Western 7mm rem mag load development

[mouri010]

Looking to start reloading 7mm rem mag. I’ve been using 155gr federal terminal ascents and they’ve worked great. Primarily will use for hunting elk and mule deer out west. Any suggestions on a load combo I should try?

Update: I'm shooting a Tikka T3x Lite

 

[Harvey_NW]

If you can get your hands on it H1000 and 160-170gr projectiles is usually an easy button for the Tikka 7RM.

 

[Green Bullet]

I use RL22 with 168 gr Berger Hunting VLDs.

 

[mgray]

I’ve had pretty good luck with the Berger 168 hybrid out of a 7RM.

 

[dieselchessy]

I currently use Norma brass, cci250, re23, 143 hammer hunter.
The hammers have been real easy to load.

Also done well with H1000 or H4831 and 160-ish bullets.

Retumbo and imr7828 are good for 180’s.

Might help if you tell us what components you have, and what you need.

 

[mouri010]

I currently use Norma brass, cci250, re23, 143 hammer hunter.
The hammers have been real easy to load.

Also done well with H1000 or H4831 and 160-ish bullets.

Retumbo and imr7828 are good for 180’s.

Might help if you tell us what components you have, and what you need.

I haven’t done any reloading yet myself. I have a friend with all of the reloading equipment but he mostly sticks to pistol/small rifle calibers. I have a pile of nickel plated federal brass from the Terminal Ascents I’ve been shooting the last couple years, but that is the only component I have so far. I’m just looking for suggestions on somewhere to start with bullets/powders/primers!

 

[dieselchessy]

Primers are pretty well a non-starter these days. Maybe you have a source of large rifle mag primers?
I haven’t seen H1000 in a while, but 4831 was out there recently.
Hammer bullets are generally available. Not sure on other choices.

You’ve picked an in opportune time to source components. Will be difficult to source.

Many folks don’t care for nickel plated brass when loading ammo. I don’t see this as major, but you may want to visit the Norma site and snag some brass while it’s available.

 

[Harvey_NW]

visit the Norma site and snag some brass while it’s available.

This ^

 

[Roksliding]

My tikka 7mag is lights out with-

Norma/rem 9.5/rl26/160gr Accubond

All pretty much extinct now

 

[Wapiti1]

To help a little, don't bother with magnum primers. Standard LR primers will ignite anything you stuff into the case as long as you stay above 80% case fill, which is hard not to do. The 7 RM isn't a huge volume cartridge and all of the good powders for it are easy to ignite.

Norma does make good brass, but don't push it too hard. It tends to be a little soft.

Jeremy

 

[f16jack]

61 grains of Reloder 22, Berger 180 VLD Hunting. Deadly on elk.
I'll move to Reloder 26 when I can find it.

 

[IALoder]

My Tikka is sub moa with RL23/160AB/CCI250's in WW Super Brass, does about the same with H1000 instead of RL23 as well.

 

[bmart2622]

My Tikka is sub moa with RL23/160AB/CCI250's in WW Super Brass, does about the same with H1000 instead of RL23 as well.

Do you happen to know the velocity of that load?

 

[IALoder]

Do you happen to know the velocity of that load?

H1000 is 2960fps, RL23 is 3000fps on the nose.

 

[lhbackcountry]

following for results later. please share what you find with these loads!