What powders for .270, 7MM.08, and 7MM Mag

[kalielkslayer]

I’ve never tried H1000 but hear great things. I’m convinced that those who like IMR4064, Varget, and H380 in the 7-08 don’t own chronographs.

My 7-08 gags on H380, Max’s out 2gr below Lyman #48. Varget and IMR 4064 max out 200fps below RL17. 100fps below max of IMR4350 which is volume restrictive. (Only 46.5gr will fit under a 139-140gr bullet. Only 45.0 under a 150, but it’s a splendid powder for the 7-08.
#2 behind the RL17 is H4350. Realistically they’re very similar. RL17 gives the accuracy of IMR4350 but velocity of H4350.
John Barsness says you can use up to 50.0gr of H4350 under a 139gr Hornady btspt . My gun wants 48.0 H4350 or 47.0gr RL17 for 3,000fps (20”bbl!!!). Accuracy about 1.25moa-three shots. But it’s a “killing fool”! A “Lucky” rifle that punches above its weight.

I use the same powders in the .270 for 3,000fps with 130grbullet. Usually 55.0gr of H4350 or IMR4350. However I’m working through a pound of MagPro and getting great results. 3,200fps from my 24” MkX and 3,100 from my 22” REM M700. Accuracy is excellent.

I’m in the early stages working with the 7mm RemMag.
I’ve gotten acceptable accuracy with some WC860 military pulled down from .50BMG. It’s the same as the discontinued Hodgons H870. (Lots of variability between lot#’s). 77.0gr with a PPU 174grSpt gives 2,900fps and 1.5” for 3-shots.
68.0gr of MagPro gives 3,000fps with a Speer FB Hotcore 160gr. Accuracy approaches 3-shot MOA. Probably my elk load next time I get draw for a permit.
Just last Thursday I shot some 139gr Hornadys I loaded over 64.0gr of H4831. It delivered 3,150fps and two sub 1” 3-shot groups. This is the best the rifle has shot to date. I’m satisfied with it! It’s a pre-bankruptcy Remington M700 CDS 26”bbl -synthetic I got on close-out at Walmart for $378.00
Much cheaper than a new barrel in 280AI for a Mauser or Remington action, installed.

But, I knew going in that it would only beat my 7mm08 by 175-250fps...
the 7mag lives up to the hype. But the 7mm8 is an over achiever! The . 270 is still the standard for a light, flat shooting “deer” rifle, but I prefer the near twin 7mm08.

Try RL22 in the 7RM with 160 grain bullets.

you’re welcome.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Try RL22 in the 7RM with 160 grain bullets.

When they make some more.
None available for 3 years.

RL22 is my go-to powder in .260Rem and .30/06 with 180gr bullets and heavier.
I’m down to about 3oz.. Enough for a box and a half of .260 or 14-18rds of 7mmRemMag.

I’m contemplating an 8lb keg of Accurate 4350 as it’s the slowest version of 4350’s.

When they make some more.
None available for 3 years.

RL22 is my go-to powder in .260Rem and .30/06 with 180gr bullets and heavier.
I’m down to about 3oz.. Enough for a box and a half of .260 or 14-18rds of 7mmRemMag.

I’m contemplating an 8lb keg of Accurate 4350 as it’s the slowest version of 4350’s.

RL22 is an improved H4831. Same burning range speed.
My understanding is that RL22 was replaced by RL23, and RL25 by RL26.
I hope I’m wrong!

 

[Blue68f100]

RL22 is not a very temp stable powder, if I recall almost 2 fps/F. It's on of the worst I've used. I think RL23 & RL26 are the temp stable powders.

My choice for the 7mm RM would be H1000 as my first choice, H4831 as my second choice. I have only shot 160gr SGK in my since it was brand new in the 70's. I use to use IMR4350 with no problem, sub moa. You give up some velocity but the accuracy is there and that what counts for me.

 

[kalielkslayer]

When they make some more.
None available for 3 years.

RL22 is my go-to powder in .260Rem and .30/06 with 180gr bullets and heavier.
I’m down to about 3oz.. Enough for a box and a half of .260 or 14-18rds of 7mmRemMag.

I’m contemplating an 8lb keg of Accurate 4350 as it’s the slowest version of 4350’s.

RL22 is an improved H4831. Same burning range speed.
My understanding is that RL22 was replaced by RL23, and RL25 by RL26.
I hope I’m wrong!

