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!
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!
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