Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles RL19 or RL22 for 7mm Mag

I got about 50 of those Remington brass ready to be resized for the 160 gr Accubonds.
I hear alot of good stuff about both RL19 and RL22, I was wondering what you guys would suggest. I would like (cross your fingers) to be in the 3000 fps neighborhood from my 24" barrel and be around MOA accurate. Are these expectations realistic? We have a chrono but I've never tested my loads. BTW my rifle is a M700 BDL that I have free floated and will be pillar/glass bedding this summer.

As a side note, I will be using a progressive press and although I weigh every charge, I would like some thought to be given to metering...

And I will be taking suggestions for any powder that may help me meet my expectations.

thanks

RF,

1. Rifle tune-ups first

2. Load development second.

I would do all your rifle tuning first then work up a load. Unless you don't mind redeveloping your loads. But if you can't wait and want to start then jump in. Both powders work really well, I've had excellent results pushing 160 Nosler PTs at 3050 out a 24" tube using RL22 and Fed 215 primers. In my current 7RM, I am pushing 140 Barnes XLCs just over 3300fps out a 25.5" tube using RL19 and Fed 215s. Accuracy is averaging well under an inch with a Pac-Nor tube.

MtnHtr

I prefer the Retumbo load...but...

Retumbo From 65.0 grains to 71.3 grains
CCI-200 Primer
RL-19 From 57.0 grains to 64.7 grains
CCI-200 Primer
RL-22 From 58.0 grains to 65.5 grains
CCI-200 Primer

Now, if you were loading 168's:
RL-22 From 57.0 grains to 66.0 grains
CCI-200 Primer

Or 162's:
RL-22 From 54.3 grains to 70.0 grains
CCI-200 Primer

for me, 160 class bullets in a 7 mag = a stiff load of rl-25, and much velocity and accuracy.

at 70 grains (speer #13 max load) of rl-25, my 24" 7 mag runs 3050-3075 f/s, and is sub moa to 300.

Whats everybodys take on H1000 for 160gr. bullets in the 7mmRM?
I too am preparing to load some AccuBonds as soon as the little brown truck brings them.

H-1000 is a decent choice, you have a wide loading range...

H-1000 From 59.8 grains to 72.5 grains
CCI-200 Primer

Steve,
I see you like Retumbo do you think its a better choice than H1000, RL22 or ????
And why not magnum primers with H1000? Thanks rws2

You can't say I like retumbo for the 7mm Mag...you can say that I found Retumbo best with certain bullet weights in the 7mm Mag....

In order to see what I like best, with each different bullet weight, go to:

http://stevespages.com/284_4.html

The highlighted powder is what I found best.

As for magnum primers, I found no need for them in any 7mm Magnum load, regardless of bullet weight or powder type. As a matter of fact I found CCI-200 the best primer all around for the 7mm Mag. (and I tired them all!).

Ok Thanks!!!

As for your choice of 160-grain Noslers in the 7mm Remington Magnum, I simply applaud your decision. The 160-grain weight is generally considered ideal in that cartridge for the widest range of applications.

Reloder 22 is simply excellent.

The classic load, of course, is 66 grains of H4831 behind a 160-grain bullet, which still works well.

My personal accuracy favourite, however, is 62 grains of IMR 4831. That combination has worked wonders in every single 7mm Rem Mag I've ever tried it in. I believe it is the accuracy choice in the Nosler manual, too. The speeds lag about 100 feet-per-second behind the Reloder 22 load, however.

If you really want to see the 7mm mag shine, try it with 4831 (either H- or IMR) and any good 140 grain bullet at 3300 fps+ ...............

just a devastating load.

Ted

Yukoner, I am pretty set on the 160 gr. I have to hunt game larger than deer and sheep. Elk can be tough creatures and I think they deserve a tough bullet in the upper end of the weight spectrum for any caliber. Anything below 160 grains basically negates the primary advantage of having a magnum in the first place as a 280 Rem can get decent volocities with the lighter bullets and much less powder. In order to see a magnum shine, IMO, it must be used with moderate to heavy for caliber bullets. For this reason, if I didn't go with the 160 gr, I would probably go with the 175 gr, most likely a Partition.

Now guys, thanks for the info. Do you think RL22 or RL19 would meter better? And the impression I am getting is that I really can't go too wrong with either....

Can I use loading data in the Nosler manual or should I consult sources for data with the Accubond? It is a long bullet--a little over 1.4 inches. Similarly, if I was to use RL25 (since we have somewhat of a stash of it on hand), could I go with data in the Speer manual, or where would I go for data?

Thanks again.

