Caught Yet "Another" Great Deal!

[Blkram]

Well, the new-to me LH Browning X Bolt All Weather in 7mm Rem Mag arrived with my daughter on Boxing Day. I got the Gunmetal Leupold VX-3 3-10x40 B&C w/ Alumina caps mounted on it in the Titanium Talley's but was unable get out to shoot it until today. (Weight of scoped rifle with full magazine is 8 lbs 7 ounces.)

Shot 3 different loads in it:
1) Federal 155 gr Terminal Ascent ammo: 3156 fps ES 19.8 SD 8.7 0.902" 3 shot group @ 100 yards;
2) Federal 160 gr Trophy Bonded Tip ammo: 3009 fps ES 12.7 SD 5.2 0.858" 3 shot group @ 100 yards; and
3) Nosler 160 gr AccuBond ammo: 3116 fps ES 42.9 SD 19.1 0.580" 3 shot group @ 100 yards.
Ran out of time before getting to the Nosler 150 gr Ballistic Tip ammo.
The 155 gr TA load retains 2400+ fps and 2000+ ft. lbs. of energy @ 500 yards and drops 31.3" with a 200 yard zero.
The 160 gr AB load retains 2300+ fps and 1900+ ft. lbs. of energy @ 500 yards and drops 33.2" with a 200 yard zero.
Now to decide whether I want the heavier bullet (SD of .283 vs .275) for the edge in penetration, or the edge in retained energy with slightly less accuracy...
At the end of the day, no animal is going to notice the difference! I'm thinking accuracy is going to win the day...the rifle is definitely showing that it is capable of good accuracy!

Not often a rifle produces better than factory velocities...the extra 2" of barrel on this rifle is definitely aiding in this regard.

And my new Fierce LH Carbon Rogue in 7MM PRC finally arrived after the Canada Post strike, and I got the Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44 mounted in the Talley rings, w/ Alumina caps. Rifle package weighs 7 lbs. 14 ounces, and 8 lbs 1 ounce with 3 rounds of ammo. I removed the muzzle brake and had the thread cap installed.

I have 3 factory loads to try in it, but only had time to get it sighted in and try the Hornady 175 gr ELD-X ammo in it today:
2788 fps ES 39.7 SD 13.8 3 shot group of .892" @ 100 yards. (over 200 fps slower than factory spec for this ammo)

Will try the Federal 175 gr ELD-X and Nosler 175 gr ABLR ammo in it on the next range trip. Still trying to locate some 155 and 170 gr Terminal Ascent ammo for it.

The trigger is a little light @ 2.5 lbs...all my rifles have triggers set at 3 lbs. (if adjustable). I'll get this set for 3 lbs., so that it is the same as my other rifles. (Just a little too light for my liking when shooting while wearing gloves in colder weather.) It does break cleanly with no creep.
The recoil pad did a good job, as I did not find the recoil harsh, sharp or objectionable (at approx. 26 lbs.). We'll see how it fairs with the other ammo if they reach the claimed 3000 fps velocities.
So far, liking the rifle and scope combo!

 

[wvbuckbuster]

Nice both of them.

 

[NYDAN]

Looks like a finer pair of rifles. The accuracy is impressive for factory rifles.

 

[JD338]

Gil,
Congratulations on a beautiful pair of 7mms.

JD338

 

[Blkram]

Looks like a finer pair of rifles. The accuracy is impressive for factory rifles.

I have been most fortunate in acquiring rifles of good to great accuracy over the years, and that most are capable of MOA accuracy or better with factory ammunition. I have only owned a few over the years that wouldn't produce MOA groups (mostly lever actions) with factory ammo, and I no longer have those rifles.
While I do have rifles that benefit from handloading, most do not need it, and there are a couple I may never handload for, as I am not certain that it is worth the effort, as I am not likely to make any (great) gains by doing so (e.g., my LH Sako AV in 7MM STW that will produce 1" groups @ 300 yards with Nosler's 160 gr AccuBond ammo, and my Winchester Model 88 in 250 Savage that will produce 0.209" groups with HSM's 100 gr SGK ammo - when I do my part! - while these two are custom, my Browning BLR in 358 Win is the only factory rifle I have that must have handloads to meet the MOA grade), other than just the enjoyment of handloading. And I have enough rifles to keep that desire satisfied!
I guess I have subscribed to the old saying "the only interesting rifle, is an accurate rifle".

