7mm Remington mag for long range shooting?

GTNMUDY · June 6, 2018, 03:10 PM

Well I gave up on my 308, AR10. I bet I tried 20 different reloads to try to get it dialed in. No luck past 200 yds.

Was going to rebarel in 6.5 Creedmore, but then I remembered I have a Remington 700, in 7mm mag that I have not shot in about 20 yrs.

Well, put the Vortex PST II on it and took off to the range. Had some reloads from the 90's and figured we will see how it does.

Shooting 150, 160, 175 gr reloads and it appears that the 150 are the best groups at 200 yds.

Anyone on here shooting 7mm Mag for long distance?

If so would like to pick you brains on different powders and bullet weight.

I am presently using H4350 and IMR 4831.

std7mag · June 6, 2018, 03:26 PM

GTNMUDY,

I'm shooting a Savage 111 in 7mm Rem Mag.
For the lower weight bullets (120-145) your powders work just fine.
For 150gr and up i like RL26.

Current set up is 150gr. Nosler Accu Bond Long Range over RL26.
Also experimenting with the 150, and 162gr Hornady ELDX.

Oh and my 168gr. Berger VLD Hunting like the RL26 also.

Nice thing about RL26, works good in 257 Roberts with the Sierra 120gr HPBT GameKing and anything 100gr+ out of 243 Win.

GTNMUDY · June 6, 2018, 03:52 PM

I just picked up a box of Hornady ELD-X, 150 gr.

The old 150's I was shooting I think were Speer soft point bullets. I'm sure the BC of the hornady will be better than the 30 yr old Speer's.

Is the RL26 a ball powder?

GeauxTide · June 6, 2018, 08:33 PM

My best long range load is a 140SGK over a max load of IMR4350. Velocity is about 3150 and shoots 1/2".

std7mag · June 6, 2018, 09:10 PM

No, Alliant's Reloder series of powder are the extruded stick type.

And i'm not sure that Speer you have ever had a G7 ballistic rating. Lol

jmr40 · June 7, 2018, 02:35 PM

It'll certainly work, and at one time it did see some use in long range shooting matches. But the trend now is toward more efficient cartridges with a fraction of the recoil.

200 yards isn't long range, but a decent 150-160 gr bullet would make a good hunting load for longer range hunting use. For long range target shooting you need to be looking at 175-180 gr high BC target bullets.

Chainsaw. · June 7, 2018, 03:50 PM

7mm mag can shoot fantasicly at loooong ranges, but the point that Jmr brings up is important. Itll do it, it just does it at the cost of burning more powder and heavier recoil. But since you already have the gun, go for it.

ReloadKy · June 7, 2018, 08:43 PM

I have a tikka in 7 mag and have loaded up some hornady ELDX 150 gr with IMR 4831. I have gotten excellent accuracy at 100 and 200. I know 200 isn’t really long range for a lot people but based on my results thus far I am betting I can get my 7 mag to go a few hundred yards farther. I am betting you can too GTNMUDY. I am Co spidering the 162 eldx to see what they do.

hounddawg · June 8, 2018, 05:49 AM

we talking about long range hunting or F class ? The 7mm has great ballistics but if you are talking competition then that 7mm hunting gun will beat the snot out of you. I have done 60 round matches with a 14 pound .308 and that was bad enough for my old shoulder. There is a reason the F Open and tactical guys are going to the 6mm cartridges like 6 x 47 Lapua and 6 CM. I have shot a .338 with no suppressor or muzzle brake and for about five rounds it was tolerable but I cannot imagine doing 20 shot strings with it.

Rifletom · June 8, 2018, 08:43 AM

The 168gr Sierra MK and a stout load of h4831sc is a very accurate load in most rifles.
I realize there are more modern powders out, but, pretty hard to beat 4831.

GTNMUDY · June 8, 2018, 06:15 PM

I must say that it does kick but it's a heavy dog too. I bought this Rem back in the 80's for Elk hunting in Colorado. Didn't reliaze at the time that I would be climbing to 12k every day. God that gun got heavy at about 10k ft mark. I can bench shoot about 30-40 rounds before I start feeling it.

GTNMUDY · June 8, 2018, 06:19 PM

thanks for the info on the 7mm. I just worked up some reloads and am testing the bullet point right now. I have it set for .08" right now. will play with it.

Thanks for the support of the 7mm Mag.

