Beginner thirsting for knowledge

[bkmrebel]

Hey all
I've been here a while but often only read. I think Mark Twain said it best when he said "It's better to stay silent and look a fool, rather thank speak and remove all doubt." That said, a friend of mine who knows his stuff is helping me get started, and we're going to work up some loads this weekend. I have a factory tikka t3 308win 22 7/8" barrel and some 168gr barnes ttsx's. Also going to finally try my 168 bergers that I've had for a while in my factory 7mm rem 24" barrel. I have some H4350 that I plan to try with my 308, but was wondering if it could work for the 7mm or if I needed something slower? I've heard that h4350 is versatile enough, but a local gun shop has some Retumbo that I thought about picking up for the 7mm rem. All input is greatly appreciated.

The guns are used for deer and hogs only. The tikka is kind of my 200 yards and in gun while my 7mm is my pipeline and powerline longer range gun.

Thanks

 

[Johnboy]

better get some 4064,R15,4895,Varget for the 308 useing any type of 165/8gn bullet.4350 is not even in the load list of powders in the hodgon book.but anyone of the ones I have listed will work good for ya.Varget will hold up in any temp better.and you did say you will be useing it for hunt'n.

but for the 7mm mag I would say the 4350 and Retumbo will work out for ya.but I love H1000 in my 300wm.and its a good one for 7mm mag or that what I have read.I do not own a 7mm mag but will give you all that I can for it.

just read alot like you have been doing.even haveing some one to look over our shoulder is a big help.and you have both on your side so you should do just fine.welcome to a great sport and world of shooting.

 

[Klong]

H4831sc works in my 7mm Mag.

 

[Ron10x]

4831 whether IMR or H is the ticket for the 7 mag. The 308 do well with 4895.

 

[lightman]

I agree that 4350 is too slow for your .308,but will work well in your 7mm.4064 and Varget are my favorites in .308.It won't be long until you have a shelf full of powder,when the reloading bug bites you,it bites hard!Welcome to the reloading world, Lightman

 

[bkmrebel]

Thanks I appreciate y'alls input. It doesn't take much to get addicted. Maybe one day I can be on the answering side of the questions. haha

 

[wapiti25]

Be careful using std. loads for 168's aka sierra's when substituting the barnes line of all copper bullet's. The pressure is totally different because the all copper bullets are a lot longer. They act like a heavier bullet even with the grooves. You can get some data from the barnes web site. Retumbo and H1000 both work well in the 7 Mag for good vel. and low ED's. I have shot a lot of IMR 4350 with Sierra 160's and I think H4350 should be worth a try with your 168's. I have a friend that bought a long range hunting rifle that is built around using the berger 168 hunting bullet, the load that came with this rifle used H1000. He shot a moose at 503 yds on the first trip, dropped it in it's tracks. When he first got the gun we shot less than MOA at 600 yds at the range to check out the system. The lead free bullets some times require a faster twist for the same weight bullet. the barnes 50gr 22 cal varmint grenade calles for a 10 twist on the box. Watch out for swaping lead bullet data when using lead free bullets. Good luck and shoot straight.

 

[RonAKA]

4831 whether IMR or H is the ticket for the 7 mag. The 308 do well with 4895.

Agree 100% with those picks. Also 4831 is an extruded powder and temperature insensitive. You can check the Hodgdon Data site for each cartridge, but on a quick look, I did not see any powder that is recommended for a 168 grain in both calibers.

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

 

[limbic]

I use VV560 and RL22 (64-66g) in my 7mag with 168 berger. I had used IMR4831 but ran out. I would be careful with the seating depth with the bergers. I seat the 168's .060 off the lands and 180's .010 off.

 

[bkmrebel]

Hey fellas I've been reading but not posting. If I had something good to offer I would certainly chime in more. I still haven't been able to shoot my bergers in my 7mmRem because the smith still has it. I have however found a load in my 308 that I like. I loaded some with 44 grns of Varget and was getting goups in the .75 range. I am super proud of that being that I am a beginner reloader with a factory gun. My coal for the load was 2.835 and the nosler book has the 165 at 2.81. They shot very well, but I had trouble getting more than one in the magazine. I loaded a few more around 2.827 that fit the magazine better, but haven't been able to shoot them yet.

Question 1: Is it unusual for my coal to vary a tiny bit?
Question 2: Is it possible for my shortening it up to throw my groups way off?

If it comes down to it I'll hunt with one in chamber and only one in the magazine if I have to.