Thinking about changing up my 7mag...

[desertcj]

73gr

 

[desertcj]

Shot some 140gr E-tip loads as well.
140gr E-tip wet moly, H1000 powder, Win brass, CCI Br2 primer, .005" off the lands.
78.5gr- 3267, 3300, 3292, avg-3286, es-33, sd-17
79gr- 3316, 3308, 3308, avg-3310, es-8, sd-4

 

[desertcj]

140gr E-tip. Need to play with the seating depth here. 79gr is pretty much all she will take. Slight ejector mark on case head with the 78.5gr loads. Had some oil in the chamber I believe. No ejector Mark's on the case head at 79gr?

 

[desertcj]

The new setup. Still want a new scope though. I stole the Bushnell elite 3200 5-15 tactical off of my .243 for now.

 

[DrMike]

It looks as if you have some excellent loads with which to work. I do like the idea of the 140 grain E-Tip. That would be a flat-shooting pill that will perform quite well for you. So what are thinking for a more permanent scope for the rifle?

 

[desertcj]

I'm thinking an Athlon optics Midas TAC 6-24x50....

 

[joelkdouglas]

Those 180 ELDMs look darn good


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[desertcj]

I'd like to try to dial it in a little more but I'm out of time! I need to load up a box of ammo to take to Wyoming. I'll be going with the 73gr load...

 

[SJB358]

I was going to say, with those numbers the 72.5 grains of H1000 would be my hunting load. 3000 with the 180 should hammer everything.

Either or is a great one though.

 

[DrMike]

I was going to say, with those numbers the 72.5 grains of H1000 would be my hunting load. 3000 with the 180 should hammer everything.

Either or is a great one though.

Spot on. That load will hunt.

 

[desertcj]

So you guys would take the better SD numbers of 72.5gr vs the smaller group size with the 73gr? If I had more time, I'd try 73.3gr and 73.5gr just to see. My .243 load came together like that with H1000. 50gr was good, 50.5gr was magic.

 

[thatguySHM]

I would try both at 300 yards to see which preformed better. Let the targets finalize your load.

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[DrMike]

The difference in the groups will prove to be statistically insignificant. Probability is very high that you wouldn't be able to demonstrate a difference with a larger population. The small gain in velocity won't make any difference to an animal shot with the load. I still lean toward the 140 grain AB. It is a personal bias, but it is a more robust bullet in my opinion. Wouldn't make any difference on whitetail, but it could be important if you used that load for tougher game, such as elk.

 

[SJB358]

I’d take the smaller numbers you’re getting with the 72.5 load like Mike says. No telling if you shot 3 groups of 3 with each load you’d notice a true difference in size but the smaller numbers would mean more at distance and should be a more consistent load, day in and day out.

 

[desertcj]

I understand. I wish I had more time for testing. Me and my buddy both have two antelope tags. That's all we'll be shooting over there, no elk. My .243 is going to be our backup gun.

 

[SJB358]

I understand. I wish I had more time for testing. Me and my buddy both have two antelope tags. That's all we'll be shooting over there, no elk. My .243 is going to be our backup gun.

I’d load the 72.5, zero at 250 and go crush some antelope. That’s a hitter of a load.

 

[desertcj]

I'm happy to be able to report complete success! I tagged a doe and a buck antelope and so did my friend with this rifle. My doe was at 150yds, my buck was 530yds. Buddy's fawn was 250yds and his buck was 440yds. The wind was 10-20mph so the .800 BC was really helpful.

 

[wvbuckbuster]

Congratulations! Sounds like your load came thru with flying colors! Dan.

 

[DrMike]

Well, that sounds as if it worked to perfection! Congratulations on a successful hunt.

 

[desertcj]

I can post picks but they may be a bit bloody. Not sure if that would be acceptable?