7mm WSM and 168ABLR

[SJB358]

Had a chance to get the little 7 out there test out the new 168 ABLR's. I picked two powders I had on hand that showed promise, Magpro and RL25

I seated all of these at 2.925" which is .010" off the lands in my Model 70.

All shooting was at 200 yards.

69 grains Magpro 2926, 2908, 2908



70 grains Magpro 2933, 2921, 2933



71 grains Magpro 3009, 3046, 3046



As the charges went up, the group sizes went up... Kinda opposite from what I have found in the past, but they stayed triangular in nature..

Then I moved onto RL25

68.5 2964, 3001, 3000, 3017



69.5 3050, 3058, 3071, 3075



70.5 3106, 3123, 3106, 3111 (I cranked shot two off into left field)



So, with RL25, as the speeds increased, the groups starting taking shape. Speeds look excellent to me as well. They are above what I think I should be getting with my rifle. Pressures seem less than my current favorite load of the 160 at 3100 with RL22...

Sample Group with the 160 AB and RL22.. Used these to foul the barrel.



Pretty sure I will get back at these pretty quickly. If they follow the 270, as I shorten the COAL, I am pretty sure group size will follow as well.

 

[RiverRider]

That's interesting, Scotty. The LRAB has me thinking about getting off the 150 Partition for my .280, but I'm reluctant to try and fix what ain't broke plus I have all the bullets I'll ever need for that rifle. On the other hand, my .280 is by far my best candidate for a long range performer. I might just have to studiously avoid reading about these new bullets until I've nothing better to do than go changing things up!

 

[Guest]

Potential there.
I am watching as I plan to try these in my 7 mag.
Thanks!
Dewey

 

[kraky]

Regarding the ABLR and pressure it seemed to me that the brg area of the. 277 ablr...or the shank of the bullet actually riding in the rifling, is actually pretty short. I'm wondering if the 7mm might be the same. Got some new bullet comparators coming to try and get more concrete figures.
It wouldn't shock me that the 7mm able might have less brg area than the 160 ab.

 

[SJB358]

Regarding the ABLR and pressure it seemed to me that the brg area of the. 277 ablr...or the shank of the bullet actually riding in the rifling, is actually pretty short. I'm wondering if the 7mm might be the same. Got some new bullet comparators coming to try and get more concrete figures.
It wouldn't shock me that the 7mm able might have less brg area than the 160 ab.

That is 100% true. With my own crude measuring tools I sorta figured that out, but I'm still just a tough surprised at my findings. I will continue to work with them, and I'm thinking a good load isn't too far away. They seem like they wanna shoot already.

 

[kraky]

Just got my. 277 comparator clipped on the caliper.
The 140 .277 ab has. 708 caliber width shank riding the rifling.
The 150 ablr has quite a bit less at .595.
Everything about the ablr seems so well thought out. The bc's seem for real....the long range expansion yet ability to keep from disintegrating at close range seems for real. Accuracy potential seems real good. And, design to keep them from being over pressure seems for real. It really seems like the homework was done really really well on these bullets!
Great job Nosler!

 

[JD338]

Scotty

Interesting results. I hope to have some 7mm 168 gr and 150 gr ABLR's next week.
I have cases prepped, primed and ready to go. I am planning on testing some 150 gr ABLR's on some crop damage deer pretty quick.

JD338

 

[SJB358]

Just got my. 277 comparator clipped on the caliper.
The 140 .277 ab has. 708 caliber width shank riding the rifling.
The 150 ablr has quite a bit less at .595.
Everything about the ablr seems so well thought out. The bc's seem for real....the long range expansion yet ability to keep from disintegrating at close range seems for real. Accuracy potential seems real good. And, design to keep them from being over pressure seems for real. It really seems like the homework was done really really well on these bullets!
Great job Nosler!

I agree 1000% buddy. Everything you just mentioned, I will echo. It looks like Nosler did their homework with these bullets.

As soon as I get some good, accurate loads worked up, I plan on putting some jugs further out to test expansion downrange, but seeing what they do up close, I think they will be really good the further they get from the muzzle.

Looking forward to your results Jim. I think they are going to be really good in your 280 with the 150 grain variety.

 

[nvbroncrider]

Good shooting I bet your right on that. Shorten them up and watch them talk to you. 3100 outta them is pretty impressive. Gotta wait for them 175's. I bet I will be pushing them somewhere around 3050 outta my Ackley.

 

[SJB358]

I did a little more today with the 168's. I backed them up a little more. Seem to be coming together. Kind of a rough day on the range, being that is was about 97*, but I wanted to shoot..

These were all with RL25, WW cases, CCI250 primers.

I backed up a little more, just to see how far I could shoot and 275 yards was as far as I could get, so, that is what these were shot at.

2.990"



2.970"



2.950



I think I can work with the 2.970" load. I can't be totally honest if it was me out there today, or the rifle. Either way, at nearly 300 yards, it looks good enough to hunt with... Once I can sneak away to a longer range, I will report more on them.

 

[nvbroncrider]

Looking good. That's a smoking load. I don't think you can complain with that 2.970" well under MOA.

 

[DrMike]

I would say that the 168 ABLR makes the 7WSM a real contender to accompany your this fall.

 

[SJB358]

I would say that the 168 ABLR makes the 7WSM a real contender to accompany your this fall.

You aren't kidding Mike. Tough call which of the three WSMs are going to Oregon.