Mobuck · June 11, 2018, 04:38 AM

"Anyone on here shooting 7mm Mag for long distance?"
I don't know what you consider "long distance" to be but back when I could still handle that level of recoil, I killed several coyotes out to around 400 yards with a Rem 700 in 7mmRM using Hornady 139 BTSP.

std7mag · June 11, 2018, 05:02 AM

GTN,

I've found the ELDX doesn't need to be seated that close to the lands. Work well for me with the typical 0.010-0.020" off the lands. That for my Stevens 200 7mm-08AI, Mauser with 284 Win, and Savage 111 7mm Rem Mag.

Yours obviously could be different, but good place to start.
Reccomend ladder test first then play with seating depth.

For me long distance starts at 600 yards. Can hit no problem out to 500, but it seems like after that reading the wind and adjusting for it is much harder, even though it's only another 100 yards.

GTNMUDY · June 21, 2018, 06:18 PM

Got a question for ya all.
I wanted to measure the chamber ogive of my Rem 700, 7mm mag. The way I did it was to take a fired brass insert the bullet into the mouth (OAL much more then spec). Chambered the round and closed the bolt will then push the bullet back into the case.

Upon removal of the cartaridge I look for the rifling marks on the bullet. The I measure the OAL and back off about .008". I know each bullet shape is different and will give difference length reading. I just keep that data on a spread sheet.

Is there a better way to do it?

LineStretcher · June 21, 2018, 08:28 PM

That method is pretty good. I prefer to remove the ejector so that the case seats all the way to the bolt face. I also use blue machinist dye on the bullet to make it easier to see the mark's from the lands.

There are other ways to do it and each claims it's better but your way and mine are probably the easiest.

std7mag · June 22, 2018, 03:38 PM

I'll agree here. Same way i do it.

hounddawg · June 22, 2018, 06:19 PM

Quote:

I must say that it does kick but it's a heavy dog too. I bought this Rem back in the 80's for Elk hunting in Colorado. Didn't reliaze at the time that I would be climbing to 12k every day. God that gun got heavy at about 10k ft mark. I can bench shoot about 30-40 rounds before I start feeling it.

it is a beautiful rifle and I am sure it shoots superbly, pretty sure I would wimp out before 40 rounds though

I went from .308 to .260 to reduce recoil and sooner or later I will get the 6mm bug

June 6, 2018, 03:10 PM	#1
GTNMUDY Member Join Date: February 16, 2016 Posts: 66	7mm Remington mag for long range shooting? Well I gave up on my 308, AR10. I bet I tried 20 different reloads to try to get it dialed in. No luck past 200 yds. Was going to rebarel in 6.5 Creedmore, but then I remembered I have a Remington 700, in 7mm mag that I have not shot in about 20 yrs. Well, put the Vortex PST II on it and took off to the range. Had some reloads from the 90's and figured we will see how it does. Shooting 150, 160, 175 gr reloads and it appears that the 150 are the best groups at 200 yds. Anyone on here shooting 7mm Mag for long distance? If so would like to pick you brains on different powders and bullet weight. I am presently using H4350 and IMR 4831.

June 6, 2018, 03:26 PM	#2
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	GTNMUDY, I'm shooting a Savage 111 in 7mm Rem Mag. For the lower weight bullets (120-145) your powders work just fine. For 150gr and up i like RL26. Current set up is 150gr. Nosler Accu Bond Long Range over RL26. Also experimenting with the 150, and 162gr Hornady ELDX. Oh and my 168gr. Berger VLD Hunting like the RL26 also. Nice thing about RL26, works good in 257 Roberts with the Sierra 120gr HPBT GameKing and anything 100gr+ out of 243 Win. __________________ 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...

June 6, 2018, 09:10 PM	#5
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	No, Alliant's Reloder series of powder are the extruded stick type. And i'm not sure that Speer you have ever had a G7 ballistic rating. Lol __________________ 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...

June 7, 2018, 02:35 PM	#6
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,808	It'll certainly work, and at one time it did see some use in long range shooting matches. But the trend now is toward more efficient cartridges with a fraction of the recoil. 200 yards isn't long range, but a decent 150-160 gr bullet would make a good hunting load for longer range hunting use. For long range target shooting you need to be looking at 175-180 gr high BC target bullets. __________________ "If you're still doing things the same way you were doing them 10 years ago, you're doing it wrong" Winston Churchill

June 7, 2018, 03:50 PM	#7
Chainsaw. Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2015 Location: Issaquah WA. Its a dry rain. Posts: 1,774	7mm mag can shoot fantasicly at loooong ranges, but the point that Jmr brings up is important. Itll do it, it just does it at the cost of burning more powder and heavier recoil. But since you already have the gun, go for it. __________________ Just shoot the damn thing.

