For 600 and closer I'd use an accubond or scirocco. They open up and hold together we'll. You also use the tried and true partition if your rifle likes them.
What's the purpose for the rifle? Normal hunting or LR, deer, etc. RL 22 is a great powder for the 7 mag up to 162 ish or so bullets, but can tend to be temp sensitive depending on the lot. Like your avatar, Brother.
Rl 26 gave 2850ish with no visible pressure signs. Shot around moa to 1.5 moa for 3 shot groups out to 600 yards. Didn't seem to be temp sensitive but I shot it from near 100 down to mid 40s as I was in GA at the time.
I'm using between 42.7-43.0, depending on the lot, with rl 16 with 140 Berger's and getting 2730 with great accuracy. Rl 22 and 23 give me close to 2800 with the 147 Hornady and great accuracy. All speeds are in a 21" Fieldcraft. 26 gave the most speed but wasn't accurate enough for me.
I'm a first year saddle hunter as well. Bought an H2 with adjustable bridge and I seem to like it shorter. I've spent maybe 3 hours in mine so far climbing, playing, etc. It's not very comfortable yet but everyone says that takes time. I'm really hoping I can get the hang of it, as I'm I'm in...
I bought the Crispis about a week ago, 11.5 Wide. Walked around in the house about an hour and put I few miles on in the mountains last Saturday. Rucked with 50 lbs for a couple miles last week and scouted yesterday with them. Pretty much zero break in and they fit great. Really happy with them.
Yeah, 2700 would be max. Winchester and Lapua brass you'll be above 44. Usually factory rifles you'll be at 45. I'm 44.6 in a custom with Winchester brass and 175/178's, 43.5 with 190 Berger, 46.8 with 155 Lapua.
Go from 44-45 with Varget. You should get near 2700 at a more, Varget is not too fast, it's ideal. You can get 2600+ with 190's and Varget and I do. 43.7 Varget with 185 Berger was the AMU load a few years back.
Learn to shoot back tension, which can be done with a wrist, hinge, thumb, etc. John Dudley's School of Nok was awesome for me. Start with no sight up close for a couple weeks. Also you can get a piece of 550 chord and make a loop to "dry fire" like you do with a rifle. I do a few dry fires with...
Another Glock 19 vote. Simple, reliable, relatively inexpensive. I'm 5-9 175 with a 32" waist and can conceal it in the summer no problem, great all around pistol.