Long Range Load for LR Duplex 7mm-08

[bullet]

MAN HOW DUMB!!!! I think I have found the real issue, and that is me not measuring my mag box correctly when seating my bullets to just fit in the box. I was loading again for tomorrow and when it came time to seat my bullets I decided to back out the bullet seater some and once again try and fit the longest length I could in my mag box. Well, I got 2.860" this time instead of 2.8285" like last time. I did not seat my bullet to the end of my mag box last time or somehow move the seater in some when I started loading the last time.

Now, with lower powder charges, a better seating length and using Rem 9 1/2 Mag primers for my compressed loads, maybe things will begin to look up tomorrow when I go to the range. Well, maybe I have a better starting point now to get to where I want to be. Will see!!!

 

[bullet]

Minute of deer is not minute of Mike's expectations and I think I will be (can you believe it) giving up on the 140gr VLD. Think I will just move back to the AccuBond and put anymore load work to rest. Yeah, I know, hard to believe.


five shot groups and one three shot

 

[DrMike]

There are some rifles that simply will not stabilize Berger bullets. I have worked up loads built around Berger bullets in quite a variety of cartridges and in a goodly array of rifles. In general, rifles with cut rifling tend not to stabilize Bergers. Weatherby rifles seem to be one that tend not to stabilize Bergers, likely due to the large jump to the lands. I can think of exceptions, but the general rule still applies. I would say that your TGR may be one that will shoot much better with other bullets. Obviously, AccuBonds merit a serious look. I know you'll find the load you're looking for, Mike.

 

[SJB358]

Mike, what about the Matrix bullets if you are going for the High BC'ed bullets. I think they are supposed to be pretty decent as well. Also, not sure if you can or not, but take a look at that 162gr Hornady AMax. Brian, Jake and Jorey are shooting them with alot of success. I loaded up two different combo's, one .010 off the lands and one back a bit further. The ones right off the lands shot excellent for me! I know they may be a little heavy, but I would think you could still get an easy 2700-2750 or better out of them with some work.. Plus, they are less expensive, lightly constructed like the Bergers and with the Poly tip, they should expand predictably for a long way out there.

I know you have been working with the 140's a bunch, but I had almost no issues getting 2740 out of the 160 PT in my son's 7x57.

 

[bullet]

I have two good load using the Sierra 160gr HPBT and the 162gr interlock by Hornady, with the Seirra out shooting the Hornady, but the heavier bullets will not work well with my LR Duplex with the 7mm=08. The A-Max shot good in my 300, not in my 30-06 and fair in my 7mmSTW and not so good in my 260 - so I really don't want to mess with it and go through the process, because it might shoot good then again if might not and I am worn out at this moment in developing loads for my TGR, especially since I have four real good loads and the last thing I try will be the 139gr Interbond. The only reason I am trying it is that Paul Youngblood is sending me 200 of them free to try. Last but not least, I don't like the Sirocco II, used some hunting in my 260 and they zipped in one side and out the other without expanding, found one of those deer the next day and the wound channel was not significant at all. It is time to put his thing to bed and sometime next week I will do just that. :mrgreen:

Just a reminder of the my rifles accuracy with 160gr Seirra, 140gr AccuBond, 120gr BT, and 150gr BT, which are good reasons to lay my load work down for this rifle.

These are acceptable to me, but nothing less.

Five shot group 160gr Sierra HPBT

9 shot group 140gr AccuBond

Three shot group 150gr BT

10 shot group 140gr AccuBond

20 shot group 120gr BT

20 shot group 150gr BT

3 shot group 140gr AccuBond

Don't get me wrong, I sure wanted those Bergers to shoot in my rifle, but in all fairness I did not use a lot of powder choices, primers, three different types of brass I use for the 7mm08 and a variety of OAL seating depths. Just did not have energy nor wanting to spend the money, and in all honesty was not that enthusiastic, knowing the loads I already had.

 

[SJB358]

Sounds good to me Mike. I know you have done some work with that rifle.. What kinda speeds are you clocking with the 160's out of your rifle?

I am not sure why I am messing with the 160's in the boy Mauser, but I just like that 160 PT so much I found it hard to not try it!

Not as nice as yours, but this was my first group with the 162's AMax's.. Didn't have the time to do anything else, but it seemed like they will shoot... I did pull one out of the group, but I think they will come around

 

[bullet]

Scotty, my rifle is doing 2721fps on average with the 160gr HPBT at present.

 

[SJB358]

Scotty, my rifle is doing 2721fps on average with the 160gr HPBT at present.

Nothing wrong with that. The 160 Sierra is supposed to be pretty tough as well.. Be cool to see it shot into jugs.. Wink Wink.....

 

[bullet]

Scotty, my rifle is doing 2721fps on average with the 160gr HPBT at present.

Nothing wrong with that. The 160 Sierra is supposed to be pretty tough as well.. Be cool to see it shot into jugs.. Wink Wink.....

Might do that soon. :mrgreen:

 

[SJB358]

Might do that soon. :mrgreen:

That would be SWEET Mike. I would like to see what that bullet is made of..

 

[bullet]

I wondered why even my favorite loads were opening just a bit. Guess what??? I am chasing lands just a tad now due to a slight change in my throat. Was loading favorite load at an OAL of 2.780 and will be testing three five shot groups, starting at 2.783" and then one at 2.785" and then one at 2.790" and see which one tightens my load back up.

 

[Songdog]

I am chasing lands just a tad now due to a slight change in my throat.

After having that happen a couple of times.... I came up with a very simple solution. As I get the die out to set it up for whatever cartridge/bullet combo I'm fixin' to load for, I grab the rifle, Sharpie up the dummy round, and check to see where I'm at. If all is well.... then I charge on (ahhh.... double entendre' there... ya like that). If I note something different in COAL or land marks on the bullet... then I adjust the die to compensate. That little two-three minutes of insurance can save $$$ and hours of frustration.

 

[bullet]

I am chasing lands just a tad now due to a slight change in my throat.

After having that happen a couple of times.... I came up with a very simple solution. As I get the die out to set it up for whatever cartridge/bullet combo I'm fixin' to load for, I grab the rifle, Sharpie up the dummy round, and check to see where I'm at. If all is well.... then I charge on (ahhh.... double entendre' there... ya like that). If I note something different in COAL or land marks on the bullet... then I adjust the die to compensate. That little two-three minutes of insurance can save $$$ and hours of frustration.

Yes, and I have employed that same technique, but just kept plunging on with my original COAL instead of checking. But after 350 rounds now down the throat, it is time and thanks for jogging my mind again on what I really need to be doing.