Wife's 7mm Sherman Max build thread
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codyadams
Well-Known Member
Ok, got load developement finished.....all using VV N-565
I tested the 177 Hammer, the 175 ELD-X, and the 170 PVA Cayuga.
The 177 maxed out around 2920 fps
The 175 maxed out around 2928 fps
The 170 PVA maxed out around 2980 fps, as I ran out of powder space, even using a 6" drop tube (70 grains)
Surprisingly, the 175 ELD-X shot ridiculously accurate and better than the other two, I ran .025" off, from 60.0 grains up to 68.0 grains, in 1 grain jumps, to see velocity. It ranged from 2568 @ 60.0, up to 2928 @ 68.0 with first signs of pressure. With those 9 shots, they grouped .78" @100 yards, incredibly accurate for such a massive spread. When I ran a similar pressure work up with the 177 Hammers and the 170 PVA's, the Hammers grouped 1.5", and the PVA's slightly less at 1.6", though both had clusters of groups. I ran a smaller work up on the upper end with the PVA's using 3 shot groups, and they averaged about .7", not great. I didn't continue with the Hammers, as I was more interested with the 175 eld-x's. No matter what I did, they just seemed to shoot stupid good.....
Did a ladder at 600 yards from 65.8 up to 67.2 grains, in .2 grain increments, so 8 shots. 65.8 and 66.0 both climbed slightly, but 66.2 - 67.2 grains all went within a 1.7" vertical, with 66.8, 67.0, and 67.2 going within .6" vertical, and having only 13 fps e.s. between the three, where 66.2 - 66.6 had 30 fps e.s., seemed like it really steadied out at 67.0 grains, going 2895 fps.
So, her load developement is now finished, 67.0 grains N-565, 175 ELD-x seated .025" off, going just a shade under 2900 fps out of her 20" barrel, and she loves it. She did most the shooting in load developement by the way, and shot some fantastic groups. So now, the only thing left is for her to drill some critters with it, which will likely happen later today!!! Doe/fawn pronghorn season is open!
I tested the 177 Hammer, the 175 ELD-X, and the 170 PVA Cayuga.
The 177 maxed out around 2920 fps
The 175 maxed out around 2928 fps
The 170 PVA maxed out around 2980 fps, as I ran out of powder space, even using a 6" drop tube (70 grains)
Surprisingly, the 175 ELD-X shot ridiculously accurate and better than the other two, I ran .025" off, from 60.0 grains up to 68.0 grains, in 1 grain jumps, to see velocity. It ranged from 2568 @ 60.0, up to 2928 @ 68.0 with first signs of pressure. With those 9 shots, they grouped .78" @100 yards, incredibly accurate for such a massive spread. When I ran a similar pressure work up with the 177 Hammers and the 170 PVA's, the Hammers grouped 1.5", and the PVA's slightly less at 1.6", though both had clusters of groups. I ran a smaller work up on the upper end with the PVA's using 3 shot groups, and they averaged about .7", not great. I didn't continue with the Hammers, as I was more interested with the 175 eld-x's. No matter what I did, they just seemed to shoot stupid good.....
Did a ladder at 600 yards from 65.8 up to 67.2 grains, in .2 grain increments, so 8 shots. 65.8 and 66.0 both climbed slightly, but 66.2 - 67.2 grains all went within a 1.7" vertical, with 66.8, 67.0, and 67.2 going within .6" vertical, and having only 13 fps e.s. between the three, where 66.2 - 66.6 had 30 fps e.s., seemed like it really steadied out at 67.0 grains, going 2895 fps.
So, her load developement is now finished, 67.0 grains N-565, 175 ELD-x seated .025" off, going just a shade under 2900 fps out of her 20" barrel, and she loves it. She did most the shooting in load developement by the way, and shot some fantastic groups. So now, the only thing left is for her to drill some critters with it, which will likely happen later today!!! Doe/fawn pronghorn season is open!
codyadams
Well-Known Member
Ya, I used them in my first hunting rifle ever, a ruger m77 30-06, the 165 grainers. Killed a few deer and a couple elk with them, and one coyote as well. Dang near split the coyote in half!
elkaholic
Well-Known Member
Good job Cody. Pretty good numbers for a 20" barrel with accuracy!
codyadams
Well-Known Member
Rounds loaded up and ready to whack some critters! Not quite the full 50 loaded, and it's messing with my ocd.....I didn't have enough of the 175's left to finish the 50! Hopefully I can find some pretty soon!
codyadams
Well-Known Member
Goat down!!
