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RHINOAPBT
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| Posted: December 16 2010 at 8:55pm | IP Logged
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Ok, well according to the Hodgdons Data, which is free, I decided to go with H4350 AND Retumbo as a comparison. And If you would like, I will tell you which one I like better after experimenting. I am writing today, because I bought swome 139GR Hornady SST to load for my girlfriend. I used the reduced load calculator to achieve approx. 2000fps. I just hear too much about the danger of undercharging, so I havent loaded yet. I wanted to get some feedback from you fellas. The start load on Hodgdons Retumbo is 71.0 GRS resulting in 2955FPS. To achieve 2000FPS the calculator on this website advised me 43.6GR. Uhhhhh, thats VERY reduced, and I understand thats whats going to be needed to drop 1000fps, but is it dangerous?? There is an article in G&A about reducing the load for the 7mm Mag to 2000FPS, but its for different powders. Here is the link, and please let me know if you have any input, or experience with the "Reduced Recoil Calculator". GDAY!
Guns & Ammo Reducing Recoil Article w/data
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M700
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| Posted: December 17 2010 at 8:19am | IP Logged
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Rhino - looking at Hodgdon's 2010 data, with a 139 gr bullet they show:
Start load: 58 gr H4350 = 2953 fps
Max load: 61.5 gr H4350 = 3082 fps
I see absolutely no reason to drop below their recommended starting load. This is a 7mm Rem mag, it's intended to produce some velocity. I don't know how much experience you've got with center-fire rifles, but the 7mm Rem mag fired from any kind of decently stocked rifle is a peach to shoot. I find the 7mm RM to be roughly as powerful, and kicks similar to a .30-06 - which is logical as powder charges and bullet weights are similar.
In short, I'm saying that there's no need to drop below Hodgdon's recommended starting loads - they're quite mild. Dropping below those recommended loads could become problematic. If I was working with H4350 & 139 gr bullets, I'd load up:
3 cartridges at 58 grains
3 cartridges at 59 grains
3 cartridges at 60 grains
3 cartridges at 60.5 grains
3 cartridges at 61 grains
and finally
3 cartridges at their max of 61.5 grains
Actually, that's probably more steps than I'd normally make. I'd take those cartridges, the rifle, and a chronograph out to the range, a camera is great too - to photograph the primers - and go see how they perform.
If you really want a low velocity reduced 7mm mag load, the info in the Guns & Ammo article is fine, but dang, the 7mm mag is a peach to shoot with full-strength loads, and does a fine job on game with them. Why dive down so low to 2,000 fps? It's not a .30-30 Win...
Regards, Guy
Edited by M700 on December 17 2010 at 8:23am
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M700
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| Posted: December 17 2010 at 8:28am | IP Logged
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BTW - Rhino - I know you're trying to work up safe, easy-kicking loads for your girlfriend...
If you really want to load the 2,000 fps loads shown in the article, I'd recommend using the powders shown in that article. H4350 and Retumbo are intended for higher velocity loads and no, I don't recommend dropping down below Hodgdon's published minimum loads with them.
Guy
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Buffalogun
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| Posted: December 18 2010 at 8:57am | IP Logged
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Rhino,
The trick to working up safe reduced loads in big volume cases is to use a smaller amount of a faster burning powder. What you see in the article.
Simply reducing the amount of slow powders in big cases increases your chances of "unwanted firearm disassembly".
Straight from Speer's #12 Reloading Manual---
145 gr. bullets over 24-28gr. IMR SR4759 yields velocities around 1,811-2,112 fps.
SR4759 is an excellent powder for reduced rifle loads and you should be able to find a happy load in this range.
Mike 
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OKIE2
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| Posted: December 23 2010 at 2:58pm | IP Logged
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This is my best load for my 7 mag
Edited by OKIE2 on December 23 2010 at 2:59pm
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Paul5388
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| Posted: December 23 2010 at 3:51pm | IP Logged
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After looking quickly at the G&A article, I think I would still prefer the Blue Dot load I use. I think it's about 2200 fps with a 139-140 gr bullet and it will hold pretty much a zero compensation (I forgot what it's really called) out to 200 yards.
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L.F.Combs
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| Posted: December 25 2010 at 12:41pm | IP Logged
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Nice rifle.... I have used several reduced loads in my Ruger 7MM Rem Mag.... I usually use a faster buring powder.
