pondskipper
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 23, 2010
- Messages
- 296
If it's temp stability and accuracy you are after then H1000 or 4831sc Are definitely going to be your answer and In that order!
Temp tolerance is important, give IMR 7977 a try. It's one of their new Enduron powders that are temp stable. I have not had good stability with any of the RL powders I've tried.Thanks everyone for the suggestions.
To answer a few of the questions...
Seating Bergers .015" off the lands...
I have a couple of other rifles I reload for .243 and 7mm-08 that I have shooting .5" out to 600 yards...
I think I will start with some other powder options (H1000 and RL23 - need temp tolerant loads for developing in Texas and shooting Elk in MT) and then start again with several bullets that I have to see if I can get some more accurate loads... 160 NOS Accubonds, 162 and 175g Hornady ELD-X... I have my work cut out for me...
One again, appreciate everyone weighing in on their experiences. What makes this forum great.
tb
This is likely one of your problems. I have a hard time believing a semi custom rifle with a good barrel won't show any promise with several load weights. I do know some rifles absolutely hate certain powder for no apparent reason.A few posters mentioned the rifle or mounts. The rifle must be absolutely sound first. I have encountered quite a few custom rifles that had issues when delivered. I finally made a list to remind me of things to check to ensure the rifle is sound.
rifles with blind hole like a Ruger check front action screw hole in bottom for epoxy
Action screw bottoming out in blind hole
Leupold windage style base windage side screws not tight
Ruger rings not in recesses
Forward screw of front base touching threads of barrel shank this could pertain to your rifle
Poor crown, optimal way is to check with bore scope
Action screw holes in stock too small, drill larger so sides of action screw won't touch
Bolt handle touching stock
Mag box must not bind
Recoil lug making early contact in bottom of bedding (rocking action)
Trigger group must not touch stock
Trigger guard must not touch trigger
Uneven bedding--- tightening one action screw to see if the action pulls up at other end.
Action screws properly torqued
Barrel having adequate clearance where it is supposed to be floated
Clean bore
This will give you some things to check before trying other loads.
Ross
well to start i read that your .050" off the lands with 180 VLD's???? they are way more picky than the hybrids!!! start at lands hard touch and move back ill bet it will come in either at, or somewhere around .010" off they love to be "Right Tight" with the lands and id stay with retumbo that is my go to for the 7mag and the 180 bullets usually will run 3100 or dam close with single dig ES and 1/4 moa accuracy!!
but like all have said before strip the gun down and check all possibilities first then go back to range with some kissing the lands.
This is sound advise! With a magnum your shooting position and consistency vs accuracy is magnified vs smaller cartridges shooting lighter projectiles. I shot near half the life out of a light 300rum build looking for a really good load. I was shooting from a sitting position at a bench for most of it. Finally flopped down in the dirt with a bipod and rear bag then boom! Same load shooting 3/4 shot 1/4 repeatable. That is where I'm most consistent I've since learned. Others I'm sure are different. May not be the issue but it's something I don't think gets talked about enoughIf it has a bipod, I would get it off and shoot from some good sand bags or an adjustable front shooting rest with a good rear bag.
Like others have said, I would try a faster powder like H1000 or RL23 or even RL22.
Even though it has a 1-8.25 twist, I would try a lighter more forgiving bullet, like the 160 Accubond.
Are you really getting 3100 fps with 180s in a 7 mm Rem mag? I get slightly faster than that with 160 grain AB. If I were to load them any hotter, I get pressure signs, so I am maxed out for my rifle.
I am using a different powder though, IMR 7828.
I just made the move from 175 ELD-X with H1000 to Nosler 160 AB and H4350. Went from over 1 moa to under 1/2 moa .If it has a bipod, I would get it off and shoot from some good sand bags or an adjustable front shooting rest with a good rear bag.
Like others have said, I would try a faster powder like H1000 or RL23 or even RL22.
Even though it has a 1-8.25 twist, I would try a lighter more forgiving bullet, like the 160 Accubond.