Reloader 7 velocities

[js]

Decided to try some R7 today and was somewhat surprised by the results. I loaded some vials with 63grs, 64grs and 65grs for use behind a 300gr Hornady HP and HBCR sabot, CCI 209M primers.
After setting up the chrono we shot a few centerfire loads and then proceeded with the Savage. The first shot with 63grs showed only 2070fps so I didn't bother shooting more of that amount., jumped right to the 65gr and velocity read 2150. Fired the last two shots in between shots taken with the centerfire rifle and they clocked 2147fps and 2156fps. Group measured just under 1" for the three shots but I was a bit surprised the velocity was that slow. Somehow I was under the impression that amount of R7 should've been pushing things along quite a bit faster...am I mistaken about this? What do you folks who use this powder get for speeds?

[161]

I haven't hunted with RL7 but I shot a little of it in fall weather 65 gr. 300 Remington BCR Winchester primer. 2200 FPS with the chrono 15 feet from the muzzle. I think that load shoots better than N110, just to lazy to re-zero.
Warren

[Dave W]

Same load as 161 averaged 2225fps in my gun, shoots good in my gun also.

[GMB54-120]

js

Were you using a Hornady .452 300gr or a .458? In a HBCR the .452 might be a bit loose.

[mike3132]

With cold weather that is about right on speed. The warmer the temp the faster the load will be. Mike

[js]

Dec 23, 2010 23:42:20 GMT -5 GMB54-120 said:

js

Were you using a Hornady .452 300gr or a .458? In a HBCR the .452 might be a bit loose.

.458" 300gr HP. Nice snug fit going down the barrel.

Has anyone went above the 65gr. level or is that considered max?

[Dave W]

I don't think you are maxed out, I have shot up to 70gr. IIRC

[killitgrillit]

I ran some loads with 68grs R7 300gr rems and they had a little kick.

[DHinMN]

I looked R7 up on the powder burn rates and it is closer to IMR 3031 than it is to H 4198. 3031 is considered rather slow for smokeless use. So is R7 a bit on the slowside? Some have also said burn rates don't mean that much. 65 grains of R7 is enough recoil for me but I'm sure I've shot more than 65 grains and then came back down.

[js]

We were also shooting our standard load of 60grs N120 and the 65gr charge of R7 did not seem to have the recoil that load generates...and that load clocks 2280fps about any day I try it. I'm not very sensitive to recoil and I prefer my hunting loads be at or near 2300fps, so I will start increasing the charge weight and see where it goes.

[Flatland Hunter]

My chrono clocked 2245 as an avg this winter for 70gns, 300gn BO, and HBCR sabot... but I think my chrono is off.

[black3]

I shoot 66 gr RL-7, 300 BO, HBCR, CCIM. I have not shot it through a chronograph, but I have shot it through several deer.

It's got some recoil, but I enjoy the meat in the freezer!

black3

[mountainam]

DHinMN, I just looked at my Hodgdon Basic reloading manual dated Jan 2010 and they put Re7 faster than either H4198 or IMR4198. I've always remember seeing charts that had Re7 as you cited. I have a 35yr old stash of it that gives the Nitroglycerine at7%. If you were to look on Alliant's website under the MSDS for Re7 they state that it contains less than 5%. I love using it and it is very reliable even in single digits, but I'm starting to wonder about where it lies in the relative burn rate.

[js]

I just looked at a chart on reloadbench.com, it said H4198 was a 86, whereas R7 was a 93. If this is correct, then R7 is definitely the slower of the two. Having used a fair amount of H4198 I can say that my bottle of R7 is w/o doubt a good bit slower. I can get 2300fps with 67grs H4198 whereas I was getting only 2150fps with 65grs R7.

[ourway77]

I also a fan of Re-7, I use 65.0 grains have never conographed the load but there have been many deer that never came back for seconds, Have made some exceptionally long shots 200 yards plus. Can't knock succes. Lou

[bob64]

50 cal data
67 gr of Rel 7 with 300 gr Rem, BCR sabot, Fed 209a primer = 2335 fps and it thumps but is very accurate in my gun.

The same components and 60 gr of N120 = 2291 fps.

[Richard]

If you are looking for some ZIP in those 300 gr. bullets? Try 10 gr. of N-110 under 60 gr. of H-4198 with that same bullet/sabot combination. It will give you a "reliable" (due to the N-110 starter charge) 2460 fps with excellent accuracy. If I was still shooting a .50, that would be my go to load. I have shot that combination many, many times and it always shot good at that velcoity. If you don't have or can get any N-110, you can substitute 5744 but will loose maybe 25 fps in velocity. That duplex even got RB's blessing (God rest his soul)
Richard