i have just reloaded nosler AccuBond 160 grain with 62.5 grains of H4831 as this was the most accurate of 5 loads tested,shooting 3/8's grouping of 3 shots at 100yds using a Santa Barbara rifle with 24 inch barrel.According to the Hodgdens book this load shoots 2900 fps with a 26 inch barrel,it says to subtract 100 fps for 24 inch barrels so i assume i have a velocity of 2800 fps,this seems slow to me or am i not reading the book right,any suggestions on bringing up the velocity,any one else shooting or has shot this load can you tell me your velocity please,or is 2800 fps an acceptable load for a 7mm rem mag,,seems slow to me but is very accurate,load consists of 62.5 gr H4831,winchester brass,winchester magnum primers and AccuBond 160gr bullet,,the book just mentions a 7mm mag bullet weight could it be possible using the AccuBond i am getting a higher velocity than listed in the book
7mm rem mag velocity is this to slow a load
- Thread starter rande
- Start date
Rande:
You can't assume your velocity is 2800 fps, and then assume it's too slow, because there are so many variables among rifles.
2 inches of barrel length, may or may not, result in a 100 fps difference. "Rule of the thumb". says 25 to 30 fps per inch of barrel length, but that cannot be assumed either. It depends on your rifle, the load etc. I understand that with some combinations, a shorter barrel, within reason, could result in a gain in velocity, or very little loss.
If you were to chronograph your load in your rifle, and came close to 2900 fps, that would suggest that you were at maximum pressure.
If you have an accurate load, and the velocity is anywhere close to 2900 fps, I'd say you have a winner.
At any rate, you should determine your actual velocity average before adjusting your load. It might be much faster than you think.
Smitty of the North
You can't assume your velocity is 2800 fps, and then assume it's too slow, because there are so many variables among rifles.
2 inches of barrel length, may or may not, result in a 100 fps difference. "Rule of the thumb". says 25 to 30 fps per inch of barrel length, but that cannot be assumed either. It depends on your rifle, the load etc. I understand that with some combinations, a shorter barrel, within reason, could result in a gain in velocity, or very little loss.
If you were to chronograph your load in your rifle, and came close to 2900 fps, that would suggest that you were at maximum pressure.
If you have an accurate load, and the velocity is anywhere close to 2900 fps, I'd say you have a winner.
At any rate, you should determine your actual velocity average before adjusting your load. It might be much faster than you think.
Smitty of the North
- Nov 4, 2004
- 25,188
- 8,468
SOTN is spot on. Only a chronograph will tell you exactly what your rifle velocity is. Take the accuracy and put the bullet where it needs to be.
+/- 100 fps wont make any difference.
JD338
+/- 100 fps wont make any difference.
JD338
- Thread starter
- #4
Thanks Guys i will chrono , i am new to the 7mm rem mag and AccuBond 160gr., I was just wondering if 2800 fps was acceptable,I live in northern saskatchewan where shots on very large white tail deer are average 100 to 200 yard shots and a few 300 yrd shots,i know the bullet is capable of doing its job out to 300 but the load is what i am sceptable about.My shooting comfort zone is 300 yrds to 350 yrds and i just need a good strong load for that distance,is the 160gr AB loaded to 2800 fps capable at this distance is my concern, I will take accuracy over a higher speed anytime as long as the knock down power is still there. Thanks for the replies.
- Oct 30, 2004
- 24,282
- 3,002
I ran Quick load for your load.
It predicts 2763 fps at 46522 psi. Basically quite a bit below max. For a max load Quickload says:
68 grains of 4831sc
3019 fps
and 61226 psi.
Again this is only a prediction and the absolute max!
My max usually tops at 66 gr H4831 or RL 22 at 3050 fps or so.
It predicts 2763 fps at 46522 psi. Basically quite a bit below max. For a max load Quickload says:
68 grains of 4831sc
3019 fps
and 61226 psi.
Again this is only a prediction and the absolute max!
My max usually tops at 66 gr H4831 or RL 22 at 3050 fps or so.
- Thread starter
- #6
Thank you for the info POP ,,,i am starting to think this load of mine is even lower in velocity than commercial shells,i have never shot commercial shells out of this gun,,maybe i should try a few.Really what good is a 7mm mag if not shooting to its full potential,I my as well get a lower calibre and save on ammo costs,,but i love my 7mag and thats out of the question.any load data would be greatly appreciated
The Speer book shows 61 grs as max! The Hogdon site 64 grs.
Don't use that data above from POP. Each rifle is an individual.
Work up loads in your gun going by published data only.
http://www.hodgdon.com/data/rifle/7mmremma.php
Don't use that data above from POP. Each rifle is an individual.
