Im looking for a reduced load to use 100-120gr bullets for varmints (particularly coyotes) without blowing the critters completely apart. Can anyone lead me in the right direction?

I'm sure Sam or someone will pop in here with a load using Red Dot or Unique or something, but, until then, I don't know if we can get you exactly what you're looking for or not, but, we can probably get close.

The only reduced loads I've ever done specifically for the 7RMag involved 40 - 42 IMR or H 4895, IMR 4320 and Accurate or IMR 4064 and 175 grain bullets (IMR 3031, RL 15, and Varget will work, too). With 175 grainers, those loads generate around 2200 - 2300 FPS, so, using the same loads with lighter weight bullets will probably generate the velocities you're looking for. You'll have to use a chrono to check for certain.

To get reliable ignition at such low load densities, you should crimp the bullets snugly, if they have cannelures, lightly if they don't, and, in any event, BE SURE TO USE MAGNUM PRIMERS. The small amounts of powder we're talking about tend to get "lost" in such big cases.

One other thing you might try is an e-mail to Accurate Arms http://www.accuratepowder.com/askatech.html and tell them what you're looking for. They make a powder, XMP5744, specifically for reduced loads. It's bulkier, to take up more space, and very easily ignited. It's quite popular in big cases, like 45-70 and other old BP rounds. I've used it a good bit for reduced loads in the 416 RMag and 350 RMag. It's a good one.

IMR also makes SR4759 specifically for reduced loads. At the IMR website for the 7RMag http://www.imrpowder.com/rifle/7mmrm_index.html they list a max load for 4759 and 120 grain Hornadys, so, you can work backwards from there to hit your target (pun!! ) velocity.

If it were me, I think I'd use a 130 or 140 grain bullet, since there will be little expansion at those speeds anyway, and your trajectory will be better.

R-WEST

Do NOT use a powder slower than R15/I4320/I4064 for greatly (more than 10%) reduced loads. Check the burn rate chart http://www.reloadbench.com/burn.html We discussed the whys/wherefores in one of your early posts, so, there's no need to rehash it here. There are powders that work much better for reduced loads anyway, so, why not use them?

and

NEVER use Ball type powders (W748, H380, etc..) in reduced (more than 10%) loads. A lot of this may stem from the very early days of Ball powder production, when the various deterrent coatings used on them made ignition difficult under normal loading density situations (one of the reasons the Speer manual recommends use of Magnum primers in ANY caliber when using Ball powders), and, even more iffy under the low pressure conditions of greatly reduced loads as you contemplate. As noted earlier, there are much better powder choices available to you for what you want to do, so, take advantage of them.

BTW - Eventually you'll want to go the other way (heavier bullets and high velocity) with your 7 RMag, so, see if you can scrounge up some I7828 and H1000 (see, we're starting to drag you down with the rest of us - "that car payment can wait, I need MORE POWDER". hehehe) to use for 160's and 175's.

R-WEST

The Lyman cast bullet manual recommends the following powders behind a 120 grain cast bullet. Can be used with jacketed starting with minimum loads. I don't have any experience using filler, hopefully somone else on this forum can help.

Red Dot- 18 to 21 grains-2084 to 2270 fps-31,500 to 40,700 cup
700X- 14 to 18.5 grains-1793 to 2112 fps-25,200 to 38,100 cup
Green Dot 16 to 18 grains-1924 to 2020 fps-24,600 to29,400 cup

We have been talking about the "reduced loads" on the other post. My basic point "was" to research the manufacturers powder data for "loads" that you can take from the manual and load up bullets on the minimum load data. Not necessarily taking a powder like IMR 4350 and putting in corn meal to fill up the case.

Since some reduced charges only fill a small portion of the case (Red Dot, for example), there is a very real chance of double-charging a case if you are not paying attention, a dangerous mistake. These partially filled loadings may also require a filler to keep the powder near the primer (Dacron or kapok is the usual choice), or require the shooter to elevate the muzzle after chambering the cartridge in order to move the powder near the primer’s flash hole. This latter action may not always be convenient in the field.

My point was that you can load up a bullet like the 115gr or 120gr bullet in the 7Mag and shoot loads that are on the minimum side. A lot of us reloaders(me included) will look at the tables and always look at the maximum side to see how fast we can get the bullet to go and to develop a real barn burner.

SO LETS GET OFF THE WORDS "REDUCED LOADS". MY FAULT FOR USING THE TERM. NOW LETS REFER TO IT AS "MINIMUM ESTABLISHED MANUFACTURERS LOAD DATA"!!!!!!

I.E.

Taken from the Accurate Arms tables:

7Mag
Speer 115gr. Hollow Point
Accurate Arms 8700 @71.1grs
2560 fps.

R-West gave you some great information on this and some suggestions on loads, powder plus suggesting you contact the manufacturers on "reduced loads".

Again, my point was look at the minimum side of the reloading tables, follow directions and don't be in such a hurry to "get the most" out of a cartridge.

For plinking and shooting varmints the 7mag will be fun to shoot with the 115grs and 120 grs. Speer has a 110 gr "TNT" hollow point that would be great for Coyote and at 2500 to 2600 fps should break up nicely.

For those of you talking about cast bullets, I dont know what it is about them, but Im leary of using them for some reason...not to mention I dont have the equipment to produce them (although Im sure I could find a place to order some If I looked).

The comment about the pressure buildup beeing dangerous in a reduced load has me scratching my head...maybe Im wrong, but I had the understanding that there would be less pressure in a reduced load (assuming the charge wasnt so reduced that the bullet lodges in the barrel)....I would think the lack of pressure would be the issue??????

As for beeing exact on the velocities, Im not terribly worried about that quite yet....as long as they are not producing excessive pressure, or keeping a bullet stuck in the barrel, I can work with it (not sure that came out quite right)...anyway, point beeing I have no access to a chrono right now, and 2200-2300 is close enough to 2000 for the time beeing....although the 2500 range may just work out ok.

Also call Hodgdon Powder and ask them for data using H4895. They have published reduced load also.

Finally call IMR powders if you need to. I provided a load from the IMR website using jacketed 120 grain bullets and SR 4759 which is similiar to XMP 5744.

Of the three powders which are common for reduced load listed in manuals I prefer XMP 5744 because it is position insensitive. That means that the position of the powder in the case isn't an issue for consistant ignition. Don't get me wrong all powders will ignite. It's just that you can get erratic velocities with some of the other powders. One time you may get 2000 fps and the next time you may get 2100 or 1900 fps. Nothing major but if you are looking for accuracy the consist velocities are a must.

Speer 115gr. Hollow Point
Accurate Arms 8700 @71.1grs
2560 fps.
CCI 200 primer