I have been loading up some of the brass lying around the place. I went to buy some powder the other day for the first time in a couple of decades. After regaining consciousness, I realized I would have to minimize the powders I keep on hand. I have a bunch of Varget around for the .223s (I know it’s not the optimum powder for .223, but I have it on hand and don’t really load .308 any more), and some pulldown 4895 that works quite well to feed the M1. I bought a pound of H110 for 44 mags and a pound of RL-15 which barely loaded 100 rounds of .375 H&H. 270 and 280 are on the schedule for later, but either Varget or 4895 will work for a starting point for them. I’ll be picking up a can of Unique or Bullseye for 9mm and .44 Special. The unifying theme is that all these powders either load a bunch of different cartridges (Varget and 4895) or are nearly ideal powders for a single caliber I shoot a LOT (RL-15 and H-110).
The problem I have is I’ve never done any load development for the 7MM magnum, and none of my manuals give a preference. I’ll be loading heavier bullets for elk, and I’d like to hear preferred powders from veteran loaders. I don’t mind buying powder when I need to, but I’d rather not buy a half dozen different powders if I can avoid it.
I’m not looking for anyone’s pet loads, I just want some opinions on the overall best powder for heavier bullets in 7MM Rem. Since nothing else I load uses most of the powders listed, I don’t want to try a powder that I can’t use in anything else.
The problem I have is I’ve never done any load development for the 7MM magnum, and none of my manuals give a preference. I’ll be loading heavier bullets for elk, and I’d like to hear preferred powders from veteran loaders. I don’t mind buying powder when I need to, but I’d rather not buy a half dozen different powders if I can avoid it.
I’m not looking for anyone’s pet loads, I just want some opinions on the overall best powder for heavier bullets in 7MM Rem. Since nothing else I load uses most of the powders listed, I don’t want to try a powder that I can’t use in anything else.