Remington Long Range 7mm Rem Mag.
- Thread starter pyscodog
- Start date
I have been a Remington 7 Mag freek for a long time.
If you tweek the rifle, 2.5"-3.5" groups at 550 yards are the norm in calm winds.
Here is what I do on them:
*freefloat the barrel with a Gift card thickness around the barrel
*tune trigger to two pounds(old style) or upgrade
*install muzzle break if you want to shoot tiny groups
*Skim coat bed the action, and I like Boyd's or the Remington LSS laminate stocks if you happen
to have a model that has a plastic stock
Now on Loading data, Remingtons seem to be quite similar in the loads they like. I have used Remington brass through the years, so the loads that I give will be with Remington brass. I know that Winchester is tougher brass, but I developed loads through the years with Rem brass, so I just stuck with it.
These loads have shot very well in a number of Rem's with brother's and friends, and the 7 mag with the Remington chambers seem to demand bullets touching the lands until you get to the 162g A max and Berger Bullets.
120g Nosler and Tripple shock
72-73g of R#22
CCI250 (very important)
this load shoots very tiny groups with all bullets touching or opening up a hole
Touch the lands with the Nosler, and jump the Tripple shock (.050 off the lands)
Use 120g V max for coyotes
140g Nosler Ballistic tip or Accubond
65-66g of IMR 4350
Rem 9 1/2 primer
3200-3250 fps
This is a Mack daddy load,and at 550 yards, 2.5-3.5" groups are the norm. While many have stated over the years that they have had trouble with a 140g Nosler ballistic tip, I never have. I have killed two bull elk with the old style bullets that are supposed to blow up often. I can tell you that I think that the Accubond is a real tough bullet for smallish deer. This bullet demands that you touch the lands if you want small groups.
150g Nosler Ballistic tip, Accubond, and 154g Hornady Flat base spt, 154g SST, 150g Sierra
63.0g of IMR 4350
Rem 9 1/2 primer
3100-3150
Touch the lands with the bullet for best accuracy
154g Hornady flat base
Old timmey bullet and this bullet is rated at an elk bullet. I have shot holes through both shoulders on large hogs with the above load, and this is a lot hotter load:
72-73g of R#25
Work up to this load. Early Accurate manuals stated that 72g was max, but Accuracy node in three rem's was at 73g and a Browning A bolt, that particular lot of powder. You will see Accurate 25 vary a tad from lot to lot, so I would start off at 69g
This loads always shot it's best with a Winchester large rifle magnum primer. We guessed that R#25 is hard to ignite.
Seat the 154g on the lands
Velocity is 3200-3250 out of a 26" barrel
162g Hornady SST
Rem's love this bullet seated on the lands
Fed 215 primer
71.0g of Retumbo
3130 fps out of 26" rem barrels
Groups are in the .375 area or a tad lower for three shots, have not shot it at 550
162g SST
Some barrels like this load, but not all
65g of R#22
CCI 250*
Work up to this load in your rifle, it is warm
162g A Max
I shot the above load of Retumbo and all around it. This bullet loves to jump instead of being on the lands, drives me crazy. So, I shoot the 162g SST instead of the A max. So, play with seating depth if you want to shoot this bullet.
I would like to encourage anyone that is wanting a tack driving rifle that the Remington 7 Mags are unreal accurate. These rifles that are tweeked with a muzzle break added will shoot right along side most custom rifles, and I have a bunch of those also. For a guy that likes to shoot bean fields, power lines, or from one ridge to the next, these Remington 7 mags will shock you in how you shoot if you follow as I have outlined. Since I am shooting distances, A 4x16 is minimum of what I like and the Bushnell 4200 is one heck of a deer scope with great low light capability at a modest price. For the longer range scopes, I use the Older Pentax light seeker 8x32, Burris Black Diamond, and older Burris Signatures that were made in the USA. With these high power scopes, a Leica range finder, I and family shoot does in the head at 200-300 yards with boring regularity.
For a guy that has little to no time for load development, the bullet to pick that just works with extreme accuracy is the 140g Nosler BT or Accubond with the load above, I have never seen a Remington or a Browning A bolt that would not shoot that load into very small groups. The norm is to load three shots at 65,65.5,66g of IMR 4350, and your load development will be over in 9 shots.
Primers intensity is of a huge concern in these loads, and brands make a big difference. I could not get a 140g Berger to shoot worth a darn. The 140g Sierra is too explosive to use at these speeds, but does work excellent at 3000 fps.
If you have a teen age son or like a light load that kills very well, the 120g Sierra with 61g of IMR 4350, 9 1/2 primer, at 3000 fps will kick like a 25/06 but kills well. I used this as an antelope load.
I use a split neck case cut one time with a thin Dremel tool cut off wheel, and an ogive gauge. The split neck method will allow you to get repeatability to the 0.001 once you get the hang of using the split neck.
