I am brand new to reloading as this will be my FIRST time ever….Please take it easy on me as I’m as green as possible. I looked up best reloading kits and went with backfire intermediate for everything.
I am looking for a load from start to finish I have brass from hornady precision hunter.
It will be about out of a sig sauer cross sawtooth 7prc
Welcome! What are you hoping to do with the load? Hunting or range? Does your state require copper?
Also, have you bought any load data books yet?
I have not bought any books yet. Next on the list.
Would be for hunting
State of Pennsylvania
Any idea which bullets you would like to try?
Was hoping someone was reloading that round with that gun and has some insight.
Guessing hornady eldx
Ok. Thanks for indulging our questions. Here’s where I would start the load development.
Brass - I would definitely buy some new cheap brass. Hornady brass would be fine. I know you have some once-fired but as a new loader, it’s WAY harder to resize cases than to just make a new load in fresh brass. For your first batch, I would load new brass. Eventually you’ll want nice brass like Peterson, Lapua, but for the first time I’m sure you’ll make mistakes and you don’t want to ruin the nice stuff.
Bullet - Berger 175 Elite Hunter and Hornady 175 ELDX would be on the top of my list.
Powder - Everyone wishes we had a big supply of Reloder 26 but it’s impossible to find. Your best bet is probably N-565 which is a very good alternative. N-570 is good as well. You could also use H1000 or H4831sc but you won’t quite get the max velocity.
Primer - Federal 215
I like everything Jim just said above. The only thing I would add is that for your first load development, keep it simple stupid.
Pick a cartridge length that works for your rifle and magazine, pick a powder charge that isn’t busting at the seams, load some up typically 10 to 15 and see how that works. If it sucks immediately move on to a new powder- bullet combo. If it does work, load up some more in test some more. Your first load is definitely not the time to start doing things with playing with 0.001 seating depth changes or any type of ladder test, etc.( quite frankly I’ve gotten away from that completely myself, but there are still plenty people who believe in them)
Your first several load should be focusing on getting the mechanics of reloading right, not making a quarter minute group
Good luck
If you are not ready to invest in a reloading book quite yet I would download the Hornady reloading app for your phone. From there you can purchase the 7 PRC data for around a buck. Stick to published recipes from respected sources while you are learning.
One other thing as you jump in: spend some time really learning everything before you start. Getting a case stuck in your sizing die is really a bad day! My favorite lubricant is Hornady OneShot.
I would recommend sticking with the SAAMI specs initially for COL, and one powder with varied amounts in 0.5gr increments, and as you get more experience, you can change additional variables.
I am basically doing the same thing as the OP, but here in May '26. I have been looking at books and could use recommendations. I know my 7PRC does really well with ELDx out of Federal and my 6.5 CM does well with Norma Bondstrikes and Sig Marksman.
What books should I be looking to get?
Blockquote
Powder - Everyone wishes we had a big supply of Reloder 26 but it’s impossible to find. Your best bet is probably N-565 which is a very good alternative. N-570 is good as well. You could also use H1000 or H4831sc but you won’t quite get the max velocity.
ChatGPT is telling me that H1000 generally is a better powder to 7PRC for Speed and heavier bullets. I only want to buy once, so can someone confirm N-565 is definitely the better choice?
I just loaded up 40 rounds with H1000, 175gr ELDX, once-fired Hornady brass. Trying to fine tune the powder load, but happy with what I’m getting. No issues with H1000 here.
59.9 grains
60.9 grains
62.5 grains
Winchester magnum primers
What kind of speed are you getting?
And if your going to use N565 Vihtavuori has a reloading app for their powders. Nosler, Barnes and Hodgon have reloading data on the internet.
I use N565 in my 6.5prc with 150g ablr and 156g berger eol. H4831sc with 127g Lrx, and 180g TSX for my 300WM.
I agree with the first few batches to focus on the mechanics of reloading.
Best of luck.
Hey Ben. I’m not sure on the speed. I don’t have a chrono. I like tiny groups more than fast ones I guess
I’m very much in the same boat but am fortunate enought to have a mentor with a PhD and 40 years experience with reloading while living in Alaska. He and I have found that out of my Bergara Wilderness Sierra (albiet left handed) that we are getting the best velocity/group relationship with H1000 and Retumbo. I also have some Ramshot Grand loaded up but haven’t shot yet. We are consistently just over a half minute in the 2915fps range with the retumbo at 67gr shooting a Barnes LRX 168. The H1000 is also just over a half minute at 2880fps at 65.5gr.
The one thing we won’t learn the hard way is something Jim talks about in his reloading course… Humidity control in your powder jugs!