Anyone have a good light weight load for the 7mm???
- Thread starter jon_in_wv
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osteodoc08
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If you reload, I'd *personally* stick with printed data from a trusted source (ie reloading manual)
That being said, I have used load "data" from unofficial sources when it was in line with other known data.
Just a few questions so we can help you:
1. Any velocity requirements (High, low, doesn't matter)?
2. Any specific bullets you are looking at (Ballisitc tip, hollow point, etc)
3. Any specific components you want to use/not use (powder, primers, etc)?
As with any firearm, you'll have to play around with what the rifle likes. Many prefer one component over another, different OAL, etc. This will ultimately determine a "good, accurate load" for your 7mm RM.
That being said, I have used load "data" from unofficial sources when it was in line with other known data.
Just a few questions so we can help you:
1. Any velocity requirements (High, low, doesn't matter)?
2. Any specific bullets you are looking at (Ballisitc tip, hollow point, etc)
3. Any specific components you want to use/not use (powder, primers, etc)?
As with any firearm, you'll have to play around with what the rifle likes. Many prefer one component over another, different OAL, etc. This will ultimately determine a "good, accurate load" for your 7mm RM.
osteodoc08
Member
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2005
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Also, don't forget about our wonderful handloading section here at THR. Lots of good info floating around in there.
elktrout
Member
Jon,
When I lived in PA, I used my 7mm Wby mag for deer. I am guessing that you are looking for a deer load. I shot 154 Hornadys at 2900-3000 fps. Using H4831 or IMR4350, I got good accuracy and killed deer easily without much meat damage. Try a bullet in the 150 grain weight range loaded to about 2900 fps. You will likely find it works very well.
When I lived in PA, I used my 7mm Wby mag for deer. I am guessing that you are looking for a deer load. I shot 154 Hornadys at 2900-3000 fps. Using H4831 or IMR4350, I got good accuracy and killed deer easily without much meat damage. Try a bullet in the 150 grain weight range loaded to about 2900 fps. You will likely find it works very well.
Not a deer load, just a target load. I want a softer shooting load that will still shoot well at up to 300 yards or so. SO under 130gr and under 3000fps would be my goal. I have two manuals that list loads that will work for me but I'm interested in seeing who has tried what and what has worked well for them.
I work 10 hour days and I commute 2 hours a day. All my spare time is spent with my family with a little range time on the weekends for target shooting. I don't have any time for deer hunting right now. The local shop I bought my rifle in was FULL of 7mms. It is a pretty popular deer caliber in WV I would say.
I work 10 hour days and I commute 2 hours a day. All my spare time is spent with my family with a little range time on the weekends for target shooting. I don't have any time for deer hunting right now. The local shop I bought my rifle in was FULL of 7mms. It is a pretty popular deer caliber in WV I would say.
NCsmitty
Member
There is no one-load-fits-all light load for your rifle. As you probably surmise by now, you will need to work up a load for your own rifle. If you're lucky, you'll find something early on, and sometimes it's a drawn out process.
You either devote the time or not.
Perhaps a 7mm-08 would have been a better choice for you.
NCsmitty
You either devote the time or not.
Perhaps a 7mm-08 would have been a better choice for you.
NCsmitty
ForneyRider
Member
I made some 120gr Pro Hunters with min. loads of IMR 4064, IMR 4350, R19, and R22. The 4064 did the best at around 3000fps. Much easier on the shoulder than a 162gr at 3000fps or my 120gr Ballistic Tips at 3500fps.
Black Dime
Member
Jon,
Where in WV.
Born in Nitro.
Where in WV.
Born in Nitro.
I've been thinking and my K31 and Mosin both shoot heavier rounds than the Remington 150gr I have been shooting out of my 7mm. The 7mm is pushing a bit more velocity but the heavier loads don't seem to recoil like the 7mm and thats with a steel buttplate (granted a heavier weapon also). I wonder if a heavier load at lower velocity than the 150gr factory load might be more pleasant to shoot recoil wise.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Yer the man rcmodel. That looks like what I'm looking for. I ordered some 120gr bullets and today I bought some 168gr matchkings and some IMR4831. I'm going to load up some lighter 168s and see how that works and I'll try the 120 load when the bullets get here. Thanks!!
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Please note that all of the Hodgdon youth load data uses H-4895 powder.
Not H-4831.
H-4831 is much slower burning, and should not be reduced below the recommended starting loads for it.
rc
Not H-4831.
H-4831 is much slower burning, and should not be reduced below the recommended starting loads for it.
rc
As an update to this thread I started thinking about it and thought that since my Mosins and my K31 both shoot HEAVIER load and recoil quite a bit less maybe a heavier load would be less snappy in my Savage. The load I ended up with is a 168 Sierra Match king over 62gr of IMR. Today I shot two sub one inch three shot groups with this load. It still kicks quite a bit but it feels more manageable.
627PCFan
Member
My managed recoil load is a 168 berger, 57 grains of h1000, CCI LMR, seated into the lands. If you dont seat into the lands, you wont get a clean burn but its accurate in my Tikka.
grosland
Member
jon,
I found the following load to shoot ourstandingly well in my Rem. 700.
Speer 115 HP #1617
IMR 4350 66.0 grains
RP case
WW Mag LR primer
C.O.L. 3.150 inches
Chronographed velocity 3279 fps avg.
3 shot group at 100 yds 0.3 inches
Use this data to develop your own load.
This Speer bullet also shoots well in my 7mm-08 as well as in my 7mm Express(280 Rem).
grosland of Louisiana
I found the following load to shoot ourstandingly well in my Rem. 700.
Speer 115 HP #1617
IMR 4350 66.0 grains
RP case
WW Mag LR primer
C.O.L. 3.150 inches
Chronographed velocity 3279 fps avg.
3 shot group at 100 yds 0.3 inches
Use this data to develop your own load.
This Speer bullet also shoots well in my 7mm-08 as well as in my 7mm Express(280 Rem).
grosland of Louisiana
i'm a huge fan of 4895 in reduced loads. i haven't done it in the 7 rem mag, but if i were to try it i would start at about 30 grains of powder and run a 120 grain sierra bullet, mag primer, and work the load up in 1 grain increments. my guess is you should find something that works well starting at around 2400 f/s on up to as high as your comfort-level and pressure signs care to take you (you will run into pressure long before you fill the case... 4895 is a fast powder in applications like the 7 rem mag).
if you want to really load down, you'll want to try unique or blue dot.
if you want to really load down, you'll want to try unique or blue dot.
Here are pics of the rifle scope combo and the groups I shot this weekend with the setup. I'm pretty happy with it considering the flimsy and light stock and the recoil. I know I'm still flinching a bit. With a heavier stock I'll shoot even better. I don't think I've reached the capability of the rifle/ammo combo yet. I think I stumbled on a pretty good load of 168gr Sierra/62gr IMR 4831/3.29" OAL. I loaded up some 120gr Nosler BT/66gr IMR 4831/3.29" for this some range time next week.
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