7mm Rem Mag loads...

[gd3006]

OK,

I'm starting out a bit blind here for several reasons.

1. I'm going to be doing some hunting shortly in one of the "condor zones".

2. I've never loaded any Barnes bullets (or other non-lead bullets) just because I've never had to. I'm open to other suggestions in bullets. I would like to stay with 140 grain bullets, as I am very familiar with their trajectory out of my rifle.

Just wondering if any of you have loaded any of these bullets, and although I've got several reloading manuals I'd like some real-world input. My primary powder is Reloader 22 (I've gotten wonderful consistency with it and 140gr Nosler Ballistic Tips).

Any tips/suggestions/experiences are appreciated.

gd

[flyman41]

gd3006,
I wish I could help you out here. I have a few loads for barnes X bullets and an XLC?? I believe but they are in 30-06 and I have never shot an animal with them. I also have never used in all my years the Reloader powders. I have always used IMR and Hogdon and recently AA. How do the reloaders stack up against the ones I mentioned price wise? I am running low and am going stock up again soon. Of course that will mean testing new loads but that is the fun of it.

[gd3006]

The RL powders seem to be in the same price range as most of the others. In this particular rifle, it works wonders.
To be brutally honest, I got REALLY LUCKY when I started reloading for this particular rifle. The VERY FIRST LOAD I tried for this gun was sub moa. Haven't messed with it since... A few minor tweaks with charges weight, but same bullet/primer/powder/casing/etc.

Don't know which calibers you load for, but this one really likes the RL-22 powder. Maybe just my gun, but man it works great.

gd

[flyman41]

Thanks gd3006. I load 22-250, 243, 257 Roberts, 270Win,308Win, 30carbine, 30-06,& 338winmag. I have only done that once with the sub moa on the first go around. Make you feel kinda good.

[gd3006]

fm41,

Yeah, every once in a while it's great to hit a home run on the first pitch.

RL-22 may be a decent direction to look for the .338. It's a little slow for optimum on the others... I'd say RL-19 for the '06, IF you're itching to play...

I've got a 22-250 that isn't nearly as consistent. Bugs the heck out of me. I need to do some SERIOUS experimentation with that one...