 

[preacher]

Nice rifles there Uncle Blkram!
After scoping the Vanguard .270, it felt pretty heavy, kinda "sluggish" in my hands. I felt it was a tad "too" heavy, so sold it. I decided to get another Bergara B14 Hunter .270. I can have a Trigger Tech put in it, they come Pillar Bedded. I still like them, what I call "Skim" Bedded, just to take out all the wiggle/torque/twist of the action. But I am changing that hunk of "Tactical" Bolt Knob back to their original Round Knob. I am just not into long bolt handles and gigantic Bolt Knobs, ha. I put this rifle on Layaway. I did break down and searched out/bought a Garmen Chrony though. Found one on Reddit at "Not Just Guns" for under $500! Getting jazzed here in God's Country! I mean "Browning Country"!! lol

 

[RL338]

Found one on Reddit at "Not Just Guns" for under $500!

That’s where I got mine from also.

 

[Blkram]

Finally acquired some of the Federal 7mm PRC 170 gr Terminal Ascent ammo to try on my next range trip!
Apparently it took a little longer for the government to get around to certifying this ammo for import into the country. They are still waiting for the 155 gr version to get through. (Want to compare it to the same in the 7mm Rem Mag!)

Tomorrow is supposed to be 3 degrees C and sunny with steady winds at about 10 mph. Perhaps I'll have time to shoot this, and the other ammo I didn't get to on the last range trip (Federal 175 gr ELD-X and Nosler 175 gr ABLR ), tomorrow before the Chief's game!

(It's a little cooler this morning (-4) with an 8-10 mph wind, but I need to go into work today to deal with an incident that occurred yesterday while I was away for a dental appointment. And to catch up on some other priority items I couldn't get completed as I was away for 3 days at another business function this week. Better get going as it will take most of the day...The joys of being in management! )

I like to tease that there is no rest for the wicked, and the righteous don't need any!
Still trying to determine if this makes me me wickedly righteous?!?! Or righteously wicked?!?!
I'm leaning a little towards the righteously wicked!!!
Although being wickedy righteous might just get me a little closer to end goals!!!

 

[preacher]

Well, well, well! I couldn't stand it, I called and swapped my caliber choice for the new Bergara from .270 ( I just can't get away from the Siren Call of that Kimber 84L if I'm going to shoot a 270!) to try another 7mm Rem mag. I used them and other 7mms for decades, but its been years since my last one. Heck, may as well try another one but with the lighter Monos. I still don't want a brake, and the B14s are soft shooters to me. I've been researching one of those Tripod/Rifle Clamp set ups too. Will probably get one later on, before Summer. Is this fun or what?! lol

 

[wvbuckbuster]

Well, well, well! I couldn't stand it, I called and swapped my caliber choice for the new Bergara from .270 ( I just can't get away from the Siren Call of that Kimber 84L if I'm going to shoot a 270!) to try another 7mm Rem mag. I used them and other 7mms for decades, but its been years since my last one. Heck, may as well try another one but with the lighter Monos. I still don't want a brake, and the B14s are soft shooters to me. I've been researching one of those Tripod/Rifle Clamp set ups too. Will probably get one later on, before Summer. Is this fun or what?! lol

Hope you like it, and it does what you want it to do. You're not alone as far as trading, selling, trying different calibers and or rifles. It has been and enjoyable if not costly adventure for me Dan.

 

[preacher]

I agree with your sir! ha I never keep more than 2-3 rifles on hand. If I want another I'll trade/sell to get into it. Works for me, Life is Short! ha

 

[preacher]

Do I lose money, well, yeah. Not too much, its enough i feel its worth the "investment" for my Life's enjoyment/experience! I have far fewer hunts ahead of me than I did 50 yrs ago! So I just serve the Lord, love my wife, still hate fishing/golf, and enjoy my Handloading/Shooting/Hunting/Trading/Selling/Buying! lol At least I "think" I am mentally healthy, ha.

 

[Blkram]

"I've been researching one of those Tripod/Rifle Clamp set ups too. Will probably get one later on, before Summer."

Preacher, we have used the Bog Pod tripod and Trigger Sticks (bipod and tripod) for a number if years, and I really like the tripod trigger stick for its quick field position set up, and it is pretty light. And adjusting the height is quicker than just about every other set.

Both Susan and I spent quite a bit f time practicing off the tripod trigger stick before heading to New Zealand and Africa. We took it to New Zealand, but as the PH had tripods and shooting sticks in Africa, we did not take it there. Definitely helped in New Zealand.

