7 Mag, 150 CBBT, Final load test

[Darkhorse]

I found it much more difficult to get an accurate load with 63. grains IMR 4350 than I did with the 60 to 61 grain loads, but as I'm hunting a powerline with this rifle and all the good bucks are crossing right at the 400 to 420 yard mark, I just thought I needed the extra speed for a flatter trajectory.
Group A felt good all 3 shots but the first one is out of the group.
Group B, what can I say? Sometimes you just know you shouldn't shoot but you do anyway. I had some sweat in my eye earlier and had problems focusing on the target. Pulled back twice but finally shot anyway. That was the shot low to the right. Can't help but wonder about that load. Maybe I'll get a chance to shoot it again if time permits.
Group C, Even though it's not what I wanted (all shots touching) I think I'll call it quits and use that load this year. It's printing just over 1/2" at max. load.

I really think that until I get a scope with more magnification that this about the best I can do. It's the best I can see and you can't hit what you can't see.

 

[DrMike]

I would judge group C to be adequate. All of us want bugholes; generally we accept something less. That is a fine load and some excellent riflery.

 

[FOTIS]

Velocities?

 

[HeathSexton]

Looks good, I would try .005" deeper just to see how it did.

 

[wisconsinteacher]

Load 10-20 up and hit the woods. My 7mmRM is loving the CTBT also. Please report how they perform on deer.

 

[SJB358]

Very nice DH. That load looks to be carrying the mail. I have an older M8 4X Leupold on my 7mm RM. While it isn't alot of magnification, it really makes picking what magnification I am going to shoot at real easy.. HA

That load should crumple any buck, near or far. I am thinking your in the 3000-3100 range.. Sounds like a great one.

Can't wait to see how it works for you. Although, I already have a good idea what its going to do..

 

[OU812]

I would use group C with all the confidence in the world and rock on. A smaller group would look nice to post here but for hunting deer sized game out to 400 yards it wouldn't make any discernible difference.

 

[Darkhorse]

Velocities?

Wish I knew as I no longer have a Chrono. But if memory serves me this rifle used to shoot pretty near the published loads. Not a large enough difference for me to note it in my old loading manuals.
This rifle has a fine, tight chamber. Loading for it has always been a breeze. Never, not once have I had a case head separation with this rifle. I can't say that about my Browning .300 Win. so I check all my cases every loading with a sharpened paper clip.
I am guessing 3,000 to be on the safe side, but with this load it's starting to kick like a magnum. It's starting to use up that Limbsaver I installed earlier this year, but it is still pleasant to shoot.
I'm thinking about a sight in 3" high at 100 yards or maybe just sight it for 300 yards. I might have my .308 in the stand also for any close shots.

 

[FOTIS]

3025 fps according to quickload.

 

[Rem Jim]

Load C is happening there - More then Good for hunting - B UT i would shoot that load at 300 Yards and see how it Groups first - RJ

 

[Mud]

Where did you get that target?

I would recommend doing load development at longer ranges. Most expert would recommend 300 yards as a minimum.

 

[Darkhorse]

Here in Georgia 100 yards IS considered long range. There are probably less than 100 deer killed at 250 yards or greater a year in the entire state. Ranges with 300 yards or more are few, maybe 5 or so, private, and none within a couple of hours drive, at least, of me. Used to there were plenty of dirt pits and such but now it's all posted in my area.
I do have family property where some longer shots are available, depending on where the cows are, but it's all field position shooting and before an out of state hunt I do a lot of practicing out there.
100 yards will have to do.

This target I made using Power Point. It is based on free downloadable targets from;
http://www.accurateshooter.com/shooting-skills/targets/
These targets are in Power Point and if you have Power Point on your computer you can edit them. Or just make your own versions of them. Like this one;

 

[wisconsinteacher]

So, with your target, did you type the info in before you shot or did you some how load the shot target on to PowerPoint and then add the information? I like the idea but suffer from lack of use on PowerPoint to understand how to do it.

 

[Darkhorse]

I'm not a Power Point expert either but there's always a "Way", sometimes an end around route works good.
I build a template target with pertinant information that always remains on the target such as rifle data etc. all this can be changed if I change rifles because these are all Text blocks.
Before I leave I input things like date, powder charge, bullet, things that are a known value. Then I print the target on heavy paper.
When I get home I'll scan the target then add it back to a power point file. Then add the group size and any other info I think I need to remember by creating text blocks. This is why the font size and color is sometimes different.
So now, everytime I tried to export this file I lost all the new data. Here's where my experience is lacking.
So, I'll snip the target and save that snip as a .jpg file into another folder. Then using a photo program I'll crop everything but the target, adjust the picture quality if neccessary, name the photo and save it.
Now I can access the photo to attach it to a website or anything else I want to do with it.
You could probably do the same thing with Publisher.