Thread: 7mm load data and thoughts

Hey all. I got my tikka changed a while back to a 7/300wsm.
And started having a play around with loads to shoot the Berger 180 hybrid VLD. I quite like how the 2225 powder is looking so far.
We tried 2217 in a ladder test and didn't like how it was all over the place horizontally compared to the 2225.
But I have come to a weight of 2225 that has shown a slight ejector rub mark on extraction, it happened to be the heaviest loading of powder. This was yesterday while using the chrony, the top speed was 2811fps.

Also I had a mate down with his new 223 while I had the chrony, just finishing load development there.
With load development done for him we went and shot some goats today with both rifles, I only loaded up six rounds at what I thought was max for the 7/300wsm. And shot two for three shots (miss read the wind first shot).
But there are no marks on these three cases from today.

Yesterday's temp was 25 at the range. And today up the hill would have been the same.

So questions for people with experience in this wildcat or even 7saum,
Where have you found the upper limit for loads compared to the 300wsm (being parent case) or 7wsm?
What speed can you load to in the 7/300wsm with 180's?


I'm keen to get to 2950fps.
If your wondering why I haven't listed the load of powder it's because I don't what someone to see it here and load without working up.
I have already come up 8grains!

Puku

I shoot a 7/300wsm in competition and I like it a lot
2217 is my go to powder, I am getting 3140 out of a 28 inch barrel with amazing accuracy
None of my cases have been stamped
I have run it as high as 3240 but poor case life

I have found a few different causes for marks on cases, sometimes relates to sizing, remnant oil in chamber, varied seating depth etc. was brass used in ladder and brass used in more recent shooting from same sizing régime?

Originally Posted by distant stalker

I have found a few different causes for marks on cases, sometimes relates to sizing, remnant oil in chamber, varied seating depth etc. was brass used in ladder and brass used in more recent shooting from same sizing régime?

Hmm you raise a good point.
For the ladder test they were unfired cases. When I group tested the load one group was once fired and the other was new brass. That was mainly to see the difference in group size.
Yesterdays six were unfired cases.
Some cases were not quite bumped back enough, which is causing a touch of tightness on bolt closing.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

An area I have found which caused me excessive pressure and issues was carbon and copper fouling, fixed after a mate pointed me to JBs and used it to clean the barrel out

@DAF
Are those speeds with 180s?
My barrel is 26"
Are you using a full case of powder? I went up to 62gn of 2217. But didn't know where to start. Perhaps I should put some more 2217 in some to try over chrony.


Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

Yes with 180's
Running a little over 68gn 2217
The highest speed was with 33inch barrel
My reamer seats them right out
Have you tried the 162 a-max yet?

Originally Posted by DAF

Yes with 180's
Running a little over 68gn 2217
The highest speed was with 33inch barrel
My reamer seats them right out
Have you tried the 162 a-max yet?

Thanks.
Yes Abe's reamer was set up for the 180 bergers also. With the parallel of the berger seated at the neck junction.

No I haven't tried the 162 amax. And probably won't either.
I choose the 7/300wsm so i wasn't following the flock. Also rather use the 180 hybrids for the same reason.
It maybe a stupid idea, but at least they aren't had to source.

I have gone as far as 66.1gn of 2225.