In Africa, he had a Bog Deathgrip for Susan to use for her springbok and sable, and she made great heart shots on both animals.
He gave me a shaky little tripod to use on my nyala, and I pulled my first shot for a clean miss, but made a good shot for a quick, clean kill on the follow up shot, as the animal didn't spook at the first shot from the suppressed rifle.

The rest of my animals were taken using the Viper-Flex Styx, and I had no more issues with stability. (all were heart shots except the kudu, which got liver and lungs due to quartering away shot angle. These were light to carry and pretty quick to set up, and were pretty stable, but not quite as stable as the Deathgrip, as the rifle gets clamped in on this unit, instead of just sitting on the cradles of the Viper-Flex.

Susan got a Bog Deathgrip for Christmas, as she liked using it so much in Africa, even compared to the tripod trigger stick, for its additional stability.
We are going to upgrade from the aluminum model to the carbon fibre model for its reduced weight for using in the field while hunting. I'm looking forward to trying it out too.

Hope this helps you choose your set.

 

[JD338]

I bought Sue a Death Grip bog pod tripod a few years ago and she loves it. It's the aluminum legs so it's a lot heavier than the carbon fiber model.
They work great!

JD338

 

[wvbuckbuster]

Do I lose money, well, yeah. Not too much, its enough i feel its worth the "investment" for my Life's enjoyment/experience! I have far fewer hunts ahead of me than I did 50 yrs ago! So I just serve the Lord, love my wife, still hate fishing/golf, and enjoy my Handloading/Shooting/Hunting/Trading/Selling/Buying! lol At least I "think" I am mentally healthy, ha.

I do like to fish. Agree with you on golf
Dan.

 

[DrMike]

I do like to fish. Agree with you on golf
Dan.

Picked up a golf club once intending to kill a snake. The "snake" turned out to be a golf club left lying on the ground; the "golf club" turned out to be a snake. made an appointment with the optomitrist that same day.

 

[RL338]

Susan got a Bog Deathgrip for Christmas

Got one for Christmas also , just waiting to give a try.

 

[preacher]

Thanks chief! I will definitely check on that. I just bought/received that Garmin chrony, got my Walker Game Ear bud "Silencer 2s", my 30-06 is almost ready and the 7mm Mag I should get this week. ( Takes awhile from New Hampshire to Utah! ha) I'm going to have it skim bedded and a TT Special put in. Does anybody know if someone makes a "decent looking/feeling" Bottom metal for a Bergara. Preferably one I dont have to float a loan for! It should be the same ( I think) as a Mod 700.?? I have no real complaints on the B14, but its a hard plastic bottom. In fact, wouldn't a Mod 700 BDL bottom metal fit it? hmmm

 

[preacher]

Blkram...of those Tripods, if you were going to jump out of a truck, set up the tripod to take an elk 250yds out, as quickly as you could so as to get a shot off, would you be OK with the rifle "saddle" tripod or the one that clamps the rifle and has the ball swivel to turn the rifle? I have shot off home made Shooting Sticks and Tripods, both here and in Africa, I got my critter. But I still had alot of movement. I'd like your honest opinion which is "more accurate", as the rifle "clamp" may take too much time or actually be worth using it to get a clean kill out there?

 

[Blkram]

As for the quickest...no question there...it's the Trigger Stick. And I have used it quickly when opportunities have presented themselves while travelling between areas. I extend the legs and unbuckle them so that if needed quickly, I can grab them for quick use, or to set up for Susan while she is getting her rifle ready.
The cradle works fine...although I find that gripping the cradle and the rifle's forearm with the front hand helps hold it steadier in the cradle. I also put the front swivel stud against the cradle to help keep the rifle from moving back and forth in the cradle if I have to make any further adjustments with the trigger stick. If one has the time, and a second trigger stick (which we did have a bipod too) to use under the buttstock, this proves even more stable and helps quite a bit for standing shots. If sitting, getting your pack under your armpit also provides additional stability.

As for which is most stable and therefore more accurate...I have yet to use a Deathgrip myself, so will have to wait until we get the new carbon fibre version and get to the range to test it out...as I didn't get to try it in Africa, as after the nyala, I asked to use it, but was given the the Viper sticks instead.
Susan says she felt more steady and stable with the Deathgrip than she does off the Trigger Stick, because the rifle was clamped in.

If there isn't enough time for clamping the rifle into the clamp, I would still use the grip required to hold that forearm in the clamp cradle and take the shot if steady enough.

At the end of the day, if not stable enough to be confident that one can place their shot accurately in the vitals, pass on the shot. A missed opportunity and an unfilled tag is better than a wounded and potentially lost animal. A wounded elk can go a long ways!