RemFan,

Don't forget WXR by Winchester. They say on the Winchester site that all 7mags are load with this powder. It is made in Sweden though, just like RL-19 & 22. BM

Like Ted says, a 7mm Rem Mag will shine with 140's and IMR 4831.I use IMR 4350 under a 140 Ballistic Tip in my 24" 700 for 3325-3350. I had it up near 3400 but it was pretty hot.IMR 4831 may work better.

Ted,

I have to agree with you. I have never understood why anybody would use a bullet heavier then 150gr out of a 7mm mag. If they want to use a heavier bullet get a 300 win mag and get some real performance.

I heard of somebody wanting to use a 175gr bullet in the 7mm mag and just shook my head. The 30-06 is within 100FPS using a 180gr bullet with a lot less felt recoil. It just didn't make any sense, to me.

I use a 127gr EXP Groove Bullet in my 7mm mag at 3440 FPS. Now we are talking performance.

my .02 cents,

Don <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

BS...show me a .30/06 that can get that close to 3000 fps with a 175/180 gr bullet out of a 24" barrel. An 06 can get 3000 fps with a 150 grain, which is within 100 or 150 fps of the 7 Mag, yes. But the higher in bullet weights you go, the higher the advantage gets with the magnum. My brother has a 300 Mag. He has admitted to me personally that he knows there is absolutely nothing on this planet that he could do with it that I can't do just as well with the right bullets in my 7mm Mag. If I wanted to shoot 150 gr bullets, I would have stayed with the .270 Win. As it is, I like the looks of the long 160 and 175 gr .284 cals.
I shake my head whenever I hear someone bragging about their wizbang load in the 7 Mag--I don't care about a 140 gr or even a 150 gr...the numbers don't attract me as well. I didn't get a Magnum for the absolute highest velocities. It is pointless to get a magnum unless you use heavy for caliber bullets.
Increases in powder capacity are rarely seen with lighter bullets. Arguing about the difference in a 150 gr from a .308 Win and an 06 is foolish. Arguing about the difference in velocity between the 180 and 200 gr bullets is worth the effort. Why? Because even the efficency of the .308 can't make up for the increased powder capacity of the 06.

It is foolish to use anything less than a 160 gr in a 7mm because the .280 Rem and others in that class can do nearly the velocity of the 7mm with less powder.

Gonna have to disagree with you on that one.

Give me the 120XBT at 3500-ish fps outta a 24" tube,or the 140XLC doing 3300fps outta the same.

They'll out dig the heavier bullets you mention,shoot flatter and recoil less.

I can see where your attraction to those lumbering bullets would make you giddy,as they is second fiddle in all categories.....................(grin)

Rem,

Just out of curiosity I looked up some data of the 7mm mag using a 175gr bullet and the 30-06 using a 180gr bullet. Rel 19 and H4831 and IMR4831 are very popular powders. I am sure other powders could be used to show an advantage on the side of the 7mm mag versus the 06 using 175gr and 180gr bullets, respectively.

7mm mag: 24" barrel
175gr bullet
59gr of Rel 19
2700 FPS

175gr bullet
63gr of H4831
2750 FPS

30-06: 24" barrel
180gr bullet
59gr Rel 19
2800 FPS

180gr bullet
62gr of IMR4831 (different powder)
3080 FPS

My intial 100 FPS difference may of been off on the side of the 7mm mag. I will stick by what I said about the 7mm mag using a 175gr bullet versus the 06 using a 180gr bullet.

7mm mag: 24" barrel
127gr EXP Groove Bullet
73gr of Rel 22
3440 FPS

We have a difference of opinion and thats ok. I will stick with the 127gr EXP Groove Bullet for its performance advantages over a 175gr bullet shot from a 7mm mag.

If I want performance from a 180gr bullet I would opt for a 300 win mag or a 300 RUM, but thats just me.

Don

Here's a couple of reasons why...



0.303-inches for 5-shots at 200-yards
Bullet: Sierra 168 Grain Hollow Point Boat Tail
Powder: 64.6 grains of RL-22
Primer: CCI Large Rifle
Case: Remington
Firearm: Ruger 77R
Velocity: 2943 FPS @ 15' from muzzle

Reason #2:

Bullet: Nosler 175 Grain Partition
Powder: 63.2 grains of RL-22
Primer: Remington 9-1/2 M
Case: Remington
Firearm: Ruger 77R
Velocity: 2903 FPs @ 15' from muzzle

I have not tried RL22 but have had great luck with the following, getting cloverleaf groups at 100 yards.
Brass: Remington
Primer: Federal GM 215 Match
Powder: RL19
Load: 65.5
Bullt: Nosler 140 Grain Ballistic Tips
The load above is very accurate and I have not had a Whitetail go more than 20 yards after being shot.