Most Efficient 7mm Cartridge for 195 EOL Elite Hunter???

[lancetkenyon]

I have loaded for 14 or 15 different 28 Noslers. All but 1 shooting the 195 Berger. Every one has been between 3090-3165fps using RL33. All have been .3 or better. And they have taken some amazing game animals.

 

[CWM-RHG]

I'm currently shooting an 8.5 twist 28" Krieger with 68 grains whereas the Rum burns 20ish more grains? I done feel the 8 twist is necessary and even my previous 9 twist shot fine out to 1k. Keep in mind the 7 wsm has the shoulder moved forward and a shorter neck.

I've started planning for a new rifle build, and will be sticking with a 7mm projectile. I own a 7 SAUM, and a 7 Rem Mag already, and want to be able to use the same suppressor between all three rifles. This rifle will be built specifically to shoot the 7mm 195 gr EOL Elite Hunter. I want it to be in the 3000 fps range, as well. I know what parts I want to use for the most part, but I don't know what cartridge to use. This rifle will be used for Elk and Deer hunting, as well as 1500+ yard target shooting. I'm wondering what the most efficient cartridge is going to be for this task? From what I can see, the 7mm Norma Mag (300 Norma Mag necked to 7mm) looks promising. But what say you guys?

I have a 7mm Rem Mag build that shoots the 195gr Berger right around 2940-2960 fps, shoots 1/4"-3/8" moa, uses a very easily loaded round with stock Norma brass. Less than 1 moa different at 1000yds than a 3000 fps load. Simple

 

[CWM-RHG]

I have a 7mm Rem Mag build that shoots the 195gr Berger right around 2940-2960 fps, shoots 1/4"-3/8" moa, uses a very easily loaded round with stock Norma brass. Less than 1 moa different at 1000yds than a 3000 fps load. Simple

And virtually no recoil...

 

[ENGUNEER]

I am a great fan of the 7-300 WM otherwise known as the 7mm Practical. Everything is easy with this cartridge.

 

[CWM-RHG]

I am a great fan of the 7-300 WM otherwise known as the 7mm Practical. Everything is easy with this cartridge.

I am in the process of building a 300-7 for the same exact reason. Simple and cheap loads, brass, and dies. I just got the reamer with a custom throat that we anticipate this load performing like a 28 Nosler, but alot less costly to shoot.

 

[DMP25-06]

Have a look at Hornaday's new 300 PRC. It's the 375 Ruger necked down to 308. If you neck the 300 PRC down to 7mm you'd have plenty of velocity. It's much like a 7 WSM only a few tenths longer case.

It's about the same capacity as the 28 Nosler but with a possibly better case design. The case is longer than WSM but shorter than RUM so there is enough magazine length to seat bullets out where they need to be in a long action. I'm thinking about building a 300 PRC to shoot the 230 class bullets at 3000 maybe more.

Wouldn't a 7mm- 300 PRC essentially be the same as the Gunwerks 7 LRM ?
I think that the 7 LRM is the 375 Ruger necked-down to 7mm , if I remember correctly , and they sell brass for it .

This next point of view , from me , has nothing to do with cartridge choices , it is just my observation .

The Davidson brothers , Aaron and Mike , and their shows ( first " Best of the West ", and now " Long Range Pursuit " ) , are most likely the single biggest reason for the tremendous growth in long range hunting and shooting as a responsible sport .

DMP25-06

 

[highdrum]

Wouldn't a 7mm- 300 PRC essentially be the same as the Gunwerks 7 LRM ?
I think that the 7 LRM is the 375 Ruger necked-down to 7mm , if I remember correctly , and they sell brass for it .

This next point of view , from me , has nothing to do with cartridge choices , it is just my observation .

The Davidson brothers , Aaron and Mike , and their shows ( first " Best of the West ", and now " Long Range Pursuit " ) , are most likely the single biggest reason for the tremendous growth in long range hunting and shooting as a responsible sport .

DMP25-06

The LRM has a long neck. You could probably form LRM from 300 PRC by necking down and bumping shoulder back. The body diameter neck angles area similar.

 

[KyCarl]

I was really thinking about a custom 28 Nosler but after talking with Bartlein I
think I'll look else where..Here's what he said..

[email protected]
Mon, Oct 29, 9:19 AM (2 days ago)


to me

Hey Carl,
For the gain, i would keep it under an inch, something like a 1-8.5 to 1-8.0 or 1-8.75 to 1-8.0
I don't see a need to go any faster, Berger always rounds down to the next full twist rate.
The other thing I was going to cover is to be careful with loads. The 28 Nosler is a great hunting round, but
has a very short barrel life. Also the throat "can" become rough enough after 80 to 120 rounds that pressures
can jump a bunch, what was a safe load, can now be excessive, you'll need to keep an eye on it and keep
the barrel clean and free of carbon build up.
With normal hunting use, a few to confirm scope settings are good and then a few at game, it can last
a lifetime, but if this is something you want to shoot a lot---order a 6 pak of barrels.

 

[xsn10s]

Throat erosion has been an issue on any "overbore" cartridge. The compromise to speed is barrel life and what is acceptable is up to the shooter, I know your saying "thank you Capt Obvious" . There are a few things you can do to deal with overbore cartridges and barrel life. Keep the bore clean like Bartlein said. Avoid getting the barrel hot. And keep the throat polished. Yes pressures can spike with a rough throat. But I've also personally polished barrel throats and measured the chamber pressures using Oehler Ballistics equipment. And polishing the throat does help. I've also seen barrels with as much as two inches of bore gone due to throat erosion and they still show sub moa. So yes throat erosion is an issue. But what is acceptable barrel life vs performance is your call.

 

[KyCarl]

No I'm trying to make an informed decision.I have read all these posts and considered
everything! That's why I got with Bartlein...

 

[xsn10s]

My point is given the criteria of a 7mm 195gr bullet going 3000 fps you are going to be overbore. And throat erosion is going to be an issue in trying to meet this objective. It's pretty obvious.

 

[StanB]

... But I've also personally polished barrel throats....

What's the best way to do this?

 

[xsn10s]

What's the best way to do this?

I've always started with a normal cleaning using Hoppes #9 and then a good copper solvent. After that I get a good fitting jag with a patch covered with JB Polishing compound and work the throat eventually working into the rest of the barrel. I don't know if this is the best way, but it's what was taught to me and seemed to work well. I usually "gauge" the roughness of the throat and the rest of the bore by running a fairly new plastic bore brush down the bore. Also while doing this use a good cleaning rod with a rotating handle.

 

[xsn10s]

I should say a through cleaning afterwards is needed. Chamber, bore, and action with attention to the recoil lug area. That way you won't increase wear due to introducing an abrasive into your rifle.