Bergara B14 HMR 7mm Rem Mag load development

[Kmccord]

I am in the middle of load development for a Rifle me and Nona bought for our Grandson Graduation present, as the title states this is a 7mm Rem Mag. I have already sent 50 rounds down the barrel using lowest powder charge for finding seating depth first, this rifle likes the Berger 168 HVLD at .050 off the lands. Now that I did a 50 barrel break in with low pressure rounds, I went to testing to find a node or two in the full range of what Berger recommends, so I started at 63.0 and increment 1 gr to 68 gr using 3 shot groups in each load. It has always liked the 63 gr load and shoots the best group at that charge but the ES/SD is not worth a flip. What I did see where accuracy and ES/SD are very good, I thought I should work on those to tweak. I am going to load 65.0, 65.5, 68.0, 68.5 and 69.0 to see if I can duplicate the original and improve if possible, what are your thoughts on how I should proceed?

 

[JMW67]

the 65gr load looks pretty good just low velocity I think you will find accuracy again with the hotter loads my guess is 68.5 to 70 good luck with it and keep us posted

 

[Kmccord]

That ES/SD is what I really love me on that one. The true test is if it will repeat it..

 

[just_jon]

I think I'd be focusing on either side of 65 grains. ES of 5, SD of 2 in .75" is a great start. I'd load five each of 64.6, 64.8, 65.2 and 65.4.