Slow Powder for 7 Mag (miss my H870)

ligonierbill · October 24, 2012, 04:43 PM

Got some pretty good results today at the range with Reloder 22 and 25, but I don't feel like I have found a real replacement for H870. Before I buy another powder, what works best for you? MagPro, H1000, Retumbo, Magnum? I get good velocity and decent groups with Re-25, but the STD is consistently high. Re-22 works pretty well, so I could just stay with that. Shooting 160 Sierra GK and Nosler AB, and I do like some 175's. What say ye?

5R milspec · October 24, 2012, 06:25 PM

it's not much help,but a good friend of mine loves R22 with a 180gn Berger VLD. ( 7mm rem mag )

math teacher · October 24, 2012, 06:53 PM

Reloader 22 works very well for me behind a 160 grain Accubond. The last H870 I had gave me less velocity and fouled more while burning a whole lot more powder.

mrawesome22 · October 24, 2012, 11:52 PM

IMR7828.

hooligan1 · October 25, 2012, 06:24 AM

Mrawesome +1000 (secrets out) I love that powder for my 7mm rem mag, It puts nice little tight groups of 160 grn Accubonds at 100 yds, a little less than 3/4 inch.

454PB · October 25, 2012, 02:03 PM

I like WC860 surplus:

http://www.gibrass.com/gunpowder.html

Jimro · October 25, 2012, 02:30 PM

Wideners has WC867 and WC872 still in stock, both use AA8700 or H870 data for starting loads. I've been using the 872 in 6.5x55, and but would have no problem using it in 7mm Rem Mag with a heavy pill (I prefer the 175 SGK).

Jimro

Mike / Tx · October 25, 2012, 05:03 PM

I load for both the standard 7mm RM and the STW. I tried using the slower surplus powders in both of them using 162gr bulets and neither worked out really well for me.

That said, in the RM I found that RL-19 has actually shot far better than anything else I have tried with the 162's. The only issue I have ever had with that particular load is during the summer when the temps peak out in the high 90's to low 100's it gets pretty spikey on me.

With the STW I have been trying to get something to duplicate the performance I have gotten with the Federal 150gr Nosler Solid Base load. So far I have gotten great groups with several powders including those you mentioned but nothing getting even close to the factory velocity. Ramshot Magnum however, the last time I tried it was getting there, but I ran out of time and components before I finished up. I just haven't managed to drag it all back out just yet.

I guess I am working just bassackwards with the loads for those two rifles but the 150's shoot so darned well in the STW and the 162's shoot so well in the RM I just hate to give up the already dialed in drops for them.

89blazin · October 25, 2012, 05:47 PM

My fav is WXR, but not sure you can still find some. I bought some last year on sale from Graf, I think it was. I also like IMR 4350 and IMR 4831.

William T. Watts · October 25, 2012, 06:27 PM

IMR7828, this was the powder Remington used for the original loading for the 7mm Remington mag.. William

math teacher · October 26, 2012, 12:32 AM

I use IMR 7828 myself as it gives me top velocity. Reloader 22 works better in three of my friends' 7mm Rem Mags. The max load for H 870 is a compressed load, not a good idea with ball powder.

mrawesome22 · October 26, 2012, 12:40 AM

You'd be amazed how well IMR7828 works in 243Win as well. The true overbore powder and bested by none yet.

jwrowland77 · October 26, 2012, 06:20 AM

I like IMR7828 or IMR4350. I've used both and like both.

ligonierbill · October 26, 2012, 07:03 AM

Thanks to all. If I had any sense, I would stay with Re22, it being my go to powder for 6.5x55. But if I had any sense, I wouldn't be fooling with all these calibers, bullets, and powders. Guess I'll get a pound of IMR 7828 next trip to Columbus.

hooligan1 · October 26, 2012, 07:51 AM

.243 you say, IMR 7828 you say???? Mrawesome start a new thread and tell us more.

Jimro · October 26, 2012, 08:21 AM

ligonierbill,

Gibrass.com still has WC870 (the military surplus powder that Hodgdon cannistered and called H870) listed for sale, at about a quarter of the price of IMR7828. If you already have a good load for your H870 data, you should be able to work back up to it (checking for lot to lot variation) and be just fine.

