Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Question on the 7mm Rem Mag and 4350

I know IMR 4350 is not the best powder for the 7 rem mag but I like to keep as few types of powder around as possible.

I'm working up a load for the first time for my 7 rem mag and 140 accubonds. Nosler shows 61-65 grains of IMR 4350. I found a sweet spot at 63 grains. Opens up at 64 and 62 grains. I only got to 64 grains before I had to leave.

Do you think there could be another accuracy load a little higher up? Still waiting on my chrono but what do you think my velocity is? I'm trying to duplicate Winchester Silvertip loading since that shoots so well in my rifle. The 63 grain load is outstanding.

Normally I'd say crank that [bleep] up, but you're already pushing Hodgdon's max

IMR4350 is a fine powder for lighter bullets in the 7 RemMag. With heavier bullets, a slower powder should perform better.

If you are serious about getting a chronograph, then I'd wait on increasing your powder charge until you know your velocity. The 7mm Remmy is notoriously fickle about maximum loads, so you want to tread lightly as you approach max. That said, IME, 3300 fps is about the top end with 140 gr bullets. I've used as much as 68 gr of IMR4350 to achieve that in a "slow" Sako in the past, but most rifles will be overloaded with that much powder.

Using a chronograph, I would really start paying close attention to pressure signs once the velocity gets up to around 3200 fps. Just be careful.

Good advise here...good post.

The "max" load my reloading manual shows using IMR4350 is 66.0 grains which is indicated to be the potentially most accurate load using the 140 grain bullet. Muzzle velocity is 3133 fps and 52,000 C.U.P.!

The only load substantially faster than the IMR4350 load is 69.0 grains of H450 which yields a M.V. of 3245 fps with a chamber pressure of 51,900 C.U.P.

If you have both powders, I'd check out their accuracy since my reloading manual indicates that the IMR4350 load is "potentially" the most accurate of all the loads given for the 7mm Rem. Magnum using a 140 grain bullet.

For roughly a gain of 100 fps, you may be trading excellent accuracy for speed. The first order-of-business is to place the bullet where it will do the most good. That's spelled "A-C-C-U-R-A-C-Y" !!!

CAUTION !!! Both of these loads are MAXIMUM LOADS !!!


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

See Hornady Vol II been using 68.2 Gr. of IMR 4350 been using it for years. Just work up your loads and watch whats going on. 3300 fps +. Back off if you need to accuracy is what counts you can not miss them fast enough to kill them.

Sounds like I really need a chrono. I know there are "nodes" but how far apart usually are the nodes? Here is my groups up to 64 grains. No pressure signs.



The 63 grain is actually a 4 shot group since I shot another one in later just to make sure. The 61, 62, and 64 grain looked the same for a normal three shot group.

Pulled the forth one going back and checking. 62.5, 63, and 63.5 all pretty much looked the same, except the one I pulled.