7mm RM Recipe for Muley Hunt

[Bang4theBuck]

I booked my first Wyoming hunt, which happened to be a Mule Deer Hunt in Northwest Wyoming. I have a Rem 700 in 7mm RM (9.25" twist) that has a lot of sentimental value to me, and has been my tool of choice for many successful whitetail and bear hunts. I would like to use this rifle on this hunt. My loads for this rifle have never been fully developed, and the most recent load I partially developed is not showing enough promise for me. It's a 168 grain Berger VLD going around 2750 FPS. Not particularly fast, not particularly accurate, not particularly good ESs. I'm currently loading in Winchester brass, and I'm prepared to buy better brass (ADG maybe) to improve things. Having never been on this type of hunt, I dont want to go there with any accuracy/distance limitations imposed by the rifle. Where would you start with redeveloping this load, from a component standpoint? I've got H4831, H4350, H1000, IMR7828, RL26, and I'm prepared to try others. For bullets, I like Berger, but not hung up on using them, if something else would work well. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[KurtB]

I'd probably have to try 150 Ballistic Tip or 140 VLD with that twist. I like Bergers as well thus the 140 suggestion though I have only used heavies with faster twists. Sounds like you have a very good set of powders for the 7mm.

 

[WeiserBucks]

Don't be afraid to try the Hammer Bullets, you can grab a sample pack for very little money to experiment.

 

[Bang4theBuck]

I've been thinking of trying the Hammers. This might be just the opportunity to give it a whirl. Thanks for the sample pack idea.

 

[LaHunter]

I have been using IMR 7828 pushing 160 grain Nosler Accubonds out of my 7 mm rem mag for several years. My load is above 'book max' and I am getting 3100 fps mv. I did work up to my load very gradually. My seating depth is .015 jump from lands. Accuracy is sub .5 moa out to 700 yards during good conditions. My barrel is a 26" Krieger #6 contour 9.5 twist. I have been using Federal brass and Federal GM Match Large Rifle Magnum primers. I am planning to begin using Norma brass in the future.

 

[LaHunter]

I've been thinking of trying the Hammers. This might be just the opportunity to give it a whirl. Thanks for the sample pack idea.

Check with them and see what they recommend on twist rate. It is my understanding that Hammers are long bullets and may need a faster twist than your 9.25 twist rate.

 

[Vol1975]

Rl 26. With 168 gr accubond long range or
175 gr. 168 the node was around 3000fps
And the 175 was around 2830 FPS
Both 1/2 Moa easy. Probably stick with 168 with 9.5 twist .

H4831 is a really good powder. My load was 160 gr accubond with h4831 around 3025 FPS

h1000 is a really good powder. Personally like it with heavier bullets. The 168 gr accubond shoot really good

rl 19 with 168 gr at 3000 FPS can't be over looked. Very accurate load. I believe this load was a go to load for along time.

I use to shoot a lot of imr 4831 and 4350 years ago but the above powders I like more.

I did not give my load bc you need to work up. Those speeds have been proven over numerous 7mm that I have worked up for myself and others for over 28 years.
i shoot heavier bullets personal preference but some people shoot lighter. all loads listed are my proven loads.

On a note I've been using rl 26 in my dads 7mm. Over the weekend he shot a 4 shot group at 250 yards that you could have covered up with a 50 cent piece. He is 74 He was talking a lot of stuff over those shots. Lol. Old man can shoot and he is 100% disabled from nam. 3 generations shooting that day that I will not forget
Anyway all is for fun and he was very happy to say the least. u get what u put into it on reloading.
cheers

 

[Rem81]

If it was me I would use 160 grain nosler accubond or try the 140. I have had good results with the 160s.

 

[Orange Dust]

In most cases the ballistic tip gives poor performance. The 150gr in 7mm is an exception on the 7wby and 7rm. It is one of the better choices. I would shoot either that bullet or the more modern 150ABLR. If you go with a 160, the accubond might shoot ok. 150's seem to be a sweet spot for these rifles. We always shot 150's and 7828 in them

 

[Edd]

I believe a case full of H1000 and a 131 gr Hammer Hunter bullet would kill a Mule Deer.

I have killed one Mule Deer with a 7mm Rem Mag. I used a Swift 160gr A-Frame bullet, it worked well.

 

[Orange Dust]

One thing i learned is mulies just seem to give up and die easier than our southern whitetails. They never seemed hard to kill. That has been my experience anyway.

 

[pikeman]

For a basic hunting round I like 160 gr sierra gamekings sbt. I use 4831sc with it. Also like the 175 eld-x with h1000 in my 9 twist rem mag. Good luck.

 

[zr600]

If you still have some of the Berger's I would play with them. Take a starting charge of h1000 and read on Berger's site on how to do a seating depth test. Then I would do the powder charge once you have the seating depth test. This is what Berger recommends. I did it with my 7 mag and had good results with 180vlds, and retumbo. I'm shooting the Adg brass and it's the best brass and toughest I have ever shot. It's worth it and I would recommend it. I have been shooting retumbo in my rifle.

 

[RevJim]

I used a Mod 700 BDL 7mm Mag for several years, down in East, Tx. I started out with the 175 factory load to keep from tearing the 90# deer up so bad. I later on began handloading and settled on the 150 NPT/65gr/IMR 4350. It was accurate and a real meat saver. I also made up a load with the 160 NPT over 4350. A friend borrowed it and killed elk in Colorado in 1983 or so. Decades later, ( I've been in Utah 30yrs now) I had a 26" bbl put on a Mod 700 in 7mm RM and got R26/160 Sierra Gameking HP to 3100 real easy. R33 was swell with the 175 SBT. Its a very, very popular round out here in Utah, right alongside the 30-06/270. Have a ball dude!