7mm STW load work complete

No Promises

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Joined
Jan 22, 2022
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261
Location
Kerrville, TX
Took time do work-up something acceptable with my load developer here in Texas. Rifle is a stock Sako M995 26" barrel 1:9.5 twist so I was somewhat limited on pushing super heavy bullets. Settled on the 168gr Berger Classic Hunters, had already taken 3 animals at various distances with my 7mm Rem mag & had great results. We didn't see pressure signs until 3200 fps but was a little finicky. Backed off to 73.5gr of H1000 & was getting 3002 fps with a 4 ES, SD 2. I'm happy with that & was able to keep pressure/recoil manageable too (not using a brake)
 

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Very good group. I had better velocity running slower powder. AA8700 was very fast and accurate. I know it's not available anymore but try something in that burn rate and speed will pick up... only if you're wanting more velocity though.
 
I'm still running 140 ab's with rl25 at 3350 fps.
I've seen what aa8700 can do with 140-150 grain pills. It can flat out haul freight, but it burns dirty enough I switched. I still have a decent amount of it left, but it isn't on the market any longer. The closest powders available now are us869 and wc872. All are old 50bmg offerings.
I have a few 7mm 183's loaded in Bertram brass with a half-hat of aa8700 under them right now. The conditions sucked the last time I was out so I'll re-test them but it seemed interesting, but full throttle and average accuracy at best. I'll probably load a few cut a few grains to see if the accuracy picks up run milder.
 
Took time do work-up something acceptable with my load developer here in Texas. Rifle is a stock Sako M995 26" barrel 1:9.5 twist so I was somewhat limited on pushing super heavy bullets. Settled on the 168gr Berger Classic Hunters, had already taken 3 animals at various distances with my 7mm Rem mag & had great results. We didn't see pressure signs until 3200 fps but was a little finicky. Backed off to 73.5gr of H1000 & was getting 3002 fps with a 4 ES, SD 2. I'm happy with that & was able to keep pressure/recoil manageable too (not using a brake)
Nice
 
With 140 grain bullets I had best accuracy and speed with 7828. 26" Hart with 11 twist chrony at 3688 FPS! Shooting 5/8ths group
I was able to hit good speed with i7828 but the pressure was over 68Kpsi with no pressure signs at all. I got the same performance out of rl25 at 58Kpsi. At least 7828 at around 3400 fps wasn't running 75Kpsi like the Winchester 150 grain factory in my rifle.
 
I am yet to try H50BMG in mine with the 168g ABLR…have a myriad of loads to try with that powder in quite a few cartridges. The 264WM being another good candidate with my custom throats.

Cheers.
 
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