Running the load in QL, I get the velocity described (or close enough) with a SAAMI-legal pressure and a few KPSI to spare. If your rifle or reloads have some quirk that make them over-pressure, they will also be over velocity - you can't push harder on the bullet with the same pressure curve shape and not have it move faster.

This is not a hot-rod load. It's just a RL-26 load.

As to the comparison to 7mag, I think it's a valid one and I hunt primarily with a 7mag. I prefer the 175 partition @ 2950 out of the 7mag due to the slightly higher SD, BC and diameter but we're talking subtle differences. The cartridges are very similar in capability. I also don't mind 7-mag recoil.

I do however tend to look at RL-17 and RL-26 loads with a grain of salt. They may be accurate and fast, but they tend to be temperature sensitive. For my taste I'd rather slow down 50-100 ft/s, use a Hodgdon extreme powder, and get more stability but I can see the other point of view.