Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 162 AMAX in 7-08, what powder?

I am loading for a Sako A7 22"brrl. The mag will feed a COL of 2.9"

I am looking for 2700fps with low SDs and small groups.

Today I tried RL17 up to the Hornady book max of 46 grains and hit 2780. Accuracy was un-satisfying and I was seeing early signs of pressure. I am not liking this powder in this application. I shot powder from the same canister earlier in the year when it was cooler and saw notably lower velocity and pressure.

Here are the slower, applicable powders I am looking at next; N550, Ramshot Hunter, H4350, RL19, Win 760.

Any experience with any of these combinations? Any other recommendations?

47g H4350 with a cci 250s gets me 2700 from a 22" faux Ti. Shoots as good as anything from that gun.

Bb

R-15

That's pretty good velocity already- I'm not surprised you're seeing signs of pressure. Some 7-08's have trouble pushing 140's that fast.

My top three powders for that application would be rl17, h4350, and Hunter. I would be very happy with good accuracy at anywhere above 2700 fps.

Reloader 19, 17, and hunter are all good ones to try. H4350 will probably get you the best accuracy, but not the velocity you're looking for. Maybe try tweaking your load a little with Reloader 17, you have to look for the sweet spot.

I shoot 139gr. Hornady GMX rounds with a heavily compressed load of Reloader 19 and get phenomenal accuracy, velocity is a little over 2800fps, maybe it will work for you as well.

41grs 2000MR worked pretty well in my 700 S/S and the velocity should be very good, too.

2000MR is my go-to powder for 7-08. I tried it with the AMAX back in March.

41gr did 2497 with a SD of 20. Group size was 1.05" at 100 meters.

42gr is Alliant's "recipe" load on their website. I wish they would state safe MAX loads or specify if that is what those are. It went 2558, SD 17, 1.79"

I was kind of surprised by this because the same powder generates 2940 with 140 Ballistic Tips and has produced several three shot groups in the .3s and ended pronghorn at 600 yards.

Just to reiterate, I am not looking for extreme velocity I would just like 2700fps, 3 shots groups in the low .5"s or better, and a single digit SD. If I cannot get that there is not much reason for messing around with such a purpose built long range bullet.

OK this is what I wanted to hear. I have an open can of H4350 and wanted to start there. Can you give a few more details? Does that 47gr charge compress much? What overall length? What brand of case?

Rusty, thanks for the feedback on the RL19. Same questions for you. I bet that GMX is as just long as the 162 AMAX so this may be good info. Are you using a drop tube? What COL? I would likely be using less powder behind my heavier bullet so I can probably fit RL19 in there if you can.

I measure every charge, no drop tube, just use a powder throw, trickler, and scale. The GMX's are very long, almost as long as the thirty cal 208gr. Amax. My COL is 2.805" and throw 51gr. In there, fills the case halfway up the neck. For the 162gr. I would assume the max would be 49gr. I would start with maybe 45 or 46 grains and work up.

Twist rate?

I don't know for sure, but my best guess would be a 1 in 9 twist.

I load to fit the rem mag box at 2.825". It is a bit compressed at 47g h4350 but not extreme. I've used both rem and win brass.

Bb

I tried several powders but H4350 is what got my 22" M700 over 2700 fps. Accuracy is very good. I'm at 48 grains BUT I'm also single loading a COAL of 2.950". Fed 210 primer, WW brass.