215 berger 300 win sako A-7

[dxlbaile]

Reaching out to see if anyone has shot the 215 berger in a A-7 300 Win? The limiting factor is the magazine will only hold SAMMI length bullets so I can't chase the lands. Anyone have a load or any info they are willing to share. I am working this gun up for my brother.

 

[257Tony]

I have no experience with the 215 Hybrid, but will it stabilize in a 11 twist barrel?

 

[dxlbaile]

That's one of the questions I am hoping someone can tell me.. Berger lists 1-10 for this bullet but, I have found there twist recommendation is just that. A "recommendation" not the end of the line.. Just hoping someone has tried shooting this out of a A-7.

 

[257Tony]

That's one of the questions I am hoping someone can tell me.. Berger lists 1-10 for this bullet but, I have found there twist recommendation is just that. A "recommendation" not the end of the line.. Just hoping someone has tried shooting this out of a A-7.

What altitude do you guys shoot/hunt at? If your over 5000 or so that will help with stabilizing.

 

[dxlbaile]

We are at 6500 in the mountains and higher.. we never get to hunt much in the low country. I have always used about 78 grains H-1000 in my Remington and had great luck. I am wondering if I will have to crunch powder to get that long Berger back to 3.340?

 

[Riflehunter1776]

for whatever it's worth, my a7 in 30-06 shot very poorly for the first 200 rounds or so. now that it's broken in it shoots decently but it was bad enough that I was ready to give up on it for a while.

 

[AZShooter]

I would seat to fit and feed from the magazine and see how it shoots. Hybrids typically are not seating depth sensitive like the VLDs.

 

[Shane Lindsey]

I have an older Ruger. It too is limited by mag length. That said, with the 215 I was able to get about a MOA load relatively easily with very little work up. More tuning and I think I could have done better. That was at the upper end of the charge range. Don't overlook the 210 HVLD. That shot better out of that particular rifle at mag length.

 

[FEENIX]

We are at 6500 in the mountains and higher.. we never get to hunt much in the low country. I have always used about 78 grains H-1000 in my Remington and had great luck. I am wondering if I will have to crunch powder to get that long Berger back to 3.340?

Altitude is your friend when it comes to SG. You should be fine even with 1:11" twist if you can push the 215 Berger >2800 FPS.

Good luck!

 

[dxlbaile]

Thanks for the info gentlemen. I will definitely give it a try I am just wondering if I can even get enough H-1000 stuffed into my case to get it rolling around 2800. I measure the mag length and it is actually a little shorter than standard sammi. This should be interesting to say the least. I guess if it doesn't work I can always try a shorter bullet but, I really have loved the Berger in my Remington. It has been lethal down range on animals too.

 

[barefooter56]

Thanks for the info gentlemen. I will definitely give it a try I am just wondering if I can even get enough H-1000 stuffed into my case to get it rolling around 2800. I measure the mag length and it is actually a little shorter than standard sammi. This should be interesting to say the least. I guess if it doesn't work I can always try a shorter bullet but, I really have loved the Berger in my Remington. It has been lethal down range on animals too.

dxlbaile,
Usually the SAKOs have a pretty generous dimensions if it is an internal magazine. Is there a spacer block in the magazine that can be removed? The H1000 load data we have for the 300 WIN MAG using our .30 caliber 215gr Hybrid Target based on a COAL of 3.340 in is:
START= 70.5 MAX = 74.0 APPROX VELOCITIES = 2632 to 2770 FPS . APPROX FILL RATIO = 103% so it is a slightly compressed load. The Hybrid Target and EOL/ELITE HUNTER bullets have an over SAMMI length nose dimension so if your rifle likes the bullet jump at magazine length you may be be OK . If it dosen't you may end up with a single shot rifle . If the round may be seated to less than magazine length. Be sure that the ogive of the bullet after it is seated is not below the cartridge case mouth. If you cant get the 215 to work at magazine length our CLASSIC HUNTER 180gr Hybrid bullet may be another way to go.
http://www.bergerbullets.com/pdf/300-Winchester-Magnum.pdf
If you have any questions please let us know.
Take care,

 

[dxlbaile]

dxlbaile,
Usually the SAKOs have a pretty generous dimensions if it is an internal magazine. Is there a spacer block in the magazine that can be removed? The H1000 load data we have for the 300 WIN MAG using our .30 caliber 215gr Hybrid Target based on a COAL of 3.340 in is:
START= 70.5 MAX = 74.0 APPROX VELOCITIES = 2632 to 2770 FPS . APPROX FILL RATIO = 103% so it is a slightly compressed load. The Hybrid Target and EOL/ELITE HUNTER bullets have an over SAMMI length nose dimension so if your rifle likes the bullet jump at magazine length you may be be OK . If it dosen't you may end up with a single shot rifle . If the round may be seated to less than magazine length. Be sure that the ogive of the bullet after it is seated is not below the cartridge case mouth. If you cant get the 215 to work at magazine length our CLASSIC HUNTER 180gr Hybrid bullet may be another way to go.
http://www.bergerbullets.com/pdf/300-Winchester-Magnum.pdf
If you have any questions please let us know.
Take care,

Wow, Thanks for all that helpful data. I tried to load the 215 and the Ogive was just to close to the case head for my comfort. I will have to try the 180 or another bullet to gain some room. I was definitely crunching powder and at only 72 grains so there is just no way to really use a 215 at this short of a COAL. I am sure my brother will be disappointed but he will just have to use a lighter, smaller, bullet. Thanks for all the insights..

 

[Elkeater]

I just tested some 215s in my ruger M77 this past weekend. It has mag length issues as well. I started low at 74gr. H1000 and tested up to 76gr with no pressure signs. Everything shot into 3/4 to 1 MOA. Gonna test a few hotter loads next and see if it improves.

My point is that having a short mag length seems like it's not killing my accuracy.

The other option is to go to longer than mag length. for years i loaded longer than mag length and put one in the chamber and let the other ride with the bullet in the feed ramp.

 

[Canhunter35]

It's nice to shoot the big bullets, but sometimes you need to match the bullet to the gun. I started shooting 212 eldx in my 300, accuracy was great, sd okay. Switched to 200 eldx and hit a node 175fps faster es is like 12 and shoots just as well. A7s are 1:11 twist so that's kind of on the edge of stability