7mm rem mag 168 gr vld w/ 1:9.5" twist??

[elkoholic21]

I am planning on buying a Savage 111 LRH 7mm rem mag and a vortex viper HS LR scope. It has a 26" 1:9.5" twist barrel. I want to shoot 168 gr berger vld, but they are reccomended for a 1:10" twist.
Just wondering if anybody shoots 168s in a 9.5" twist?
Any oppinions on this set up?

 

[Loner]

You will be just fine. Too much isn't ever a problem, too little is.

 

[elkoholic21]

Thanks for the feed back, thats what i thought. For several years I have been planning on building a custom long range hunting rifle for around 800yd on deer and elk, but havent had the $$ due to school. That is why I am interested in the Savage LRH, everything ive read seems pretty positive..... thoughts on this rifle?

 

[AZShooter]

You will be fine.

As for the comment too much is never a problem...I KNOW 1 in 7 is too much for 180 VLDs both hunting and target once the throat becomes worn. My friend's 7 STW began "eating" bullets at round count 175 or so. My 7 rem mag at round count 225. Accubonds survived the trip.

 

[wbm]

With the exception of the scope I shoot what you are going to build.
It shoots the 168g Berger Hunting/VLD extremely well with 63g of Reloader 19. Did not use magnum primers.

 

[cdes29]

What kind of velocity are you getting out of that load?

 

[savage7mag]

WBM, I have the same gun and have not gotten it to shoot the 168 grain bergers very well, How hard was it for you to get a good load worked up for it?

Also after adjusting the trigger I cant seem to get it to shoot anything as good as it was shooting before I took the action out of the stock, any advice? The savage people I have talked to have advice about the accuwedge model but the 111 doesnt have the accuwedge.

 

[wbm]

What kind of velocity are you getting out of that load?

63.1g Reloader 19 with the 168g SMK. This is Sierra's "accuracy load" from the V Manual. They used a Savage 116 with a 26" Varmint contour barrel. I used Federal 210M primers and they used 215 Magnum primers. Velocity is about 2900fps. I am shooting the 168 Berger Hunting/VLD. OAL=3.435 which is light on the lands in my Savage. 5 shot groups average about .50 MOA.

 

[wbm]

WBM, I have the same gun and have not gotten it to shoot the 168 grain bergers very well, How hard was it for you to get a good load worked up for it?

Also after adjusting the trigger I cant seem to get it to shoot anything as good as it was shooting before I took the action out of the stock, any advice? The savage people I have talked to have advice about the accuwedge model but the 111 doesnt have the accuwedge.

I shoot the 180g Berger Hunting/VLD more than anything. Try this load. It's a good starting load and the one I stayed with.
58g H4831SC
Winchester or Remington Brass
Federal 210M Primers
180g VLD OAL=3.410" Averages about 2750-2800fps.

For the 168 Berger try this one. A good starting load also.
61.1g Reloader 19
Winchester or Remington Brass
Federal 210M Primers
168 VLD OAL=3.420" Averages 2900-2950fps

Is your stock the factory Savage synthetic? Savage says to tighten the bolts down to 30-35 Inch Pounds with Synthetic or Wood stocks.. Don't have a torque wrench so I use an Allen wrench. I take the Allen and put the short end up and tighten each bolt by hand until I can't get them to tighten any more. Works for me. Don't know how many inch pounds that is.

One more thing. I set my head space off the shoulder and not the belt. That will make a difference in your OAL. So your OAL might be a bit different. Follow Berger's advice and start at the lands. If they shoot good great. If not, back off the lands a bit at a time. Berger has a "how to" on their web site. It can make a real difference in group size!