Need Advice - 7mm Weatherby Magnum

[BLC3128]

I would just like to say thank you to everyone who is offering their input in this thread. I'm sure there are plenty of people just like me who are gaining valuable insight on potential load data for the 7mm WBY.

 

[Reloder28]

In my 7mm Weatherby I am launching a 140 gr Barnes TSX at 3550 avg velocity using Norma MRP powder and Fed 215 match primers.

Sounds way too hot.

 

[Reloder28]

Thank you for the response? What is the twist rate of your barrel? Also would you care to share the powder you were using for each load?

Thanks!

I edited the post. I have stopped using Reloder 22. Soon I will retest all of those loads with RL 23 & 26. I currently hunt with a 3050 fps 140 gr load until I can get the new loads developed.

 

[Birdhunter1]

Well I wouldn't run it any hotter, bolt lifts easily, primers aren't cratered or flattened, groups are consistent and velocities are all pretty close.
I think I'm still below book max, and yes all factory configurations.

 

[Birdhunter1]

*****CORRECTION******

3450 fps using Norma MRP and a 140 gr Barnes TSX with a Federal 215 match primer

Earlier I had posted this was hitting 3550, I was wrong, it gets 3450 fps averaged out.
From what I remember I don't think I am at the listed max load but I have no need to run it any hotter.

 

[Dr. Vette]

Good morning

I am sorry, if I highjack this thread a little. I bought a used 7mm Wby. Mark V many years ago. It is a Japanese rifle. I never got it to stabilize the bullets. At 100 yards, they would hit the target sideways.
We tried various wby factory ammo, but still the same result.
If I understand your recommendations correctly, does that mean that only the 120gr. TTSX would shoot properly? Why are all the other factory loads using heavier bullets?

I think about giving up on the 7mm and just have it re-barreled in .300 Win Mag.

thanks for your advice
M

You first have to check what the twist rate is of the barrel.

If it's a very early rifle it might be 1:12, but I think all the Japanese rifles are still 1:10 twist. I would also check the barrel length and diameter. If it is 24 inches, and probably a #1 profile, they were not known for being accurate. I did hear of Weatherby rebarreling one of these many, many years later but I have no idea if that would still occur.

If it is a 26 inch #2 barrel I would think about swapping to a better stock (B&C, McMillan), bedding it, tuning the trigger and then shooting it.

 

[JohnnieB]

For my Japanese MKV, 10 twist, have to stay away from the desire to go heavy on the bullets. They never shot well for me, I stayed with the 140 grainers and have been consistently rewarded with good groupings and velocity (3300+). My powder of choice has always been H4831SC. Accuracy was always around 1 inch.

On my custom, 8 twist, I shoot either the 168 LRX or 169 Hammer, both with exceptional accuracy (.3's), same powder as above. 3150 for the LRX and 3115 for the Hammer.

 

[preventec47]

I bought a box of 110gr Barnes copper a few years ago after shoulder surgery
and that is what I have been hunting deer with in my 7mm Rem Mag. I use max
loads and I know the bullet is screaming fast. I always purposely take a lung
shot so as to not damage good meat and I want an explosion to take place
(and it does ) so I dont have to track the deer.

 

[Arneson]

In my 7mm Weatherby I am launching a 140 gr Barnes TSX at 3450 (earlier I had posted 3550 here) avg velocity using Norma MRP powder and Fed 215 match primers. I don't remember how many grains of powder off hand but I know my uncle on the other side of the farm always asks 'What in the world did you fire off that time?' Its rather loud and has some recoil.

Someone asked what happens with such high velocity bullets at close range, the closest I have shot anything with it was 250 yards. I shot an Antelope in its front shoulder as it was facing me, the bullet traveled entirely through his body and exited the opposite rear leg breaking the shoulder blade on the way in, going through every organ other than the heart and kidneys and broke the femur on exit with a baseball sized hole.

Another Antelope doe I shot at 350 yards was perfectly broadside, I aimed behind her shoulder for a lung shot. She dropped where she was standing, the lungs were vaporized mush and a broken rib in and out. I intended on very little meat damage and had none.

 

[Arneson]

Question why so big 6 mm does fine a job never meat issue killed many with .223 like killing a rabbit

 

[BLC3128]

Question why so big 6 mm does fine a job never meat issue killed many with .223 like killing a rabbit

With all due respect, this thread is for reloading data of the 7mm WBY.

Thanks

 

[Reloder28]

Question why so big 6 mm does fine a job never meat issue killed many with .223 like killing a rabbit

Not even a sentence.

 

[BLC3128]

Update!

I received the rifle from Bobby Hart and had time to hit the range for a 200 yard ladder test.

Temp was 60, cloudy, and no wind.

I shot around 8 shots to foul the barrel with a nice recipe of Sierra GK w/ 4831 @2900Fps...Next, I re-torqued the action screws. Then, I shot a 5 shot group of my "old" load. With the exception of a flyer, the group was around 1.25 moa. Here is the data:
Bullet- 160gr Nosler Partition
Powder- 78gr Retumbo
Primer- Fed 215
Brass- Neck Sized Weatherby
COAL- 3.365"
MV- 3276 FPS
ES- 41
SD- 13.09

Now on to the ladder test. I loaded 3 shots per group and increased 0.5gr per group. I shot 1 shot per charge group (lowest to highest, highest to lowest, lowest to highest). Barrel never got warm, thanks to my new Riflekuhl from Magnetospeed!
Anyways, here is the data..

Bullet- Nosler Accubond 160gr
Powder- RL25
Primer- Fed 215
Brass- Neck sized Weatherby
COAL- 3.365"

Group A 73.5gr- 3096FPS ES 26 SD10.78
Group B 74.0gr- 3092FPS ES 18 SD8.49
Group C 74.5gr- 3130FPS ES 38 SD15.59
Group D 75.0gr- 3143FPS ES 31 SD12.83
Group E 75.5gr- 3193FPS ES 35 SD14.52
Group F 76.0gr- 3242FPS ES 10 SD4.32
Group G 76.5gr- 3244FPS ES 3 SD1.41
*Group H 77.0gr- 3265FPS ES 33 SD16.58
*I did hit slight pressure signs @77gr (sticky bolt)

I measured vertical spread and will head back to the range soon..see pics

 

[BLC3128]

I have to say I was thoroughly impressed with this device! Although it's not scorching hot in Pennsylvania, it cooled my barrel in a matter of minutes. It is compact, comes with an air filter, and moves quite a bit of air..My range time was definitely cut by a 1/3!