Author Topic: 7MM Mag Question (Read 595 times)

Olcus · « **on:** July 28, 2003, 12:34:56 PM »

I am reloading the 7MM for whitetail shooting at about 400 yds and am trying to get a sweet load for my Rifle. I am using a 175gr bullet. My question is the OAL of the shell and bullet is 3.290 (by the book) I started a bullet into the brass and put it into the rifle and closed the bolt to see how much clearance or jump to the bore. The OAL was 3.50" after doing this. If I back off .005" will this be OK or should I go by the book and use 3.290 OAL?
Thanks, Olcus :roll:

jhm · « **Reply #1 on:** July 28, 2003, 01:23:04 PM »

Olcus : At the 3.50 does the round work thru the rifle action or is it too long the oal will be dependent on the magazine or magazine well in the rifle unless you want to fire it single shot , if all is fine you should be able to fire them just off the lands like you are stating I like to have them just off myself.

JIM

Carl l. · « **Reply #2 on:** July 28, 2003, 02:01:06 PM »

Olcus: Jim gave you good advice. That is the way I have done all my rifles. ( but), My 700 BDL 7mm shot better with 160 gr. bulletts set at 3.312. Why, I don't know. ( I don't know every thing either.) I am an old reloader and I will try every thing to get a gun to shoot right. That's the only way I had to learn in the old days. I hope you success on the 7mm Carl L.

Muddyboots · « **Reply #3 on:** July 28, 2003, 03:20:28 PM »

Olcus,
I also agree that my 7's shoot the 160's better than the 175's plus they deliver better down range terinal performance. The BC on the Hornady 162 gr. is significantly higher than any 175 out there. Killed elk and whitetails with this bullet out to 400 with exceptional accuracy. I also set the bullet 0.010 of the lands using a Stoney Point gauge. This is a very effective tool that allows you to consistently set the bullet OAL based upon the ogive which is the most accurate method of setting OAL for any bullet. Am trying the new Nosler 160 gr. Accubonds and will advise once the weather cools down a bit. I think these will act similar to BT's so should be accurate and provide bonded bullet performance. I shoot the 200 gr out of my 300 WM and it is impressive. Try a 160 range bullet if you can and suggest looking at acquiring a Stoney Point gauge to get more consistency in OAL.
Muddyboots

jhm · « **Reply #4 on:** July 28, 2003, 03:28:16 PM »

Olcus : Like the other posters have said my 7mag likes the 160 gr. better than the 175 and has worked well for me on whitetails/bear/ and elk

JIM

longwinters · « **Reply #5 on:** July 28, 2003, 03:56:11 PM »

So now I know about the hvy hitters. How about your drothers between the 140 and 150 gn bullets. In particular the Nosler Partitions. :-)

jhm · « **Reply #6 on:** July 28, 2003, 04:50:25 PM »

Longwinters: I cant speak for the hornadys as havent done alot with them but in the sierra 140 i have used it and was somewhat satisfied and I even loaded some of the 120 in both sierra and the hornady and you can really send 120 gr. after a coyote in a hurry, but I was just playing with those will keep them for the 7x57 or the 7-08 as they seemed to do better in both cases as far as accuracy went, dropped 2 deer in about 3 min. one morning with the 120gr out of the 7-08 and it also makes a decent coyote round.

JIM

Olcus · « **Reply #7 on:** July 29, 2003, 02:26:18 AM »

Thanks guys, I knew this was the place to get the best answers...
Olcus

The Shrink · « **Reply #8 on:** July 30, 2003, 01:29:20 AM »

WOW! High praise. I knew this was the best place to get answers, but the place to get the best answers? That's high praise, and well earned.