cdherman
Well-Known Member
Hi. I've not been on the board in too long, but have been busy with life etc...
I have a 7mm SAUM, savage action, Shilen match grade stainless barrel 26", on a laminate fully bedded (barrel floated) stock.
I have a large supply of Berger 168 and 180 VLD bullets. The gun now has about 500 rounds down the barrel. About 4 at deer. The rest in my vain attempts to get it to shoot as good as I desire. I've tried various depths, primers, powders etc etc.
I got about .75" at 100 yards with the RP brass, sorted for weight, primer pockets reamed, flash holes reamed, etc etc. Not neck turned, or annealed, but just about all else... Gets better with once fired and the shoulder bumped back only 3-5 thou. But not better than .75 Tried the new Norma case offering in 7 SAUM. No better....
Second Chapter. I picked up a used 6.5x55 Tikka T3 Lightwieght from a friend. Could not get any .264 Berger bullets at the time, so settled for some Hornady A-Max 140gr pills. I have the stupid little T3 shooting bug holes with the A-max. I know, not a hunting bullet. But sure killed a deer this year....
Question:
-- I am tired of chasing 1000 yard accuracy and performance with Berger. Sorry. Need a break. I'd like my 7mm SAUM to at least be reliable to say 500 yards, maybe 600. I am painfully reluctant to wound game at long ranges. I want .5 MOA or so.
-- Suggest a bullet. I am thinking of the .284 a-max 162 grain. Just because it was so nice in my Tikka.
Thanks in advance... I tried searches, but had no luck....
I have a 7mm SAUM, savage action, Shilen match grade stainless barrel 26", on a laminate fully bedded (barrel floated) stock.
I have a large supply of Berger 168 and 180 VLD bullets. The gun now has about 500 rounds down the barrel. About 4 at deer. The rest in my vain attempts to get it to shoot as good as I desire. I've tried various depths, primers, powders etc etc.
I got about .75" at 100 yards with the RP brass, sorted for weight, primer pockets reamed, flash holes reamed, etc etc. Not neck turned, or annealed, but just about all else... Gets better with once fired and the shoulder bumped back only 3-5 thou. But not better than .75 Tried the new Norma case offering in 7 SAUM. No better....
Second Chapter. I picked up a used 6.5x55 Tikka T3 Lightwieght from a friend. Could not get any .264 Berger bullets at the time, so settled for some Hornady A-Max 140gr pills. I have the stupid little T3 shooting bug holes with the A-max. I know, not a hunting bullet. But sure killed a deer this year....
Question:
-- I am tired of chasing 1000 yard accuracy and performance with Berger. Sorry. Need a break. I'd like my 7mm SAUM to at least be reliable to say 500 yards, maybe 600. I am painfully reluctant to wound game at long ranges. I want .5 MOA or so.
-- Suggest a bullet. I am thinking of the .284 a-max 162 grain. Just because it was so nice in my Tikka.
Thanks in advance... I tried searches, but had no luck....