R26 7mm Rem Mag Sierra 160 HPBT

[preacher]

I was finally able to get to the range today. I was trying out loads for the new .270 ( 130NP & Superformance) 338 Fed and Barnes 160 TTSX ( Power pro 2000MR) and 7mm Rem Mag with R26 & Sierra 160 HPBT.
The .270 was a bust as while I was getting great velocities, my accuracy wasn't the greatest. I am going to try IMR 4350 with the 130NP next time. I also got great accuracy with the 338 Federal/160 TTSX but only topped out at 2850. In fact, the best accuracy was with 55gr at 2750fps ( less than .75" for 3 shots) I talked to a tech at Barnes and this bullet at this speed will still open up at 400yds, but I want more velocity. I should be able to crowd 3000 in a 22" bbl with this bullet. I am just going to have to wait and get me some Ramshot TAC for it. I will try this Power pro 2000MR with the Speer 200 next. Last, I had high hopes for this R26 in this 26"bbl 7 Mag. My goal was a solid, accurate 3100fps with a 160. I started out with this sierra HPBT as it is a bit tougher than the SBT. I ended up at 69gr/R26/Fed 215M/WW case ( neck sized) for a solid 3132 fps average for three shots and a nice cloverleaf! 69.5 opened up to 1.25 for 3140 and a 'sort of" stiff bolt lift. Sure, this 69gr load was only for 3 shots and it may never happen again but I am pleased for now. (Had a mini-crisis last week, had to sell both the Sako 30-06 and the Mod 7 Creedmoor! Oh well, its only toys!) Next trip I will also start with the 150 NBT/R26 in the .270 and the Sierra 175 BT in the 7mm Rem Mag with R33.

 

[SJB358]

Sounds like a great day. 3100 with the 160 is hammering!

 

[6mm Remington]

I think you will find good accuracy and velocities in the .270 with IMR4350. I also have had great luck in my buddies .270 with 130 gr. Partitions and H4831SC. I worked up that load using Magnum primers as I went. It is 59.0 grs. of H4831SC and he gets solid 3/4" groups at 100 yards. Velocity is right around 3040 fps out of a 22" barrel on a Model 700 MTN rifle.

 

[SJB358]

Seems like 4350 and 130's with the 270 Winchester go together like peas and carrots.

I will be watching what your 7mm does with RL33 and 175's. I know if it works for the 7mm Rem is should work the same for the 7mm Mashburn.

 

[DrMike]

Seems like 4350 and 130's with the 270 Winchester go together like peas and carrots.

I enjoy peas, and I love carrots. I don't enjoy mixing them. Yuck! Still, I agree that powders with burn rates approximating IMR4350 and 130 grain bullets were made for the .270 Win.

 

[preacher]

I really hated to sell both the Sako & the Mod 7, but I had ran into a 'financial swarm" and I was able to sell both at fantastic prices! (that doesn't always happen for me!) I was able to pay off some debt and to secure a couple of pistols I needed for Security reasons. I had to upgrade on my CCW handguns ( bad nerve in my gun hand) and I owed a friend some money, Although he wasn't pressuring me, I didn't want him to do w/o because of me. I never know about my finances, as I am not one of the accused Ministers who robs widows and orphans! :grin: :lol: :lol: Oh well, as I said, they are only 'toys". As it is I am very pleased with all three rifles I took to the range. The 7mm Rem Mag was the previous 7mm Express in the Classic stock. I had the bolt face opened up, M16 extractor put in and the 26" Rem factory barrel put on. He also blueprinted the action,etc. I am pleased as I wanted more velocity than the 7mm Express but I didn't want to do another 280 AI at this point. this is the first 26" bbld 7mm Rem Mag I've ever had and so far I am very pleased with it! I "had to try" the Superformance in the 270/with 130NP, but it just didn't get me there. No sweat. this Mountain rifle has a long throat also and I am really wanting it to shoot the 150s at least 2900...more is better! (ha) I am hoping the R26 will push them where I want. Life is good, amen? The jury is still out on the 'fast focus eyepiece" of this VXII 2x7...I may just put the 2.5x8 on it and call it good!

 

[Guy Miner]

7mm Rem mag always treated me well. Looks like yours is doing well too! Congrats.

Should prove to be a very sweet hunting rifle.

Guy

 

[preacher]

I tried 65gr R22 behind the 160 SBT and it was too hot, couldn't use it in this rifle. Even at 65gr it was only 2964fps. I'm hoping I can reach 3000fps with the 175s.

 

[preacher]

I was being sarcastic about the preachers who 'rob" widows & orphans. I never met one who did that, NOR have I ever seen any widows and orphans who had any money to steal, ha. But I digress...I originally was going to have a nice Mod 700 ADL ( wood stock) converted to the 7mm Rem Mag, but finances weren't there. so I made the decision to sell the ADL and just have the Mod 700 Classic 7mm Express converted. I prefer the Classic stock anyhow. I can still have the 7mm Express barrel put back on a donor rifle later if I choose to. I had "plans" to use that Sako '06 in its place anyhow, but now, the little .270 will do that for a stalking rifle and the 7mm Mag will terrorize the sage flats! ha. Life is way too short, even if one makes it to 120, its still too short to sweat the small stuff. I'm having fun anyhow. P.S. Don't "assume" Pastors are in ministry for "the money" either, ha.

