Help needed w/ 7mm SAUM Hunting Load RL-17

[30Hart]

ALCON,

After a very long wait I finally received my custom 7mm SAUM on a Model 7 action this past Friday. To make things interesting, on Thursday, I found out I drew a Wyoming bull moose tag. I have other rifles ready to go, but I'd like to use the new one. I bought some 175 grain partitions but because of the shortage, all I could find was a 1lb can of MagPro. The powders I have on hand are RL-19, H-4831 SC, and RL-17. I have starting data on everything but RL-17 (nothing listed on their website either). I'm thinking since some people have ran RL-17 up to 56 grains or so w/ a 160-168, I'd be fine w/starting at around 50 grains and working up. OAL is 2.825...any help w/ RL-17 appreciated. Oh, it wears a 24 inch Rock barrel and hoping for around 2800 fps, thanks.

 

[LCazador]

I don't know why you want to use RL-17 , it is way too fast for heavy bullets in the 7SAUM . That's why you're not finding load info for it . Even max loads are going to fill the case only 85% . That's a lot of extra powder room and velocity is not going to be very consistent . At any rate , I ran your cartridge overall length ( I guess you mean COL when you say OAL ) , thru my NECO ballistics program with RL-17 . Pressure is at about 59,000psi and velocity about 2800 fps with a max load of 53g . It only recommends using RL-19 and 4831 . With either one of these powders velocity is about the same (2800fps) and pressures are much lower than with RL-17 . Word of caution all this is maximum load info and no two rifles are alike .

 

[30Hart]

Thanks, that's the info I needed...don't plan on using it unless I can't get the others to shoot. I would have prefered Retumbo or H-1000 but I don't have any and darn sure can't get any.

 

[LCazador]

Now wait a minute , now you're going the other way , Retumbo and h1000 are both too slow and aren't going to give very good velocity or standard deviations ! Do you have a hand loading manual ?

 

[30Hart]

Okay, like every forum...always wise A$$es. Yes I have a manual. If you read my above post you know the only powders I have to play w/. On the Hogdon site Retumbo gives the highest velocity w/ 175 grainers at 2.825 COL so I put it on my short list. A buddy of mine ran Quickload for me and RL-17 wasn't on it. I have no previous experience with the 7mm SAUM so I'm starting new. I thought I'd ask the experts to help point me in the right directions, as I view this forum very admirably, on which of the powders I have on hand should I reasonably expect the best results with for my intended purpose...still waiting for one of those responses...

 

[Preacher]

With what you have, H-4831SC is your best bet....

 

[30Hart]

Thanks! I appreciate it.

 

[17 rem savage]

If you can get the can of mag pro use it. starting load @58gr-max@64gr.

Now is use RL-17 in my 7mmRSAUM under a 175gr SMK in a 26" barrel, but im throated long with a COL of 2.985 (jammed .010) and i run 55.7grs of it for 2940fps. I dont know how it would do with you shorter COL tho.

Try what you have and see what happens, with the RL-17 I think 50 grains is a good starting point for your 175's tho. Good Luck on your moose hunt....

 

[LCazador]

Okay, like every forum...always wise A$$es. Yes I have a manual. If you read my above post you know the only powders I have to play w/. On the Hogdon site Retumbo gives the highest velocity w/ 175 grainers at 2.825 COL so I put it on my short list. A buddy of mine ran Quickload for me and RL-17 wasn't on it. I have no previous experience with the 7mm SAUM so I'm starting new. I thought I'd ask the experts to help point me in the right directions, as I view this forum very admirably, on which of the powders I have on hand should I reasonably expect the best results with for my intended purpose...still waiting for one of those responses...

I wouldn't be calling anybody here a wise *** , if you have any respect . I was the one that posted the Quickload info , and a simple question of " do you have a reloading manual ? " does not deserve a " wise *** " reply ! And I also said in that very same post to use your RL-19 and 4831 powders !

 

[pmarauder]

What is your twist rate? More than likely, the 4831sc will be your best bet. You can also use H-1000, but I was crunching powder with the 175 XLD's and the 180 VLD's at around 64g. H-1000 shot ok, but is no where near as consistent as the H4831sc.
I can run a 180 Hybrid up to about 3080 in my 30" 9 twist Broughton with the H4831sc. Best accuracy in my gun is right at about 3005.

Derek

 

[30Hart]

9.5 is my twist weight should be perfect for the 175 grain partition I'm using. Thanks for the replies everyone.

LCazador fair enough if you said you didn't mean your post that way, sorry.

 

[PRECISIONWELDING01]

RL 17 isn't the powder for 7 rsaum

 

[LCazador]

RL 17 isn't the powder for 7 rsaum

OK , it's not that it isn't . It's just not the most suitable powder for the 7 SAUM. When reloading manuals , and ballistics programs all indicate there are better powders to use and you prefer not to heed this information , then go ahead and do what feels good . That's the question that started this post . Whew ! Everything and almost anything will work , but each rifle is different . I believe there is a " sticky " on this on this web site , I'm dun :-X !!

 

[Preacher]

This post got me to go back and check out the info for my 7mm SAUM AI that I havn't shot in a while..
I maxed out at 60 grains with the 162 A-max using RL-17 and Federal 210 M primers, never did get to crono any loads for that rifle, but it sure shoots good..
I mainly shot 120 grain Ballistic tips out of it with the same powder...
Not sure why folks say that RL17 is not good in the 7 SAUM....

 

[PRECISIONWELDING01]

If RL-17 was the powder for rsaum I would be using it H 4350 and H1000 is what every competitive shooter is using just saying

 

[Preacher]

Seeing that RL-17 falls in the area of most all the 4350's I don't know what all the fuss is about...

 

[expiper]

OP,,reply #7 says this ,"" i run 55.7grs of it for 2940fps."" and myself,,I use 53 with a 180 bullet in my .280 AI which is slightly smaller case capacity....soooo ...Id say 55 is pretty close to start with....be shure and try lots of 4831 !!! it is hard to beat in any magnum chambering....Roger