7mag & 150 CTBT's, first shots.

[Jgraider]

Long time reader and lurker here, first time poster. Looks like you're really onto something there Darkhorse. What velocity are you getting with those loads?

I've been loading for and hunting with a 7mag for almost 40 years. I didn't like the first generation BT's, but the CTBT's I've tried have been very accurate, and work great on big mule deer bucks. They are much tougher nowadays.

Good luck with your load work up Darkhorse...please keep us posted.

Welcome aboard, Jgraider. Always good to see new folk posting. I discover that many of those posting for the first time have a wealth of experience. Here you'll find a good group ready to mine the depths of your knowledge.

Thank you sir! I'm quite sure I'll learn far more than i can contribute. Great place here, and I love Nosler bullets!

 

[Jgraider]

Long time reader and lurker here, first time poster. Looks like you're really onto something there Darkhorse. What velocity are you getting with those loads?

/quote]

Can't say for sure since my chrono died a few years back. If I can find a load I like at 63 grs. of IMR 4350, max in the Nosler books, I'm going to just figure it at 3,000 fps. I don't think it will go the published 3200. I'll be hunting a powerline with the 7mag and the max distance is about 420 yards.
There is a good trail crossing right at the 420 mark and a good one at 351, then a couple more closer in. I have built a shooting house so I'll have a solid rest for those long shots. And the distances are marked simplifying holdover.
A new chrono is on the list, but it will come after a new scope.

Gotcha! FWIW, I've always found best accuracy in my 7mags when I'm near max pressures/velocities, no matter the rifle make. I also usually start off .010 off so there's only one way for me to go (seating deeper) when trying to shrink groups. If you're seeing ZERO signs of pressure, you could always try another half grain bump to see what happens to your groups. If not, that load will hunt anyway. What scope are you considering for the longer ranges?

 

[Darkhorse]

There are no signs of pressure at 63. grains so I could go up in powder. In fact back when I bought this rifle in '81 the loading data was all over the place and I remember some loads from older manuals several grains over today's maximum loads. Some real good groups came from these overloads with no signs of pressure.
But I don't just go by pressure signs anymore. When I work up a load for a rifle now measuring the case with a .0001 Micrometer is part of the process. If I was making a western trip I would be trying to wring all the velocity and accuracy possible out of my load. But for what I'm doing with it 3,000 fps will be plenty.
I honestly don't know about the scope. I don't really need over a 3.5X10 for the majority of my hunting. My last scope purchase was a Zeiss conquest in 3X9 for my .308 and I really like it. The 3.5 X 10 conquest can still be found. Also I'm liking some things I read about the Meopta's as to glass quality and light gathering. The new Zeiss HD5 is most likely out of my price range but we'll see.
I'm not sure scope power is all my problem. I remember a range trip earlier this year where I tried to focus the Leupold that's on the rifle. I could get a sharp reticle but not target. I never got them both sharp and clear at the same time. Didn't think much about it at the time as I'd never noticed it before.
Maybe both me and that scope are getting old.