Hey Kirby……….I think she’s gonna be a shooter

[ss7mm]

Went out today with my hunting buddy to do some fire forming and last minute check of guns, scopes etc. The 7mm AM has close to 100 rounds down the tube and I think maybe she's gonna be a shooter.

At 100 yards, using fire form loads and Wildcat 200 grain ULD RBBT's it's pretty much always all holes touching or even sometimes just a ragged hole. Shot it at 300 and got a couple of ¾" groups, but in the playing etc. the target got trashed.

Moved the target back to 400 yards and shot this group which is pretty typical of what it does at 400 yards.

When I got done at 400 and we were gonna start busting rocks at various ranges and have some fun, my buddy picked up the target and called me on the radio and said shoot this. He had an old bottle of medicine that had expired and set it on a post at 400 yards and said shoot this. A couple of minutes later the little bottle got drilled dead center and flew up about 25' or so and the contents just went up in a mist. Never did find all of the pieces. This is a pic of his new bottle, which is the exact duplicate of the one that vaporized, beside a fire form load for comparison.

One thing we do when playing and practicing is to pick a target, rock, etc. that is 1 moa or less for the range, and then tell the other to hit it. We did this at ranges up to 700 yards and the 'ol 7mm AM never missed. Elk season starts Saturday and I sure hope I can get a chance. Can't wait until after hunting season and get to some serious load testing. For now these fire form loads will handle the job just fine. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Eaglet]

ss7mm,
It would really be my dream rifle if it was mine!!!
When I first read about the 7mm AM I just had a good gut feeling about it. I just wished there was a powder from Hodgdon that would not be weather sensitive. You know what I mean? That would not cause any bridging. It's my understanding you're using ball powder, correct?
In any event, enjoy your rifle, you really got something special. Good Hunting!!!!!!!!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Fiftydriver]

Dick,

Well, There have been tighter groups punched at 400 yards but with this type of power and bullets I think around 1/4 moa is pretty good. I think that one meets my 1/2 moa requirement so there will be no refunds on that one. I would be willing to buy it back from you though /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif!!!

I have a feeling any elk that you get within a half mile of will be in serious trouble, keep us posted.

Filled a mule deer doe tag tonight with the 257 AM at 560 yards. I posted the story on the Hunting board.

Good work on the 7mm, keep us posted, even the fireforming loads look pretty sexy in that big horse, the formed 7mm AM loads are nothing short of firearm pornography /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif!!!

Good Shooting!!

Kirby Allen(50)

 

[Fiftydriver]

Eaglet,

Hodgdon is supposed to be releasing a new powder called US869 which is a very slow burning ball powder that is supposed to be nearly as temp change resistant as their extreme stick powders. I will be looking to get this powder and test it for sure when its available!!!

Kirby Allen(50)

 

[ss7mm]

Eaglet:

I kinda like the new 7 too. As soon as I heard rumors about it I contacted Kirby and got the ball rolling on the new gun.

I'm using WC872 and it's really not a big deal having to have a cold weather and hot weather load. Just look at it as if you have another new gun and have to work up another new load. I enjoy working up new loads and seeing what it takes to make it shoot great.

 

[ss7mm]

Kirby:

Yeah, this is a pretty big group at 400 but she's really starting to shoot now with a few rounds down the tube. I expect to reduce this quite a bit with some load testing after hunting season. Still though, in a hunting gun with these big slugs and just a randomly picked fire form load with no testing, it's not too bad.

Seems like just about anything you put in these AM's shoots pretty good.

As far as buying it back………….I don't think it's for sale. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Eaglet]

Thanks Kirby, I've been waiting for the release of that powder and hoping that the 7mm AM would like it. I'm sure the second is available you'd like to put your hands on it! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

ss7mm, glad for you, keep us posted on this new project. Do not sell that gun, not even to Kirby...hehehe /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif