I am wanting some advise as to where to start for my coal when i load the 140 grain AccuBond for my rifle, i know that the maximum is 2.960 inches, but i am not sure where to start, i am new to reloading and any advise would help, maybe even some recommended loads for the 140 grain AccuBond bullet in a 7mm WSM. Thanks
140 gr Accubond 7mm WSM load recommendations
- Thread starter dezmick
- Start date
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
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dezmick,
SAAMI specs for the 7mm WSM sets 2.860 as standardised COAL. You may be limited by your magazine to COAL. What rifle do you have? What is the depth of your magazine? Have you checked to see what the distance to the lands might be? Generally, the AB will tolerate being loaded close to the lands. On my 7mm WSM, I usually load ABs to within 0.010 inches of the lands. As a good rule of thumb, use the recommendation of the Nosler No. 6 Guide, which states that in their tests they found IMR 4350 to be the most accurate powder (lowest standard deviation). This would be a good powder to begin testing.
SAAMI specs for the 7mm WSM sets 2.860 as standardised COAL. You may be limited by your magazine to COAL. What rifle do you have? What is the depth of your magazine? Have you checked to see what the distance to the lands might be? Generally, the AB will tolerate being loaded close to the lands. On my 7mm WSM, I usually load ABs to within 0.010 inches of the lands. As a good rule of thumb, use the recommendation of the Nosler No. 6 Guide, which states that in their tests they found IMR 4350 to be the most accurate powder (lowest standard deviation). This would be a good powder to begin testing.
- Thread starter
- #3
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,318
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dezmick,
Your Browning magazine won't permit you to load to the lands. This should not be a problem, however, as the 7mm WSM is quite a forgiving cartridge. Load to the magazine (2.860 inches) and alter powder charge. You named two excellent powders for the 140 grain AB. If you have further questions, there is usually someone loitering about who will be able to give you some guidance. Best of luck as you work up the load. I'm currently using a 160 grain AB in my 7mm WSM. It is devastating on mule deer and whitetails, dropping them with real authority. Should I encounter an elk or a moose whilst I'm carrying that load, I have no doubt that they will accept my invitation to join me for dinner.
Your Browning magazine won't permit you to load to the lands. This should not be a problem, however, as the 7mm WSM is quite a forgiving cartridge. Load to the magazine (2.860 inches) and alter powder charge. You named two excellent powders for the 140 grain AB. If you have further questions, there is usually someone loitering about who will be able to give you some guidance. Best of luck as you work up the load. I'm currently using a 160 grain AB in my 7mm WSM. It is devastating on mule deer and whitetails, dropping them with real authority. Should I encounter an elk or a moose whilst I'm carrying that load, I have no doubt that they will accept my invitation to join me for dinner.
- Thread starter
- #5
corbin9191
Handloader
- Dec 2, 2007
- 724
- 0
I tried a few of the 140 grain accubonds out of my 7mm wsm and they liked to be .030 off the lands along with H1000 and CCI BR-2 primers.
dezmick":vela5ym0 said:
I think the 140's would work for elk, but if you can get your hands on the 160gr AB/PT I would feel a little better off. While the 140's are great bullets, the 7WSM has the juice in order to really push the 160's-175's to great hunting speeds and would make a terrific elk round. Just my prejudice, if you have the room for powder, you might as well try the heavier bullets. Better SD and BC so your trajectory will only be slightly more and the penetration will be better. Scotty
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,318
- 5,990
I use 160 ABs in my 7 WSM, finding them to be instant death on mule deer and whitetail. I haven't used them yet on elk or moose, but I'm quite confident that they will work as for years I used 160 grain Fail Safe bullets in my 7 RM at the same velocity to tag moose and elk. I would say that the 7 WSM was designed to take full advantage of the 160 AB. I wouldn't overlook the 160 PT, either.
elkeater2
Handloader
- Jan 5, 2009
- 761
- 85
Dezmick,
Back to your question about the 140 AB's -- for my son's M70 we are loading those bullets with 63.5 gr. of RL17 for 3300 fps(2.860 COL) and no problems. Still, that's right up there, and I'd recommend starting about 60.5 and work up. We did load RL19 and H4831SC. They were a little slower, and the RL19 was most accurate of those two.
All the advice about other bullets is good, but the 140 AB is no slouch for elk. The only disappointment we've had on deer is the bullet is maybe TOO tough for 150 yd. thru the ribs both sides shots. In that situation there can be pass throughs for sure, and not as much internal damage as with some bullets. They still don't go far, but the blood trail is somewhat less. If a guy was hunting high ground with the possibility of a deer or elk dropping off in some hell hole, then taking at least one shoulder out might save some tough packing. I wouldn't save the 140's for strictly prairie dogs and coyotes and anemic pronghorns :grin: !! Use 'em for anything that doesn't have grizzled fur and big teeth.
Elkeater2
Back to your question about the 140 AB's -- for my son's M70 we are loading those bullets with 63.5 gr. of RL17 for 3300 fps(2.860 COL) and no problems. Still, that's right up there, and I'd recommend starting about 60.5 and work up. We did load RL19 and H4831SC. They were a little slower, and the RL19 was most accurate of those two.
All the advice about other bullets is good, but the 140 AB is no slouch for elk. The only disappointment we've had on deer is the bullet is maybe TOO tough for 150 yd. thru the ribs both sides shots. In that situation there can be pass throughs for sure, and not as much internal damage as with some bullets. They still don't go far, but the blood trail is somewhat less. If a guy was hunting high ground with the possibility of a deer or elk dropping off in some hell hole, then taking at least one shoulder out might save some tough packing. I wouldn't save the 140's for strictly prairie dogs and coyotes and anemic pronghorns :grin: !! Use 'em for anything that doesn't have grizzled fur and big teeth.
Elkeater2
