7mag & 150BT Promising load

[Darkhorse]

Personally, I'm really dissappointed with this group. Those 2 shots to the left are a heartbeat. I just could not get that old M700 sporter stock to settle down. I could see the crosshairs move with my heartbeat. If not for me I think it would be a bughole group.
I knew I had some hard brass so I annealed a few for this test. Plus I tweaked the seating depth a couple of thousand's. Also weighed the brass.

Question: Compared to the groups with the 150 Ballistic Tip, what could I expect from the 150 Partition?

 

[JD338]

Reshoot it again.
Stay away from caffeine prior to shooting.
You may be good to go. Nice shooting in any case.

JD338

 

[Oldtrader3]

The group looks bimodel, aside from being quite small. It could mean a failing scope, lose scope mount or bedding issue with stock. The first two are easily checked. Bedding being much more subtle and harder to isolate the problem.

 

[Elkman]

When I put 3 shots in nearly the same hole, my heart rate goes up, , I tense up, I worry the next shot, then I get larger groups. Maybe you also react similarly. ?

 

[Oldtrader3]

If it continues to shoot 5-shot groups under 3/4 inches at 100 yards, maybe you should ignore the bimodality?

 

[hubcap]

If you saw the crosshairs move perhaps your front support is less than perfect. The load may not be a problem at all.

 

[skidmark]

Looks like you got the load.
and the group looks good.
7 mag is a lot of gun.
Great shooting

 

[SJB358]

You could expect very similar groups with the 150 PT. I have not found PT's hard to load for and in many cases, the same seating die setting will work very well for PT's. While I don't have any awesome shot groups like that, my 270WSM shoots 150BT's and 150PT's just about the same.

 

[Darkhorse]

Caffeine yes, can't help myself, just need it to get going these days.
The front rest is a known problem but I'm trying to compensate for it. It doesn't really fit the rounded forend of the BDL wooden stock and I can tell when trying to break the shot. I guess I need to spring for a better front rest.
The load is good, I have basically repeated this with 3 shot groups for the 3rd time.
First 2 shots into one hole, then a flyer, then 4th shot back in the hole, then the last shot a flyer.
Last November the rifle would not shoot a 5" group due to stock warpage. Did some bedding work and it will hold zero now.
I like the way the BT's shoot but I'm not sure it's the bullet I need. I may get shots from 20 yards out to 420, frontal or raking shots are a probability. I just feel like the PT or AccuBond might be better. Plus I can't get loads heavier than 61. grains to shoot well. I want to wring more velocity plus accuracy out of this rifle for hunting the powerline.

 

[SJB358]

I wouldn't worry about that bullet buddy. Even at 20 yards it's going to put the pain on any deer. If you'd feel better a 140AB might be just the ticket out of your 7. It'll be fast and hold up real well to anything.

 

[Elkman]

Darkhorse
I would doubt that any animal you shoot, will be able to tell the difference, between a 61 grain load and a 63 grain load. Also I am thinking that the most important round that you shoot is the first one, not the 4th, or 5th. You have a great load, try a couple of small fixes and concentrate on hunt, dreaming, or planning. Good luck.

 

[tecumseh]

Good shooting! I'd load that and shoot it again.

 

[Darkhorse]

I can't load it again. I'm out of bullets. 50 really doesn't go that far when I'm working up loads.
However, I did buy a box of .30 165 gr. Ballistic tips for my .300 Win. mag. So I'm already starting prep work on cases. In a couple of months I'll start some tests with the .300, can't get to it before then. That rifle has shot groups in the .180's with Hornady 165 Spire points, so I'm looking for something good with the BT's.

 

[tecumseh]

I can't load it again. I'm out of bullets. 50 really doesn't go that far when I'm working up loads.
However, I did buy a box of .30 165 gr. Ballistic tips for my .300 Win. mag. So I'm already starting prep work on cases. In a couple of months I'll start some tests with the .300, can't get to it before then. That rifle has shot groups in the .180's with Hornady 165 Spire points, so I'm looking for something good with the BT's.

I know what you mean. I wish Nosler sold em by the 100 instead of 50 per box.