June 6, 2018, 03:52 PM	#3
GTNMUDY Member Join Date: February 16, 2016 Posts: 66	I just picked up a box of Hornady ELD-X, 150 gr. The old 150's I was shooting I think were Speer soft point bullets. I'm sure the BC of the hornady will be better than the 30 yr old Speer's. Is the RL26 a ball powder?

June 6, 2018, 08:33 PM	#4
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,424	My best long range load is a 140SGK over a max load of IMR4350. Velocity is about 3150 and shoots 1/2".

June 7, 2018, 08:43 PM	#8
ReloadKy Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2018 Posts: 191	I have a tikka in 7 mag and have loaded up some hornady ELDX 150 gr with IMR 4831. I have gotten excellent accuracy at 100 and 200. I know 200 isn’t really long range for a lot people but based on my results thus far I am betting I can get my 7 mag to go a few hundred yards farther. I am betting you can too GTNMUDY. I am Co spidering the 162 eldx to see what they do.

June 8, 2018, 05:49 AM	#9
hounddawg Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Posts: 4,232	we talking about long range hunting or F class ? The 7mm has great ballistics but if you are talking competition then that 7mm hunting gun will beat the snot out of you. I have done 60 round matches with a 14 pound .308 and that was bad enough for my old shoulder. There is a reason the F Open and tactical guys are going to the 6mm cartridges like 6 x 47 Lapua and 6 CM. I have shot a .338 with no suppressor or muzzle brake and for about five rounds it was tolerable but I cannot imagine doing 20 shot strings with it. __________________ “How do I get to the next level?” Well, you get to the next level by being the first one on the range and the last one to leave.” – Jerry Miculek

June 8, 2018, 08:43 AM	#10
Rifletom Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2011 Location: So-Cal Posts: 789	The 168gr Sierra MK and a stout load of h4831sc is a very accurate load in most rifles. I realize there are more modern powders out, but, pretty hard to beat 4831.

June 8, 2018, 06:19 PM	#12
GTNMUDY Member Join Date: February 16, 2016 Posts: 66	thanks for the info on the 7mm. I just worked up some reloads and am testing the bullet point right now. I have it set for .08" right now. will play with it. Thanks for the support of the 7mm Mag.

June 11, 2018, 04:38 AM	#13
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	"Anyone on here shooting 7mm Mag for long distance?" I don't know what you consider "long distance" to be but back when I could still handle that level of recoil, I killed several coyotes out to around 400 yards with a Rem 700 in 7mmRM using Hornady 139 BTSP.

June 11, 2018, 05:02 AM	#14
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	GTN, I've found the ELDX doesn't need to be seated that close to the lands. Work well for me with the typical 0.010-0.020" off the lands. That for my Stevens 200 7mm-08AI, Mauser with 284 Win, and Savage 111 7mm Rem Mag. Yours obviously could be different, but good place to start. Reccomend ladder test first then play with seating depth. For me long distance starts at 600 yards. Can hit no problem out to 500, but it seems like after that reading the wind and adjusting for it is much harder, even though it's only another 100 yards. __________________ 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...

June 21, 2018, 06:18 PM	#15
GTNMUDY Member Join Date: February 16, 2016 Posts: 66	Got a question for ya all. I wanted to measure the chamber ogive of my Rem 700, 7mm mag. The way I did it was to take a fired brass insert the bullet into the mouth (OAL much more then spec). Chambered the round and closed the bolt will then push the bullet back into the case. Upon removal of the cartaridge I look for the rifling marks on the bullet. The I measure the OAL and back off about .008". I know each bullet shape is different and will give difference length reading. I just keep that data on a spread sheet. Is there a better way to do it?

June 21, 2018, 08:28 PM	#16
LineStretcher Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2018 Posts: 619	That method is pretty good. I prefer to remove the ejector so that the case seats all the way to the bolt face. I also use blue machinist dye on the bullet to make it easier to see the mark's from the lands. There are other ways to do it and each claims it's better but your way and mine are probably the easiest.

June 22, 2018, 03:38 PM	#17
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	I'll agree here. Same way i do it. __________________ 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...