Now I have a question

[JDMAG]

I just came up with a decent load for my daughters 7MM-08 using 160 grain SGK and 44.5 grains of IMR4350. My question is out of 2 different 3 shot groups, the second shot is always a flier. 1st and 3rd are touching. These are shot consecutively about 10 to 15 seconds apart. again at 75 yards in my back yard. sorry for the shakes. Maybe thats what caused it

 

[DrMike]

Difficult to draw a conclusion from such a small sample. I would suggest coincidence at this point. Were this consistent over a larger sample size (say ten groups), I would suggest that there is pressure on the barrel at some point. However, the shot that ruins the groups is well within the confidence levels for a slightly larger group size.

The other factor that influences my view is that the flier is not actually that far out of the group to indicate a serious pressure point impinging on either the action or the barrel, and there is no evidence of stringing as the barrel heats up.

Did you chronograph these loads? If so, what do the extreme spreads and the standard deviations tell you.

All in all, this doesn't look like a bad load.

 

[JDMAG]

NO I don't have a chronograph. I think as you stated it may be coincidence. I am fairly sure there are no pressure points in the rifle, and it may just be me. These are the tightest groups I've gotten, out of 3 different powders today. this is IMR4350, I also used RL19 and H4831.
I may have to buy Jordan something else, this gun just isn't good enough for her :twisted: 8)

 

[DrMike]

I wouldn't jump to conclusions that it is just you. The groups look to me like they are falling well within normal parameters. I would be inclined to look at seating depth and/or a different weight of bullet. I would even consider a different bullet. The 120 grain BT and Varget were giving you some pretty good groups, which would lead me to suggest not shooting anything over 145 grains. If you are using the rifle to hunt heavy game, I hunt with a friend that uses a 145 grain Speer Grand Slam in a Browning 7mm-08 that drops mule deer and whitetails with depressing regularity, and the bullet works very well on moose and black bear. The twist on that particular rifle may be too fast for the Game King, but just right for the BT.

Just thinking out loud. I wouldn't get in too big of a hurry to get rid of the rifle. It took twelve loads in my 7mm WSM before I found the magic load that set me off in the right direction. Now, it shoots 1/4 inch groups with aplomb.

 

[JDMAG]

That could be. I just tried a group with 160 AB's and using the same powder and charge, It was worse. About a 2 " spread. I'm gonna play with the OAL of the Game king and see what happens.

 

[DrMike]

You're not out much to work up a couple of loads, and you may discover a real gem of a shooter. On the whole, the rifle looks good from here. The calibre is a good one and my experience with the cartridge is positive.

 

[YoteSmoker]

If you're going to try different bullets, 139-140 grain is where it's at imo for the 7mm08. Good b.c. and good medium weight for the cartridge. In 3 different rifles, I've found they all shot well with a 140 b tip and 46 grains IMR4350. Varget, 4064, or H414 might be good to try also, but for me I've never had to go looking past 4350.

 

[JDMAG]

I think I've got it now. By changing the OAL from 2.75 to 2.80, I was able to go from this 4 shot group

To this one This is 4 shots, with 1 flier. again, the 2nd shot in the string.

I am using the SGK's mostly because I have them and they were free. I will be trying some 140's as well sometime in the future. As for now, I think I'll stick with these for anything bigger than deer, and the 120 BT's for deer and Antelope

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

I had the same problem with my .338 Wim mag. I messed with the OAL, now it 's a one holer.

 

[DrMike]

Looks like you are there now. I certainly wouldn't feel compelled to keep on looking. It is only my curiosity about other bullets/powders that drives me to experiment.

 

[JDMAG]

Yes I think so as well. The SGK's shoot better in this gun than the AB's did of the same weight. The AB's shoot better in my #1 7MM RM.
I have this load recorded and some day when she is older and can go on an elk hunt with me, she's got her self an elk rifle. For now, as soon as she is big enough, for it, she has a deer rifle with the 120 BT's.
And I had a lot of fun creating the load today! :lol:

 

[DrMike]

Those are both sub-MOA loads. That'll take elk and/or whitetail readily. I wouldn't hesitate to use that load for black bear and/or moose. The 120 BT is a fine load for deer. Looks to me as if Jordan has a fine shooting rifle.

 

[BK]

I don't have the info in front of me, and I'm too lazy to look, but is the AB longer than the GameKing? Just as an experament, I think I would give Hornady or Speer bullets in the 139-145 gr. range a try. Might be the twist is too slow for the longer slugs.

 

[Ol` Joe]

I`d bet if you went to 5 rd groups in stead of 3 the flier will disapear in the rest of the shots in the groups. The fact one appears in each group you shoot is a clue IMO that it is a normal part of the rifles grouping ability.

 

[hardpan]

I had a similar problem that I thought was the barrel... I lengthed the OAL and it stopped. At the same time, your "flier" would be a good group for a lot of people. Have you tried a 5 shot group?
Hardpan

 

[JDMAG]

No but I did move up to 4. That 's what the last group is. 3 almost in 1 hole and the flier was the second shot in the string.

 

[Desert Fox]

Looks to me like inconsistent trigger pull. Have you adjusted your trigger?

 

[JDMAG]

Nope. But it should be set at 3 lbs.
I am happy with the group, my only question is why is it always JUST the 2nd shot in the group the is the flier? I fired several 3 and 4 shot groups today, and it was always the 2nd shot. I think it's more me than the rifle or load.

 

[Greg Nolan]

This is going to sound weird but I had a problem or 2 like that before. It ended up being in the sighting system. A scope issue. In one case it was the ring/mount joint had worked slightly loose and another was actually a lense issue I caused by overtightening the rings to keep the scope from moving.(that was before I discovered honing the rings). My rifle would shoot 2 groups. One to one center and another to another center. If I shot 10 shots it looked like I was shooting at 2 different bullseyes. They were still all within about 2 inches at a hundred yards. It didn't string like a barrel getting hot and touching the stock and it didn't shoot a cluster within the group like an bullet depth issue. It would shoot to either one extreem of the tollerance or the other in the same two relative positions.
You've gotten a lot of good info from everybody. I just added one more possibility to confuse the issue. Good luck and let us know how it works out. I know you'll solve the problem :grin: