New 7mm Dakota that Len Built

[Len Backus]

Doug, I just got back from a range session with Dennis Fleischer, fellow Wisconsin XP100 handgun shooter. So here is your target picture that you emailed to me.



Looks pretty good. I love it when they shoot that well right off the bat without any load development.

For the record, that was the conservative starter load that I suggested. My personal clone rifle uses a few more grains of the same powder and bullet but work up carefully.

Remember, Doug. The velocity with a given weight of powder will continue to increase as the round count goes up to maybe 60 rounds. So wait a while to start collecting drop data for use in ordering your custom Huskemaw turret cap.

[dougrosa]

Thanks. I bumped the poweder up to 75 gn today chrono was showing 3000 - 3040 no sign of pressure problems. How far from the lands do you seat your bullets? I have shot 40 rnds so far. cleaning every round for the first 10 then every 3 to 5 since.

[Len Backus]

Unless you are actually still seeing lots of coppering after 3 to 5 shots, it is probably time to settle into 25 shots between cleaning.

Here is a link to Berger's article on OAL and distance to lands. Erick Stecker explains it better than I can.