IMR 7977

[RprtasteforLR]

Rifle setup in question is for my RPR 300 win mag 26" barrel 1:9 twist. I've always loaded berger 230g hybrid bullets with Nosler brass and h1000 with excellent results at 1k yard. However h1000 doesn't exist anymore ! Only thing i can find right now is IMR 7977. Has anyone used this powder with the berger 230s and what were your recipes and results. Thank you !

 

[Steel head]

In my 7 saum H1000 and 7977 performed almost identically but 7977 was about 10 fps slower with identical charges.

 

[RprtasteforLR]

So in theory I could work up my loads with my same ladder test I used for h1000?

 

[Steel head]

So in theory I could work up my loads with my same ladder test I used for h1000?

I would as long as a bit of caution was used.
Powders can act a bit different in different cartridges but if it was me I’d work up using your H1000 data.

 

[RprtasteforLR]

I would as long as a bit of caution was used.
Powders can act a bit different in different cartridges but if it was me I’d work up using your H1000 data.

Alright thanks for the input. I just can't believe how scarce H1000 is these days.

 

[Steel head]

Alright thanks for the input. I just can't believe how scarce H1000 is these days.

Well between the possible gov contracts, current buying frenzy and popularity of magnums now it certainly gotten interesting
There was a push of H1000 about a month ago.
I haven’t seen retumbo in almost two years.
Thankfully I’ve been able to get a good stash of R26 and a few others.

 

[RprtasteforLR]

Currently I can only get imr 7977 so I'm hoping that works out till h1000 is back.

 

[supercorndogs]

I like 7977, but I have only used it with 208 a max in the 300wm. It worked great in my 243AI and 280 Remington also.

 

[RprtasteforLR]

I like 7977, but I have only used it with 208 a max in the 300wm. It worked great in my 243AI and 280 Remington also.

Once my shipment arrives and I do a ladder test I'll post my results compared to h1000.

 

[supercorndogs]

Where I landed with the 208 was real to close to where most land with the 208 and h1000. My chromo was broken when I did load development so i don't know the MV. Then i found a smoking deal on a 280 barrel and bolt. Now my long action is wearing that.

 

[Desert_Racer]

Anyone have some word on 7977?

 

[RprtasteforLR]

Anyone have some word on 7977?

Its in stock at powder valley right now

 

[Desert_Racer]

Just want to know if its as good as H1000 before I buy it.

 

[RprtasteforLR]

Just want to know if its as good as H1000 before I buy it.

I havent loaded it yet because I found h1000 at powder valley after subscribing to some groups for in stock notifications. Got 5 lbs 3 weeks ago

 

[Desert_Racer]

Fuck it, I'm all in. Beggars can't be choosers right now. Ordered some 208 Hybrids to try as well, since 208 ELDMs are unobtanium.

 

[RprtasteforLR]

I shoot berger 230 g hybrids and have always been able to find them. Not sure what caliber you shoot

 

[Desert_Racer]

300WM. I tried as heavy as 225 ELD-Ms. Pushed them out to just under a mile with decent success, but I had to run them pretty hot. My barrel likes the 208's a little more and that load is a little easier on the brass, so I have been going with them primarily.

 

[jeffreybehr]

Anyone have some word on 7977?

Uhh...am I missing something Sergeant?. I see LOTS of words on 7977.

 

[Desert_Racer]

Uhh...am I missing something Sergeant?. I see LOTS of words on 7977.

It's supposed to be very close to H1000, and it appears to be in stock in a few places.

 

[Rocketmandb]

Ordered some 208 Hybrids to try as well, since 208 ELDMs are unobtanium.

I'm a fan of the big Bergers over the ELDMs regardless. I haven't shot 300WM since I rechambered mine a couple years ago, but I always preferred similar weight Berger hybrids over their Hornady counterparts.

 

[Steel head]

Just want to know if its as good as H1000 before I buy it.

I tried it in my 7 saum and a buddies 338NM.
It behaved almost identical to H1000 in both.

 

[JBarton]

I've had good luck with H4831sc pushing 200 and 220gr ELDX. Got my hands on some h1000 and am now in love.
I did pick up a couple pounds of 8133 to try and have been contemplating purchasing a few pounds of the 7977 to. Im curious to see how people like it.

 

[jlficken]

I bought 17lbs from Powder Valley for after I use up the remaining 15lbs of H1000 that I have.

I'm tired of Varget/H4350/H1000 always being out of stock.

Happily I have a whole bunch of Varget around.

I also got 17lbs of 4451 just in case I ever get a 260 Remington barrel for the AIAT.

I hate that I have to buy powder for calibers that I don't even own yet

 

[Desert_Racer]

Where I landed with the 208 was real to close to where most land with the 208 and h1000. My chromo was broken when I did load development so i don't know the MV. Then i found a smoking deal on a 280 barrel and bolt. Now my long action is wearing that.

Would you mind posting your data with both 7977 and H1000, for comparison?

 

[supercorndogs]

74-75g with he 208 a max seemed to be the area i wanted. I have never used h1000. I shot out my first 300wm barrel with H4831SC and 4000MR.