I was fortunate. When this shortage began, I went to the highest priced LGS. They were allowing 2 lbs “per burn rate.”

I picked up 2 lbs. I had several partials, like 2+ lbs. I always start load development with a new lb. It was pricy for the time, $53 per. They were the only one in town that had powder, because of their prices.

But I’m glad I have it. I use it for .338 WM and 7mmRM.

I also found RL16 and RL26 during the worst of the shortage and bought a couple of lbs. but I looked for and never found RL23.

 

[Bcwitt]

I like imr 7828 in 270w.

 

[LoonWulf]

4350s can do them all but not at peak velocity, 4831s will be as close to optimum as youll likely get and be one and done. Personally is probably use 4350 for rhe 7-08, and h1000-Ret class powder for the .270 and 7 mag. This is assuming medium heavy bullets used in all.

 

[JDeere]

.270 I use H4831sc version with 130 gr. NBT pills.
7-08 I run Varget or IMR4350 with 120 or 140 gr. pills, SGKs or NBTs.
Never had a Magnum to load for...

 

[Walkalong]

4350s can do them all but not at peak velocity, 4831s will be as close to optimum as youll likely get and be one and done. Personally is probably use 4350 for rhe 7-08, and h1000-Ret class powder for the .270 and 7 mag. This is assuming medium heavy bullets used in all.

They're not running heavy bullets, they are shooting stuff in the 140 range, doesn't mean they wouldn't change, but I'd like to keep it narrowed down bullet weigh wise.

 

[Walkalong]

Monday/Tuesday I need to stop at a couple of places and see what they have.

 

[LOLBELL]

I have 2 each .270 and .280. One .270 does sub moa with Varget under a Hornady 140 BTSP. The other .270 does sub moa with 7828 and a Serria 140 SPBT. Both .280 does moa with IMR 4064 and a 139 Hornady ballistic tip.

 

[LoonWulf]

They're not running heavy bullets, they are shooting stuff in the 140 range, doesn't mean they wouldn't change, but I'd like to keep it narrowed down bullet weigh wise.

4350 should work pretty well for all of them then, tho id still prefer 4831-h1000 for the .270 and 7mag

 

[Theinkman]

I have used IMR4831 with great success for the 7RM. 139 gr, 160 gr, and 175 grain bullets. Of course when I started loading for that cartridge there wasn't near as much variety in powders as we have today. I currently have some H1000 I will be trying out. I also have more IMR4831 in case the H1000 turns out to be less than ideal.

 

[johnjohn]

With 130/140 gr my .270 seems to do OK with IMR 4831.

 

[Walkalong]

I need to see if I can find some H-4831 locally. On paper it looked good going in, and feedback here looks good as well, thanks to all.

My buddy Jeff has some H-1000 he'd let me try if I asked.

 

[IALoder]

I think RL23 would serve both your .270 and 7mm RM well! From my experience it's pretty much a temp stable RL22. My 7mm seems to really like RL22&23 with 150's and 160's. Both were right at 3000fps and sub moa with a 160 out of a 24" barrel.

I feel like anything from varget to your H4350 would serve you well in the 7mm-08.

 

[Walkalong]

I'll see what Walter Craig has this afternoon. I pass it on the way home.

 

[mikey98e]

My most accurate loads are IMR 4831 for the 7mm Rem mag with a 145 gr SPT (Rem 700 rifle) and IMR 4064 for the .243 win with an 85 gr BT (Sako Finwolf rifle).
-mike

 

[BushMaster-15]

7mm Rem Mag . IMR or H4831 and H1000 are gonna be best bet ,as you can't get H870 . Heavy 150 + US-869 also is acceptable.
VV powder N560 is the Best , also works well in 270 , versatile powder. As for 7mm-08 I should think any 30-06 powder such as 4350 4064 and 4895 would be on target . IF I were picking one for accuracy 4064 is pretty tough to beat as is 4895 ,it's near a toss up , IMO .

 

[GooseGestapo]

7mm Rem Mag . IMR or H4831 and H1000 are gonna be best bet ,as you can't get H870 . Heavy 150 + US-869 also is acceptable.
VV powder N560 is the Best , also works well in 270 , versatile powder. As for 7mm-08 I should think any 30-06 powder such as 4350 4064 and 4895 would be on target . IF I were picking one for accuracy 4064 is pretty tough to beat as is 4895 ,it's near a toss up , IMO .

