Replacement for rl-26 7mm rem mag

[Creedmoor shooter]

So apparently rl-26 has fallen off the face of the earth. Which is a shame because I had a great load worked up for my rifle. Anyhow, what would be a good replacement that would give me decent velocity and fairly stable? I shoot in anywhere from below 0 to 85 degrees depending on the time of year. I used to run rl-22 and it gave me great results, but I've read its unstable. Powders on my list of possibilities that I can get local are rl-22, rl-25, h1000, and retumbo. Will be shooting 162-180 class bullets.

 

[coop2564]

Retumbo is what I use in 7RM behind a 168gr CH berger.

 

[tbrice23]

Definitely Reloder 25

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

Retumbo is what I use in 7RM behind a 168gr CH berger.

What velocity are you seeing? I was running the 162 at 3125fps pretty easily.

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

Definitely Reloder 25

I've heard it's pretty temperature sensitive? Have you seen this? From what I've seen rl-25 gives about the same velocity as rl-26

 

[tbrice23]

I do not hunt or shoot my hunting rifles in 85° weather. No need to. But to -7° F no problems. What helps in my opinion is being able to get a very full case density with RL25 in a 7 RM. I believe this factor helps in sub zero temps. You will get a better case fill with RL25 than RL26 by a couple of grains with lower pressure.
It is a SLOWER BURNING POWDER than RL26.

 

[codyadams]

I have done load developement with H-1000 on two different 7mm rem mags. With 180's in a 26", I reached max pressure at about 3015 fps, good accuracy node was 2980 fps. With a 175 ELD-X in a different 26" 7mm rem mag I got to 3000 fps before pressure, it's running good accuracy at 2960 fps. Don't expect RL 26 velocity, but it will get within 100 fps or so in my experience in this cartridge.

For reference, the same 7mm rem mag that sent 180's at 2980 and maxed at 3015 with H1000 shot 180's accurately at 3020 and maxed at 3050 fps with Reloder 26.

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

I do not hunt or shoot my hunting rifles in 85° weather. No need to. But to -7° F no problems. What helps in my opinion is being able to get a very full case density with RL25 in a 7 RM. I believe this factor helps in sub zero temps. You will get a better case fill with RL25 than RL26 by a couple of grains with lower pressure.
It is a SLOWER BURNING POWDER than RL26.

I normally dont shoot my hunting rifle in those high temps, but every now and again I'll take it out and shoot 1000 yards with it during the summer. Pretty typical hunting temps would be -10 to at the high end 75 if I'm doing some early season bear hunting.

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

I have done load developement with H-1000 on two different 7mm rem mags. With 180's in a 26", I reached max pressure at about 3015 fps, good accuracy node was 2980 fps. With a 175 ELD-X in a different 26" 7mm rem mag I got to 3000 fps before pressure, it's running good accuracy at 2960 fps. Don't expect RL 26 velocity, but it will get within 100 fps or so in my experience in this cartridge.

For reference, the same 7mm rem mag that sent 180's at 2980 and maxed at 3015 with H1000 shot 180's accurately at 3020 and maxed at 3050 fps with Reloder 26.

I've heard really good things about h1000. Just looking at load data it didnt seem like it would get all that close to rl-26.

 

[coop2564]

What velocity are you seeing? I was running the 162 at 3125fps pretty easily.

3025 was my sweet spot.

 

[tbrice23]

168gr vld hbn coated.
6 shots at 200 yards.
.531 moa, 5 shots at .337 moa. Typical. This is a 26" barrel

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

View attachment 123158168gr vld hbn coated.
6 shots at 200 yards.
.531 moa, 5 shots at .337 moa. Typical. This is a 26" barrel

Am I reading 3195 fps? That's screaming velocity. I'll have to look into this more. Do you notice any major velocity swings due to temperature?

 

[tbrice23]

Nothing notable.
I've seen non-scientific estimates of 1fps per degree but no information on what case density/ percent case full was used for the test.

 

[tbrice23]

Yes 3195 at 35°