7mm mag loads

[Turner]

I was hoping someone could give me a little direction. My new rifle has a 1:8 26" Benchmark barrel. My intentions were to shoot 162gr Hornady Precision Hunters, but I'm getting less than ideal results (little >1 MOA). The Precision Hunters were giving me an average of 2928fps. I'm am going to have a friend work up some loads for me and would like some input. For powder I'm looking at retumbo or H1000. Bullets are my main concern narrowed down to: Berger 168 or 180 or ELD-X 175gr. I'm leaning towards the ELD-X. MOA gave me their basic load workups and they use only Bergers (suggested 168 or 195's). My main concern is effect on game not target shooting, but obviously would like to get to the 0.5 moa guaranteed by the rifle. Thanks for any help.

 

[Turner]

up

 

[Fonkie]

I shoot 68.5 gr H1000 & 168 Berger hunter hybrids in my factory Tikka superlight. It will shoot 1/2 moa & runs about 2875 fps in the factory chamber

 

[Muley Buck]

Don't discount the 162s if you are going to hand load. I shot the 162 precision hunter ammo in my 7mm and got similar results as you. But, I hand load them .010 off the lands with H1000 and easily get .5 MOA.

 

[WeiserBucks]

I use H1000 and 180 Hybrids in mine. It makes 2925 fps with a 24" barrel and its hell on deer and elk . In my experience the Hybrids are an excellent game bullet.

 

[RoJo]

I am hoping to verify sub-1/2 MOA accuracy if I can get a calm day, shooting Berger 168's ahead of 60.5 gr of RL 22 at 2850 fps. Bullets are right at the lands.

 

[Turner]

thanks for the replies, in theory wouldn't a heavier bullet be better suited for my 1:8 twist? I know it would be best to try all of them, but I'm trying to avoid $35-50 a box of bullets and burning up my barrel. Good to hear that those 162 precision hunters weren't just me. the 178's shoot sub moa out of my Sako, guess I was hoping to get lucky and not reload. Might try one box of the HSM trophies with 168 bergers.

 

[Totoro]

Correctly me if I am wrong, but does MOA provide a load recipe? Or just a group shot guarantee based on selected ammo of their choice?

8 twist is begging for 195 EOL or 180 ELDM, IMO.

 

[Turner]

After I contacted them they did provide me with the two recipes for 168 and 195 bergers. I have personally had good experiences with the eld-x and have a couple of friends that had Berger problems. The bergers shot great, but on animals if they didn't drop then tracking blood was an issue due to the lack of. Just hesitant for this reason.

 

[Rob5589]

In my 7RM's I have had only so-so accuracy with Retumbo, have not tried H1000. My best results have come with R22 with bullets from 162-180 grains in both speed and accuracy.

 

[jruff002]

my 7's where i could load them long all shot the 168 VLD's .010-.020 off lands with Retumbo (thinking off top of head 71 grains but always work up it may have been 72 it's a hot load but no pressure signs) and both guns avg 3000-3020 fps and .5 or less moa. For 160 plus pills in a 7mm Retumbo is superior IMO cuz it's an extreme temp powder, my tikka shoots 1/2 moa with it and 160 partitions, think the tikka im shooting 71 gr retumbo but that's off top of my head and dont have my log book handy

 

[Turner]

ok good info, the 195 has me curious. anybody with any first hand experience with the Berger EOL 195's?

 

[Archer86]

I am guessing this is for a rem mag? I have had good luck with the 168 clasic hunter they are very friendly for seating depth vs the standard vld. Either should work though. Remeber to work up loads to max every rifle is different. I have had good luck with retumbo and h1000 with the 168 both getting over 3000 fps. With a 1 in 8 twist I would lean torward the 180 vld if you have time to do load work up. If your shooting out of a standard 7mm rem mag I dont think it will push the 195 with enough velocity to be worth it with out loading HOT rounds

 

[desertcj]

I realize this thread is a bit old. My 7mm mag load is a 180gr Eld-M molly coated, 73gr H1000, BR2 primer, Winchester brass. OAL is 3.450". Makes 3000fps in a 26" barrel. Don't try that much H1000 with a standard 3.290" oal and short throat. At least work up to it...