7mm Rem Ackley?

[Takem406]

I saw a Praire Dog Begone movie a while back and they were shooting a 7 Rem Mag AI.
I just bought a 7 mag and I'm trying to find info on it. I really wanted an STW, but brass is hard to find. Plus the rifle in question is a No 1 from 1969 with a Douglas barrel. But I thought improving it would be a good compromise.
I don't even see dies listed for this caliber.
Is it one of the cartridges that doesn't gain anything by improving it? Thanks guys.

 

[MudRunner2005]

I saw a Praire Dog Begone movie a while back and they were shooting a 7 Rem Mag AI.
I just bought a 7 mag and I'm trying to find info on it. I really wanted an STW, but brass is hard to find. Plus the rifle in question is a No 1 from 1969 with a Douglas barrel. But I thought improving it would be a good compromise.
I don't even see dies listed for this caliber.
Is it one of the cartridges that doesn't gain anything by improving it? Thanks guys.

I've been shooting 7mmRM's and STW's for almost 14 years now. I also love anything Ackley Improved or Ackley designed (currently have 3 Ackleys). I have a 7mmRM Improved designed in my program that I made up years ago, but other than the cool and unique factor, you won't gain much by "improving" it. You only gain about 4 grains of useable capacity (7RM - 80.7 : 7RMI - 84.1) with maxed-out specs. The only real advantage at that point is the 40* shoulder helps to prevent brass growth, so you don't have to trim brass as often. With that small of a capacity increase in that large of a case, you might gain about 50 fps, not the usual 100+ like most AI calibers.

I think you would be just as happy with a standard 7mmRM. You'll be amazed what a standard old 7mmRM can do with a good moderately-slow burning powder like 7828 SSC or 7977, and 168 or 180 Berger VLD's.

Brass is really easy to find for the STW if you know what to look for, and don't mind taking 1 trip through the STW FL sizing die before you shoot them...

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/64...mington-magnum-box-of-25?cm_vc=ProductFinding

 

[Takem406]

I almost bought an STW last year... How's the recoil increase?

 

[MudRunner2005]

I almost bought an STW last year... How's the recoil increase?

A 26" heavy barreled STW kicks about like a 26" magnum sporter barreled 7mmRM (both rifles WITHOUT a brake). So, on an equal playing field (same weight rifles) it would be noticeable, but not bad, and very manageable.

Unless you really need a notable horsepower increase past 1000 yards or are hunting game larger than mule deer, I would stick with the 7mmRM, since you already have brass and dies for it. If you decide you need more power later, you can always just have your 7mmRM's chamber opened up to 7mm STW.

 

[Takem406]

Copy that! On Berger target VLD's, in the 168`s are they worth the extra $20 over Hornady 162 AMax?

 

[MudRunner2005]

Copy that! On Berger target VLD's, in the 168`s are they worth the extra $20 over Hornady 162 AMax?

In short...Yes, Bergers are worth every penny. I walked into the woods 2 days in Jan 2014 (only times I got to hunt that year), pulled the trigger 2 times, walked out with 2 deer. Both were shot with my semi-custom 7mmRM w/ Berger 168 VLD's. At that time, I was still experimenting with other brands of bullets and stuff...But after those 2 hunting experiences, I went 100% Berger for every caliber and rifle I shoot, and haven't looked back.

I only use Hornady bullets to fire-form brass for my Ackleys at the range, because they're inexpensive.

 

[Takem406]

Our ranch supply store has two boxes of the target VLD's. Honestly I'd like to load them for praire dogs and getting used to the rifle.
I've heard a lot of people say they perform on game but after using Barnes for years it's hard to grasp a bullet that will explode inside. How do they perform on elk? I can see them don't ok on Western deer and speed goats, but elk are big!

 

[FEENIX]

Our ranch supply store has two boxes of the target VLD's. Honestly I'd like to load them for praire dogs and getting used to the rifle.
I've heard a lot of people say they perform on game but after using Barnes for years it's hard to grasp a bullet that will explode inside. How do they perform on elk? I can see them don't ok on Western deer and speed goats, but elk are big!

In 2013, my buddies and I harvested 3 bull elk.

Troy was using a factory load 180 Berger VLD from HSM out of his factory Weatherby Accumark in 7MM Rem Mag at 300 yards with 1 shot.

Pete was using a factory load 180 Barnes TTSX out his factory Savage 111 in .300 WM at ~100 yards. However, it took 3 shots to finally down the elk.

I was using 190 Berger VLD hand load out my SAKO M995 in .300 WM at 931 yards. Mine managed to run ~200 yards with the heard and rolled down a coulee 600 yards before it finally expired.

IMHHO, the bullets performed as advertised and shots were at the vital area (shot placement for all were on the lung /heart area except for Pete's he had an extra shot and blew one of the shoulders) but the elk shot expired differently.

These are just some of the real world experiences on elk in Montana, however, experiences will always vary ... you decide. Good luck!

I saw a Praire Dog Begone movie a while back and they were shooting a 7 Rem Mag AI.
I just bought a 7 mag and I'm trying to find info on it. I really wanted an STW, but brass is hard to find. Plus the rifle in question is a No 1 from 1969 with a Douglas barrel. But I thought improving it would be a good compromise.
I don't even see dies listed for this caliber.
Is it one of the cartridges that doesn't gain anything by improving it? Thanks guys.

Check this out >>> https://www.ch4d.com/products/dies/caliber-list?page=9.

There are other custom dies maker that can build them for you, i.e http://www.neiljones.com/.

Ed

 

[huntinfool18]

7rem ackley AKA 7mm hart. I've built and done load work for a few of them. In short you gain about 75 fps with a 180gr vld over a standard rem mag. On the bright side it is a VERY accurate round with quarter Moa groups being the norm. I do have a reamer and dies of you are interested in a build. Fill free to send me a PM