A friend had a goal of wanting to shoot the 162g A max at 3200 after watching a New Zealand guy shoot goats at 1200 yards with that load. So, he ordered a custom Brux 9 twist, #5 contour barrel that finished up at 28" and custom reamer(.2845 thoroat, .190 freebore). He surely gets 3200+ a little with Retumbo with the 162g A max. If you go to You Tube and search New Zealand Goat, you will see some incredible shooting with the 7/300 practical with the 162g A max at 3150-3200 fps. My friend duplicated that velocity and accuracy with about 10-12g less powder.
No doubt that the Remington Long range will be a great shooting rig at a very affordable price, due your due diligence in bedding, etc and expect nothing less than incredible results!
If you tweek the rifle, 2.5"-3.5" groups at 550 yards are the norm in calm winds.
Here is what I do on them:
*freefloat the barrel with a Gift card thickness around the barrel
*tune trigger to two pounds(old style) or upgrade
*install muzzle break if you want to shoot tiny groups
*Skim coat bed the action, and I like Boyd's or the Remington LSS laminate stocks if you happen
to have a model that has a plastic stock
Now on Loading data, Remingtons seem to be quite similar in the loads they like. I have used Remington brass through the years, so the loads that I give will be with Remington brass. I know that Winchester is tougher brass, but I developed loads through the years with Rem brass, so I just stuck with it.
These loads have shot very well in a number of Rem's with brother's and friends, and the 7 mag with the Remington chambers seem to demand bullets touching the lands until you get to the 162g A max and Berger Bullets.
120g Nosler and Tripple shock
72-73g of R#22
CCI250 (very important)
this load shoots very tiny groups with all bullets touching or opening up a hole
Touch the lands with the Nosler, and jump the Tripple shock (.050 off the lands)
Use 120g V max for coyotes
140g Nosler Ballistic tip or Accubond
65-66g of IMR 4350
Rem 9 1/2 primer
3200-3250 fps
This is a Mack daddy load,and at 550 yards, 2.5-3.5" groups are the norm. While many have stated over the years that they have had trouble with a 140g Nosler ballistic tip, I never have. I have killed two bull elk with the old style bullets that are supposed to blow up often. I can tell you that I think that the Accubond is a real tough bullet for smallish deer. This bullet demands that you touch the lands if you want small groups.
150g Nosler Ballistic tip, Accubond, and 154g Hornady Flat base spt, 154g SST, 150g Sierra
63.0g of IMR 4350
Rem 9 1/2 primer
3100-3150
Touch the lands with the bullet for best accuracy
154g Hornady flat base
Old timmey bullet and this bullet is rated at an elk bullet. I have shot holes through both shoulders on large hogs with the above load, and this is a lot hotter load:
72-73g of R#25
Work up to this load. Early Accurate manuals stated that 72g was max, but Accuracy node in three rem's was at 73g and a Browning A bolt, that particular lot of powder. You will see Accurate 25 vary a tad from lot to lot, so I would start off at 69g
This loads always shot it's best with a Winchester large rifle magnum primer. We guessed that R#25 is hard to ignite.
Seat the 154g on the lands
Velocity is 3200-3250 out of a 26" barrel
162g Hornady SST
Rem's love this bullet seated on the lands
Fed 215 primer
71.0g of Retumbo
3130 fps out of 26" rem barrels
Groups are in the .375 area or a tad lower for three shots, have not shot it at 550
162g SST
Some barrels like this load, but not all
65g of R#22
CCI 250*
Work up to this load in your rifle, it is warm
162g A Max
I shot the above load of Retumbo and all around it. This bullet loves to jump instead of being on the lands, drives me crazy. So, I shoot the 162g SST instead of the A max. So, play with seating depth if you want to shoot this bullet.
I would like to encourage anyone that is wanting a tack driving rifle that the Remington 7 Mags are unreal accurate. These rifles that are tweeked with a muzzle break added will shoot right along side most custom rifles, and I have a bunch of those also. For a guy that likes to shoot bean fields, power lines, or from one ridge to the next, these Remington 7 mags will shock you in how you shoot if you follow as I have outlined. Since I am shooting distances, A 4x16 is minimum of what I like and the Bushnell 4200 is one heck of a deer scope with great low light capability at a modest price. For the longer range scopes, I use the Older Pentax light seeker 8x32, Burris Black Diamond, and older Burris Signatures that were made in the USA. With these high power scopes, a Leica range finder, I and family shoot does in the head at 200-300 yards with boring regularity.
For a guy that has little to no time for load development, the bullet to pick that just works with extreme accuracy is the 140g Nosler BT or Accubond with the load above, I have never seen a Remington or a Browning A bolt that would not shoot that load into very small groups. The norm is to load three shots at 65,65.5,66g of IMR 4350, and your load development will be over in 9 shots.
Primers intensity is of a huge concern in these loads, and brands make a big difference. I could not get a 140g Berger to shoot worth a darn. The 140g Sierra is too explosive to use at these speeds, but does work excellent at 3000 fps.
