Which powder to get more speed in 7 Mag

ReloadKy

Handloader
May 13, 2020
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I have a Tikka T3x in 7MM Mag. With the 24 inch barrel I know I am not going to get as much speed as a lot of other rifles but I want more than I am getting. I have used H4350, and IMR 4831. I have used these two because they give me great accuracy. However my speeds stay consistently under 3000 fps with 150 gr partitions. To be exact my hunting load for this year with IMR 4831 is shooting 2900. I am willing to get one powder to use specifically for the 7 mag I just do not know which one. I would definitely like a temp stable powder and want to push 150-160 grainers consistently over 3000 fps. What do the esteemed reloaders of this forum suggest?
 
I have used Retumbo and 160 Accubonds out of a 26 inch barrel in the 7Mag, if I could remember, the max velocity was around 3160 fps when i saw an extractor mark on the head, and backed off to 3100 fps and it shot very well, other great powders to look into is H1000 and RL22. I can't say much for RL26 because I never used it, but hear it has great results as well.

Edited to add: Start low and work up to find your max.
 
I've been told that it's affected by temperature, but I've often used Reloader 22 with 160 - 168 grain bullets for 3,000+ fps from the 7mm Rem Mag. I've gotten 3,000+ with either 24" or 26" barrels using Reloader 22. And good accuracy. Never had any trouble with it myself, but maybe I wasn't looking hard enough?

Nothing wrong with your 150 at 2900, but I know that's not what you want, it's a little short of what I'd want from a 7mm Magnum too.

But - there are newer, supposedly less temp sensitive powders than RL-22 avail now. I'm on my last can of RL-22 and eagerly look forward to answers from others here.

Regards, Guy
 
I've had good luck with RL22. It generates good speed
with exceptional accuracy.

JD338
 
My Nosler Loading manual and others all show velocities in excess of 3,000 fps using both H4350 and H-4831. Both requiring over 60 gr. of powder. What loads are you using? I would rather hit "exactly" where I pointed, than gain a little more velocity.
 
ReloadKy":340du5sq said:
I have a Tikka T3x in 7MM Mag. With the 24 inch barrel I know I am not going to get as much speed as a lot of other rifles but I want more than I am getting. I have used H4350, and IMR 4831. I have used these two because they give me great accuracy. However my speeds stay consistently under 3000 fps with 150 gr partitions. To be exact my hunting load for this year with IMR 4831 is shooting 2900. I am willing to get one powder to use specifically for the 7 mag I just do not know which one. I would definitely like a temp stable powder and want to push 150-160 grainers consistently over 3000 fps. What do the esteemed reloaders of this forum suggest?

I was able to use IMR 4451, IMR 7977 and Magnum to get to your target velocity with the 150 gr Partition and 154 gr Hornady. RL 22 worked in the past to get 160's to over 3000 fps.
 
Elkman, in my reloading endeavors I have always opted for accuracy over velocity. Now I am trying to find both, I know I am getting greedy. I have tried max loads of IMR 4831 ,65 grains with a 150 grain Partition recently and not gotten what I wanted.
 
RL26 is amazing in the 7 Rem in my opinion, as is the older RL25. RL23 and IMR7828 are also really good. Any of those shouldn't bat an eye at getting 3100 plus with a 150 with great accuracy. Heck, plain old H4831SC should get them moving pretty well too.

Matter of fact, all of those listed will do nearly 3100 with a 160 grain bullet in my experience.

If you have some 22, I'd give it a try myself. Magnum primers don't hurt either.
 
My number 1 recommendation is H1000 if you have it or can get it. Out of a 26" barrel, I get 3000fps with a 180gr Eld-M and 3250fps with a 140gr E-tip. My barrel is throated for an OAL in the neighborhood of 3.500" though. RL26, IMR7828SSC and IMR7977 would be very good as well. There are just too many good powders nowadays to mess around with temp sensitive powders IMO.
 
Try Reloader 26.My 7mag has a 26" barrel,but this powder should get you over 3000fps.I have taken it up to 70.0grs without any pressure signs in my rifle with the 150gr Ballistic Tip.I settled for the 69.0gr load because it's accurate and plenty fast.The Partition tends to be a little sticky and builds a little more pressure than the Ballistic Tip or AccuBond,so keep that in mind when loading them,you may have to give up a little velocity and load them down a bit to get good accuracy.
 

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I have been loading 160gr ABs for a number of years for my Nephew's CDL in the 7MM mag and have had great accuracy and speeds touch 3000fps using IMR4350.
I have never personally used H1000 but have a number of hunting buddies use it and stated they will never change. They are shooting 160gr. Partitions and also the 160ABs.

Blessings,
Dan
 
I appreciate all of the responses and suggestions. Powder is kind of sparse right now (as I am sure you all know). I made a list of powders to look for. Hopefully over the winter I can find some and try them out in the late winter early spring.
 
When you find some Reloader 26 send me a pm, I’ll give you my load data from 2 Tikkas using the 162 eldx.



P
 
Thanks pharm. I actually have a box of 162 ELDX on my shelf. I have gotten great accuracy with them.
 
With 160gr Accubonds,I long used 66.0grs of Reloader-22.With that same bullet and Reloader-26,I go up 1.5grs to 67.5grs.Same thing with 150gr Ballistic Tips,67.5grs of Reloader-22,up 1.5grs of Reloader-26 to 69.0grs.These loads shoot well in all four of my 7mags.
 
Retumbo with any bullet weight hass achieved great velocity for me. 175gr Partition was just nearing 3000fps, 160gr AccuBond was 3150fps. I do have a 26” barrel but I also have a 24” one too and don’t see a lot of velocity difference. I had some imr 4350 that printed tiny little groups with 168gr long range accubonds at 2960 fps.
 
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