Looking for a powder

C

cdoc42

New member
I'm getting into long range shooting out to 1000 yards, but just for fun, not competition.

My plan is to use a 7mm Rem Mag and I'm going to try a Berger 168gr VLD Match and Hornady ELD 162gr Match, but I wonder if anyone out there can recommend a powder or two just to save me some time.
 
Chainsaw, you're correct, but I've not found, over 40 years of reloading, that information to be helpful. I suspect it holds true if you use the same rifle the producers of the manual did, but there are other variables that interfere, like COL, brass case used. I'm just looking for suggestions from the experience of fellow shooters, to compare to the information available in manuals.
 
I think the H4831 regular or SC would be the first powder I try.

Not that there are not other good ones but its been a gold standard for 7mm RM
 
If you're going to beat yourself up with a 7mm Mag use a heavier bullet for 1,000 yards. 160's and 168's are best out to roughly 600.
Sierra makes several Matchkings that are more suitable than a 160ish or 168 grain bullet. I'd be thinking 197 or 180 grain bullet.
Knew a guy who regularly won 1,000 yard matches using a custom built .300 Win Mag(weighed 17.5 pounds) and 190 grain match bullets.
 
RL26 is good for high velocities with the heavier bullets. But i usually only use it for my hunting loads. Can be somewhat punishing if stock isn't just right in your shoulder.
For target i usually use RL19, or IMR 4831. Sometimes RL22.
 
We use a lot of IMR 7828, and H1000, with bullets 160 grns and heavier, we also use N160 for 140's-150's with real nice results.
 
I see a lot of folks mention 4831. Does no one else have the same results as I have had with IMR 4350? I've been using this for 20+ years in my 7mm rem mag, and it's been the most accurate.
 
I second the use of H1000 in this application. It has all the qualities of RL26, easier to get and lots of rifles seem to like it.
 
I see a lot of folks mention 4831. Does no one else have the same results as I have had with IMR 4350? I've been using this for 20+ years in my 7mm rem mag, and it's been the most accurate.
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One powder tends to be a good given for a caliber and its 4831 for 7mm

Others work as good or better in a given gun. 4350 is a good one as well.

If I am doing a new load I go with the most common one, then branch out as I tend to have the powders to do so.

Very likely you will get good results with 4350, maybe not the best and maybe better.
 
RC20 said:
One powder tends to be a good given for a caliber and its 4831 for 7mm

Others work as good or better in a given gun. 4350 is a good one as well.

If I am doing a new load I go with the most common one, then branch out as I tend to have the powders to do so.

Very likely you will get good results with 4350, maybe not the best and maybe better.
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Great point.

I also forget sometimes that the gun I’m shooting — a Ruger M77 which I purchased used in 1997 for $315 (scope mounts included, kid you not) — has been an exceptional find. The thing just loves 63.0g of IMR 4350 behind a 150gr Nosler BT. Once I worked up to that load, I quickly found that the gun shoots better than I am able to hold it still. So I stopped looking elsewhere for powder. I don’t think I’ve ever shot another powder in it, apart from IMr4350. Probably would shoot just as well with even slower burning powders. But like I said, I’m really at the limitsnof my own ability to hold it still, even with sandbags.
 
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