If you have a teen age son or like a light load that kills very well, the 120g Sierra with 61g of IMR 4350, 9 1/2 primer, at 3000 fps will kick like a 25/06 but kills well. I used this as an antelope load.
I use a split neck case cut one time with a thin Dremel tool cut off wheel, and an ogive gauge. The split neck method will allow you to get repeatability to the 0.001 once you get the hang of using the split neck.
A friend had a goal of wanting to shoot the 162g A max at 3200 after watching a New Zealand guy shoot goats at 1200 yards with that load. So, he ordered a custom Brux 9 twist, #5 contour barrel that finished up at 28" and custom reamer(.2845 thoroat, .190 freebore). He surely gets 3200+ a little with Retumbo with the 162g A max. If you go to You Tube and search New Zealand Goat, you will see some incredible shooting with the 7/300 practical with the 162g A max at 3150-3200 fps. My friend duplicated that velocity and accuracy with about 10-12g less powder.
No doubt that the Remington Long range will be a great shooting rig at a very affordable price, due your due diligence in bedding, etc and expect nothing less than incredible results!
Last edited:
xphunter
Well-known member
Originally Posted By: fw707
The 162 A-Max usually work well and won't break the bank.
Ditto!
I just used a 7 RM and the 162 A-Max for a buck antelope and it all worked out good.
I used Hornady brass this time around, and H-1000. With a small 3.5-10 I ran it to 600 yards just using the reticle.
My very first group with the A-Max with a guess load was under .3 shooting off of a bipod.
I also use the A-Max in my 7mm SAUM. The A-Max's have not been picky for me at all
The 162 A-Max usually work well and won't break the bank.
Ditto!
I just used a 7 RM and the 162 A-Max for a buck antelope and it all worked out good.
I used Hornady brass this time around, and H-1000. With a small 3.5-10 I ran it to 600 yards just using the reticle.
My very first group with the A-Max with a guess load was under .3 shooting off of a bipod.
I also use the A-Max in my 7mm SAUM. The A-Max's have not been picky for me at all
I'm not sure everyone is familiar with the Remington 700 Long Range. But if you are, this is the ones who aren't. Its already in a Bell & Carlson M-40 stock with the aluminum bedding block, (doesn't mean it won't get bedded) 26" heavy barrel with a 9.25 twist, and I played with the trigger and got it down to a livable use poundage for now. A muzzle break will be added in the near future I hope. Thanks ackleyman for the load info and tuning tips and to all others posters as well.I've always had a soft spot for the 7mm Mag. They are hammers.
nastynatesfish
Active member
You don't need a break on the 7 mag. A good stock will help control the recoil. I've never been a fan of brakes.
My rifle has a 26" barrel, I run 140 bergers and 162 amax. 53.5gr H4831 give me 2985fps. I use 54gr for the Berger
My rifle has a 26" barrel, I run 140 bergers and 162 amax. 53.5gr H4831 give me 2985fps. I use 54gr for the Berger
nastynatesfish
Active member
It's a good rifle. Had it together since 2007
xphunter
Well-known member
You may not need a brake, but I sure prefer them for sustained shooting.
I am pretty convinced that most people will shoot better with a good brake with sustained shooting than they will without in a 7RM class rifle, especially from the prone position.
Weight of the gun and weight of the bullet also play a part here.
When teaching people to shoot (Not talking LEO or MIl here), I have found that the majority of people do better with a brake, and enjoy it more.
I am pretty convinced that most people will shoot better with a good brake with sustained shooting than they will without in a 7RM class rifle, especially from the prone position.
Weight of the gun and weight of the bullet also play a part here.
When teaching people to shoot (Not talking LEO or MIl here), I have found that the majority of people do better with a brake, and enjoy it more.
it is hard to imagine just how good a Remington 7 mag shoots at 400-550 yards with a 162, no kidding.
At the Elberton Gun club, they have a 400 yd rifle range. We sat up 20 of the Mini Clay pigeons that are only 2 3/4" in dia, not like the large ones you are normally used to thinking of.
I ran 20 of the mini's without missing with a 8-32 scope. We cooled the barrel every 10 shots with a 50/50 mix of rubbing alcohol/water. Then my buddy shot the pieces that were left that were half to quarter the size of the 2 3/4" mini clay pigeon.
The secret: bullet seating depth is HUGE...can't stress this enough!
At the Elberton Gun club, they have a 400 yd rifle range. We sat up 20 of the Mini Clay pigeons that are only 2 3/4" in dia, not like the large ones you are normally used to thinking of.
I ran 20 of the mini's without missing with a 8-32 scope. We cooled the barrel every 10 shots with a 50/50 mix of rubbing alcohol/water. Then my buddy shot the pieces that were left that were half to quarter the size of the 2 3/4" mini clay pigeon.
The secret: bullet seating depth is HUGE...can't stress this enough!