7RM Load Development Results – Advice Moving Forward

[Husky user]

I am one of the lucky ones that have enough RL26 to last my hunting life.
I settled on 67.4gr with good accuracy,hit pressure at 67.7 (mid day at 70 F)
The chart I used said 67.5 was max 67.4 flattens the primer a bit,but I have seen worse!
No heavy bolt lift.
This is in a Husqvarna 8000.

 

[Husky user]

I forgot to mention this is with Federal Terminal Ascent 155gr.
I was lucky enough to purchase 100 on Gun Broker couple years ago
These are running in the 3050 fps range!

 

[AussieWriter]

I'd run the 69gn load and count the case reloads. If they last more than 5, I'd leave it. If they don't, change the powder. Even H 4350 runs higher velocities than what you are getting.
Running 7x57 loads in a 7mm Magnum is...........

 

[jfield]

Looking for some advice. I'm not new to reloading but I don't have as much knowledge and experience as many on here do. I had a new carry hunting rifle built chambered in 7RM. Bartlein #3 24" 1:8. I recently started load development for 160 Accubonds pushed by H1000. After a couple OCW tests I have 2 good accuracy nodes… a lower one at 65.3 grains (2,869 fps) and an upper one at 69.0 grains (3,015 fps). At 69.0 the primers start showing the slightest sign of flattening but not much. In the photo, the 69.0 case is on the right and the 65.3 case is on the left. I don't notice any other signs of pressure… although I had the bolt cerekoted and its brand new so still not worn in silky smooth yet and I'm not sure I would notice a little sticky bolt lift?? It certainly shows no signs of noticeable heavy lift.

I have not gone beyond 69.0. Both loads are sub MOA with the 65.3 load having a slight advantage at a solid 1/2 MOA. I was really hoping to find a good node in the 67.5 to 68.5 range like I have with previous 7RM's but it's not there with this one. Looking for advice on what load to move forward with. My goal is to focus on a specific load and that's the one for this rifle. It will be used 80% for hunting and 20% for occasionally banging steel, rarely over 800yds. The rifle should easily outlast me. I'm not sure how "hot" the 69.0 load is, but barrel life, case life, and rifle wear and tear is a consideration. At the same time, I feel I'm sacrificing a lot of the advantages of the 7RM to move forward with an under 2,900 fps load.

Anyway, please talk me through this and what load to move forward with and not look back. Thanks!!

7rem Mag load (.465")
160 Accubond
Peterson Brass
Federal 215M
70.3 gr. H1000
3190 fps
.050 jump
SD 7
ES 11
26" barrel

 

[Buckys]

Can't develope a load, especially near max on virgin brass. Get one or, preferably two firings on the cases then try again.

Too much energy is used fire forming your virgin brass. A max load on virgin brass will likely be over max on fully formed brass.

Your barrel will likely "speed up" if you're under 100 rounds.

Use this time to fire form and do seating depth testing.

I suppose you could so long as you'd only use that recipe with virgin brass.

As others have made clear, your results will vary significantly with 1x, 2x, etc. fired brass.