Good 7MM MAG Load For Deer

BIGR · August 16, 2009, 10:00 PM

Ok guys I know this has probably been beat to death, but here goes. I just recently bought a Model 700 in 7MM MAG. I am wanting to load up some ammo before deer season gets here. I have loaded for several other calibers before but no 7 MM MAGS. I have some 140 GR. Sierra Pro Hunters, 150 GR. Sierra Gamekings and some 160 GR. Sierra Gamekings. I prefer to use heavier bullets because where I hunt deer its a thick wooded area. As far as powder I have IMR4064, IMR4831, IMR4350, IMR4895, H4831, H4895 and a bunch of HODGDON HYBRID 100v. Being a magnum caliber I would assume that one of the slower burning powders will be the one to use. I have never tried HODGDON HYBRID 100v, but have tried about everything else at one time or another on different calibers.

Anyone have a good accurate load for deer that they want to share. Yea, yea I know many people don't want to comment much on loads because of certain issues but I am just trying to get some ideas.

DiscoRacing · August 16, 2009, 10:10 PM

i load with 4064@59gr.. with a hornady 150gr polytipd bullet.... had pretty good luck with that one... but dont shoot the larger calibers much any longer.... since I got my .223 vlss

plainsman456 · August 16, 2009, 11:31 PM

You might want to work up to 63.0grs of imr-4350.I just worked up some of these with 140-150 bulletsand they grouped well even when the lawyer who owns the rifles shot them.They were better than Federals loads.Good Luck

Nightowl · August 17, 2009, 12:45 PM

I found this as a good load to work up to. Being that deer is a thin-skinned animal, I concentrated on more of a flat-shooting load rather than a high powered load. Work up to 70.5 gr. of H-4831 with a CCI 250 primer and a 130 gr. Speer BT bullet.

Hope you find this useful........
Nightowl
Join NRA and GOAL

oneounceload · August 17, 2009, 01:27 PM

Quote:

I prefer to use heavier bullets because where I hunt deer its a thick wooded area

HUH?? the smallest blade of grass can deflect any bullet.

As to loadings - anything from 140 to 160 has worked very well in my 700 7 mag; it really likes the Sierra or Speer 160 and around 63 of 4350 or 4831 for accuracy (sub MOA), but it will also shoot the Nosler 160 partition at MOA.

Find the load that works the best in your gun - the bullet weight won't matter that much on deer if you can place the shot properly, any of those bullets will easily do the job

GeauxTide · August 17, 2009, 03:26 PM

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The Firing Line, nor the staff of TFL assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

I've found any bullet under 150gr loaded over 3000fps makes a mess. My favorite is 67gr of H4831 over a 154 Hornady in WW Cases and CCI250 for 3007. In my M700, that was MAXIMUM.

thekyrifleman · August 17, 2009, 04:58 PM

These two loads have done very well for me. NOTE: the first is over max according to manuals!!!!! Work up and check all signs of pressure. 69gr of H4831 and 140 gr Sierras. Used this load for over 30 years with no problem. Still do from time to time. Also, 66 gr of RL 19, 140gr Nosler Ballistic Tip. Both loads give great performance on deer. Accuracy in my rifle is under 3/4 inch. Chronographed velocity...Shooting Chrony, 12 feet from the muzzle, H4831..3000f/s. RL 19, 3058 f/s..this one matches the Remington factory 140 gr load. All shot from a Rem 700, 24 inch barrel, stainless barrrel....bought it in 1966. Hope this helps.

BIGR · August 17, 2009, 09:11 PM

Quote:

HUH?? the smallest blade of grass can deflect any bullet.

Oh yes I do realize that, but as you know a heavier bullet would probably be harder to deflect. I must add that over the years I was capable of hitting a ground hog at distances greater than 300 yards with the 22-250 that I have. I realized that with 52 GR. BTHP bullets there were ceratin limitations with wind drift and always the chance of bullet deflection. I really don't try to blast through trees or anything of the sort, but sometimes at a distance in the woods there are small limbs that are not visble to the eye at the time of the shot. I really don't want to turn this into a discussion about bullet deflection, thats another thread for another day.

As far as the great info that you guys have provided it is of great help. That kind of gives me an idea which direction to go. Naturally I will review all of the info in all the manuals I have and start with a charge thats below the max, on the conservative side. Keep the info coming for sure.

Thanks again guys.....

August 16, 2009, 10:00 PM	#1
BIGR Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2000 Location: Mountains Posts: 1,385	Good 7MM MAG Load For Deer Ok guys I know this has probably been beat to death, but here goes. I just recently bought a Model 700 in 7MM MAG. I am wanting to load up some ammo before deer season gets here. I have loaded for several other calibers before but no 7 MM MAGS. I have some 140 GR. Sierra Pro Hunters, 150 GR. Sierra Gamekings and some 160 GR. Sierra Gamekings. I prefer to use heavier bullets because where I hunt deer its a thick wooded area. As far as powder I have IMR4064, IMR4831, IMR4350, IMR4895, H4831, H4895 and a bunch of HODGDON HYBRID 100v. Being a magnum caliber I would assume that one of the slower burning powders will be the one to use. I have never tried HODGDON HYBRID 100v, but have tried about everything else at one time or another on different calibers. Anyone have a good accurate load for deer that they want to share. Yea, yea I know many people don't want to comment much on loads because of certain issues but I am just trying to get some ideas.

August 17, 2009, 03:26 PM	#6
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,514	+1 oneounceload CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The Firing Line, nor the staff of TFL assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information. I've found any bullet under 150gr loaded over 3000fps makes a mess. My favorite is 67gr of H4831 over a 154 Hornady in WW Cases and CCI250 for 3007. In my M700, that was MAXIMUM.

August 16, 2009, 10:10 PM	#2
DiscoRacing Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2008 Location: milton, wv Posts: 3,640	i load with 4064@59gr.. with a hornady 150gr polytipd bullet.... had pretty good luck with that one... but dont shoot the larger calibers much any longer.... since I got my .223 vlss

August 16, 2009, 11:31 PM	#3
plainsman456 Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 2008 Posts: 260	You might want to work up to 63.0grs of imr-4350.I just worked up some of these with 140-150 bulletsand they grouped well even when the lawyer who owns the rifles shot them.They were better than Federals loads.Good Luck

August 17, 2009, 12:45 PM	#4
Nightowl Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2009 Location: New England Posts: 113	I found this as a good load to work up to. Being that deer is a thin-skinned animal, I concentrated on more of a flat-shooting load rather than a high powered load. Work up to 70.5 gr. of H-4831 with a CCI 250 primer and a 130 gr. Speer BT bullet. Hope you find this useful........ Nightowl Join NRA and GOAL

August 17, 2009, 04:58 PM	#7
thekyrifleman Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2007 Location: Northern Ky Posts: 254	These two loads have done very well for me. NOTE: the first is over max according to manuals!!!!! Work up and check all signs of pressure. 69gr of H4831 and 140 gr Sierras. Used this load for over 30 years with no problem. Still do from time to time. Also, 66 gr of RL 19, 140gr Nosler Ballistic Tip. Both loads give great performance on deer. Accuracy in my rifle is under 3/4 inch. Chronographed velocity...Shooting Chrony, 12 feet from the muzzle, H4831..3000f/s. RL 19, 3058 f/s..this one matches the Remington factory 140 gr load. All shot from a Rem 700, 24 inch barrel, stainless barrrel....bought it in 1966. Hope this helps.