Reloading ?'s for a Browning BAR 7mm Mag

[RemmyTim]

Hey guys, a friend of mine just inherited a Belgium made Browning BAR chambered in 7mm Rem Mag. I have loaded for several bolt action 7mm's in the past but never a semi-auto. What powders are the best the too use? I know about using the faster burning powders to help with the bolt cycling, but which ones are the best. Is RL-22 fast burning enough,that is the powder that I have always had the best luck using in the past for the 7mm's.

Any help or load data will be greatly appreciated. Nebraska deer season is right around the corner and I would like to get all the bugs worked out before then.

Thanks-Tim

 

[Alaska]

Not much better than RL 22 and 160 Nosler AB........make sure you use RCBS Small Base Sizer Die for The BAR.

Also IMR 4350 would be a good powder with 150 and 160 in the older BAR.

 

[steve4102]

I do not own a 7MM mag, but I do load for three BARs. They will handle the slower powders just fine as long as you don't go really slow. I load for two 300WSMs and one 30-06 and I have no problems with standard FL dies.

 

[Alaska]

The older ones like mine the 1970's vent......RCBS made dies just for them SB. They had a tighter chamber than the new ones. Even said on the RCBS case for Browning BAR when they first came out. Also the Sierra manual as well as the Speer manual suggest the use of RCBS Small Base dies in the BAR and Rem 742/760.

I also replaced my spring with a Wolff Power spring......never had a problem with my handloads in 30-06 with IMR 4350 @ 56.0 with 180 AB and 57.5 w/165 Sierra BTHP.

 

[OU812]

I load for 2 bar's a 300 and 338 and have had no issues what so ever using regular FL dies. The 300 is a grade I and the 338 is a safari grade so there could be something with the older one's that may require the SB dies.

 

[YoteSmoker]

+1! "Not much better than RL 22 and 160 Nosler AB"

 

[JD338]

RL22 and the 160 gr AB for everything.

JD338