7 mag slow speeds Rl-22

[Rjrhino88]

I developed my 7 mag load last year with Nosler 160 accubond. I worked up from 61 to 63 grains(book max) Rl-22 with no pressure signs. I found .5 moa accuracy at 63 grains. Today I went out with a chrono for the first time and measured 2860-2875 FPS. True book speed for this is 3050 FPS with a 26" barrel. I have a 24" barrel with 9.25 twist so I figured I should be closer to 2950 fps. Should I work up the charge higher? Can I trust the chrono? Or should I just stay at this velocity and charge with it being accurate? Thanks for the help

 

[duckhunter175]

Could be several things:

1. How many rounds down that particular barrel?
2. What elevation/temp/DA are you at?
3. What chronograph are you suing?

Start removing environmental variables and confirm your actual drops at distance to give you an idea of where you actually are.

 

[Rjrhino88]

Could be several things:

1. How many rounds down that particular barrel?
2. What elevation/temp/DA are you at?
3. What chronograph are you suing?

Start removing environmental variables and confirm your actual drops at distance to give you an idea of where you actually are.

1.250 +_ rounds
2. 200 ft elevation, 80 degrees
3. Prochronograph

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

You have a factory barrel don't you? They are a bit on the loose side at times and 100-200 fps low is not out of the question. I'd think about cheating and going up a grain if it seems mild. I'd also take a look at more reasonable sources for the speed you are going to get out of your 7rem as Nosler is a bit of a fairy tale.
Alliant shows the 160 speer in a 7rem with rl22 at 65 grains and still only at 2976 fps.

 

[jjmp]

Always cross reference more then one source if you can , what primer ,brass you loading , is your powder old .

 

[Shortmagman]

i have a Ruger Mark II in 7mm Rem. mag with a long throat it always seem to take more powder than the manuals give to produce the given velocity. I had to use 67 grains of RL-22 to get 2950 out of a 24 inch barrel with 160 Accubonds, so i would watch for any pressure signs and slowly add more powder. As stated above Alliant shows 65 with a Speer 160 grain.

 

[duckhunter175]

Overall I would say you are in the wheelhouse especially if that load is performing well. I would validate that velocity from your chrono at distance and see if its actually correct. See what your drop data tells you and go from there.

 

[Rjrhino88]

Thanks for the reply. I looked around and most other bullet manufacturers go up to 65 grains. I will slowly work and see if it stays accurate.

Brass in new nosler, 215m primers, powder less than a year old. Bullet seated .02 off lands

 

[Bdubose]

I loaded 63 grains RL-22 behind the Nosler 168 grain ABLR and achieved 2968 fps and single digit ES/SD last summer.

The problems came when I took it hunting and shot 4 deer and 1 hog. All my shots past 200 yards were a bit low. I chronoed the round that day and found with a 50 degree drop in temps I saw almost a 150 fps drop. That's 8" at 600 yards.
THIS POWDER IS VERY TEMPERATURE SENSITIVE!

I switched to H-1000 and am pretty happy with it.

 

[javman]

If it's shooting.5 MOA groups I'd probably see what it does at distance and decide if you want to increase charges a bit at a time or switch powders. How far do you intend to shoot would be my first question?

Then take it from there.

 

[WYO300RUM]

i have a Ruger Mark II in 7mm Rem. mag with a long throat it always seem to take more powder than the manuals give to produce the given velocity. I had to use 67 grains of RL-22 to get 2950 out of a 24 inch barrel with 160 Accubonds, so i would watch for any pressure signs and slowly add more powder. As stated above Alliant shows 65 with a Speer 160 grain.

I ditto that. Have same rifle. Likes 168 Berger VLD's. Going to try 175 elites soon. Going to try to switch from RL22 to RL23 or 26. I was using 66.0 grs.. your brass, seating depth and bullet jump all come into play.
Rjrhino88. 63 grs. RL22 with 160 is a little on low side for my rifle . I have not used Nosler brass in my 7 rem mag tho. Only 300 rum. Just out of curiosity what primers are you using? Id try RL23 . Not temp sensitive .

 

[jjmp]

R88, thks yes work up slow , lots of great advice as usual , taged in , good luck with your 7mag ,it's still Ausome I enjoy. Mine !,cheers

 

[Rjrhino88]

I am using federal 215m primers. I am going to work up. I am also going to start a 168 Berger Vld load with H1000 and see how it shoots.

 

[fmuguira]

In my 7RM with 162 gr AMax I was getting similar 2850 ish velocities with 63 grs of R22. Went up slowly and at 65-66 grs was in 2950-2970 fps and accuracy was still .75 MOA or better.

If you want more velocity with R22 then go up .5-.7 grs at a time and work with a chronograph at same time. You should get in mid 2900 s and still have acceptable pressure.