On the flip side, IMR7828 is the powder I first turned to for 7mm Rem Mag so I know it is a good powder from personal experience.

Jimro

flashhole · October 26, 2012, 04:30 PM

I tried all of the powders you listed in the opening post and of those I got the best results with Retumbo and heavy bullets.

Marco Califo · October 27, 2012, 10:20 PM

Here is the very slow section of the BurnRate table linked below. It shows WC872 one rank faster than H870 (#253 & 254)
WC872 is $39.00 for 8 pounds at www.Wideners.com

237 N 165, Vihtavuori
238 Magpro, Accurate
239 WMR, Winchester
240 R 905, RWS
241 TU 8000, Vectan
242 Reloder 22, Alliant
243 H-570, Hodgdon
244 Power Pro 4000 MR, Alliant
245 IMR-7828, IMR
246 8700- Accurate
247 WC 860
248 24N41, Vihtavuoi
249 H-1000, Hodgdon
250 Magnum, Ramshot
251 Reloder 25, Alliant
252 Retumbo, Hodgdon
253 WC 872
254 H-870, Hoðgdon
255 N170, Vihtavouri
256 H-5010, Hodgdon
257 24N21, Vihtavoun
258 Reloder 50, Alliant
259 5OBMG. Hodgdon
260 20N29, Vihtavoun
261 SP 13, Vectan
http://thefiringline.com/forums/atta...0&d=1343031776

Mike38 · October 28, 2012, 07:35 AM

I have very good results in my 7mmSTW with H4831SC.

October 24, 2012, 04:43 PM	#1
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,454	Slow Powder for 7 Mag (miss my H870) Got some pretty good results today at the range with Reloder 22 and 25, but I don't feel like I have found a real replacement for H870. Before I buy another powder, what works best for you? MagPro, H1000, Retumbo, Magnum? I get good velocity and decent groups with Re-25, but the STD is consistently high. Re-22 works pretty well, so I could just stay with that. Shooting 160 Sierra GK and Nosler AB, and I do like some 175's. What say ye?

October 24, 2012, 06:53 PM	#3
math teacher Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2012 Location: Southwest WA Coast Posts: 559	Reloader 22 works very well for me behind a 160 grain Accubond. The last H870 I had gave me less velocity and fouled more while burning a whole lot more powder. Last edited by math teacher; October 26, 2012 at 12:23 AM.

October 25, 2012, 06:24 AM	#5
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,585	Mrawesome +1000 (secrets out) I love that powder for my 7mm rem mag, It puts nice little tight groups of 160 grn Accubonds at 100 yds, a little less than 3/4 inch. __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

October 25, 2012, 02:30 PM	#7
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	Wideners has WC867 and WC872 still in stock, both use AA8700 or H870 data for starting loads. I've been using the 872 in 6.5x55, and but would have no problem using it in 7mm Rem Mag with a heavy pill (I prefer the 175 SGK). Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.

October 25, 2012, 05:03 PM	#8
Mike / Tx Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2000 Posts: 2,101	I load for both the standard 7mm RM and the STW. I tried using the slower surplus powders in both of them using 162gr bulets and neither worked out really well for me. That said, in the RM I found that RL-19 has actually shot far better than anything else I have tried with the 162's. The only issue I have ever had with that particular load is during the summer when the temps peak out in the high 90's to low 100's it gets pretty spikey on me. With the STW I have been trying to get something to duplicate the performance I have gotten with the Federal 150gr Nosler Solid Base load. So far I have gotten great groups with several powders including those you mentioned but nothing getting even close to the factory velocity. Ramshot Magnum however, the last time I tried it was getting there, but I ran out of time and components before I finished up. I just haven't managed to drag it all back out just yet. I guess I am working just bassackwards with the loads for those two rifles but the 150's shoot so darned well in the STW and the 162's shoot so well in the RM I just hate to give up the already dialed in drops for them. __________________ LAter, Mike / TX

October 24, 2012, 06:25 PM	#2
5R milspec Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2009 Location: South Carolina Posts: 360	it's not much help,but a good friend of mine loves R22 with a 180gn Berger VLD. ( 7mm rem mag ) __________________ life is great but its better when you can own as many guns you wish to own.for me I haven't bought enough yet.