Work up loads in your gun going by published data only.
http://www.hodgdon.com/data/rifle/7mmremma.php
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,747
- 5,829
Using published loads from Nosler and Sierra, I've got 3000 - 3100 fps from 160 grain bullets and the 7mm Rem mag.
H4831 and Reloader 22 have both worked great for me with the 7mm Rem mag. H870, when it was readily available was also very good in the 7mm Rem mag.
I suspect your 2800 fps load will do a fine job for you - but if you want more zip - it's avail. Check Sierra and Nosler, particularly for Reloader 22 data. I'll try to remember to get back here with specific load data. The good old 7mm Rem mag is a great hunting cartridge - likely my favorite all-around hunting cartridge.
These days I mostly use 160 & 175 grain bullets. Those long 175's penetrate completely through big bull elk!
Regards, Guy
H4831 and Reloader 22 have both worked great for me with the 7mm Rem mag. H870, when it was readily available was also very good in the 7mm Rem mag.
I suspect your 2800 fps load will do a fine job for you - but if you want more zip - it's avail. Check Sierra and Nosler, particularly for Reloader 22 data. I'll try to remember to get back here with specific load data. The good old 7mm Rem mag is a great hunting cartridge - likely my favorite all-around hunting cartridge.
These days I mostly use 160 & 175 grain bullets. Those long 175's penetrate completely through big bull elk!
Regards, Guy
Boy Oh Boy! Seems like many feel that their bullets have to be bustin along at the 'speed of light' these days but I guess that's what happens when you're a shootin one of the LOUDENBOOMERS! IMO....SPEED ain't where it's all at....because I don't think one will do much good just blowing air from a 'swuft bullet' by the target! ACCURACY...is 'where it's at' and in many cases the best accuracy will not be at the upper end of the speed envelope!! I've never been able to 'interview' an elk, whitetail, or mulie what they thought about being hit by a bullet going 2800 fps rather than one going 3200 fps because....THEY WERE DEADER THAN A HAMMER!! 
:roll:
:roll:
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,747
- 5,829
Ah now Sharpsman - just because I like to get what a cartridge can deliver ya gotta go dissin' me... :wink:
As stated - I think his 2800 fps load will do just fine. It's apparently shooting with deadly accuracy, and I've never seen a deer that could take a hit from a 160 launched at 2800 fps. Heck, I've killed mule deer just fine with a .223, a traditional muzzleloader and even a .45 ACP 1911 - they're just not that tough to kill. I think we'd both agree that it's far more important to hit them well, than to hit them with a bigger/faster hammer.
I also think it's sort of silly to load a 7mm Rem mag down to .308 Win level performance if more velocity is readily on hand just by swapping to a different powder.
Regards, Guy
As stated - I think his 2800 fps load will do just fine. It's apparently shooting with deadly accuracy, and I've never seen a deer that could take a hit from a 160 launched at 2800 fps. Heck, I've killed mule deer just fine with a .223, a traditional muzzleloader and even a .45 ACP 1911 - they're just not that tough to kill. I think we'd both agree that it's far more important to hit them well, than to hit them with a bigger/faster hammer.
I also think it's sort of silly to load a 7mm Rem mag down to .308 Win level performance if more velocity is readily on hand just by swapping to a different powder.
Regards, Guy
Sharpsman:
I agree with you, in that, accuracy is better than another 100 to 150 fps at borderline pressures.
Speed, is why many 7mm Mags are loaded with 140 grain bullets. Myself, I see no reason to use the lighter bullets. Why compromise your bullet weight, when you have a 7mm Magnum? The 160s or 175s, should hold together better, especially at close range. You don't have to worry so much about bullet construction.
JMO
Smitty of the North
I agree with you, in that, accuracy is better than another 100 to 150 fps at borderline pressures.
Speed, is why many 7mm Mags are loaded with 140 grain bullets. Myself, I see no reason to use the lighter bullets. Why compromise your bullet weight, when you have a 7mm Magnum? The 160s or 175s, should hold together better, especially at close range. You don't have to worry so much about bullet construction.
