Scol,
Since I am a 7mm Rem Mag. shooter and have a load with the 162 AMAX with H-4831SC I will give you a little information on what can be done with this combination.
First a little background information. I am shooting this load in my Rem. 700 Sendero S/S, which is basically their Varmint Synthetic with a long action. I use this rifle for prone F-class shooting out to 600 yds. My load with the 162 AMAX will shoot an honest .25" 5 shot group as consitently as I can hold the rifle. I won't get into group size at 600yds but I will tell you I have shot a 148 - 6X out of a possible 150 - 15X. The target used had an 8" ten ring. This would certainly be in the brisket of a Sika deer.
Let me say though it is not all the rifle or the shooter. To be able to post these kind of numbers you need to use some solid and proven loading techniques. Here is what I use and what I do. The tools are realativly in expensive and the techniques are easy.
What you need:
Sinclair International Catalog (
www.sinclairintl.com)
bag of 100 Winchester 7mm Rem Mag. cases
Sinclair Expander Body
Sinclair 7mm Expander mandrel
Sinclair Neck Wall Variance Gauge
Stoney Point Chamber-All Tool w/ 7mm RM modified case
Redding Type "S" Match Neck Die set. with matched bushing. (There is no substitue)
RCBS Primer pocket uniformer
RCBS Flashole uniformer
Procedures:
Case Prep.
1) Run cases over 7mm expander mandrel to fix any dents in case mouth and uniform the necks.
2) Use Neck variance gauge to find cases that vary less than .00015". My experience with Winchster cases has been about 50% fall in this catagory.
3)Uniform the primer pockets & flasholes, debur and chamber the casemouths.
First Load:
1)Use Stoney point chamber-all tool to measure where the 162 AMAX is touching the lands in your rifle. This will be your seating depth.
2) Prime with Fed 215 primers. Use Hornady Reloading Man. starting point for H4831SC and work up using a chronograph. My velocity with a 26" barrel is 3100 fps.
Accuracy Loads (after your cases are fire formed to your chamber):
Necksize only with approriate bushing (consult Sinclair)
Re-Uniform primer pocket.
If cases are to tight in the chamber (4th firing or so) run them through the body die.
Try seating bullets into the lands watching for pressure signs.
Good Luck, let me know how things work out. If ya have any questions shoot me an email.