October 24, 2012, 11:52 PM	#4
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	IMR7828.

October 25, 2012, 02:03 PM	#6
454PB Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Location: Helena, Mt. Posts: 122	I like WC860 surplus: http://www.gibrass.com/gunpowder.html

October 25, 2012, 05:47 PM	#9
89blazin Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2009 Posts: 107	My fav is WXR, but not sure you can still find some. I bought some last year on sale from Graf, I think it was. I also like IMR 4350 and IMR 4831.

October 25, 2012, 06:27 PM	#10
William T. Watts Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2010 Location: Central Arkansas Posts: 1,074	IMR7828, this was the powder Remington used for the original loading for the 7mm Remington mag.. William

October 26, 2012, 12:32 AM	#11
math teacher Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2012 Location: Southwest WA Coast Posts: 559	I use IMR 7828 myself as it gives me top velocity. Reloader 22 works better in three of my friends' 7mm Rem Mags. The max load for H 870 is a compressed load, not a good idea with ball powder.

October 26, 2012, 12:40 AM	#12
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	You'd be amazed how well IMR7828 works in 243Win as well. The true overbore powder and bested by none yet.

October 26, 2012, 06:20 AM	#13
jwrowland77 Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2012 Location: Conway, Arkansas Posts: 1,398	I like IMR7828 or IMR4350. I've used both and like both.

October 26, 2012, 07:03 AM	#14
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,454	Thanks to all. If I had any sense, I would stay with Re22, it being my go to powder for 6.5x55. But if I had any sense, I wouldn't be fooling with all these calibers, bullets, and powders. Guess I'll get a pound of IMR 7828 next trip to Columbus.

October 26, 2012, 07:51 AM	#15
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,585	.243 you say, IMR 7828 you say???? Mrawesome start a new thread and tell us more. __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

October 26, 2012, 08:21 AM	#16
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	ligonierbill, Gibrass.com still has WC870 (the military surplus powder that Hodgdon cannistered and called H870) listed for sale, at about a quarter of the price of IMR7828. If you already have a good load for your H870 data, you should be able to work back up to it (checking for lot to lot variation) and be just fine. On the flip side, IMR7828 is the powder I first turned to for 7mm Rem Mag so I know it is a good powder from personal experience. Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.

October 26, 2012, 04:30 PM	#17
flashhole Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2005 Location: Owego, NY Posts: 2,000	I tried all of the powders you listed in the opening post and of those I got the best results with Retumbo and heavy bullets. __________________ ,,, stupidity comes to some people very easily. 8/22/2017 my wife in a discussion about Liberals. Are you ready for civil war?

October 27, 2012, 10:20 PM	#18
Marco Califo Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2011 Location: LA (Greater Los Angeles Area) Posts: 2,598	Burn Rates Here is the very slow section of the BurnRate table linked below. It shows WC872 one rank faster than H870 (#253 & 254) WC872 is $39.00 for 8 pounds at www.Wideners.com 237 N 165, Vihtavuori 238 Magpro, Accurate 239 WMR, Winchester 240 R 905, RWS 241 TU 8000, Vectan 242 Reloder 22, Alliant 243 H-570, Hodgdon 244 Power Pro 4000 MR, Alliant 245 IMR-7828, IMR 246 8700- Accurate 247 WC 860 248 24N41, Vihtavuoi 249 H-1000, Hodgdon 250 Magnum, Ramshot 251 Reloder 25, Alliant 252 Retumbo, Hodgdon 253 WC 872 254 H-870, Hoðgdon 255 N170, Vihtavouri 256 H-5010, Hodgdon 257 24N21, Vihtavoun 258 Reloder 50, Alliant 259 5OBMG. Hodgdon 260 20N29, Vihtavoun 261 SP 13, Vectan http://thefiringline.com/forums/atta...0&d=1343031776 __________________ ............

October 28, 2012, 07:35 AM	#19
Mike38 Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2009 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 2,710	I have very good results in my 7mmSTW with H4831SC.