Thread: Changer after chopped barrel

Hi all - chopped my 7mm08 down to 16" from 18" with a DPT can. Was running 139g SSTs behind 42.5g of 2208 seated at 2.797 in norma brass, going 2760fps. Went to the range yesterday and it had opened up a lot. I was shooting fine as I checked my rem mag and had 3 shots touching each other with that.

This was the first load I'd done for this rifle and it was a starter load that was acceptable but not amazing (I'd planned on trying a bit less powder and some different seating depths).

What would everyone recommend I try adjusting first? Seating depth or powder? I'm leaning towards seating depth but not for any particular reason.

Cheers.

Try it with no suppressor first. Then try change powder charge.your seating depth was good before so will still be good now. If shoots better without suppressor.....get back to us.

I literally never play with seating depth. Change to a different projectile and try that, and if no joy try a different powder. You’ll find something that works.

it's a whole different rifle now your load will need tweaking as the above seating depth is a pointless escapade unless its $1000's worth of target rifle
won't notice anything from a hunting rifle

do another ladder test you might even need another powder to get the shorter barrel to work well

Crown done right by whoever chopped it?

That's the first thing to check. If OK, another load workup is called for.

if you have some try some factory ammo as well

Thanks all. I was hesitant to remove the suppressor because that was the setup I wanted so instead I took a bit of a gamble and loaded up 150 eldx with different powder charges 39.0, 39.5, 40.0., and 40.5.

results are below. started out at 39.0 back on track but not ideal and gradually went up to 40.5 with minimal pressure signs to 40.5. which went well.

Lucky I posted here because I probably wouldve started with seating depths which may have worked but from the advice above, likely wouldnt have.

Run 40.5 mate if it’s minor pressure signs
Being a hunting rifle it’s not high volume
So I wouldn’t worry about very minimal pressure signs such as a slightly flat primer or what have you
If it was ejection marks etc I would back it off a bit….
Not like you’re trying to look after your brass too much if you get 5 shots per case you would be happy with that wouldn’t you?

What’s your velocity from 40.5 from the 16” barrel grt says 2520fps

Edit just run through GRT which certainly doesn’t like it
You need to trust your rifle though “minor pressure signs is ok in my opinion (at cost of the brass life) quite a few will disagree with me there
But what’s your definition of “minor?

If it is an over barrel suppressor, try removing the rear bush and shooting it without the bush, if the bush was slightly touching one side of the barrel, it could cause accuracy issues. If that is the cause then it is as simple as having the rear bush slightly opened up. Also make sure your suppressor is not coming loose when shooting. If you like give us a call on our 0800 number.

Hey @rambo-6mmrem - I noticed you I’ve got the 162 in that picture and that 40.5 is well over the max for that. I’m using 150g eldxs. Adi don’t have the 150g eldx but lots of folks apparently use the 154g instead which has a max of 41.2g.

The 40.5g I’m using is above the Hornady book max of 39.0 but there seems to be a consensus that Hornady is very conservative. Also searching the forum is seems quite a few others have loaded up to 40. With no trouble.

A few threads for reference:
https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....mm-08-a-43598/
https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....8-7mm08-44937/
https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....mm-08-a-80579/

@DPT yep,checked the bushing and it was all good. I swap this suppressor with another rifle and thought I may have had them mixed up but nah. Shooting all good now though with the 150g so all sorted, thanks

Originally Posted by camenzie

Hey @rambo-6mmrem - I noticed you I’ve got the 162 in that picture and that 40.5 is well over the max for that. I’m using 150g eldxs. Adi don’t have the 150g eldx but lots of folks apparently use the 154g instead which has a max of 41.2g.

The 40.5g I’m using is above the Hornady book max of 39.0 but there seems to be a consensus that Hornady is very conservative. Also searching the forum is seems quite a few others have loaded up to 40. With no trouble.

A few threads for reference:
https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....mm-08-a-43598/
https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....8-7mm08-44937/
https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....mm-08-a-80579/

@DPT yep,checked the bushing and it was all good. I swap this suppressor with another rifle and thought I may have had them mixed up but nah. Shooting all good now though with the 150g so all sorted, thanks

Yep my mistake
You’ll be fine with the 150 and that charge no doubt