7x57 w/140 gr AB - H414 in Rem 700 classic

Chasing a hunting load
Rifle has been worked by RW Hart, pillar bedded, tuned trigger, lapped bbl- lugs and crown cleaned up. This is a 700 classic with a wood stock.
7x57
140 gr AB
50.0 gr H414 1.0 gr max recommended
Nosler Brass -trimmed .005 below max
CCI 200
COAL 3.065 as recommended by Nosler
Testing this time of year is done in the 70- 75 deg range
I am getting occasional flyers that cause 1/2" groups to go to 1 to 1-1/4 .....

what would you do ...powder changes ? or COAL?

Any thoughts would be helpful!

Coal in .010 increments. I've been able to tighten dozens of loads this way. Good luck!

Scott

Besides COAL I’d check out another powder as well. RL17 works real well for me in the 7x57...

Don’t be scared to shorten up the 140 AccuBond. They like some jump..

What Scotty said! Mess with the jump and I’m sure it’ll tight up for you.
V/R,
Joe

Since H414 is ball I d personally run a mag primer if you stuck with it. Good luck.

I'd definitely look into a different primer. WLR or Fed. I'd also try RL19 and IMR 4320 if you have any. Both work well in both of my 7X57's. My go to hunting load is 50 gr of rl19 with a 140 TTSX. (THIS IS A MAX LOAD>>WORK UP TO IT IN YOUR RIFLE if you decide to try it).

Are you seating the loads to mag length? What is your measurement to the lands from mag length? I would seat to mag length and shorten from there if flyers continues and try a different powder if flyers persists. I don't use the lengths from the book, I always started .010" off the lands ( if mag length allows ), if group tightening is a need, I'll add .005" longer and shorten in .005" - .010" increments until group tightens. If from mag length, go deeper .005-.010" increments.

Find some Big Game. Use WLR or WLRM.

I run the 140 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip over 47.0 gr. W760, (Same powder as H414)) in Remington brass. Velocity is 2820 FPS. I have run a half grain higher for 2880 FPS but bolt lift felt a bit sticky.
Currently, I run the 150 gr. Nosler Partition in Winchester brass and WLR primer and 48.5 gr. Rl17. Like SJB358 says, RL17 works very well in the 7x57. Accuracy is half inch of better from the bench in one rifle a sub MOA in two others.
Paul B.

Unless you have a big supply of IMR-4320 I wouldn't spend much time with it. It has been discontinued.