Long range 7rem mag load

bambambam

Just getting started loading metallic. Does anyone have a opinion on a good powder and bullet to load 7mm Rem Mag. Long range target 300-600yrds and hunting is the applications.
I have concidered the Hornady 162gr A-Max for it BC and RL-22 for its comatiblity for the 7mm round. Any ideas?

laylandad

I wouldn't use the A-Max on game. I use 63 gr of H4831SC with a 150 gr NBT for hunting and paper punching. If it's a high BC that you want, I suggest either a Nosler accubond or any of the Berger VLD bullets!

craig 25-06

I like IMR 7828SC and one of the 140 gr boat tail spitzers. I`m getting 3200fps out of my 24 inch barrel and 3300 fps out of my sons 26 inch Sendero.
Best, Craig

JustC

the a-max flies very true and has a great BC. I have taken a lot of game with a-max pills, but that was when I was shooting A LOT and could put the hole wherever I wanted it.

The Berger VLD's will also make a great pill for paper and game.

bambambam

What bulet wieght works best for the 7mm Rem Mag: 140,150,160?

JustC

the 7mag will push them all quite well. I like the 162-165gr pills, but if you have a twist that will handle it, the 180gr Berger VLD is awesome

Mobuck

When I was shooting my Rem 700 in 7mag quite a bit, my favorite load was a Hornady 139BTSP @ 3200 or so. I killed coyotes around 400 yards often enough to keep me shooting at them. The trajectory was quite close to the 22/250 with 55 grain bullets but wind drift was much less.

bambambam

I'm shooting the biggest piece of crap REMINGTON ever made, Model 770. I got what I paid for and spent alot more to get it to shoot like I think a rifle should. It's got a 24" barrel and 1-9.25" twist. I know the 3 bullet weights will do. I've heard that the 7mm likes 160gr bullets, but I have also heard people using the 140 with good luck at long distance. I'm really interested in hearing anyone's opinion on the success or lack of with reqards to the bullet weight and which powders they use. Can you help?

joshmb1982

quote:Originally posted by JustC
the 7mag will push them all quite well. I like the 162-165gr pills, but if you have a twist that will handle it, the 180gr Berger VLD is awesome


i was just watching a hunting show on sportsmans channel called long range pursuits. i could be wrong but i think i heard them say that that in 7mm mag the 168gr berger vlds provide the best combination of muzzle velocity and high BC for the long range shots. they were up in canada hunting dall sheep. would the extra 12gr going to the 180gr vlds really make a big difference?

bambambam

I don't know if 12gr would but I went to S.D. 3 years ago and shot a doe at 236 yards(I ranged it)with this same gun I listed above. And if I'm lieing I'm dieing, I blew about a volleyball size area of hide off the deer after a 150gr SP hit the bone. I'm not crazy about grinding burger' with my gun. I think the 160-162gr would be MAX for me[:)]

joshmb1982

thats why for something fairly light skinned like a deer youd almost want a match bullet. something with a thin jacket in it so it would about explode on impact and not pass all the way through. all the energy the bullet has after it passes through is just wasted.

bambambam

any more powder choices?

Mobuck

My most accurate loads were with IMR 4350. Not the fastest in the book but very accurate in my rifle.

Justjump

I load for 2 7mags. The colt sauer is 140g Combined Technologies. It's the only one I can shoot well in this gun. At 400 coyotes are in grave danger. The other is a Rem 700BDL it likes just about everything but I still go mostly 140g Accubonds. Both guns have settled in with IMR4350 and both are below max. It just works well for me. On a perfect day I wouldn't hesitate on the 300 plus plus shots.
Saying that, I will say that for me, every shot is a new game. So I hate saying "600 yds, o ya every time" I'm just saying...

hanco1

I have five 7 rem mags. Kleinguenthers,Remington 700s,Sakos.They all like the 140 Nosler combined tech.bullets and 64 grains of IMR 4350 powder. I have shot 65 grains,but case life seems to be much shorter. The combined tech. bullet shoots well in my Al Biesen 7mm Weatherby mag and in my 7mm ultra mag. I like them a lot. They punch thru both shoulders of large hogs with ease. I have used a lot of 140 partitions also. You can't beat either one. Combined tech bullets are cheaper if you like to shoot a lot. They both shoot to the same point of impact out to 200 yds.

bambambam

I'm leaning toward H4831 & H1000 for my loads. Anyone have a preference in primers as far as what has worked best with Hodgdon powder and 140-160gr bullets? I can't decide between Fed215 & WLF.

laylandad

quote:Originally posted by bambambam
I'm leaning toward H4831 & H1000 for my loads. Anyone have a preference in primers as far as what has worked best with Hodgdon powder and 140-160gr bullets? I can't decide between Fed215 & WLF.



Between those two I would choose the Fed 215! I've had better accuracy with the 215 vs. Win, but I seem to get more consistent velocity and a lower SD with CCI 250's. I like the H4831 with 140-150 gr pills.

Alan Rushing

Hello to you, bambambam.

I'm getting the notion that you are figuring that the bigger piece of metal you throw at the game ... the larger the hole might be on the other side. If that not be the case ... let me know. If that is the case let me mention some things if I may? Chances are that notion is backazzwards ... stay with me ... Using say the 6mm/243-244 as example. If I were hunting throw-away varmints (not keeping hide nor meat) use the lightest bullet and hollowpoint or so soooft point ... when you reach out and touch it ... the critter disintegrates. Had to be headshots from flank-side to recover anything.

When using on decent deer-sized game, I had best results using the highest weight bullets, with construction that mushroomed ... but held together real well. (Don't take this as my Carte Blanche recommendation for everyone to use the 6mm chamberings for hunting deer-sized and larger game.)

If it is too light of weight and/or construction (ie. ability to stay together as one piece) or traveling too fast, one can end-up at the same place.

Remember too that when a bullet hits bone its a gamble and anyone's guess as to what the heck is going to happen. The bullet can go just about anywhere ... and if its a notion to blow apart, that is more than enough encouragemant.

I hate to say this, but ...sometimes, bigger can be better ... depends on the situation, and in your situation with the Rem 7 mag. I'd encourage you to check that direction out thoroughly. I am betting that you will appreciate the results.

I'd suggest that all other things being equal ... one might get best distance and accuracy with higher BCs and higher bullet weight and controlled expansion.

If there were a glitch ... that bullet would have a higher probability of driving on through to take-out the vitals.

If the bullet is too light one might well be looking for an animal with a horrendous wound that does not put-down and kill where it be. More likely leave that vacinity and not get recovered.

My Rem 700 (7mag.) rifle (and some others), and I both liked IMR-4350 better than most others tried, and IMR-4831 best of all. (It worked likewise with my .243 Win.)

For the 7mm Mag used a lot of ~ 160gr. and plus, had a load that had worked very well for accuracy ... and loaded it the same for hunting. There are some very high BCs that worked quite well for my purposes!

Did use 175s and above, and seem to recall ~ 205-215gr. or so, but I used for the the highest closer-in, knock-down potential rather than long distance shooting and hunting apps. Wanted the greatest weight and hold-together construction

I did know of others that went biggest for everything ... ie. long distance shooting and hunting apps.

The 7mm is a great round ... and the Rem 7 mag can do it very well. If you did'nt know before, I believe in good accuracy, high BC, and enough velocity to do what you want to do.

let us know what you find in your quest!

the best to you

elcabio

I haven't seen any mention of the 168 Berger bullets or Retumbo powder. I have used both of them with great success for 500 yard paper punching and my buddy swears by them for using on elk and pronghorn out west.