JMO
Smitty of the North
Guy Miner":qbchahfw said:
Guy
Hmmmmm.....how bout a "bigger/slower hammer?" :roll: :shock:
I just had to make that post cuz I've got a very close relative about 40 years old (my son) that catches this forum every now and then and his theory is that if he can get his bullet going about Mach 11....well....that's 4 numbers too low!! Hehe!! :lol: :wink: :lol:
- Thread starter
- #13
deer season starts tomorrow so i am going to try the 2800 fps load on a couple of mule deer at about 300 yards to see whats up,i can't find a chrono so i go by what happens in the feild,,hopefully they drop like a bag of hammers, I live near where the white tail world record was shot and we have huge deer here and want a gun that can shoot far with knock down power reliably.hopefully 160 at 2800 fps can do this,recoil is minimal and very accurate.i just hope i haven't turned my 7 mag into a 308,,i have an old 308 in the closet ,,my as well sell the mag clean up the old girl 308 and start over,,,,,,,thanks for the replies ,,,any load data would be appreciated as i intend to try and bring up the fps next week using the 160 AccuBond or 140 AccuBond,,i am thinkin of the 140 AccuBond as i have shot many rounds of standard 30-06 150 grn out to 300 yrds reliably and 140grns is not much smaller,so i figure 140 accubonds on deer is the ticket for distance and knock down power on white tails,what do ya think
rande":19oa4dgy said:
rande
What I'm THINKING is that if more folks shot .308 Winchester.....they'd probably be a LOT MORE GAME TAKEN!! Shoot a buck through the 'guts' with a 20 MM and he may go 5 miles! Shoot one through the shoulder with a 150 gr. .308 bullet akin to the AccuBond....and he'll hit so hard you'll need a pick axe to dig his 'whacker' outa the ground afore ya can move him!! :wink: :wink:
- Thread starter
- #15
were talkin 7 mag here not 308 and gut shots,i asked if 2800 fps is acceptable for 7 rem mag and for any other load data for the 160 AccuBond, hopefully i never have a gut shot, this is why we reload to acquire an accurate load so we put the bullet where we want it , flock shootin is for ducks not deer or any other big game
remingtonman_25_06
Handloader
- Nov 17, 2005
- 2,807
- 402
Run the numbers on it, when teh bullet runs out of about 800 ft lbs of energy, or the bullet is below 1600fps, thats where you draw the line on the limits of the cartridge. The 7mm will kill deer up to 3x the normal "long range" distance of so called experts, so long as you put the bullet in the chest. I'm using a 175g at 2810fps and I feel I have a slow load. However, accuracy is under .5 MOA and I dont think an elk will notice 100fps.
- Nov 4, 2004
- 25,188
- 8,468
rande
Your 7mm RM shooting the 160 gr AB @ 2800 fps will be more than enough for any deer. Hunt with confidence in your rifle, load and bullet
and enjoy your hunt.
JD338
Your 7mm RM shooting the 160 gr AB @ 2800 fps will be more than enough for any deer. Hunt with confidence in your rifle, load and bullet
and enjoy your hunt.
JD338
roysclockgun
Handloader
- Dec 17, 2005
- 736
- 1
Tell me if I am wrong. The primary reason for going from 7mmMauser to 7mmRemMag is to get more propellant capacity, which translates into higher velocity which delivers a flatter trajectory the end result being to take the guess work out of longer shots. No? That said, of course the hand loader has to begin low and work up to the highest safe MV that also delivers acceptable accuracy.
I velocity is not an important part of the mix, then why not just use an 1876 US Springfield Trapdoor Carbine in 45-70?
Of course a 160gr bullet with 2800 MV will do the job. But in a 7mmRemMag one should be able to wring more than that from a Magnum cartridge and still get excellent accuracy. The beauty of being able to confidently make a 400 yd. shot on deer may never present itself, but I for one, want to be ready if it does.
I velocity is not an important part of the mix, then why not just use an 1876 US Springfield Trapdoor Carbine in 45-70?
Of course a 160gr bullet with 2800 MV will do the job. But in a 7mmRemMag one should be able to wring more than that from a Magnum cartridge and still get excellent accuracy. The beauty of being able to confidently make a 400 yd. shot on deer may never present itself, but I for one, want to be ready if it does.
- Thread starter
- #20
The primary reason for going from 7mmMauser to 7mmRemMag is to get more propellant capacity, which translates into higher velocity which delivers a flatter trajectory the end result being to take the guess work out of longer shots.
i agree with the above statement some what,,,although remember the 7mm mag delivers a larger bullet out further than some calibers,i have been reading some charts and it looks like the 150 grain may be the answer, it holds velocity out further than any other grain and even surpasses some with higher velocity between 400 and 500 yards if the shot is needed,,i mostly shoot 300 to 350 as this is my comfort and confident zone,,so after saying that maybe the 2800 fps 160 grain is more than enough up to 400 yards if needed,,,well lets hope ,,,any info on 150 gr Partition loads will be appreciated,,,to bad nosler dosen't make a 150gr AccuBond in 7mm rem mag
i agree with the above statement some what,,,although remember the 7mm mag delivers a larger bullet out further than some calibers,i have been reading some charts and it looks like the 150 grain may be the answer, it holds velocity out further than any other grain and even surpasses some with higher velocity between 400 and 500 yards if the shot is needed,,i mostly shoot 300 to 350 as this is my comfort and confident zone,,so after saying that maybe the 2800 fps 160 grain is more than enough up to 400 yards if needed,,,well lets hope ,,,any info on 150 gr Partition loads will be appreciated,,,to bad nosler dosen't make a 150gr AccuBond in 7mm rem mag
