Just got a new 7mm WSM, built as a lighter weight hunting rifle by Nate Dagley in ND. Just started working up loads for an upcoming elk hunt with my son. After 6 rounds of single shot/clean to break in the barrel tried 3 shots with the 175 Partitions with 71gr. Magnum powder. First shot was off by an inch, with the next 2 practically touching. My next 3 shot group using a bi-pod off a bench yielded a 0.4in. group. Pretty exciting with less than 20 rounds out of the new rifle to get such great groups with no load development! I think I have my load. For the record, they were loaded 0.020 off the lands, using a Fed 215M primer, new Winchester brass. :grin:
7mm WSM - 175 Partition
- Thread starter JimW
- Start date
- Oct 30, 2004
- 24,278
- 2,989
Nice,
What was your velocity?
What was your velocity?
- Thread starter
- #3
I did not chronograph them today, as I had just a short time to shoot. However, I do plan on chronographing the loads tomorrow. The Ramshot website gives a velocity using a 24in barrel of 2925 with 72.2 grs. My guess is that I am between 2850 and 2900 with the 71gr. I would like to be around 2900fps. for my hunting load. I will continue up to 72 grs. tomorrow, as long as every thing looks well with the brass. It looks like I will need to order some more 175 gr partitions.
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,746
- 5,822
Excellent! My 7mm Rem mag worked real well with a 175 Nosler at roughly 2900 fps on a nice size 6x6 bull in Wyoming some years ago. Great bullet.
- Thread starter
- #5
I wouldn't be messing around with that load much at all. You have one of the best bullets available and are shooting stellar groups. I am pretty simple with my reloading . I find a really good load with a good bullet and stick with it. My load for my win mag was developed in the 70's never changed it, never wanted to. Good luck with your hunt!!!!!
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,314
- 5,983
My experiences with the 7mm WSM have all been positive. I shoot 160 grain ABs in mine. It has accounted for quite a few deer. It consistently shoots 1/4 inch groups. Sounds as if your load will be a winner.
Desert Fox
Handloader
- Aug 14, 2006
- 1,965
- 3
Jim, great choice of cartridge. I suppose that's the same reamer that Nate used in building his personal F-class rifle. He won the North Dakota state championship with that rifle which I now own. It comes with both 338 Lapua Ackley and the 7 WSM barrel. I'm not gonna touch the 338! so I will send the bolt for the WSM to Lawton and have them build me another 7500 Action. I will use the rifle strictly for competition.
bullet
Handloader
- Dec 26, 2007
- 4,973
- 8
Desert Fox":1ymmhon1 said:
I sure hope you competitions go well. If they go like you put together rifles and your hand loads, you should be very successful.
JimW":mur8jl2i said:
Jim, that sounds like an awesome load. Like Bill said, hard to mess with a load that shoots that well, and elk will never notice the little extra you get with more powder. I really want to try the 175gr PT's in my 7RM when I get it back. That bullet has EVERYTHING going for it, super high SD, +.500 BC and is tougher than woodpecker lips.
Congrats on your boy returning from Iraq. I am sure he is going to really enjoy the mtn air after sucking dust over there! Scotty
- Oct 30, 2004
- 24,278
- 2,989
2900 fps (though not really required) would be great.
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,746
- 5,822
Agree. I was all goofy about getting 2900+ fps with a 175 from my 7mm Rem mag. Made it happen, but I doubt if the outcome would have been any different if I'd settled for a good 2800 fps load.
A hundred fps one way or the other really doesn't matter much if the load is accurate and consistent, and you're tossing a good bullet downrange.
A hundred fps one way or the other really doesn't matter much if the load is accurate and consistent, and you're tossing a good bullet downrange.
- Thread starter
- #13
Agree that the velocity concern is overdone. Most of my elk harvests have been with 150gr. Nosler Partition out of a 270, and I have never lost one animal. At any rate, I chronographed the loads, and assuming my chrono was accurate, I got 2915fps at 71gr., 2951 at 71.5, and 72gr yielded 2962. Accuracy and point of impact was essentially the same with all loads at 200yds, shooting in windy conditions. There were no signs of excessive pressure with any of the loads, so I will continue to experiment right where I am with what gives the most consistent accuracy. I do have my rifle throated longer than a standard 7mm WSM, with the bullets seated out to approx. 2.950, which I couldn't do with a standard throat and magazine length. So these loads would likely yield higher pressure with a standard throat and cartridge length. One other interesting note, the Magnum powder did not seem to be affected by the temp of 40 degrees. I also loaded up some other loads with Reloader 22 and Magpro, and both of these were giving lower velocity than I would typically get in the summer.
