Better group from my 7mm Rem Mag?

ScottR · Nov 7, 2017

Heavier bullets generally perform better with the faster calibers like this IME. My .300 WBY loved 180 or bigger, my .300 Win did very well with the Hornady 180 and 200 grain options.

Another general rule, when a gun doesn't shoot a factory load well the reloading bench is the next stop that needs to happen. I have one rifle that will take just about any factory load and shoot it well, all the rest want something with a little more precision.

I will admit though, that my experience with the 7mm calibers is fairly limited but I believe Todd has some experience and he reloads a bit.

HuskyMusky · Nov 7, 2017

Try a few and see.

a 140 or 150 TSX type bullet might act like a heavier bullet being a longer bullet, so if you want a lighter bullet that may shoot better I'd look to the TSX variety.

I'd grab a few boxes, and see what group best, 140, 150, 160, 168.

Sometimes a rifle has a different plan than we do... ie., wanting to shoot a 150 or 165 from a 300mag, sometimes they only like what they like.

pikeman1 · Nov 7, 2017

With the twist you have 160 and lighter will shoot better. Higher the twist number = less twist. But just because you buy a smaller grain factory round doesn't mean it will shoot better, some guns are fussy. I do reload for my 7mm rem mag.

BuzzH · Nov 7, 2017

Daubs said:
Buddy at work said that gun, with 1:9.25 twist would group better with 160+ grain bullets.

Thoughts on bigger bullets? I don't hand load.

Use this gun primarily for Mule Deer in Nebraska, but would like to Elk hunt in next 2-3 years.

Thanks, D.

The reason the lighter bullets aren't shooting is NOT because of the twist...usually longer, heavier bullets are prone to not shooting well in slower twist barrels.

For a 7 RM, you should be good up to 175's with a 1:9.25...and anything under 175 for sure.

Lots of things cause accuracy...and, conversely, a lack of same. Powder, seating depth, primers, brass, bedding issues, pressure points, etc. etc. etc.

The 7RM's I've loaded for usually liked something in the 140-160 range.

My 7 RM likes 160 AB's and IMR4831...it also liked 160 partitions too.

Rem. 700 bdl, Factory barrel, bedded, floated, timney trigger at 3lbs, Leupold 3-9x40, straight up hunting rig, nothing fancy at all.

160 AB's, 300 yards...3 shots.

5 Shots at 550 yards...was under 3.5" for 4...panicked and shanked one right, that opened up the group to just about 5".

Just shot this rifle a couple hours ago...stacked 2 at 250, third was about .4 inches left...just a pinch over .5 at 250 yards, see no reason to mess with it.

Give the 160's a whirl, cant hurt.

If you need some load data...pm me.

Bonecollector · Nov 7, 2017

I echo others comments. Try a bit heavier bullet for caliber (160-175). I think you'll be surprised.

Colorado Cowboy · Nov 7, 2017

I really believe all serious hunters and shooter should be reloading. First...you will find a load that your particular gun likes; 2nd ....you will save money in the long run. It will allow you to shoot a lot more and the more you shoot, the better you get.

JimP · Nov 7, 2017

Colorado Cowboy said:
I really believe all serious hunters and shooter should be reloading. First...you will find a load that your particular gun likes; 2nd ....you will save money in the long run. It will allow you to shoot a lot more and the more you shoot, the better you getand the more money you will spend reloading rounds to shoot more.

Added a little bit for you in red. Reloading is a curse, you will strive for perfection and even when you reach it you will try to do better.

THelms · Nov 7, 2017

Love some 7mm, doesn?t matter what flavor! I?ve had my best luck in the magnums with 160?s and heavier. That said, if you don?t want to get into reloading try the new Hornady Precision Hunter in .7mm Rem Mag. I don?t personally know anyone whose rifle didn?t like that load.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

JimP · Nov 7, 2017

I think what we need to ask is what kind of groups is it shooting now with the ammo that you have.

Some rifles will never shoot less than a 1" pattern at 100 yards unless you do a lot of work to them. Where others will make a nice cloverleaf with 3 shots at 100 right out of the box.

Remember this is a hunting rifle and not a target shooting rifle.

ScottR · Nov 8, 2017

Daubs said:
Thanks for the advice!

Picked up a box of Hornady - Precision Hunter 7mm Rem Mag 162 gr ELD-X. I will get some time to run a few rounds through the gun this Friday before the Saturday opener.

