Superperformance in 7MM RM

rickt300

Beginner
Jan 17, 2008
22
13
I have a couple of pounds of Superperformance powder. Like to burn it in my 7MM RM with 160-162 grain bullets. Latest burn rate charts has it right next to R19 so would data slightly reduced for R19 be a good place to start?
 
In limited testing in my 375 Wby it takes 4grs more to equal Hybrid 100V.
Start low and work up as mentioned above.
 
Well I foolishly decided to use IMR 4350 to begin my testing. Got to 2820 fps with the 162 gr. ELDX and started shooting 3 shot groups that were touching. Even at that measely velocity it shoots pretty flat and maintains 2000 fps at 600 yards. More than I will need as I won't shoot past 400 yards unless conditions are perfect. I was scheming on a Black bear hunt where I could possibly shoot out to 600 yards but a family members health problems won't let me escape for the 2 or 3 weeks I had planned on. So I will use it on a deer or two and any hogs that show up.
 
IMR 4350 is a darned good powder for the 7 Rem Mag. I have used it with the 140-150 class bullets.

Code:
Cartridge          : 7 mm Rem. Mag.(SAAMI)
Bullet             : .284, 162, Hornady ELD-X 2840
Useable Case Capaci: 72.032 grain H2O = 4.677 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.290 inch = 83.57 mm
Barrel Length      : 26.0 inch = 660.4 mm
Powder             : IMR 4350

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-10.0   82    54.00   2686    2596   44607   9725     98.7    1.450
-09.0   83    54.60   2712    2646   45903   9814     99.0    1.430
-08.0   84    55.20   2738    2696   47233   9899     99.2    1.411
-07.0   84    55.80   2764    2747   48599   9981     99.3    1.393
-06.0   85    56.40   2789    2798   50001  10059     99.5    1.374
-05.0   86    57.00   2815    2850   51441  10135     99.6    1.356
-04.0   87    57.60   2840    2901   52918  10206     99.7    1.339  ! Near Maximum !
-03.0   88    58.20   2865    2953   54436  10274     99.8    1.322  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0   89    58.80   2890    3005   55993  10339     99.9    1.305  ! Near Maximum !
-01.0   90    59.40   2915    3057   57593  10400    100.0    1.288  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0   91    60.00   2940    3110   59236  10457    100.0    1.272  ! Near Maximum !
+01.0   92    60.60   2965    3162   60923  10510    100.0    1.256  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0   93    61.20   2990    3215   62656  10561    100.0    1.240  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0   94    61.80   3014    3268   64437  10612    100.0    1.224  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0   94    62.40   3038    3321   66266  10661    100.0    1.209  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0   95    63.00   3063    3374   68145  10710    100.0    1.195  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba     91    60.00   3034    3310   68677  10108    100.0    1.193  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba     91    60.00   2803    2826   49788  10560     97.5    1.375
 
I stopped at 57.5 grains and my velocity is very close to the prediction on your table. I am sort of concerned that the Eldx might be a bit destructive at less than 200 yard shots. Will see.
 
I stopped at 57.5 grains and my velocity is very close to the prediction on your table. I am sort of concerned that the Eldx might be a bit destructive at less than 200 yard shots. Will see.
I hunted nilgai cows with the 300 Win Mag and the 200 ELDX, I was not happy with the performance with it on shoulder bone, it fragmented and never touched the opposite shoulder but turned the innards into jelly, tracked it for about 60 yards or so. The 2nd nilgai was a through and through in the crease behind the shoulder, tracked about 70 yards. TBH, I tested one on the shoulder and one double lung to check performance. Range was about 230 to less than 300 yards if I could remember. I vowed not to use ELDX on nilgai again, switched to the 200 grain AccuBond for my next nilgai hunts and this is a tough ol' bullet. Nilgai are hard to put down quick, shoulder shots is a must or in the central nervous system. I won't mind using the ELDX on game other than nilgai, should work very well.
What are you planning to hunt?
 
I have a couple of pounds of Superperformance powder. Like to burn it in my 7MM RM with 160-162 grain bullets. Latest burn rate charts has it right next to R19 so would data slightly reduced for R19 be a good place to start?

Interesting that Hodgdon doesn't even recommend Superformance for the 7mm Rem Mag or the very similar 7 PRC.

Guy
 
Interesting that Hodgdon doesn't even recommend Superformance for the 7mm Rem Mag or the very similar 7 PRC.

Guy
Superformance was made for the 300WSM. It likely does well for other short mags and I would think .308 family.

I looked at the Hodgdon website and I have to say I think I will use it with my 6.5 CM and maybe 30/06. I got it on sale to use in my .300WSM but it was made for lighter bullets and I use heavier. It looks good with the heavier bullets in the .06 and the 6.5 Creed really gets the bullets going in the heavier projectiles.
 
Last edited:
Interesting that Hodgdon doesn't even recommend Superformance for the 7mm Rem Mag or the very similar 7 PRC.

Guy
I have 9lbs of that stuff laying around , might have to give it a run in the 7mm RM.
 
I hunted nilgai cows with the 300 Win Mag and the 200 ELDX, I was not happy with the performance with it on shoulder bone, it fragmented and never touched the opposite shoulder but turned the innards into jelly, tracked it for about 60 yards or so. The 2nd nilgai was a through and through in the crease behind the shoulder, tracked about 70 yards. TBH, I tested one on the shoulder and one double lung to check performance. Range was about 230 to less than 300 yards if I could remember. I vowed not to use ELDX on nilgai again, switched to the 200 grain AccuBond for my next nilgai hunts and this is a tough ol' bullet. Nilgai are hard to put down quick, shoulder shots is a must or in the central nervous system. I won't mind using the ELDX on game other than nilgai, should work very well.
What are you planning to hunt?
I bought the rifle as part of planning a Black bear hunt in Washington state. Hike up into the clearcuts on one side of the Chehalis river and shoot across the river to clearcuts on the other side. However the Wife is going to need a couple of surgeries confining my running around to 2 day trips in Texas. So feral hogs and deer. Too much gun and I already have half a dozen "perfect" Texas deer rifles. Going to use it anyway.
 
I bought the rifle as part of planning a Black bear hunt in Washington state. Hike up into the clearcuts on one side of the Chehalis river and shoot across the river to clearcuts on the other side. However the Wife is going to need a couple of surgeries confining my running around to 2 day trips in Texas. So feral hogs and deer. Too much gun and I already have half a dozen "perfect" Texas deer rifles. Going to use it anyway.
For deer and hogs, the 162 grain ELD X is perfect.
 
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