Load Development 7 Mag

[jonnyviceroy]

I am shooting a Christensen Mesa Long Range in 7 mag with a 26" barrel 1-9" twist. Any chance someone with access to quickload could help me out with a starting point? Or just any rough suggestions for an archer that is out of his element haha. I plan to use H4831 and 175 gr ELDX although bullet I am open to suggestions. Thank you Fellas, Cheers.

 

[InkedElkSlayer]

I have shot H4831 (original, not SC) with a Ruger M77 7mm Mag since 1993. Originally shot the 175gr Speer Mag Tip. I switched to a Barnes 150 TTSX a few years ago. My dad and brother still shoot the original load (both are M77s too). The load is above the Speer reloading manual max, so work up to it.
63.0gr H4831
3.240 COAL
CCI Mag Primer

Obviously, the ELD is a much different bullet than the old Mag Tip. A lot of animals have been taken with the load though.

 

[Rob5589]

H4831 will certainly work but, I'd be looking at R22/23/26, H1000 or Retumbo with a 175.

 

[menhaden_man]

I've sent about 300 handloads downrange with my new 7RM last summer, Xbolt with the 26" barrel (1/8). I've tried the 175 ELDX, 175 ABLR, and 168 VLDs over H4831sc, Retumbo, H1000, and IMR4350 (sneaky good but not as temp stable as others).

For H4831, I was getting solid accuracy around 58.7 gr, but ~2,700 fps. I topped out with that powder at 60.0 gr, which got me another 100 fps with diminishing accuracy. Never pushed it for that next node but never saw pressure either (and I'm loading long which lets you push further). The 168 VLDs and Retumbo are stupid accurate and hitting 3,100 fps in my rifle.

Each gun is different though, have a look at Hodgdon Reloading Center, a good free online resource.

https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/

 

[jonnyviceroy]

I have shot H4831 (original, not SC) with a Ruger M77 7mm Mag since 1993. Originally shot the 175gr Speer Mag Tip. I switched to a Barnes 150 TTSX a few years ago. My dad and brother still shoot the original load (both are M77s too). The load is above the Speer reloading manual max, so work up to it.
63.0gr H4831
3.240 COAL
CCI Mag Primer

Obviously, the ELD is a much different bullet than the old Mag Tip. A lot of animals have been taken with the load though.

Thank you! I'm planning to load some up this weekend and go shoot a few. I have been reading a ton of manuals online as well as physical books from several manufacturers and could never find any consistent information.

 

[jonnyviceroy]

H4831 will certainly work but, I'd be looking at R22/23/26, H1000 or Retumbo with a 175.

Hey Rob, my ultimate goal was for sure H1000 or Retumbo but I can't seem to find any. Besides gougers on gunbroker and local ad lists. A bit steep for a newly married college kid haha but I will keep searching. For now just shooting what I got and need to get rounds down range and experience more than anything. Hopefully some day I'll be testing loads with one of those.

 

[jonnyviceroy]

I've sent about 300 handloads downrange with my new 7RM last summer, Xbolt with the 26" barrel (1/8). I've tried the 175 ELDX, 175 ABLR, and 168 VLDs over H4831sc, Retumbo, H1000, and IMR4350 (sneaky good but not as temp stable as others).

For H4831, I was getting solid accuracy around 58.7 gr, but ~2,700 fps. I topped out with that powder at 60.0 gr, which got me another 100 fps with diminishing accuracy. Never pushed it for that next node but never saw pressure either (and I'm loading long which lets you push further). The 168 VLDs and Retumbo are stupid accurate and hitting 3,100 fps in my rifle.

Each gun is different though, have a look at Hodgdon Reloading Center, a good free online resource.

https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/

Thank you for your input man, I have seen the Hodgdon load data and it showed very similar suggestions to the Hornady Manual that I have. H4831 seems like it is not the ideal powder but it is what I currently have. Hopefully things will start to slowly get easier with availability. Valuable information, thank you again.

 

[InkedElkSlayer]

I said the date for a reason. Obviously a WAY different bullet and era. But we have shot the same load 1000s of times between 3 rifles. No pressure issues, etc. I do agree that Retumbo would most likely be your best bet on a long range, consistent velocity spread load. But you gotta shoot what you have right? Good luck

 

[menhaden_man]

Thank you for your input man, I have seen the Hodgdon load data and it showed very similar suggestions to the Hornady Manual that I have. H4831 seems like it is not the ideal powder but it is what I currently have. Hopefully things will start to slowly get easier with availability. Valuable information, thank you again.

Still pretty damn good! Look at the BC and velocities of a 175 bullet and compare it against the beloved manbun that guys shoot elk with. Getting your reps in before some Retumbo comes up isn’t the worst thing. That IMR4350 is a classic too, overlooked IMO.

 

[jonnyviceroy]

Still pretty damn good! Look at the BC and velocities of a 175 bullet and compare it against the beloved manbun that guys shoot elk with. Getting your reps in before some Retumbo comes up isn’t the worst thing. That IMR4350 is a classic too, overlooked IMO.

Before I was able to get some eldx I had a load developed with 175 gr sierra mks cause that’s all I could find and with 62 gr h4831 and was shooting 2811 which was better speed wise than I was expecting. I just switched to the Eldx for a better hunting round and it does not like that powder charge at all

 

[CC11]

Can't help with the 4831, but my 7mm xbolt loves Berger 168's with 68 grains of retumbo. I'm a big fan of Bergers and they're starting to come back onto the market a bit. If you can't find 168's or want to go bigger, the 180 vld's or hybrids would be my choice

 

[InkedElkSlayer]

I agree with CC11. I have 2 300s set up for long range (H1000 w/ Berger 215s). The 7mag load I attached above works, but is not what I would shoot if I was setting up a new 7mag.
Retumbo with the 180 or 190 Hybrid is what I would eventually try to get dialed in. Good luck

 

[Harvey_NW]

Keep an eye out for IMR7977 and 8133, they have very similar burn rates to H1000 and Retumbo and seem to have good rep for temp sensitivity but aren't as popular. If you can use original 4831 instead of SC it might be better, but the case density will be terrible with SC. I've used it in a 7RM and currently in a 280AI because of the same situation and it's got a lot of space in there. Going to do some testing soon to get data for comparison to see how much impact that has, but food for thought.

 

[jonnyviceroy]

Revisiting this thread. My 7 mag really enjoyed 68.5 grains of H1000 with Berger 168s.

 

[jonnyviceroy]

Revisiting this thread. My 7 mag really enjoyed 68.5 grains of H1000 with Berger 168s.

Just had to get lucky and find the right components. Cheers friends