Reloader 26, 7mm Rem Mag, 160 AB and 162 ELDX

[pharmseller]

I heard R26 was magic in the 7mm Rem Mag and 160-class bullets so when I found some I bought it.

Tikka T3 Lite stainless with a Limbsaver recoil pad.

First off, ow. That SOB is a kicker!

R26 results, Magnetospeed Sporter, two shots each, three charge weights, 3.290" OAL, WLRM primers.

160 AB:
68 gr 3007, second shell wouldn't chamber, I blame Antifa

68.5 gr, 3039, 3042, avg 3040, es 3

69 gr, 3056, 3060, avg 3058, es 4

162 ELDX
68 gr 3036, 3030, avg 3033, es 6

68.5, 3058, 3077, avg 3067, es 19

69 gr, 3092, 3108, avg 3100, es 16

No sticky bolt lift or extraction issues with any charge. I'm going to examine the cases for extractor marks right after I find the rest of my fillings.





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[erslll]

Pretty good speed. How is accuracy?

I am just getting ready to start reloading for my 7mm RM. Luckily, mine is probably a little heavier than yours and it will have a nice muzzle brake. Remington 700 Long Range with a 26" varmint/Sendero barrel and a Hellfire muzzle brake.

My goal is to push a 175 ELD-X over 2900 fps. I am going to try Reloader 22 first since I already have a pound of it. With any luck, I will be able to shoot some test loads this weekend.

 

[No_Regerts]

3000+ is nothing to sneeze at with 160gr bullets. I'm not a real speed freak once I reach what I think is reasonable for the cartridge/rifle. I would feel goofy with a 7 RM shooting 160s at 2750, simply because I could have done that with a non-magnum. But 3000? I'd be happy.

 

[pharmseller]

Pretty good speed. How is accuracy?

I am just getting ready to start reloading for my 7mm RM. Luckily, mine is probably a little heavier than yours and it will have a nice muzzle brake. Remington 700 Long Range with a 26" varmint/Sendero barrel and a Hellfire muzzle brake.

My goal is to push a 175 ELD-X over 2900 fps. I am going to try Reloader 22 first since I already have a pound of it. With any luck, I will be able to shoot some test loads this weekend.

I'll let you know in a week or so. I'm playing with 150 ELDX in a couple of 7mm-08s, so far 2790 fps and half MOA groups at 100 yards.




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[erslll]

So I don't mean to hijack your thread but since we are talking about 7mm RM thought I would share my results so far. If it is a problem, let me know and I will start my own thread.

Tried some loads with Reloader 22 this weekend. Hornady's most current reloading manual gives a max load of 59.5 grains at a speed of 2800 fps with RL 22.

I loaded up 5 each at 58.5, 59 and 59.5. Accuracy was pretty good, especially on the lower charge weights. Didn't take the chrono since these were the first reloads for this caliber for me and I just want to make sure everything was functional. No pressure signs at all.

Today I loaded up 5 each at 59.5, 60 and 60.5. Not as good in the accuracy department but I was shooting through my chrono also. Pretty disappointed with the speeds. 2688, 2698 and 2707 respectively.

A few observations.

-This is a new gun with 48 rounds down the barrel so I imagine it will pick up some speed but I am a long way from where I wanted to be.

-Looking back at the reloading manual, see that I probably should have made bigger steps. Haven't loaded for magnums much. The manual is showing about 3 grains difference per 100 fps.

-I am loading .020 off the lands. I see a lot of 7mm RM loads on Snipershide that say touching the lands but can't seem to get an answer on why that is ok in a magnum and generally frowned upon in every other cartridge I have researched.


I think I will continue to increase powder charge and maybe decrease jump some. Anyone else have any ideas?

 

[joken]

I shoot 140 TSX in mine, 66gr of RL-19 3036 IIRC and they shoot under an inch in my 700 KS. I had a horrible time getting this rifle to group. Tried several powders and bullets with unsatisfactory results. A friend told me to try some Barnes TSX and it was like magic.