 

[Desert_Racer]

I gave 7977 a try today. It was primarily a quick run to get some data. My magneto speed was giving me a hassle, so I will be repeating the test. It might be just the jug I got, bit it is substantially slower than H1000.

My go to load is:
208 ELDM
Norma Brass
CCI Magnum Primer
2.860" COAL at Ogive
78.0gr H1000
MV today was 3080 avg out of a 23.5" Lilja with a can

With 7977 and 208 Hybrid Target today:
77.3 - 2934 avg, SD 12
77.6 - 2949 avg, SD 3 (seemed accurate, but did not fire enough rounds to know)
78.0 - 2960 (Magnetospeed wasn't getting a reading every time and only recorded one shot)
78.3 (very slightly compressed, charge dispensed with no drop tube) - 2971 (same issue with magnetospeed)

No pressure issues with any of these charge weights. I plan on redoing with 77.6 - 78.9 (if it fits)

 

[Mr Tibbs]

IMR-7977 is faster than H1000 according to the burn rate chart. But here’s some load data.http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifle

 

[Steel head]

IMR-7977 is faster than H1000 according to the burn rate chart. But here’s some load data.http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifle

In my usage it acted a tiny bit slower.
similar to H4350/IMR4451, needed just a smidge more to attain the same speed as hodgdon powder.

 

[Mr Tibbs]

Steel head: your results are not uncommon, different powders perform different in different cases

 

[Desert_Racer]

IMR-7977 is faster than H1000 according to the burn rate chart. But here’s some load data.http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifle

This did not check with reality. I did find an independent burn rate chart that showed 7977 actually being slower than H1000, which checks with what I have so far. Again, my magnetospeed was acting up, and I will be repeating my test shortly.

 

[supercorndogs]

Is anyone out there loading with 8133? I know 7977 is slower but 8133 seems to be plentiful as well and I'm wondering how it works out for the .30 magnums. I have 10 pounds I need to figure a good use for.

Incorrect, 8133 is the slowest Enduron powder.

 

[Desert_Racer]

Redid my load development today with IMR 7977. Can confirm it is most certainly slower than H1000 in the 300WM, by about 1 full grain in my test.

Baseline (my go-to H1000 load)
Norma 300WM brass
CCI 250 primer
208 Hybrid Target (or ELDM)
2.850" OAL (Ogive)
78.0gr H1000
3038 fps avg, SD 11 in today's conditions
____________________________________________

IMR 7977 Test
Norma 300 WM brass
CCI 250 primer
208 Hybrid Target
2.850" OAL (Ogive)

Charge Weight	Speed (5 Shot Avg)	SD	Notes
77.3	2943	11.5
77.6	2947	6.4	Sub-MOA
78.0	2966	4.5
78.3	2995	8.1
78.6c	3020	11.6	Slight ejector marks, Sub-MOA
78.9c	3036	7.6	Ejector Marks, same POI as baseline H1000 load

I am really liking 7977. Even outside of the nodes I had discovered using H1000, the accuracy across the board was better than H1000 with lower SDs. The brass was virgin with essentially no case prep, so I expect the SDs to drop on the second firing.

 

[supercorndogs]

What reamer was your barrel cut with? I got ejector marks on few of pieces of brass at 75.5.

 

[Desert_Racer]

@supercorndogs No idea. What brass/bullet combination was this with? When did you buy your lot of 7977. Maybe i just got a really slow lot.

 

[supercorndogs]

What kind of rifle or barrel?

I am interested to put my 300WM barrel back on and see what the velocity numbers look like now that i have my chromo back again.

 

[Desert_Racer]

23.5" Lilja, 10 twist on a Tac300 action. Essentially a Mk13 Mod7 I had put together, with a couple differences. I asked for the same Mk13 reamer used to run Mk248 Mod 1 spec ammo, but my smith didn't have it. Pretty sure they used a standard 300WM reamer.

 

[supraguy88t]

I purchased some 7977 about a month ago but have not tested it yet but I have started seeing H1000 start to pop up here and there at my local reloading stores in the last week

 

[supercorndogs]

@supercorndogs No idea. What brass/bullet combination was this with? When did you buy your lot of 7977. Maybe i just got a really slow lot.

FC 13 brass. I bought the 7977 a couple years ago for my 243AI. I have wondered if the marks I saw were from headspace on new brass, and not chamber pressure. I was also wondering if yours was reamed for MK248 ammo. I was looking for reamer prints, but i couldn't find any. I always assumed the MK248 had a longer freebore. Mine is a Criterion Remage barrel. I am not sure what reamer they use either. I guess i need to just go switch barrels, and chronograph some. I need to take it out anyway. I have some dry neck lubed vs non dry necked lubed .308 rounds that have been aging for a year. That I want to run over the chromo also.

 

[Dead Eye Dick]

7977 has become my goto powder for .25-06. Best velocity I have obtained with my Weatherby and very good accuracy using Berger 115’s.

Taken down one deer with this powder / bullet combination this year. Very satisfied with the results.

 

[supercorndogs]

It was good in my 243AI and 280 Remington also. Probably a little on the slow side for the 280.