Absolute Hammer's 7mm mag......Strange result

[Longtine88]

Ok tried a few more powders today.

7mm Mag Snow Mountain Rifles
24" Proof Sendero 1:8 Twist
Nosler Brass (Virgin)
F215M Primers
154 Absolute Hunters
Neck Tension .003"

45 F
88% Humidity
510' elevation
29.95 Baro.

RL 16
57 2893
58 2920
59 2963
60 3022
61 3042
62 3088 Tad shiny stamp
63 3130 Slightly sticky bolt little more shiny stamp

H4350
60 2982
61 3044
62 3082
63 3126 Tad Shiny Stamp
64 3148 Slightly sticky bolt

RL26
65 3034
66 3087
66.5 3089
67 3146
67.5 3129
68 3179
68.5 3184 Slightly flattening primer
69 3212 Tad Shiny Stamp and slightly sticky bolt

I originally shot only 65, 66, 67, 68,& 69 and took the pic. I then when back and loaded the 1/2's in between 66 thru 69 and didn't get them in the pic but you can see the low and high at least.

On the RL 26 Shot's 68 & 68.5 were touching at 200 yards.

 

[GLTaylor]

With your case capacity, I'd stick to the RL 26 at 68-68.5 until you can locate some H100V, StaBall 6.5, N160 or H4831 to try.
One or more of those should do well in your rifle.

 

[NorCalRiceGuy]

With your case capacity, I'd stick to the RL 26 at 68-68.5 until you can locate some H100V, StaBall 6.5, N160 or H4831 to try.
One or more of those should do well in your rifle.

H4831 might be a bit too slow compared to the other powders but it's almost always consistent.

 

[Ingwe]

I would call Steve and talk to him on the phone and see what he thinks.

I sent Steve my rifle 2 years ago for his load development service, and 2 months later and he sent it back shooting cloverleaf groups. The rifle is a 26" 1:8 Criterion barreled M700 7mm Rem Mag shooting 155gr Hammer Hunters at 3,260fps! Only SLIGHT round ejector marks on soft Norma brass....NO heavy bolt lift or any other signs of pressure.

If he got me 3,260fps from a regular old 7mm Rem Mag with 155gr Hammer Hunters, then I don't understand why you can't get allot more velocity from the AH's, which Steve says should shoot up to 200fps faster than the HH's.

I recently shot that bullet through 4 feet of Zebra at 100 yards and the bullet exited and kept going.

I would call Steve before proceeding

 

[Longtine88]

I talked to Steve before I started. He said the RL 23 should be the ticket and if it didn't work try RL 22. But I was wanting a more temp stable powder because I knew I'd be pushing the limit with the bullet. I'm gonna invite him to my thread after I get done testing different powders.

 

[Ingwe]

I talked to Steve before I started. He said the RL 23 should be the ticket and if it didn't work try RL 22. But I was wanting a more temp stable powder because I knew I'd be pushing the limit with the bullet. I'm gonna invite him to my thread after I get done testing different powders.

Sounds like a good idea. Since I am no more than a "Follow the recipe" type of reloader, I sent him my rifle for load development. I don't have the time, range, or expertise to work up my own load.

Steve has been incredible to me in every way

 

[Longtine88]

Yep he always answers the phone. I like that and he wants to help.

 

[Longtine88]

Well half of my shooting Sunday evening was trying a ladder with H4831 as a powder. Pretty much same conditions. Results were not as promising as I would have liked them to be. Did find one little node between two weights 68.5 and 69.0 that were kissing with the same vertical elevation.

65.0 2953
65.5 3027
66.0 3016
66.5 3054
67.0 3068
67.5 3089
68.0 3112
68.5 3142
69.0 3137
69.5 3174 Primer started to Flattened, slight stiff bolt lift

I'm trying RL 19 on the next ladder. Will post back. Still RL 26 is the promising one so far. As soon as I get my hands on some N160 and H100V I will try them. Maybe in 10 years when they are back in stock