatoes.
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Old September 9, 2012, 09:45 PM   #17
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From where you are now, if i wanted to find the best load, I'd do 0.3gr increments, starting at 55.7 and going up to 57.2 or 57.5 using a shortened version of Dan Newberry's method.

What's your case fill on these loads? That'd be my only concern.

Edit:

I just ran that load in QuickLoad. With default settings, you're only at about 80% case fill. That's not terrible but it's not great.

Edit again, all your loads are WAY below max. 56.9 is Hodgdon's starting load. They show 63.4 max which is slightly lower than QuickLoad predicts.
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Last edited by Brian Pfleuger; September 9, 2012 at 10:09 PM.
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Old September 9, 2012, 10:07 PM   #18
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I used the Hornady manual since that was the bullet I was using. Off the top of my head, since I'm not standing in front of my manual, the Hornady manual min was 52.7 with the max being I think around 62.
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Old September 9, 2012, 10:12 PM   #19
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If you're interested, QuickLoad predicts that 66.8gr Rl-25 would give approximately 2,950 fps (7mm-08 velocity) with a 95% case fill.

Otherwise, I'd try those loads I mentioned, just be aware than 80% case fill might be position sensitive. I don't know about that powder in particular. You'd have to try it by tipping one all the way forward and then carefully bringing it level to shoot so the powder is away from the primer and then another aiming up and bringing it level so the powder is against the flashhole. A chrony would be helpful but any accuracy difference might be telling too.

Last edited by Brian Pfleuger; September 9, 2012 at 10:23 PM.
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Old September 9, 2012, 10:15 PM   #20
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Definitely some stuff to think about. Thanks Brian. I appreciate it.

Edit: I read over that link. I bookmarked it for later review again. Thanks.
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Old September 10, 2012, 05:41 AM   #21
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I use the IMR 7828 for heavier bullets like the 160 grain Accubonds, my rifle loves that stuff man...
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Old September 10, 2012, 05:45 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hooligan1 View Post
I use the IMR 7828 for heavier bullets like the 160 grain Accubonds, my rifle loves that stuff man...
Yeah my reloading mentor gave me enough for around 25-30 rounds, but he said that IMR7828 was specifically made for the 7mm rm. I may have to pick up some more. I have some 162gr headed my way. May have to try it out. If it works I'll find a place to order some more.
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Old September 10, 2012, 09:56 AM   #23
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I built a 7mmRM that is 9 pounds with scope, bipod, cheek rest, and sling.

With 150 gr bullets at 3350 fps, 0.38" 3 shot group at 50y, and the recoil is noticeable.

The powder charge does not make any difference in the group size, as far as I can see.

I shot a deer and an antelope with in 2011, but I am building a couple smaller bore rifles right now.
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Old September 10, 2012, 12:28 PM   #24
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Quote:
all your loads are WAY below max. 56.9 is Hodgdon's starting load. They show 63.4 max which is slightly lower than QuickLoad predicts
I would tend to agree with this. I have been working some 7mmRM loads using IMR 4350 and 150gr Noslers. After shooting them over my chrony, it is obvious that anything less than 60grs of IMR 4350 and a 150 gr bullet will give less than 3000fps (mine clocked at 2934fps with 60gr).

I found the most accurate load with the 150 Noslers was right at 62.5 gr and a velocity of 3120fps. I also noted that 63.0 gr was starting to push the pressure limit in my gun. The velocity only reached 3150fps with 63.0gr and the bolt was starting to become a bit sticky.

The Lyman manual lists (from memory here) about 57.0 gr as starting load and 64.o as max. My Nosler manual list 59.0 as starting and 63.0 as max with IMR 4350. The Nosler manual also says that a max load of 63.0gr gives a 81% case fill.

You are loading lighter bullets (139 gr), so I think (again from memory, check your manuals) the charge weights for IMR430 are even larger than for 150gr bullets. You shooting 56.5 gr is most likely at the very bottom end of the reccomended loading for IMR 4350 in 7mmRM.
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Old September 10, 2012, 12:37 PM   #25
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You are loading lighter bullets (139 gr), so I think (again from memory, check your manuals) the charge weights for IMR430 are even larger than for 150gr bullets. You shooting 56.5 gr is most likely at the very bottom end of the reccomended loading for IMR 4350 in 7mmRM.
I double checked my Hornady 8th edition this morning for the 139gr I am using, Hornady 139gr Interlock BTSP, and it did say that the start load as 52.7 with max of 62.7. I may want to go a little higher though on my workup, since I'm middle of the road by their manual.

Why are their such differences between using the manual from the manufacture that made the bullet, and say Lyman's? I have both manuals but had decided to go strictly with the manufactures manual since I am using one of their bullets. I also have the Sierra, Speer and Barnes Most recent manuals.
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