7 mag and Re 33

[sbhooper]

I just shot some 175 grain Hornadys through my Remington 700 using a max load of Re33 powder. It shot great and clocked 3028 fps. That slow powder puts the 7 mag in a little different category for performance.

Has anybody used this powder with 160 grainers? Alliant does not list it for the 160 and maybe it is too slow, but it would be fun to see what it does. I will probably try some with the max load listed for 175s and see how it does. There is not room for much more powder in the case.

 

[Preacher]

I burn a lot of it in my 338 Ultra Mag with 250's and up..
You will not likely get much velocity with the 160's in your 7 Mag.....
Only one real way to find out 'O)

 

[sbhooper]

I spent the day testing loads with the Re 33. I was pleased to say the least. The 175 Hornady Interlocks clocked 3028 fps from my Remington SPS 26-inch. They shot just over .5 inch at 100 yards.

I loaded some 160 Nosler Partitions with the same load-75 grains- of powder and was very surprised. The load shot half-minute at 100 yards and clocked 3132 fps. I plugged into a ballistics program, as I was questioning my chrono. It appears that it is right on the money.

I shot it at 300 yards and put three rounds into 3/4 minute and I choked the fourth round and opened the group to around 5 inches. Two shots were within half an inch.

The interesting thing about the load with the Partitions, is that it did not even flatten primers. It is a mild load. That slow powder has definitely stepped the 7 mag up a notch. I doubt that it would be that great with light bullets or short barrels, but with the 26-plus inch tubes and heavy bullets, it appears to be a winner.

With the 175-grainers, it handily beat the Re25 that I had used before. I am currently shooting the 160s at 3006 fps with a load of Re 25, which is not a hot load, but the 33 gets more velocity with fewer pressure issues it appears.

 

[Preacher]

Thats what testing is all about..
160's with RL22 will only run about 3000 fps...

 

[sbhooper]

Thats what testing is all about..
160's with RL22 will only run about 3000 fps...

My go-to load has been the 160 and Reloder 22 at 3006 fps and it was a fairly moderate load. It will go higher, but the accuracy with that load is real good. I punched a cow elk in January at 443 yards and it blew through both shoulders, so it is more than good enough. I also killed a moose with it a couple years ago. Speed it up and pressure signs start showing and they are not as accurate.

The Reloder 33 load had speed, accuracy and no pressure signs at all. Nice to have another option.

 

[elmerdeer]

I like what i'm hearing about rl-33 as far as speed goes, but how is it as far as temperature stability.

Thx

Elmer

 

[sbhooper]

That I cannot say, but I have never worried about the fluctuation, as I am not a bench shooter. With any powder that I have used in my 40 years of reloading, I have never had problems killing critters no matter what the temp.

I guess it could be an issue if you push max loads a lot, but I got off that kick long ago. I really like what I saw with my tests the other day. It is only a back-up load for me anyway, as my gun is sighted and proven with the Re22 load.

 

[DIBBS]

Interesting Stuff!!! Please continue the testing and post results with 162 amaxes, and 168 VLD's, 215's etc. I may have a vested interest in such a test!!!

 

[sbhooper]

The Amax should perform right with the Nosler accuracy-wise. I will never find out about the Bergers, as I will not shoot them.

 

[DIBBS]

I will never find out about the Bergers, as I will not shoot them.

Well, you may be missing a golden opportunity, literally and figuratively...just sayin...

 

[sbhooper]

I will never find out about the Bergers, as I will not shoot them.

Well, you may be missing a golden opportunity, literally and figuratively...just sayin...

I'll have to take your word on that. I have tried them in two different rifles and did not feel like wasting the amount of powder that I would have had to, to get them to shoot. 2+ inch groups are not cool. I can take any normal bullet and get better than that with very little testing.

I will reserve my Bergers just for you.

I had a conversation with the folks at Alliant Powder and they said that the Re 33 should be pretty stable. With their testing, they have shown swings with all powders, but it is not enough to throw off accuracy a large amount. It would not be too critical for hunters like me, but I am sure it will matter some to bench guys.