Ruger 77 7 Rem Mag Bullet Selection

[wmdurway]

Good evening all,

FNG here. I am working up some hand loads for an old Ruger 77 tang safety in 7mm Rem Mag and interested in bullet selection for deer and elk hunting.

I picked up a box of 160gr Partitions but have always been interested in something in the 175gr weight class. I’d like to push a 175 around 2950-3000 fps if possible. A few options I’ve considered are Nosler AB and PT, Swift A frames, and Grand Slams though I’ve heard they’re not the same quality as they used to be.

Any recommendations for bonded bullets and can I adequately stabilize the heavier bullets in the traditional 1:9.5” twist barrel?

My current powder selections include RS Grand, H4831SC, and H1000.

Thanks and looking forward to hearing from everyone.

 

[shmtastic]

4831 and 150 Swift sciroccos worked well for me. Any time I want to test a 7mm RM accuracy potential, I use 160gr accubonds and RL22, but you haven't listed that as a powder you have. I used 180s with H1000, but mine was a flat 9 twist.

Now, my hunting load is a 143gr hammer with RL23. I don't see myself changing from this pairing, as it works so well together. 3200 fps

 

[Gadjet]

I hunted with and killed many animals over the years with a Ruger M77 in 7mag. I had a couple of really bad experiences on elk with Nosler partitions, mainly with close range shots. Switched to 160 grain Accubonds and it was a game changer.

 

[wmdurway]

Thank you both.

Sounds like I need to look into some Accubonds. I’ve heard good things about R22 but was having trouble finding it in stock when I started reloading a year ago.

Any noticeable performance between the Accubond and Swift?

 

[Dave Thomas]

I shoot hornady 162 sst in mine with r23 at 3050 and it shoots well. It works great for whitetail. I've never been elk hunting so I can't tell you how the sst would do on elk.

 

[Pony Soldier]

I loaded 4831 for a lot of years with 175 gr game kings boattails. Then I changed to a BAR and needed a little faster powder. Then the game kings started coming unglued. I changed to 175 gr round nosed h interlocks with H 4350. That was good for 40-50 elk until Hornady lost their mind and quit making round nose. Now I struggle to find 175 gr h interlocks in 7rm. Hopefully I have enough stockpiled to last till I find more spire points or die.

Trying to find something that the gun likes and performs well in the elk can be a challenge. Speed is not always the answer and is often the problem.

 

[aachey]

I have a factory 90's 700 7 rem mag with 1:9.25 (i believe). I've shot 165 Sierra Gamechangers and 175 partitions. Both sub moa accuracy. Also both with retumbo 165's at 3070 and 175's at 3040. I personally haven't seen much info with Grand but I think H1000 should get you the fps you're looking for. I really wish the 170 terminal ascent was available for reloading.

 

[TaperPin]

I used to shoot 175 gr Partitions for elk and 160s for deer and antelope, but the 160s are a little flatter and still worked so well my interest in the 175 dwindled. The 175 gr Accubond long range requires a faster twist than what you have from what I remember when it first came out.

The regular Accubond is probably a better bullet, but a 160 gr Partition has killed everything I’ve pointed it at so I stick with it and tease the nephews I’m shooting a bullet from the 1950s, in a cartridge and rifle from the 1960s. lol

 

[wmdurway]

Ha! That’s funny!

I looked up the serial number on my R77 a few years back and I think it’s from the ‘70s. It’s a cool rifle, I like it a lot.

I found some 155gr Terminal Ascent online. Debating picking them up. Does <160gr seem lite for elk?

I have a range day scheduled for next weekend to shoot the partitions I loaded. I’ll bring back a range report for everyone. Depending on how they do I might switch to the Federals.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[MT-nuffgun]

Mine shot 150 partitions and 139 sst’s well with imr 4831 and RL19.

 

[TaperPin]

I looked up the serial number on my R77 a few years back and I think it’s from the ‘70s. It’s a cool rifle, I like it a lot.

How fun - that’s the same rifle that an older friend had and watching him clobber animals was what turned me onto the 7 mag.

 

[SenderoOutdoors1]

I have currently just finished my load development for an upcoming african plains game safari with my 7mm rem mag and I will be using the 175 gr nosler partition using h1000 powder and my muzzle velocity is 2860 fps but I also had good results with the north fork ss bullets