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Author Topic: Favorite 7 MM loads for Elk?  (Read 775 times)

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Offline Big Tom

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Favorite 7 MM loads for Elk?
« on: May 11, 2003, 06:03:27 PM »
:D I'm new to this forum and back into reloading after a long (25 year) absence.

I am going after Elk in NE Colorado this fall and want to develop an accurate/effective load for my Sako SS Hunter in 7 MM Mag. I am thinking of using 160 gr Nosler Partitions or Trophy Bonded BearClaws. I have the Noslers and a pound of IMR 4831 but am open to suggestions.  :lol:
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Tom Gursky
Northwoods Guide Service
"May all your trophies be worthy of The Book"

Offline jhm

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Favorite 7 MM loads for Elk?
« Reply #1 on: May 12, 2003, 03:48:51 AM »
Tom:  When I was shooting a 7mag for elk and bear I would use the sierra 160 gr. spitzer b-tail loaded with 64.5 4831 also used imr-4350 at I believe it was 60.5 and was completely happy with both loads used more of the imr 4350 as it took less powder to get the same results. :D   JIM
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Offline sharpshooter

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Favorite 7 MM loads for Elk?
« Reply #2 on: May 12, 2003, 08:13:57 AM »
My favorite caliber. I have found that IMR-4350 has produced the best accuracy for me. With elk you would probably go with a heavier bullet. The speer GrandSlams are real good. I have gotten some good tight groups with the 160 grain GS's. I have heard that RL-22  works well with the 7mag, I haven't tried any of it yet but plan to. Hope this helps, and I wish I was going with you. :lol:  Good luck. :D
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Offline Ron T.

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Favorite 7 MM loads for Elk?
« Reply #3 on: May 12, 2003, 07:49:08 PM »
Big "T"...

You have everything you need for a great elk load.  You might consider investing in a pound of IMR4350 and check out whether it will give you better accuracy than the IMR4831.  A max. load of IMR4350 yielded the "ACCURACY LOAD" designation in one of my old Lyman Reloading Handbooks.

Both powders should give you approximately 3,000 fps with maximum loads.  Naturally, you should "work up" your loads starting 10% below "maximum" and watch for pressure signs.

Both relatively slow rifle powders give almost exactly the same muzzle velocity (2995 fps [IMR4350] vs. 3,008 fps [IMR4831]) and pressure (52,000 C.U.P. vs. 52,400 C.U.P. respectively) using a 160 grain bullet in a 7mm Remington Magnum using a universal receiver and a 26-inch barrel with a 1 in 9½ twist.

Either the 150 grain or 160 grain Nosler Partition Bullet should give you all the penetration you need with the "nod" going to the 160 grain bullet that you already have.

Good Hunting!

Strength & Honor,

Ron T.
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Offline Darrell Davis

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Favorite 7 MM loads for Elk?
« Reply #4 on: May 18, 2003, 05:18:34 AM »
:D Good morning Big Tom.

Here we are, May 18, 2003 and the first words my wife said to me this morning were, "it snowed last night." Looked out the window and shor nuf, it snow here in ol' I-dee-ho. Oh well, dry winter so can use the water even in the form of snow.

As to you question of 7mag. loads, you have a good start and the thought of a 160 Nosler partition fits right in there. You can read my thoughts about the partition under the heading of "Nosler BT vs Partition" That topic spoke of the .243, but all the same, I haven't seen any hint of performance problems anywhere in the partition line.

If your rifle will shoot the 160 partition into reasonable groups, I would go with it and never look back. Yes, there are other good bullets out there but the Nosler stands among the greats!

I have personally used the 160 from the older production runs and it like other PTs does the job. Saw a hit one time with the 160 that would have made a mess with a typical bullet, but the Nosler just did it's job with a minimum of fuss.

As to powders, there are some very good ones that have come to the reloader market since you were in the game. For sure, I would want to try IMR7828 and Reloader 22.

Another great product to the market in the last 10 years or so should be include in your load testing. The chronograph! The prices are down there, and when you shoot your test targets over the chrono it really completes the picture.

My findings are that most rifles are slower then the info you are finding in the loading books. Some shoot like they came off the page, some shoot faster, but at this point, most seem to be on the slow side. The chrono info can really help to figure the points of impact at ranges beyond two hundred yards.

ENJOY THAT HUNT!!!!!!!! :wink:  Wish I was with you, but guess I will need to be happy with hunting deer and elk within the 2 to 50 mile range from home. YES!!!!!!! :grin:  :)  :lol:  :grin:  May not get an elk, but sure like liv'n here in ol' I-dee-ho
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Offline Power

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Favorite 7 MM loads for Elk?
« Reply #5 on: May 27, 2003, 08:20:11 AM »
Like ricci has listed I'm running Nosler 175g Partition pushed by Reloader-22, Fed. Match primers. Nosler manual lists it going 2,970fps. Worked good for me last year on a bull Elk. I like the better BC for the heavier bullet plus that is a heck of a good bullet to punch through deer, elk, and bear.
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