After some more range time having Sarah do a final zero, turns out this load ended up at 2903 fps average, with 11 fps E.S. over 8 rounds. I was at a training and she was at work, so took a while to get out, but we got it done tonight!
Went out to a field we have permission on that had tons of goats, and after a half mile walk through a drainage and a low sneak up to a small ridge, the goats were anywhere from 590 out to 800 yards. By the time we were able to have her set up on a doe that didn't have either a buck or fawns in front of/behind her, the closest group was at 653. A doe moved away from some near by fawns, and got broad side, and I told her to send it. I heard the rifle crack, and about three quarters of a second later, I saw the doe's legs smack her belly and she hit the dirt so hard I saw a puff of dust!
I was a little light on my wind call, called for a 3, it was probably closer to a 5 or a touch more, So the bullet ended up about 4" forward of where I wanted it, impacting the neck/shoulder junction, giving a "lights out" effect ha ha. I would rather have it forward like that than back in the guts, I hate cleaning gut shot goats....
Anyway, she did perfect, and loves her gun. First kill with it, 653 yards! So proud!!!
After some more range time having Sarah do a final zero, turns out this load ended up at 2903 fps average, with 11 fps E.S. over 8 rounds. I was at a training and she was at work, so took a while to get out, but we got it done tonight!
Went out to a field we have permission on that had tons of goats, and after a half mile walk through a drainage and a low sneak up to a small ridge, the goats were anywhere from 590 out to 800 yards. By the time we were able to have her set up on a doe that didn't have either a buck or fawns in front of/behind her, the closest group was at 653. A doe moved away from some near by fawns, and got broad side, and I told her to send it. I heard the rifle crack, and about three quarters of a second later, I saw the doe's legs smack her belly and she hit the dirt so hard I saw a puff of dust!
I was a little light on my wind call, called for a 3, it was probably closer to a 5 or a touch more, So the bullet ended up about 4" forward of where I wanted it, impacting the neck/shoulder junction, giving a "lights out" effect ha ha. I would rather have it forward like that than back in the guts, I hate cleaning gut shot goats....
Anyway, she did perfect, and loves her gun. First kill with it, 653 yards! So proud!!!
elkaholic
Well-Known Member
Atta girl!! Way to impress the guys with that first blood. Great shot!
codyadams
Well-Known Member
Thanks Steve, she is probably the most patient shooter/hunter I have been around. We were there for nearly 20 minutes waiting for the perfect shot, the bucks kept herding them tight together, and she knew that there are tons of opportunities with pronghorn, so she wouldn't accept anything but a perfect broadside, very clear shot. There were tons of times where there was clear quartering shots, or good broadside shots with a fawn right against the hind end of a doe, or a buck withing a couple feet of a doe, but she had great patience, and didn't want to chance it.
One thing is for sure, and I like it, if it's not a clear shot, or she isn't 100% confident, she won't take the shot. Makes me proud! The night before we were out, and she was lined up on a shot that was 550 yards, the doe was clear, but it was 7 minutes before end of shoot light, and with the smoke haze, it was on the dark side. She could just see good enough to take the shot, but she made the call not to take it, she said she couldn't quite see enough of what she wanted to be confident. Almost anyone I know would have forced the shot, but in the heat of the moment, she made the right call.
Sorry, just have to brag her up a little bit! It is pretty awesome to know that if she takes a shot, there is a critter dead on the ground!
MtnMann
Well-Known Member
Nice shooting and congrats on the doe. Just out of curiosity, what is your OAL with this particular load?
codyadams
Well-Known Member
3.015", .025" off
codyadams
Well-Known Member
Another goat down!!
My sister asked if she could borrow a rifle to fill her buck tag, so I figured this would be the perfect one, and met up with her after a night shift. The goats were a little spooky, we could have got closer to some if we wanted, but I had to work again that night, and my sister wasn't picky, so we just decided to get it done ha ha. Shot ended up being 740 yards, from that bald gray dirt hillside to the right of the rifle. Worked great, and she loved the rifle too!
My sister asked if she could borrow a rifle to fill her buck tag, so I figured this would be the perfect one, and met up with her after a night shift. The goats were a little spooky, we could have got closer to some if we wanted, but I had to work again that night, and my sister wasn't picky, so we just decided to get it done ha ha. Shot ended up being 740 yards, from that bald gray dirt hillside to the right of the rifle. Worked great, and she loved the rifle too!
gillettehunter
Well-Known Member
Great job and some excellent shooting. Well done
Bruce
Bruce
elkaholic
Well-Known Member
Way to go Codys sis!! I love the look of that rifle. Seems to be pretty functional too 
