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Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Rifles, Bullets, Barrels & Ballistics
7mm Allen Magnum/RL33/180 gr Berger testing
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<blockquote data-quote="Fiftydriver" data-source="post: 854925" data-attributes="member: 10"><p>Today was able to test apples to apples using RL33 with the 160 gr Accubond in my old 7mm Allen Magnum. </p><p> </p><p>As stated previously, my standard load with this rifle is the 160 gr Accubond over 95.0 gr Retumbo with a 3.650" OAL, Fed-215 primer for an average velocity of 3414 fps.</p><p> </p><p>So, I started with RL33 at 99.0 gr simply because with the 180 gr Berger I topped out at 101.0 gr with no real pressure signs. I was a bit surprised at the results.</p><p> </p><p>99.0 gr.........................3448 fps</p><p>100.0 gr.......................3477 fps No primer cratering all</p><p>101.0 gr.......................3502 fps First sign of very slight cratering</p><p>102.0 gr.......................3529 fps</p><p> </p><p>No other pressure signs were present at all even at 102.0 gr but I decided that 101.0 gr would be the correct top working load with this rifle/load combo. Looks like with the 160 gr Accubond, producing the same pressure can be driven roughly 80-85 fps faster using RL33 then with Retumbo. In past tests, this is on the lower end of velocity improvements with this powder.</p><p> </p><p>It appears that RL33 does better with a slightly heavier bullet weight as far as velocity gains but in the 7mm AM, it certainly offers a sizable boost in velocity in both the 160 gr Accubond and 180 gr Hybrid Hunter from berger.</p><p> </p><p>I decided to load up 15 rounds of test ammo using the 180 gr Berger and see if they would even survive the launch out of this very old barrel for some accuracy testing. Tested them at 100, 890 and 1030 yards and I was actually impressed with the accuracy of these bullets at every range. There was no group fired at 890 and 1030 that was over 1 moa in size. And I intentionally heated the barrel up to see if the bullet could handle a hot barrel. They did just fine.</p><p> </p><p>Now, back to the 160 gr accubond. I have not been able to break 3500 fps with this bullet unless using a 30" barrel length in my 7mm Allen Magnum. Now, that is clearly possible with a 26" barrel length using RL33.</p><p> </p><p>Looking out to a 30" barreled Raptor LRSS...... I would be amazed if 3600 fps would not be fully practical with the 160 gr Accubond and close to 3500 fps with the 180 gr Berger. These are only predictions and need to be proven but I would be amazed if these velocity goals were not easily attainable.</p><p> </p><p>More to come. I believe my old 7mm AM will be loaded with the 180 gr berger to roughly 3350 fps for this coming big game season. We will see what happens with pronghorn and big game season.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Fiftydriver, post: 854925, member: 10"] Today was able to test apples to apples using RL33 with the 160 gr Accubond in my old 7mm Allen Magnum. As stated previously, my standard load with this rifle is the 160 gr Accubond over 95.0 gr Retumbo with a 3.650" OAL, Fed-215 primer for an average velocity of 3414 fps. So, I started with RL33 at 99.0 gr simply because with the 180 gr Berger I topped out at 101.0 gr with no real pressure signs. I was a bit surprised at the results. 99.0 gr.........................3448 fps 100.0 gr.......................3477 fps No primer cratering all 101.0 gr.......................3502 fps First sign of very slight cratering 102.0 gr.......................3529 fps No other pressure signs were present at all even at 102.0 gr but I decided that 101.0 gr would be the correct top working load with this rifle/load combo. Looks like with the 160 gr Accubond, producing the same pressure can be driven roughly 80-85 fps faster using RL33 then with Retumbo. In past tests, this is on the lower end of velocity improvements with this powder. It appears that RL33 does better with a slightly heavier bullet weight as far as velocity gains but in the 7mm AM, it certainly offers a sizable boost in velocity in both the 160 gr Accubond and 180 gr Hybrid Hunter from berger. I decided to load up 15 rounds of test ammo using the 180 gr Berger and see if they would even survive the launch out of this very old barrel for some accuracy testing. Tested them at 100, 890 and 1030 yards and I was actually impressed with the accuracy of these bullets at every range. There was no group fired at 890 and 1030 that was over 1 moa in size. And I intentionally heated the barrel up to see if the bullet could handle a hot barrel. They did just fine. Now, back to the 160 gr accubond. I have not been able to break 3500 fps with this bullet unless using a 30" barrel length in my 7mm Allen Magnum. Now, that is clearly possible with a 26" barrel length using RL33. Looking out to a 30" barreled Raptor LRSS...... I would be amazed if 3600 fps would not be fully practical with the 160 gr Accubond and close to 3500 fps with the 180 gr Berger. These are only predictions and need to be proven but I would be amazed if these velocity goals were not easily attainable. More to come. I believe my old 7mm AM will be loaded with the 180 gr berger to roughly 3350 fps for this coming big game season. We will see what happens with pronghorn and big game season. [/QUOTE]
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7mm Allen Magnum/RL33/180 gr Berger testing
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