Dave,
Now using WC872 I would be able to offer a starting load for what I would use personally with this bullet but keep in mind that you use this data at your own risk as I have not tested this data and can not say that it will be totally safe.
Before I get to the data lets talk about the new bullet jackets that Richard is using. Personally I feel this is a god sent that Richard got into the stouter Sierra jackets. The Sierra jacket is twice as thick as the J-4 which will greatly increase the integrity of this bullet at high velocities as well as promote better penetration.
In resent testing, when velocities have topped 3250 fps in the 7mm Allen Mag with the J-4 jacketed 200 gr ULD RBBT, bullet failure was a problem. Anything below this the bullets seemed to perform very well.
This is EXACTLY what I have seen with every 3 groove barrel using the J-4 jacketed bullets.
In past testing with the Sierra jacketed bullets in the same 3 groove barrels(not in the 7mm AM though), the Sierra jacket offered at least 200 fps more velocity potential then the J-4 jacket would offer with fine accuracy.
So personally, I feel that in the 7mm RUM either bullet will work but the Sierra will be a much better bullet for this round and needed for the 7mm AM.
Case capacity of the 7mm RUM and the 7mm AM with both filled to the mouth with WC872 is as follows. Both have nearly identical case neck lengths so this is a very direct comparision to case capacity for each case.
7mm RUM........117 gr
7mm Allen Mag..127 gr
Now with both using an OAL length of say 3.700" the AM will offer more capacity advantage because more of the bullet will be out of the case then with the RUM.
That said, lets figure the AM has 10% more capacity then the RUM. I use 95.0 gr of WC-872 under the 200 gr ULD RBBT for a fireforming load in the 7mm AM(7mm-338 Lapua).
Basically I would start with 85.0 gr for the 7mm RUM and work up from there.
Again, this is untested data so use this at your own risk. If I were starting to load the 7mm RUM with this bullet, this is where I would start.
This may be very conservative but remember that when dealing with a case capacity this size and most importantly a bullet with this weight and baring surface area, it is much better to start low and work up. Again, this may be conservative but I would much rather start low then be suprised until you learn the personality of the barrel and rifle.
Also, get the bullets well off the lands, at least 0.050" to start with. This will give you a pressure spike cushion in the event you are pushing things a little hard.
Generally when I start load development from the ground up on a new wildcat, I seat the bullets a full 0.100" off the lands if possible until I establish a standard starting point for that combo of componants.
Good Shooting!!
Kirby Allen(50)