Author Topic: WHICH POWDER FOR HEAVY 7BR BULLETS (Read 970 times)

steamer · « **on:** April 02, 2005, 08:01:44 PM »

I am using H4895 with Sierra 175 game kings for my ram load. (29 to 30 grains depending on lot, Lapua brass) Here in the frozen foothills of Alberta I have not been able to find any 175MK. Is there a better powder? 748 seemed to give too much pressure and not enough velocity. 2015 was too slow, good for light bullets. Would IMR4895 be as consistant as H4895? I have H322 and Varget but have not tried them yet.
I also want a 2000 fps A-max load for cpt. I know that DanDeMan sugest using N133 and N135 but I was hoping that one of the powders that I have would perform about the same. Right now two of our sports stores are having a sale and I want to buy a 8# jug of a good powder.
Thanks in Advance

DanDeMan · « **Reply #1 on:** April 03, 2005, 04:51:29 AM »

Steamer,

During testing the three powders that worked the best in my 7mm BR rifle with the heavy bullets were: N140, RL15 and VarGet.. All 3 powders produced the same MV with the same powder charge. These powders are about as optimum as one can get for the heavy bullets, that is a full case will produce the highest MV's and still have reasonable pressures. I was using 32 grains of VarGet with the rams bullets. VarGet is also one of the least temperature sensitive powders out there so it would be a wise choice if shooting in climates with wide temperature swings.

For the c, p & t use a faster powder. My choice is N133, but H322 would also be an excellent choice. H4895 would also be a good choice, but it is a little too slow if shooting a light bullet. If you are going to shoot a heavy bullet slowly for the c, p & t then H4895 would be an excellent choice. The 162-grain AMax at 2,000 fps would be an excellent load for the c, p & t using H4895.

steamer · « **Reply #2 on:** April 03, 2005, 05:47:50 AM »

Thanks Dan. How does IMR4895 compare with H4895? I've heard that it is a little harder to throw consistent charges.
Will the same powders work with a 7/08 at the same velocities?

DanDeMan · « **Reply #3 on:** April 03, 2005, 09:06:50 AM »

Steamer,

I'm a fan of the HXXXX SC series of powders as they have the same coating as VarGet and meter very well though a powder measure. The IMR powders are lacking on both issues.

Based on testing the same powders, abet with a bit larger charge, will work equally well in the 7-08.

drags · « **Reply #4 on:** April 04, 2005, 04:08:42 AM »

Steamer, I use 31.5 gr of varget for the 168 and 130gr ser. mtk. in my 7br velocity is 2500fps for the 130s and 2400 for the 168s.
Drags

steamer · « **Reply #5 on:** April 09, 2005, 08:19:30 PM »

Thanks Drags:
I got 2410 fps using 32.0 Varget in my rifle with 162 A-max with just a slight flattening of the primers. I think that I can increase the load and still be safe.

Troy G · « **Reply #6 on:** April 10, 2005, 08:53:17 AM »

Any of you 7BR shooters try the Vihtavouri high energy powders with the heavy bullets? If Varget is working I would think VV-540 and VV-550 might be worth a try as well. Just wondering as I have a 7mm on the brain as well.

DanDeMan · « **Reply #7 on:** April 10, 2005, 09:02:12 AM »

Troy,

VVO-N540 would be the powder to use for the heavy 7mmTKS bullets. VVO-N550 works great for the 6.5mmTKS and heavy bullets.