Yes, I would be happy with 1" group at 100 yards. If the 7MAG doesn't pick up it's game I always have the tried and true A-bolt -06 with me.

Again, appreciate the advice and replies. Thanks, Daubs

I have been very pleased with my precision hunter ammo. I hope you?re gun likes it.

BuzzH · Nov 8, 2017

JimP said:
Some rifles will never shoot less than a 1" pattern at 100 yards unless you do a lot of work to them.

Extremely rare if you bed, float, reload, and have a halfway decent trigger.

In several dozen rifles I've had one that was a lemon...factory barrel was total crap. New barrel and good to go.

While most new rifles have no soul, they tend to shoot pretty well right out of the box.

Example here:

My nephews lefty Rem. 700 youth in 7-08...20 inch barrel, bone stock, crap trigger.

Took 3 shots to get things close, shots 4-8 with the first load I tried with 140's:

Second load shot fair too. Ended up going with this load for now, less recoil and a modest load, plus I have an 8lb tub of H380 that needs to be shot up. The .284 120 Nosler BT is also a damn good hunting bullet too...digs deep and holds together well for a standard cup and core.

xtreme · Nov 8, 2017

This is easy. Buy a box of HSM 168 Bergers. I shotjust about every brand and weight before finding the store bought Bergers would shoot 1/2. The only thing better was RWS ID Classic whitch shoot 1/4 inch. They were 177 gr. Made in Germany.

Team Kabob · Feb 14, 2018

BuzzH said:
The reason the lighter bullets aren't shooting is NOT because of the twist...usually longer, heavier bullets are prone to not shooting well in slower twist barrels.

For a 7 RM, you should be good up to 175's with a 1:9.25...and anything under 175 for sure.

Lots of things cause accuracy...and, conversely, a lack of same. Powder, seating depth, primers, brass, bedding issues, pressure points, etc. etc. etc.

The 7RM's I've loaded for usually liked something in the 140-160 range.

My 7 RM likes 160 AB's and IMR4831...it also liked 160 partitions too.

Rem. 700 bdl, Factory barrel, bedded, floated, timney trigger at 3lbs, Leupold 3-9x40, straight up hunting rig, nothing fancy at all.

160 AB's, 300 yards...3 shots.

5 Shots at 550 yards...was under 3.5" for 4...panicked and shanked one right, that opened up the group to just about 5".

Just shot this rifle a couple hours ago...stacked 2 at 250, third was about .4 inches left...just a pinch over .5 at 250 yards, see no reason to mess with it.

Give the 160's a whirl, cant hurt.

If you need some load data...pm me.

Sending you a message about your rem 700 7mm

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

280ackimp · Feb 15, 2018

I would suggest hand loading as well, however ...
Some very good factory rifles need to additional work to get full potential. As 7mm Mag ammo is expensive $60+ a box, I would consider having some tuning done.

Step 1. The bedding of any rifle while suitable in most cases isnt great. Bedding the action creates consistencies in the firing sequences that are truly repeatable.

Step 2. Squaring the lugs and bolt face. Accomplished usually by lapping the lugs so full contact with the barrel and in some instances the face of the bolt will be machined. this provided a perpendicular relationship with the bore axis.

Step 3. Lap the bore. It may be rough and have tool marks that can detract from accuracy, this is also going to address tight spots that may exist.

Step 4. cut or recrown the barrel, uneven crowns are common and impact the launch of the bullet more often that we think.

Step 5. tune the trigger. A better break is a great contributor to accuracy

A few companies like CBJ, Hill Country Rifle and RW Hart offer these services. I have used Hart and Hill Country they are game changers for my factory rifles !

DH56 · Feb 15, 2018

JimP said:
I think what we need to ask is what kind of groups is it shooting now with the ammo that you have.

Some rifles will never shoot less than a 1" pattern at 100 yards unless you do a lot of work to them. Where others will make a nice cloverleaf with 3 shots at 100 right out of the box.

Remember this is a hunting rifle and not a target shooting rifle.

I agree- I would like to know what the grouping is now as well(With the Federals), and how we sighted in the gun(Using a solid rest etc.) to get an understanding of what it currently is doing. Once we know that and since only one type of bullet so far has been tested we can then potentially move to the next step.....

Looks like the other two bullets performed better as well.

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Better group from my 7mm Rem Mag?

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