Thread: 7mm Rem Mag Reloading troubles...

Trying to sort a hand load for my Tikka 7mm rem mag. New to reloading.

using h1000 (2217)
162Eldx
Hornady cases fired from my rifle
federal primers.
Loaded to mag length

1st test of 3 shot groups went good 69g shot .5moa, thought that was easy so loaded a few more up and went back to range to check, did not go so good quite a few flyers, possibly me, noticed after 2nd test lands at muzzle end thick of copper.
copper cleaned rifle and went back for 3rd test with more 69g and some higher charges..
Not so flash either..
Never did a ladder test as such or had a chrono, test range was a 100y.
Can any one see a pattern from my test groups of a load that I should focus on?
Maybe play around with 69s and 72/73g..?

pretty keen to get it sorted, sick of driving to the range to get mixed results. Cheers

1st Test

2nd test

3rd test

I'd have someone else shoot it to see if it's you, and check my rings and bases to be sure

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71.5 -72gr 2217 and a 162gr projectile is usually a great load in 7mm mags. It was what I used in mine, but I was able to seat further out due to mag length.
The other thing to try is a two load system. Use the eld-x, but seat further out. You will need to single load but as a long range load it isn't as much of a handicap as you'd think. Then try something like a 160 accubond seated to mag length as a "spook and shoot" load.
Sight in for the long range eld-x load and then see where the close range load hits. So long as it is within an inch or so at 100yds it will be accurate enough out to 200yds.
This is what I did for mine and had no issues.

Have you had the rifle apart at any time? Somtimes if you are not careful, you can miss align the recoil lug in a Tika.

Also, how did you resize your brass? Neck sized with a different neck tension? Full length resize?

Cheers for the feed back,

-Yea might have to have a mate shoot it.

-will try some more loads from 71g-73g. There were no pressure signs I could tell, 70g being the max book load...
Will consider the 2 load system as can’t see it being a problem either but am keen to try a bit more to get the eld-x working.

-Rifle has just come from gunsmith after beding job so should be good there..
Am just neck sizing using the lee neck size die...

I had trouble finding a load for my 7mm rem mag. Wasted so much time trying to get it shooting with 2217 when the reality was my rifle just hated it. Switched to IMR4831 and now it shoots beautifully. I also seated closer to the lands and single feed, just what has to be done for the accuracy I want. I would also try 2225 which I had a lot of people telling me to try but I just couldn’t source any at the time.

I thought RL22 was the go to for 7mm mag

I have a Tika T3 Super Varmint. Go to load is 70.5gr 2217 with 162gr AMAX. Have yet to try 162 ELD-X still have plenty of AMAXs. Anyway, dont write off 2217 just yet, a few people on here have had good results with it. Agree that 2225 would be a good option, if a little slow for a 24" barrel.

I use 72gn 2225 with a 162 SST in a standard Tikka with no pressure signs and could definitely get it going faster. Tikkas seem slow barrels but you can dial for that if it’s accurate.
What part of the country are you in as I could give you some 2225 to try.

Ive found 2225 or RL25 better than 2217 in 7mmRMs, better speed and accuracy. The ELDms also might be a more forgiving pill.
Are you shooting with a suppressor?
Be very careful about carbon build up if you are. That will wreck your groups pdq

I’m in chch shootm, cheers for the offer I’ll Give the h1000a few more goes...
No suppressor.
Notice the barrel doesn’t take long to get copper build up..

ADI2213SC 62.5 grains firing a 140gr nosler boat tail.
works well

Originally Posted by Dev

I’m in chch shootm, cheers for the offer I’ll Give the h1000a few more goes...
No suppressor.
Notice the barrel doesn’t take long to get copper build up..

If you were in the NI it would be easier to get some to you, there might be a good bugger around ChCh though.

Originally Posted by gonetropo

ADI2213SC 62.5 grains firing a 140gr nosler boat tail.
works well

I use to run 71gn 2213 with 150BTs in my Ruger it was a warm load but no pressure signs. I would advise working up the that though.

Originally Posted by Dev

I’m in chch shootm, cheers for the offer I’ll Give the h1000a few more goes...
No suppressor.
Notice the barrel doesn’t take long to get copper build up..

if you are getting heavy copper fouling after only 10 - 12 rounds then apart from removing the Cu with a quality solvent (I use Boretech Eliminator, and KG12 is very good too but does not show the blue colour so harder to track how you're going) .... but after Cu & carbon removed you might want to consider lapping or polishing bbl with Autosol or JB's Borepaste. Dont go over board with it, use small amount (pea size) and only 5 - 6 strokes up/down bbl. then remove/clean thoroughly with Hoppes or similar solvent.