loads for 7mm mag using Nosler custom brass and 160gr Barnes

[wildbio_13]

Just getting started reloading and wondering if anyone has tried working up any loads using the Nosler custom Brass with Barnes triple shock 160gr bullets. I have some load data from Barnes but they used Winchester Brass not Nosler. I know Nosler Brass is heavier so does that mean less capacity and increased pressure if using loads developed for Win brass? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[GRT338]

Wish I could be more direct to answer you question about Nosler Brass. At this point I have not used any 7mag brass from Nosler. Considering its heavier (thicker) should mean it would be as you stated...higher pressures. But, I have loaded several thousand rounds of 7mm RM shooting 160 partitions and speer GS and some Sierra 160gBT.. The most accurate load was with Win brass, Fed 215mag primers and I worked up to 68.5g of H4831. Shooting the Barnes 160 you are going to use, just made a ragged hole with 5 rounds at 100yds. Chrono'd at 3070 average. I would suggest you back off three to five grains to start with your Nosler brass and work up from there. The Barnes bullets seem to shoot at the same velocity with just a little less prssure. I would think thats because of the grooves. Hopefully I've given you some food for thought you can use. Good luck and shoot safe.

GRT338

 

[wildbio_13]

Thank you GRT338 that does give me something to consider. My Ruger M77 shoots Federal factory loaded Barnes TSX 160gr sub-moa so I'm hoping to be able to replicate the accuracy of that factory load. Since I know the rifle likes that bullet it's my first choice (no offense to Nosler). By the way when I compare weights of once-fired, de-primed winchester nickel-plated brass (all I have for comparison at the moment) I get 233.4 grains vs 236.4 grains for new unfired, unprimed Nosler Custom Brass....is a 3 grain difference going to make a big difference in case volume?

 

[GRT338]

One thing you didn't mention is how you came upon the weights of the two. Did you take 5 or 10 cases of each and average the weights to get that difference? If you should average the weights, you could possible find they are even closer than the three grains. But to give you an exact answer...I don't know...there shold not be a significant difference in volume with only a 3 grain difference. What you will probably find is a very close relationship between the two. For me, that difference would not be that meaningful because I want an accurate load and would gladly sacrifice a few fps to gain accuracy. However, you could also find out that the Nosler brass is going to give you just as good or close to the same MV and still shoot as accurate. You didn't state what powder you are using and what load you are shooting behind the Barnes. I would like to state that the Barnes bullets are so very accurate and hate to admit that shooting them in the 7mmRM(mine) they have not had the opportunity to bring anything down as yet. The 338,,,yes! Beautiful, picture perfect, four petals peeled back like in the Barnes ads. Feel free to PM me whenever and if I could possibly give you any more of MHO...GRT338

 

[wildbio_13]

I only have one deprimed Winchester cartridge so that's what I used for a comparison weight. I averaged 5 Nosler brass to get the weight posted....the Nosler brass is pretty consistent but I'll weigh more (I have 50). I'll also deprime the other used brass (federal and Winchester) to get a better idea of their average weights.
I haven't actually loaded any cartridges yet....needing to pick up a few more items before doing so and also want to make sure I have everything thought through before starting. As for powders there are of course lot's of options. To get started I picked up a sample package from Hodgdon which includes 4 oz each of H 1000, H4831, H4350, and Retumbo. The sample package is a nice option as I won't have to spend $80 to try 1lb each of these 4 powders. I'm thinking that I'll use these to start (maybe save the 4350 for my wife's 260) and see what the gun likes for powder and charge. I also picked up some Federal 215 large rifle magnum primers - not the "match" as they're hard to find at the moment.

 

[Alaska]

Reloader 22 @ 62.0 for the 7mm Mag and the excellent 160gr TSX or AccuBond with Fed 215GM and FC Cases

The Fed 215 or WLRM both will work........the WLRM is the hottest primer on the market now.

 

[FOTIS]

If brass is your only variable drop about 5% and work up slowly!

 

[wildbio_13]

OK I just weighed the batch (50 count) of Nosler Custom Brass 7mm Rem Mag. The results confirm what Nosler advertises for their custom brass:
Avg weight = 236.0 grains
minimum = 235.4 grains
max = 236.4 grains
Standard deviation = 0.3 grains
I haven't measured case legth yet but one did have a minor nick probably from the chamfering tool....something I can probably take care of by rechamfering just a bit. I still need to deprime some more once-fired brass to check avg weights for that.
POP: Should I drop 5% starting at the minimum load. Barnes gave me the following minimum/maximums (w/ Fed GM215M primer and Win brass):
H1000 min 59.0gr 2621fps/ max 66.0gr 2842fps (93% load density)
H4831sc min 52.0 2519fps/ max 59.0gr 2772 (83% load density) *In my sample pack I only have H4831 not sc to try....does it make a difference?
They also list other powders that I don't have a couple follow:
RL 22 min 53.5gr 2607fps / max 61.0 2858fps (86% load density)
RL25 min 55.5gr 2645fps / max 63.0gr 2856fps (88%load density)* this is their "most accurate"

 

[wildbio_13]

loaded up the Nosler custom Brass (7mm Rem mag), using Fed 215M primers, and Barnes 160gr triple shocks....
H4831 gave me the best results with 64 grains allowing 2943 fps which is right there with the Federal factory load using the same bullet (advertised velocity of 2940 fps)
Also tried H1000 and Retumbo but I had to use more powder for equivalent (or less velocity). Haven't shot for groups yet, was just shooting for pressure signs (and I loaded/shot up to 65.5gr of H4831 (2982fps) without signs of excessive pressure).
other results: H1000 68.0 grains 2917fps; Retumbo 68 grains 2879fps.

*the author (a novice reloader - this being my first time reloading) takes no responsibility for any result using these loads....they are what I tried and that is all they represent. No pressure testing other than examination of the cases was done...and even that was done by me, a novice reloader - this being my first time reloading.
How's that for a disclaimer?

 

[GRT338]

I made a copy of that.....never know when it'l come in handy...
GRT