Check out Gibrass.com.
He’s got several powders in the H870 genre surplus priced in 7-8lb kegs.
I bought 16lbs (2x8lb) @ $4.00lb of WC860 from Wideners Shootersin 2005.still have over 12lbs... It’s a different lot # of H870 (aka WC870).
I consider Federal or Winchester Magnum primers essential!

www.gibrass.com

 

[BushMaster-15]

Check out Gibrass.com.
He’s got several powders in the H870 genre surplus priced in 7-8lb kegs.
I bought 16lbs (2x8lb) @ $4.00lb of WC860 from Wideners Shootersin 2005.still have over 12lbs... It’s a different lot # of H870 (aka WC870).
I consider Federal or Winchester Magnum primers essential!

www.gibrass.com

Yes in the class of powders but Not H870 . WC857 & 860 are a slow burning pressure building magnum powder ,what concerns me is INCONSISTENCY possibility and once it's gone good luck finding it again . Pull down is pull down . FYI ,So are WC872 & 869
I'm fortunate to have a sufficient supply of H870 for My magnum cartridges ,as I stocked it while it was still being produced .
Many people are unaware it was used in Vietnam ,in 20mm cannon rounds
Here's an interesting tidbit of info ; As I used that powder from the Get go buying it in cardboard tubes from Hodgdon's in 60's .
and having a lot from the 80's and 90's . I decided to do some deviation velocity tests ,60's ,80's 90's and Surprise Surprise Sargent ;
It Never varied over 18 FPS ,same cartridge same bullet same case ,Yes Carefully reloaded . MY conclusion pretty damn stable .



WC860 Just in. Original application is U.S. .50 Cal. BMG ammo, used for the Ball
M33 and API M8 projectile. A ball powder which can be loaded using
Hodgdon H870 or AA8700 data. Just received a VERY limited supply.
This is pulldown ball powder from Lake City. Burn rates can vary
dramatically from lot to lot. ALWAYS BEGIN WITH STARTING LOADS!
$120/8# jug

 

[rdnktrkr]

I'm watching this closely since I load for a 270w and have been keeping an eye out for a 7-08. This will give me some ideas on new powder to try for my 270w.

When I started with the 270, I tried H335(BOOM), H4350(good), H4895(good) and A2700(best), I was loading 130gr SST at about 1gr below max and I could shoot it as good or better than my 30-06s so I loaded up a hundred and still using them for hunting. I helped my friend work up a load for his 270w and a 130sp and it was very close to my load.

 

[reloaded_in_pa]

I like and stick with H4350 for the 270.

 

[Bfh_auto]

When they make some more.
None available for 3 years.

RL22 is my go-to powder in .260Rem and .30/06 with 180gr bullets and heavier.
I’m down to about 3oz.. Enough for a box and a half of .260 or 14-18rds of 7mmRemMag.

I’m contemplating an 8lb keg of Accurate 4350 as it’s the slowest version of 4350’s.

RL22 is an improved H4831. Same burning range speed.
My understanding is that RL22 was replaced by RL23, and RL25 by RL26.
I hope I’m wrong!

Shooter's World 4350 is even slower than AA4350.
I've only used it in heavy bullet 22-250 loads. I was able to get 2"groups at 400 yards with it and a 70 RDF.

 

[Fishtales]

Responses should be interesting here. Just based on the expansion ratio (case capacity divided by bore diameter), your .308 powders should be pretty good for the 7mm-08, but the the .270 and 7mm mag would be very different. A quick look at Hodgdon indicates that IMR 4350 is gives above average velocity for all three cartridges with 140 gr bullets.

On the other hand, if your powders for .308 would work well for 7mm-08, then maybe pick the best powder for .270 and 7mm mag and add that to your shelf.

You went to the Hodgdon website and they came back with an IMR powder when they make their own powder (H4350)? Hopefully that was a typo. That being said both powders are very close (but not the same ballistically) to being the same. In the Lyman reloading manuals I have the loads for one powder over the other is a couple of grains difference.

 

[wombat13]

You went to the Hodgdon website and they came back with an IMR powder when they make their own powder (H4350)? Hopefully that was a typo. That being said both powders are very close (but not the same ballistically) to being the same. In the Lyman reloading manuals I have the loads for one powder over the other is a couple of grains difference.

Not a typo. Hodgdon owns IMR powders and has for many years; at least as long as I’ve been reloading, so at least 15 years. They also bought Western powders in the last year or so. Now you can find Western powder data at hodgdon, although not as much as Western published. Thank goodness I downloaded Western’s loading manual before they were bought.