7mm mag Elk load

[rootacres]

I’m pushing the 168gr Berger classic hunters out of a 22” barrel doing 2850 FPS. They are incredibly accurate. The bullet design of the 168gr ABLRs are superior in my opinion. I like a bonded bullet after seeing what happens to the Berger’s on elk size game from 150yds to 325 yds. I’ve had 3 different rifles and couldn’t get the ELDX to fly well to save my life. Others love them, they just didn’t work for me.

 

[money]

If you can get the Terminal Ascent to shoot well out of your rifle I firmly believe they are the best bullet on the market. They have a very high B.C. and they stay together way better than a berger, ABLR, or ELDX. Should kill elk with ease.

Had to take my 7 mag out yesterday because I changed scope rings and my first two shots were on the left side if the target. Moved my scope up 1 MOA and right 4 MOA and the next three shots were nearly perfect at 100 yards. It was also a very windy day and I was rushing shots between gusts of wind. I am shooting the 155 grain Terminal ascent with 72.5 grains of IMR 8133 out of ADG brass.

 

[RMajors]

I don't hunt out west, the longest line of sight around here is maybe 300 yards or so, but I've had great luck with 140 grain Barnes tsx bullets. I load it in front of old school IMR 4350, and it's always been accurate and deadly out of my old Ruger 77. I own a lot of rifles, but that old Ruger is the best cold bore gun I own. I have more confidence in it to make a 1 shot kill than any of my other more expensive rifles. I will add that if you've never tried Barnes bullets, they perform extremely well on game, and don't leave lead in your meat.

 

[Idaho_Potato]

Not to hijack, but I've been thinking about restocking powder recently for 7 mag. I had a perfect load for RL26, but I think that ship has sailed.

After some research it looks like IMR 7977 is a god fit. Temp stability and velocity are priority. I don't know what velocity I'm currently at, but running 67.0 g of RL26 behind a 160 g Accubond. If I switch powder is it likely I will have a significantly different drop/trajectory? Just weighing the option of waiting for RL26 or switching it up.

 

[Fotis]

66 gr rl22 and a 160 bullet usually yields 3k fps and sub moa.

Work up slow

 

[KineKilla]

66gr of RL22 sounds pretty hot. Maybe not though.

I get 2945fps using 61gr of RL22

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[Calbuck]

Yep I’m around 2950 ish at 62.5 rl22 and 162 ELDx

 

[Fotis]

66gr of RL22 sounds pretty hot. Maybe not though.

I get 2945fps using 61gr of RL22

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It can be sir. Hence the work up slow remark. In my 7mm rem mags with 160 AB or 162 Hornady Interlocks I got right at 3K and no excessive pressures.

Additionally RL 22 burning rate can vary a bit from lot to lot so there is that.

 

[Brook.Trout]

66gr of RL22 sounds pretty hot. Maybe not though.

I get 2945fps using 61gr of RL22

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I’m shooting 175 Berger’s with 65gr re22 and get 2850 FPS

 

[Pistol_Pete]

I have a Christensen Ridgeline in 7mm RM. I've got 162gr hornady eld-x , 160gr nosler accubond, and 168gr berger vld all shooting 1/2 moa. A better shooter could probably 1 clover leaf hole it. I'm not that guy. Shoot me a message and I'd be happy to share any load data that I have saved. I ended with a .020 jump start. So far so good. Best of luck. Cheers!

What powder are you using and how far off the lands?? I have alot of Retumbo i can use

 

[CC11]

My original load for my Xbolt was 68 gr of Retumbo shooting the 168 VLDs at 3.43 oal. Gun has since started speeding up and probably a little throat erosion so I'm in the process of reworking my load. But my ladder test showed a .14" group of the 67.5, 68 and 68.5 gr at 400 yards with an oal of 3.455, so I think she'll dial right back in.

 

[menhaden_man]

My original load for my Xbolt was 68 gr of Retumbo shooting the 168 VLDs at 3.43 oal. Gun has since started speeding up and probably a little throat erosion so I'm in the process of reworking my load. But my ladder test showed a .14" group of the 67.5, 68 and 68.5 gr at 400 yards with an oal of 3.455, so I think she'll dial right back in.

Shooting the same here in my xbolt, 168s and 71.7 gr of Retumbo. Loading long, 2.725 CBTO, can check OAL later if anyone is interested. 3,105 FPS 0.57 MOA.

 

[River rat23]

What powder are you using and how far off the lands?? I have alot of Retumbo i can use

I'm running IMR 4831 with Nosler Accubonds and Hornady SST & ELD-X, and RL 22 with my Bergers. May not be correct, but I always start .020 off the lands and adjust from there if needed

 

[jonnyviceroy]

My 7 mag loved h1000 with those Berger vlds.

 

[jonnyviceroy]

My 7 mag loved h1000 with those Berger vlds.

 

[menhaden_man]

I’ve been shooting that same bullet. Any idea how fast they’re going? I’m getting over 3,000 FPS with Retumbo, close with IMR4350 and H4831. My newer 7RM likes those VLDs.

 

[jonnyviceroy]

I’ve been shooting that same bullet. Any idea how fast they’re going? I’m getting over 3,000 FPS with Retumbo, close with IMR4350 and H4831. My newer 7RM likes those VLDs.

Chronoed it at 3125 fps, cooking out of 26" barrel.

 

[jonnyviceroy]

I’ve been shooting that same bullet. Any idea how fast they’re going? I’m getting over 3,000 FPS with Retumbo, close with IMR4350 and H4831. My newer 7RM likes those VLDs.

From what I have tested, I got much better velocity with the H1000 than the Retumbo with my Berger 168s. I think it may be due to Retumbo being a bit too slow? H1000 seems to be that "just right" cup of porridge for that bullet outta my barrel.

 

[menhaden_man]

Chronoed it at 3125 fps, cooking out of 26" barrel.

That’s cooking alright! I’m close to that out of my 26” barrel. May give the H100 another whirl.