First two groups with 150 gr. CX in 7mm RM

[NYDAN]

After I developed a deer and antelope load for my 7mm WSM using the 150 gr. ABLR bullet, I decided I should work up a non-lead load for my 7mm RM. I searched for reloading data for the CX bullets and talked to the Hornady tech rep. (twice). Hornady indicates that 3000 fps is about the top speed for the 150 CX in 7mm RM with a wide selection of powders, including Reloder 26. They said to use their data for the GMX bullet. The Hornady Tech. Rep. also said (twice) to start with a 0.020" bullet jump and work up.

The Hodgen reloading guide suggests that 3000 fps is about top speed for the 150 gr. Nosler E-Tip bullet with a couple of their magnum powders. I did NOT try to extrapolate the Barnes data for the Hornady CX bullet.

First, I loaded up six cartridges with charge weights starting at 62.5 gr. and ending at 65.0 gr. of Reloder 26. I shot those six cartridges and found that my speed data very closely tracked the data in the Hornady reloading manual for the 150 gr. GMX bullet. I used a bullet jump of only 0.030". Those six shots grouped better than I expected, considering the wide range of powder charges.

Then I loaded up three cartridges with 65.5 gr. of RL-26 and a bullet jump of 0.030". Hornady lists 65.4 gr. as their top load for the 150 CX in 7mm RM with Reloder 26.

My first three shot group measured 0.66" with the expected speed of about 3000 fps. That worked so well, I decided to try that load again and shot a three shot 0.55" group this morning.

Since I only have a couple of pounds of Reloder 26, I am thinking that maybe this is good enough. What do you think?

 

[DrMike]

You're golden out to as far as you would need to shoot, Dan.

 

[Slimfinn]

Dan, I think that is great and will serve you well for what ever you want to take with it.

 

[xphunter]

Max distance for hunting?
Consistent sub 3/4 MOA is more than adequate for hunting big game, even past most folks max hunting distances.

 

[NYDAN]

Ernie, my comfort zone (for deer size game) is 400 yards. I passed on a beautiful mule deer buck last fall at 417 yards, at last light, with a cross breeze.

 

[JD338]

Dan,
Nice work at the bench and the range.
That's a great load and will bring you much success.

JD338

 

[sako2]

Good work Dan. That load should serve you good.

 

[Guy Miner]

I have limited experience with the CX, but it's proven accurate and penetrates very well.

If you do any searching for tighter groups - consider seating them a bit deeper. I don't remember the jump, but I got best accuracy by seating them pretty doggone far off the rifling.

Guy

 

[xphunter]

Ernie, my comfort zone (for deer size game) is 400 yards. I passed on a beautiful mule deer buck last fall at 417 yards, at last light, with a cross breeze.

That load is completely good to go.
Even if you were shooting a minute group at 400 (Approx 4"), you still have some fudge room for wind miss-calls

 

[RL338]

That load will work well in the range you’re looking at.
Too bad RL-26 isn’t available , sure works well in the 7mm RM.

 

[Blkram]

I would say load a 100 rounds of that load, practice enough to verify the drops out to your comfortable limit range of 400, and go hunting!
That will still leave you some powder for more loads once this 100 count runs low.
Hopefully by then we'll be seeing more Re-26 available!

 

[NYDAN]

I have limited experience with the CX, but it's proven accurate and penetrates very well.

If you do any searching for tighter groups - consider seating them a bit deeper. I don't remember the jump, but I got best accuracy by seating them pretty doggone far off the rifling.

Guy

Guy, thanks for the suggestion. Your prior work that was posted on the Ultimate Reloader was a factor in my choosing this bullet to try.

Dan

 

[wvbuckbuster]

That was great load development. Load up enough for sight-in and go forth and slay some critters.