 

[74bronco]

R26 is like pixie dust- I've ran the 162eldx up over 3250 with my savage 7mm rm - i just looked at my ladder test and i didnt put the charge wts in the chrony results but fastest was 3290 and still never found pressure signs - it does have a fairly long throat and i was loading near mag length with a .010 jump- of course best grouping was closer to 3050 fps. on my 6mm SLR (243 based) with 115gr berger vldh I ran them up over 3200 fps with r26 - but settled on 46.5gr at 3170 for a hunting load- at 47.5gr still showed no pressure- on a friends 300wm we ran a ladder with r26 and the 178eldx and at 80.5gr got just over 3220 in his gun but ladder showed it liked 75gr at 3040 fps best . yah r26 in large cases and moderately heavy bullets can make some amazing velocities - decent es and sd - acceptable accuracy- but be warned its not real temp stable - it can really start to swing up in velocity at temps above 80 or if left in a hot chamber very long- from temps from 40 to 70 tho it seems just fine.

 

[erslll]

Good info guys. Thanks.

 

[pharmseller]

Accuracy: 0.539", 69.0 gr., 2.644" base to ogive.

Good enough for me.




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[Crohnos01]

Hmmm... very interesting information guys. I have some RL-26 and I am just getting ready to cook up some loads for my 7mm. In the past I always shot H4831 or IMR4350 with good results, but I was just thinking maybe I should play with some of the newer powders to see what happens... I mostly load for deer and elk, so temperature above 70 should be rare.

 

[74bronco]

found my 7mm 162eldx ladder data
68gr @ 3080
69gr @ 3120
70gr@ 3160
70.5gr@3210
70.8 gr@ 3250
I settled at 68.5 , you can clearly see that over 70gr it was rising in velocity unperportional compared to 68 thru 70gr indicating nearing max pressure in my gun - note also my coal is 3.360 and sammi is 3.290 - gun is a savage 111 trophy xp with warne base and mounts and vortex 6x24x50 hrt - its never been a good shooter - best so far is the 68.5 load at .780 @100 , I've tried 4831 4350 7828 with poorer results in it.

 

[pharmseller]

My brother had a range day today, 7mm Rem Mag, 69 grains R26, 162 ELDX, 2.665", 0.3" groups. He's pretty pleased.




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[erslll]

I tested 62 and 63 gr of RL22 today and it was encouraging. Up to 2835 fps at 63 grains and no pressure signs. I am going to try 64, 65 and 66. Looked around for some Reloader 26 today but no luck.

 

[erslll]

Last weekend I tested 64, 65 and 66 grains of RL 22. Good speed but really bad groups. Was getting ready to call it a day and found that my scope base was loose. Really loose, about 1/4" of play forward and back. Not good but I was much happier with the speed. 66 gr averaged 2985 for 5 shots and no signs of pressure.

Scope base all tightened back up and loc-tited this time. Started trying some seating depth testing. The winner by a huge margin is zero jump. I tried .010, .020, .040 and they all shot patterns, not groups.

 

[erslll]

Still wasn't getting the accuracy I wanted with Reloader 22. 100 yard groups were pretty poor. I did try my RL 22 loads at 400/600 yards yesterday and they did fairly well there but the 100 yard groups were still nagging at me. So.....


I have moved on to Reloader 26. Tried 64, 66 and 67 grains today and the results are promising. Good speed with the 66 grains running about 2950 fps and 67 grains running 3018 fps. No pressure signs at all. The 66 grain group was better so I am going to try 66.5 and see what I can get. Not that 2950 is bad if I can get a little more out of it, why not.

 

[pharmseller]

Did you read my post?



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[erslll]

Did you read my post?



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If you are referring to me, yes I did. I am shooting 175 ELD-X though so it is a little different than the 162 ELD-X. Your posts and 74bronco's posts are the reason I decided to try Reloader 26. Thank you both.

 

[pharmseller]

I'll tell you a thing or three...

I reread your first post and came to the conclusion that if I'm the smartest guy you talk to today, we're both in trouble.




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[pharmseller]

Here's what you get with proper bullet placement using the above load:



One and done.





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[IRY]

I have been paying close attention to this thread because I have been playing with my 7mm. I like the results you guys have been getting. I just got a Chrono., so I'll be able to post some results soon. I have been playing with RL22 and ELDx. I just loaded some RL23 and have not fired any rounds yet. My best groups have been with 62.6 RL22= 3/4" and I am grouping well at 400 and 500 yards. I estimate the speed around 2750-2800 because the gun shoots right on with the BDC that Nikon gives on SPOT ON.
Thanks for the awesome thread and keep the results coming!