 

[Guy Miner]

I tried 65gr R22 behind the 160 SBT and it was too hot, couldn't use it in this rifle. Even at 65gr it was only 2964fps. I'm hoping I can reach 3000fps with the 175s.

From my experience with 7mm mag rifles, in 24" and 26", 3,000 fps is a lofty goal with the 175's. 2900 fps with the 175's is attainable, and I've done it safely, using published data. That was however before a lot of the newer, slow burning powders became available.

I'd put 3,000 fps out there as a goal, and if reached, great. If not, why push it? The elk will never know the difference between loads 100 fps apart... Let those long, lean & lethal 7mm bullets do their job, retaining velocity well downrange.

Am enjoying seeing the info re your load work with 160's & 175's and the 7mm Rem mag. It's a great combo for hunters!

Regards, Guy

 

[preacher]

I'm hoping this new R33 will get me there, but even if it doesn't, I agree 2900 should be easy. Back in the early 80's I played with the 140's/150s (our little East Texas whitetails didn't take much, ha) in my 24" Mod 700. I did try the Nosler 160, but just could not get to the desirable ( for me) 3100. 2950 was the best it would do, even with some H870 ( I called it "smutt butt powder", dirty stuff!) I also tried some Norma MRP and it couldn't make it either. For years after that's why I played with the 7mm STW and 7mm RUM, just to get good speed, if only for my ego's sake, ha. When I had the chance to try the 7mm Rem with a 26" bbl, it seemed good to give it a whirl, especially with these newer powders. I was really pleased to see the 69/R26 get there easily in this 26" bbl. So here's keeping my fingers crossed....I plan on trying R22 with the 150BT later but will use R26 or R33 on the 168 ABLR.

 

[Guy Miner]

H870 was what I used to get the 175's up over 2900 fps. The loads were accurate, and fast, but you're right, it left the barrel pretty cruddy!

Guy

 

[SJB358]

I really enjoy the 7mm Mashburn Super Magnum just for the reasons we've all mentioned. I've tried to do the 3100 with 160's and 3000 with 175's. Guy was straight right about not having the need to hammer it. I wanted a little extra and then Mashburn does it for me. Cases last a long time and the speed comes easy with H1000 and a 24" tube.

Still, if someone asks me what they should own for an elk rifle, a 7mm Rem Mag is just about the first words I utter.

 

[Guy Miner]

Funny thing Scotty - when I showed up with a 7mm Rem mag - it was by far the smallest bore firearm in camp.

But it surely did work...

Guy

 

[DrMike]

Funny thing Scotty - when I showed up with a 7mm Rem mag - it was by far the smallest bore firearm in camp.

But it surely did work...

Guy

I have assuredly taken a fair share of both elk and moose with my 7mm Rem Mag. All seemed to expire in timely fashion. No flies on that cartridge.

 

[SJB358]

Funny thing Scotty - when I showed up with a 7mm Rem mag - it was by far the smallest bore firearm in camp.

But it surely did work...

Guy

Without a doubt. I took a moose, some elk, many deer and tons of other stuff with my old 7mm Rem Mag before I learned it "lacked" anything. It sorta sat in the corner until I recently had it rechambered for the Mashburn. Just a touch more of a great thing.

 

[BretN]

Preacher,

How does that Sierra 160 HPBT gameking perform on deer? Sierra says it's supposed to be a tough bullet. I've been playing with the 85 gr in my 243 and the 165 in my 06, and they shoot like match bullets in both guns. Can't wait to use them this fall. Thanks. Bret

 

[preacher]

Hello Bret...I have not taken any game with the HPBT, but it shoots great in this 7mm Rem Mag. The 165 HPBT shot great in my trials with the .308 and 30-06! Sierra claims it is suitable for elk, so I plan on taking out a shoulder when I use them on game. I would rather lose some meat and be sure, but even a hold tight against the shoulder would probably do. I know it has a tad harder core as it doesn't "bump up" like the Sierra SBT in equal weights and velocity is slightly higher with the HPBT. At least that's been my observation. I like a bullet to exit and have the ability to work for hard angling shots. I got 'spoiled" with years of using Barnes X, XBT,XLC and TSX, ha. I'm circling back to Old School now. From what I have read about that 85gr HPBT in the .243 it is pure poison on deer! I also remember an old article with the late Bob Milek, who used the 165 HPBT in the 30-06 for elk with great results. Hopefully you can shoot some coyotes with both rifles before fall, that will give you some idea how they will work. And you are right, they are easy to get to shoot well!

 

[wildgene]

Preacher,

How does that Sierra 160 HPBT gameking perform on deer? Sierra says it's supposed to be a tough bullet. I've been playing with the 85 gr in my 243 and the 165 in my 06, and they shoot like match bullets in both guns. Can't wait to use them this fall. Thanks. Bret

...I've killed a deer w/ the 130gr. 6.5, quite a few deer & a few antelope w/ the 120gr. .25, a number of elk & mule deer w/ both the 160 7mm & 165gr. .30 Sierra HPBT GameKings. They go in where they were aimed, dump a bunch of energy, go out the other side. Most everything I've shot just fell down...

 

[preacher]

Thanks Gene, that's good to know!