7 rem mag loads?

[diggler44]

I am going to pick up my new 7 rem mag barreled action tomorrow from benchmark barrels. it isn't anything crazy just a trued up 700 with a 28" braked medium palma 9tw 3 groove benchmark barrel, chamber cut with a match reamer throated for 160gr and up bullets.

So my question is what loads are working best for you guys and what powders/primers/brass. i am pretty set on using the cautericio 176gr vld's since i bought 1500 of them, but any load data for other bullets will help in terms of getting a good starting point. I have 3.6" max available in my aics magazine so that is my only limiting factor. I appreciate all you input.

 

[M700]

Hunting or match shooting?

All my 7mm mag experience has been with hunting rifles. RL-22 and a 160 - 175 gr bullet, with a Fed 215 match primer is an excellent combo. I've seen good velocity, great accuracy and excellent results on game. Took a large 6x6 bull elk with a single 175 gr Nosler Partition. Complete penetration and quick death. The 175 Sierra SPBT was particularly accurate from a couple of rifles I've used, as was the 160 gr Nosler Accubond. Berger's 168 VLD shot well too - but I haven't taken game with that particular Berger VLD.

Regards, Guy

 

[diggler44]

sorry mostly match shooting i may take it hunting but probably not it is going to weigh a fair amount, probably in the 15lb range.

 

[M700]

Never did any match shooting with any of my 7mm's - but the 175 Sierras and the 168 Berger VLD's shot very well over a healthy charge of RL-22, sparked by a Federal 215 primer. Also worth trying Remington's magnum rifle primer.

 

[diggler44]

well i am still looking for ideas on this, first barrel was wrong contour so they had to start over so i opted to put it on my sako trg 42 instead.

have heard good things about retumbo and rem 9 1/2 mag primers????

 

[G. Ruff]

180 gr Berger VLD
Remington .264 Win Mag brass necked up
Fed 215M
63 grns of RL22
~2975 fps with 28" barrel

Accuracy was sub-moa out to 1k. Best group was about 3" at 1k.

 

[expiper]

Hi Digler....you are getting good advice....4831 and Rx-22 are two of the best powders....mag primers (I hav used 215's for 40 yrs---others will work too)....mag length is irrelevent in a comp rifle....you didnt giv an exact FB length ....most are .150-200....try jump 1/2 the freebore length if jammin doesnt work....powder charge shuld be .6 gr below what gives stiky bolt lift on hot days.....adjust if used in below freezing.....depends on ND...some use .264 brass if it is too tite and some use .338 brass if it is wayyyy too big....Roger

 

[AndyW]

With 175 MK's and 180 Bergers give Retumbo a try.

 

[Squid284]

I like H1000 for both of my 7 Rem Mags. I use it for both Berger 168VLD's (.004" jump) and 162AMAX (.020" jump) with good results. I get the best trade off for velocity/accuracy at about 2910FPS for my rifle, but I have a 26" barrel.