140 Grain Reloads for 7 Mag

[nobody]

Happy Sunday All!

I have read through one thread on this, but hoping I can get some more info. Just picked up my “Christmas Present,” a Howa 1500 Hogue in 7 mm Rem Mag, 1:9.5 twist 24” barrel. As we all know, ammo is scarce right now, but I’ve managed to pick up a bunch of 140 grain ammo varieties from PPU, Winchester, and federal premium to get the barrel broke in and get some brass.

I’m totally new to reloading. I picked up an RCBS rock chucker supreme kit and dies and some IMR 7828 SSC, Remington magnum rifle primers, and Nosler Accubonds and BT’s, as well as some Federal TBT 140 grain projectiles. From looking through my Nosler manual and reading through some other manuals online and in store, I’m hoping I can push them about 3100 FPS and SHOULD be able to get good accuracy. According to online stability calculators, my twist rate should be more than sufficient to stabilize the 140’s.

basically, I’m curious if anyone else is running 140’s (non-monolithic) through their 7 mags, potentially in the Howa (or a weatherby vanguard, since they’re identical), and what kind of accuracy and velocity you’re getting. I know I can run heavier potentially, but I’m making the best of what’s available to me, and there’s lots of 140’s around locally, not much for heavier projectiles. I’m hoping for sub MOA, but don’t need to shoot .25, just want to put together some really solid hunting ammo for a solid hunting rifle. Thanks for your help in advance everyone, love this forum! And sorry if my questions are stupid, I’m still learning.

 

[Rob5589]

My Tikka has the same 9.5 twist and shoots the 140 TTSX very well. I am using R22 and easily hit 3170 with a Barnes recommended load. It can do 5 into about .75 @ 100.

 

[nobody]

My Tikka has the same 9.5 twist and shoots the 140 TTSX very well. I am using R22 and easily hit 3170 with a Barnes recommended load. It can do 5 into about .75 @ 100.

Have you ever tried other 140’s? Not opposed to the Barnes, just curious!

 

[Rob5589]

I have not. CA requires non lead so I went straight to the Barnes.

 

[brn2hnt]

No experience on 140’s but your velocity goal should be well within reach. I too shoot a tikka with the same length and twist and get 2950 fps with 168’s.

Powder has been the hardest thing to keep in stock, so I’d start there rather than bullet size. You can easily order them online from almost anywhere and don’t have to pay hazmat.


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[nobody]

No experience on 140’s but your velocity goal should be well within reach. I too shoot a tikka with the same length and twist and get 2950 fps with 168’s.

Powder has been the hardest thing to keep in stock, so I’d start there rather than bullet size. You can easily order them online from almost anywhere and don’t have to pay hazmat.


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Thanks! I’ve actually got a few options for powder available on hand (7828 SSC IMR 4340, IMR4831), and I figure I can use the 4350 and 4831 in the creedmoor or the wife’s 243 if need be, so I’ve got a couple pounds of all 3. I’m just hoping I can actually get good accuracy from the 140’s, there’s just not much available in heavy for caliber 7mm where I’m at unfortunately... and like I said, I really want to run a laser beam trajectory.

 

[Rob5589]

Shouldn't be difficult to hit 3200+ with a 140. I used to run the 162 amax at 3200 in my old match gun. Same gun would push the 180 smk at 2960.

 

[gpkhill2]

My go to load in 7 Rem used to be 140 Accubonds over RL 22. They shot 1/2 moa and I killed a boat load of deer with that load.

 

[nobody]

My go to load in 7 Rem used to be 140 Accubonds over RL 22. They shot 1/2 moa and I killed a boat load of deer with that load.

Love to hear this, I’m hoping the 7828 or 4350 can get me there. What was your twist rate?

 

[gpkhill2]

Love to hear this, I’m hoping the 7828 or 4350 can get me there. What was your twist rate?

1:9.5 in a factory Ruger M77. I was getting 3330 fps with RL22 but that gun has a fast barrel. And I was just under pressure. 7828 will probably get you more speed than 4350. But I use 4350 in a a lot of different loads with great results.

 

[nobody]

1:9.5 in a factory Ruger M77. I was getting 3330 fps with RL22 but that gun has a fast barrel. And I was just under pressure. 7828 will probably get you more speed than 4350. But I use 4350 in a a lot of different loads with great results.

This makes me excited haha. Have you used 7828? If so, how was the accuracy?

 

[gpkhill2]

This makes me excited haha. Have you used 7828? If so, how was the accuracy?

I've never used 7828. But I've heard good things and it seems to have good availability.

 

[nobody]

I've never used 7828. But I've heard good things and it seems to have good availability.

Availability was one of the reasons I picked some up. It (and it’s basic equivalents) are in every reloading manual I’ve looked through, and they all seem to have good velocity figures.

 

[JasonWi]

Im running the 140 ttsx with RL22 in my 7mmRM and my average fps is 3147 (24" barrel). Its grouping around .6-.7" @ 100. Killed two antelope with this combo this season and both were DRT.

I didn't try other powder types as I have 8# of RL22.

 

[nobody]

Im running the 140 ttsx with RL22 in my 7mmRM and my average fps is 3147 (24" barrel). Its grouping around .6-.7" @ 100. Killed two antelope with this combo this season and both were DRT.

I didn't try other powder types as I have 8# of RL22.

Good to know! Any luck with non-monolithic projectiles in 140?

 

[JasonWi]

Good to know! Any luck with non-monolithic projectiles in 140?

I used the 160 AB in this gun for years, but-- I archery hunt for elk, so I decided to swap to the 140 grain. I've seen the 140AB used in the 7-08 and it worked very well on a couple blacktails.

I really like the AB and wouldn't hesitate to run them. I've killed three elk with the 160 and it worked perfectly, so doubt the 140 would do anything different.

 

[nobody]

I used the 160 AB in this gun for years, but-- I archery hunt for elk, so I decided to swap to the 140 grain. I've seen the 140AB used in the 7-08 and it worked very well on a couple blacktails.

I really like the AB and wouldn't hesitate to run them. I've killed three elk with the 160 and it worked perfectly, so doubt the 140 would do anything different.

How’s the accuracy with the 140 compared to the 160?

 

[JasonWi]

Both are MOA or less @ 100. For us its usually on the upper end of what the relaoding book recommends powder charge wise. I've been very impressed with the wound channels and penetration

 

[nobody]

Both are MOA or less @ 100. For us its usually on the upper end of what the relaoding book recommends powder charge wise. I've been very impressed with the wound channels and penetration

Always with RL22? Any issues with temp sensitivity? MOA or better is great for me, I’ll use my creedmoor for shooting little baby groups in paper, I just want a solid, tough hunting rifle and load combo.

 

[JasonWi]

In the 7-08 47.5 grains of Big game.

In the 7mmRM I've just used the RL22 because of having so much available.