Reloading Sako Finnbear in 7mm remington Magnum

[info]

Hi All
I am a new to the site and have just bought a Finnbear L61R. I am looking at developing loads for plains game in Africa. my initial thoughts were on bullets ranging from 160 gr to 175 gr
Does anyone have experience reloading this range of bullet weights ?
Would really appreciate help.

 

[stonecreek]

The largest plains game like eland or giraffe will be a challenge for any 7mm, so a 175 grain like a Nosler Partition, Swift, or similar bullet would be the best choice if going for either of those.

A good 160 grain spitzer like the Nosler Partition or Accubond gives you the best combination of range and penetration for all of the other plains game species like kudu and the various other antelopes. Zebras are big, but they're not that tough, and can be taken with the lighter bullet if need be.

With either of these weights a rather slow powder like H4831, IMR-7828, RL-22, or RL-25 will generate optimal velocities. You can reasonably push the 160 to around 3050 fps and the 175 to around 2950 fps. The exact powder and charge will depend the particular lot of powder you have, the bullet you use, and on the individual rifle.

 

[info]

Appreciate your help, plan to take kudu, widldebeest, gemsbock, impala,warthog,springbok, hartebeest, and bushbuck.
Looks like 160 gr will do the job. I was thinking something like barnes triple shock or hornady SST 162gr have you had any experience with these bullets/calibre combo ??

 

[stonecreek]

I'm not a fan of the monometal bullets like the Barnes, but lots of people are. They do occasionally exhibit a failure to expand, and of course they are very long for a given weight (due to copper being less dense than lead), so they usually can't be propelled at the same velocity as a conventional lead-copper bullet.

I haven't used the Hornady SST, but I know of no reason it wouldn't be a pretty good choice.

The most imporatant thing is that the bullet shoots accuratly in your gun, and some guns and bullets are more compatible with one another than others. The only way to know is to load and test them.

 

[wookie316]

69gr RL25 with a 215 primer works well with 160gr Accubonds that a friend of mine shoots.

 

[stonewall2]

Two good links here on 7mm bullet performance :
https://www.rathcoombe.net/sci-tech/ballistics/methods.html
https://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledge+Base/7mm+Remington+Magnum.html


Glenn

 

[info]

Thannks for links to website. The New Zealand guys were really helpful

 

[angus]

I've had good accuracy with SST's, however, I always go the 160 Accubonds or Partitions depending on what and where I'm hunting. 60 grains of IMR 4350, WLR have never let me down.

 

[info]

I have tried the following
nosler 160 gr partition - fed mag primers - winchester brass
65 gr REL 22 all landed in the 4 inch shoot n see at 100 yds
overall result erratic no meaningfull groups ie 2 3 inch some even close to 4 inch group
again
nosler 160 gr partition - fed mag primers - winchester brass
65 gr REL 22 all landed in the 4 inch shoot n see at 100 yds

overall result erratic no meaningfull groups ie 2 3 inch some even close to 4 inch group
tried 64 gr Viht 560 with same bullet similar result
again tried 67 gr Viht 560 again similar result scattered group
more or less the same results with hornady sst 162 grain bullet
friend of mine showed me some old relaoding manuels and the powder amounts seem to be a lot higher.
I have also chonographed the 160 nosler with IMR4832 63 gr giving 2930 fps
and 62 gr 2853 fps
nosler book says fps should be 3008 fps and 2934 fps respectively
again accuracy ok in a 4 inch target but no groups to speak of
I will try out some new brass and check concentricity,I am bullet seating to almost maximum to lands
@ 2.752" to ogive

I believe the twist in the finbear is 1-9 1/4 barrel 24inch
sako factory load 140 gr was quite good at 200 yds maybe I should try lighter bullet weights
is this ok with african plains game ?? should I try 140 /150 grain bullets??
can someone give me some ideas
many thanks
Branko

 

[info]

tipo error
read IMR 4831 powder
and 2nd paragraph sould read 63 gr REL 22 for 160 nosler partition

 

[stonecreek]

The problem may or may not be with your loads. Factors like a loose action screw, drifting scope mounts, or something loose inside your scope can spoil your accuracy. Go over the gun and the scope throroughly before searching for another load.

If, after eliminating any other causes, you find that your rifle truly does much better with 140 grain bullets, then they will do about as well as heavier ones. Again, a bullet of good physical integrity like a Nosler Partition, Nosler Accubond, Swift A-Frame, etc. will be of even more importance if you use a lighter bullet.

 

[Anonymous]

info,
If you've had good luck with your reloads before, then the check-list above should help. Is it bedded? Check that, too.
Good Luck,
S-A

 

[info]

Thanks guys
I will check the action screws scope mounts for yr info I am using leupold QD rings/mounts and leupold scope. I dont think the rifle has been bedded will check this as well

 

[info]

Checked today rifle isnt bedded it seems to have the hump/ridge on the inside of the forend.
all action screws ok tight. I did notice that the pin holding the trigger housing was pushed to one side making the housing move about a bit. I dont think this helped have inserted pin in all the way and it stays in place the housing looks secure. will now try same loads again to see what happens.