Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles One, best powder for 7mm Rem Mag

I'm just starting the process for developing a load for my buddy's 7mm Rem Mag Ruger No.1. I've seen a lot of pet loads given here over the years for the 7mm mag, but was wondering if you had to choose one powder to start with, which one would you go with? I'm planning on developing loads for both the 140gr Barnes TSX and for the 160gr Nosler Partition since my buddy is primarily a hunter. Obviously, he wants accurate loads but the quality hunting bullet is the most important to him. He will use the loads primarily on Elk, but may use it on deer, antelope, etc., thus my desire to give him the option of using a lighter bullet at high velocity along with a heavier bullet for larger game. Any comments on powders and charges would be helpful.
Test

7828 SSC or RL 25 both provide a great combination of velocity and accuracy in my M-70 Classic.

65-66g of IMR 4350, Rem case, 9 1/2 primer, 140g Tripple shock .050 off the lands should give you 1/2"-1" groups in a gun that is bedded with the barrel floated. 61g of IMR 4350 with a 9 1/2 primer is 2975 fps, with 1 1/4" accuracy out of my gun...barely acceptable...I don't use this load.

R#22 with a CCI 250 will do both bullets(66-68g with the 140's, 65g with the 160's) but I did not get the extreme accuracy with speed as I did with these three loads, that is why I don't use it.


I shoot two loads with the 160's, 69g of R#25 with a Win Mag Primer(very important), bullet .050 off the lands 3050 fps.

Another load with the 160's is 70.0-71.0g of Retumbo with a Fed 215, 3100 fps(MAX in my rifle).

Please work up to these loads in your rifle, they are safe in mine, but rifles do differ and lot# of powder can vary 5%.
Tell your buddy to invest a little money and try some different powders. These loads really give a 7 Mag some serious accuracy combined with top speeds.

For deer, 72g of R#22 with a CCI250 with a 120g Tripple shock is 3500-3600 fps depending on the particular barrel with unbeliveable accuracy from a magnum, much smaller than 1/2" groups. We have yet to see a deer to stop this 120g 7mm Tripple shock bullet. It is hard to belive just how flat shooting this bullet at this speed out to 400 yards. We started shooting this load years ago when the old Nosler 120g Solid base was in production. Often the 120g Nosler did not penetrate the deer, but was laying dead right where it was standing. Again, work up to these loads in your rifle.

If you are loading for a friend, there are all kinds of land mines you can step on, be sure he is a really good friend or pass on the helping hand.

Much like what nyrifleman has said, the two powders I saw recommended the most for that application was IMR 7828 SSC & Reloder 25. I picked up a pound of each and easily found a good load with IMR 7828 SSC & 150g Barnes TTSX. The RL-25 and the 160g Partition is still in development, but shows promise.

Keith,
Just to address some of your concerns, my buddy is a lifelong friend who I have loaded for in the past, so I have no worries about liability. I also don't intend to "hot rod" these loads since he'll be using it while hunting and doesn't need to have problems while in the field. I'll make sure the loads I give him will be safe. I have the rifle in my possession and will work these loads up in his rifle. That way I'm assured they are safe, as well as accurate in his rifle. There is no problem with buying different powders and/or bullets, and I have a whole slew of them at my disposal. However, since I have never loaded the 7mm Rem mag myself, I was just hoping for a little guidance from those that have so I don't end up chasing my tail for weeks on end. My buddy does reload himself, but he isn't into load development, so once I have some good loads for his rifle, then he will just stick with those and load them for himself.

By the way, thanks for the loading info. Much appreciated.
Test

I've done alot of loading for the 7mag.
RL-22 or IMR-7828
If picking just one to try first RL-22

My preference is for IMR7828.

7828 for me no doubt!

Dober

Retumbo, works very well with different bullet weights in all of my 7 mags

I'll be the odd-ball on this one. H-1000 with 140-160 grain bullets is my go to 7mm mag powder.

Re25 in my 26" bbl'd Win M70 has recently given me amazing results with 160gr Accubonds. My only concern is the temp sensitivity - will be trying 7828SSC shortly due to this.

Ram--

I wouldn't worry about it. I worked up a load for mine at about 40 degrees, shooting 1/4" to 1/2" easy. Shoots less than 3" at 400 yards...84 degrees.

RE-25 w/160 Accubonds...

H-4831sc was my go to powder for the 7mm Mag

+1

MM

I have a 7mm mag in a model 70 Winchester with stainless fluted barrel and Mag Ported too. I has a Bushnell 5 x 15 3200 series tactical scope with mil-dots and adj AO. The stock is a Hogue that has full length aluminum reinforcement.

Now this rifle sports a 26 in barrel length and is very accurate with RL-22 powder. The last time I had it out, we shot it at 100 yards to make sure it was on and those Sierra bullets crowded each other for a .422-MOA from the bench. It has shot .357-MOA on a good day and has no problem giving me a 3 shot group under 3 inches at 300 yards if my eyes are good that day. Some friends from my gun club have shot 3 inch groups at 400 plus yards with the same rifle using RL-22 powder (160 Nosler Accubond Bullet) and my 6.5 x 20 Leupold scope on top. Need I say more?

R-22 or H1000....both good all-arounders

With 140 gr bullets and for a good combo of speed and accuracy I usually reach for RL22...past few years for bullets 150-160 gr I am liking RL25.I also like the standard 7828 a great deal.

Working with a M70 SS lately I used the 150 BT and 70 gr RL25 with Fed215 for 3110 and sub MOA groups.I could pretty much stop there....

65.0grs of IMR-4350,69.5grs of Winchester WXR or Reloader-22 work for me with 139-150gr bullets.

Just a random thought as I read through this thread is that the search for the "one best" powder for the 7RM,as in the search for the best rifle,best scope,best bullet,etc,is like a search for the Holy Grail.....there isn't one.

Looks to me like there are a pile of good choices out there

Whan I was shooting the 7mm RM a lot, I used either RL-22 or H4831. But after shooting both loads in cold weather (down to zero) I used H4831. So it depends on how cold your hunting weather might be.

That was before H1000 came out, and these days I would definitely also consider it as well, and maybe even Retumbo or Ramshot Magnum.