Long Ogives Fast Twist What Powders?

[Rocky Raab]

Ben, I'll answer here in lieu of your email.

There shouldn't be any reason why a 1-9" barrel won't stabilize bullets in the 150-160 grain bracket. Are you certain they are unstable, or do they just shoot into 1.75" groups. Unless te holes are oblong, it isn't a stability problem.

Those are the correct powders for the 7mm Mag. I wouldn't go to a faster burn rate powder at all. What I'd do first is to settle on a single off-lands depth (in this case, try .050") and back down on the powder charge to about 5% less than book max for whatever powder you choose. Work up a little at a time and see if the groups don't shrink a bit. Once you find the best potential load, then jiggle the seating depth a bit either way.

For most game, and certainly for most big game, a 1.75 or 1.5" group at 100 yards is more than sufficient. That'll still anchor any deer/elk out to 300 yards, I promise.