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RHINOAPBT
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| Posted: January 14 2011 at 10:20pm | IP Logged
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I tried the Retumbo. To much pressure and it hurts to shoot.
My Savage 111 likes RL-22 with 58gr. under 162GR A-MAX
My Savage is a 111, but has CNC machined mounts. Does anyone know exactly what year these were produced? No accutrigger, or stock. The 111 has about 15 different models, so its not just a 111.
I finally bought a chronograph, and like always, you guys were right. How could I have gone that long without one.
I made some 200gr .40S&W rounds that run almost 1000FPS if anyone is interested.
This is the second time I had to write this so I just put down the points I was trying to hit...DAMN COMPUTER! I havent posted for a while, so wanted to say whats up and keep my profile active. If I dont post, will my profile be deleted?? Thanks and have a good weekend fellas!
Is it abnormal for a reloader to like making bullets more than shooting them?
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Paul5388
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| Posted: January 14 2011 at 10:26pm | IP Logged
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You're active on the forum as long as you're breathing.
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NVcaster
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| Posted: January 25 2011 at 8:21am | IP Logged
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I found the IMR 4350 worked well for full power loads. I
would look at H4895 for reduced loads.
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Ham Gunner
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RHINOAPBT wrote:
| Is it abnormal for a reloader to like making bullets more than shooting them? |
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Not really, I have to confess that I like to see my ammo cabinet fully stocked. Almost hate to shoot any. 
Actually, I do enjoy shooting, but I enjoy the challenge of any technical endeavor. Working up loads and working on getting the kinks out of my loading and casting technics, etc. is most of the fun for me. Many of my hobbies involve a bit of technical knowledge and ability and after one more or less masters that challenge, then the actual enjoyment of the hobby is a bit downhill from there.
My son-in-law and daughter each have a 7mm Mag. so I have started gathering up the needed components and have been studying the loading manuals a bit so I can load ammo for them. I have enjoyed this thread, but really have nothing to contribute because after years of handloading, this is one cartridge that I have not had a reason to load till now.
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Yellowshark
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| Posted: January 26 2011 at 8:07pm | IP Logged
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M700 wrote:
Rhino - I'm a big fan of the 7mm Rem mag. Very nicely balanced cartridge, particularly well suited for longish range hunting. Very capable of excellent accuracy if long-range targets are of more interest than hunting too.
Likely the best all-around loads I've built were straight from Sierra's loading specialists. They recommended working up to 65 grains of Reloader 22, with a magnum primer, pushing a quality 160 grain bullet to about 3,000 - 3,100 fps. A phone call to Sierra resulted in that recommendation some years back, and it continues to produce superb results. Nosler's excellent 160 grain Partition, or their sleek 160 grain Accubond are superb choices for general purpose big game hunting.
Cut back the powder charge a bit and use the 168 Sierra Matchking or the 168 Berger VLD for excellent long-range target performance.
Although it's at the upper end of 7mm bullets, I'm also very impressed with the 175's from both Sierra and Nosler. Used a 175 Nosler Partition to take a big 6x6 bull elk in Wyoming about ten years ago. Complete penetration, a quarter-sized exit wound and a very dead elk were the results of one shot at about 180 yards.
Can you tell I'm a bit of a Reloader 22 nut? The only drawback with that powder is that it's a bit temperature sensitive - but for a hunting load used in typical fall temps, it's just fine. As an alternative, H4831 is superb, but I've never quite gotten the velocity out of it that I have from RL-22.
Enjoy that cartridge - the 7mm Rem mag is a good one. Modest recoil, excellent ballistics, very good on-game performance.
Regards, Guy
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Agree with Guy, I used H4831 and RL22 to get my sie 160 gr. and Hdy 162 gr. shooting straight. I got the best results with H4831, WLR primers and the cheap hornady bullets. The RL22 was not shooting at all, until I loaded some magnum primers... after that, it was as good as the H4831 with regular primers. I did have a problem with extremely high velocities (almost 3,900 fps) when I developed some 110 grn. TNT's with the RL22. Developed in the winter for under 3,600 fps and went up 300 fps just with the change in temperature. I have given up on RL22 since then.
good luck,
Ed.
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Handloads.Com Forum : Long Guns
Topic: Loading my first 7mm Rem Mag
