7 rem mag question and suggestion? MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

[cloverleaf]

Been my experience that Cheap REM ammo is not often the bell weather for a rifles accuracy potential. Try another brand, shoot it yourself, and if your groups still suck do yourself a favor and give that Tasco (if it is indeed a cheap one), to the neighbors 4 year old and tell him to drive nails with it. Save yourself and your friend a whole lot of pain and aggravation. Yes, I know the cheap ones can shoot but the odds are against it. Put it on a.22 and practice with that, if nothing else. Dad alwayts used 4350 in his 7mag but there are lots of other possibilities the way it looks. CL

 

[JDMAG]

I was gonna suggest removing the rifle and placing a good #1 in its place with some 160 AB's and some RL22. Then maybe a better scope.
But it seems as though you have every thing in hand. :grin:

 

[chet]

well boys.... I finally got out to shoot this gun tonight, and boy am I full of excuses!!!! It was starting to rain, so I was rushing a little. Also, have you ever had a rain drop smack your ear while you were in mid trigger pull?
Anyways. the trigger is not a smooth one. On most shots I felt two stutters on my way to trigger break. Instead of polishing the surfaces of the sear, I'll offer to install him an aftermarket trigger. The rifle basix on my 25-06AI is AMAZING! I don't like altering factory parts too much on other peoples guns!
Velocity was disappointing..... average of 2846 fps, although it seems to be quite consistent. No pressure signs.
The scope is horrible, almost no eye relief on 9x, and quite blurry.
Given the circumstances, I think the group could have been alot worse. I felt confidence in three of the five shots. I can clearly see this gun shooting 6" groups or worse with factory rem ammo before the barrel float.
Goal achieved? almost....... I think a better optic is in order before any more time and material is wasted on handloads. I'll let the owner decide the next step.

 

[JDMAG]

maybe my idea wasnt so bad afterall? :shock:

 

[SJB358]

Chet, at worse, you have 1.5" groups and decent speed. Until the trigger and glass is improved, I think you accomplished your mission. That is still way within a deer out to 400 yards pretty easily. You have three rounds in an 1" so I think you did well. Your buddy only has up to go from there. Probably would get a touch more speed out of them, but really, that is still good strong 280 performance. Good show buddy, It seems you have put alot of good work on the rifle and it shows quite alot of promise. Scotty

 

[JD338]

chet,

Pretty good results for what you have to work with!
Better optics and trigger would help a lot to improve even more. I think you could get better velocity if you tried RL 22 with the 160 gr AB.

As you said, now its up to the owner to decide.

Keep us posted.

JD338

 

[chet]

Gave him some spare rings and bases, and installed his new Vortex Diamonback 3.5-10X50. WOW what a nice scope for $250!!!

Loaded up some RL22 @ 64 grains (alliant says 65 is max)
Very happy with the velocity!!! 2977, 2964, 2969, 2958
Trigger felt alot better @ 2.5lbs
Absolutley NO excuses from the shooter this time (me), however accuracy didn't improve much.
an odd sized group, farthest holes were 1.7" apart. Threw the target away in frustration as I was expecting better
The seating depth is at mag length, .025" off the lands.
Should I play with seating depth now? Or powder charge? Obviously I don't wanna change both at the same time. Which would you try first?

Also, I discovered where MAX is on my Kimber 84 308..... 47gr Varget with 150 gr pro-hunter produced a very sticky bolt, with no sign of pressure on the brass, gave me 2890 fps out of the 22" bbl, I'll back down to 46grs and work with seating depth on that one. Thanks all you guys!

 

[DrMike]

You have some good velocities and great standard deviation from the velocities listed. I'd focus on maintaining that particular load and play with seating depth if possible.

 

[SJB358]

That is some decent speed you are getting out of the bullets, but you can push the 160 a little harder and you may start tightening up your groups. I am running 66gr's and am getting about 3050 out mine. I have the same exact M70 XTR 7mm Rem Mag and it has always shot really well. I think the stock is a club of plastic, but it worked for a long time as my only rifle. Scotty

 

[chet]

I'm gonna make three loads to test in the morning:

3 rnds at the current seating depth with 65 grs of rl22

3 rnds at 3.310 with 64 grs rl22

3 rnds at 3.300 with 64 grs rl22

then analyze the results and go from there.

 

[chet]

first I shot the 65g load.
foul shot went a touch higher than the group and was also a little slower at 2988 fps
2nd shot went 3006
3rd shot went 3019
4th shot went 3026

I then shot the 64 gr loads with varying seating depths, they improved - but nothing like the 65 gr load.

Final load is: 160 gr AB, Nosler brass, CCI250, 65 gr RL22, 3.320: oal

Now I think I'll make him an offer on this rifle :lol: after his hunt of course!!!!

 

[SJB358]

Chet, that is typical RL22/160gr AccuBond performance from a decent 7mm Rem Mag. Excellent shooting. It looks like it was totally worth it to do a little work on it. Those M70's weren't the prettiest, but man, mine shoots really well also. I think I am going to throw a stock on it, just to get rid of that crappy plastic stock, but other than that, it is a great shooter. Congratulations on that group. Very awesome. Scotty