Reloading general question (7mm-08) reloading

[pastorbuck]

I'm still on the learning curve end of reloading, but gaining.  My question is about accuracy of loads.  I loaded and bench shot 7mm-08, Remington brass, Remington Large R primer, H380 Powder, 140 grain Barnes TSX BT.  The first loads had 44.5 grains of H380 and the second set of loads were 45.5 grains of H380.  Clearly the 44.5 grains shot much tighter groups than the 45.5 out of my T/C Encore 7mm-08, 24" barrel.  It seems to me that the 44.5 grains is the load to stay close to.  Now my question, the lighter load had 1" groups at 100 yards and the heavier loads had 2 inch groups at 100 yards.  Does it make sense to try and come down to perhaps 44.00 grains to see if the groups tighten a bit more?  I'm loading for deer hunting and perhaps the occasional black bear.  The 44 grains will bring the muzzle velocity down to 2,700 fps.  Second question, in this 7mm-08 caliber, will a velocity of 2,700 be sufficient for black bear and deer with a 140 grain Barnes TSX BT?

Thanks,

Scott B.

[Grumulkin]

It is pretty cheap to lower the powder charge to see if your loads will do better but 1 inch at 100 yards isn't bad.

The bullets/velocity you mention should do just fine for your intended purpose.

[stimpylu32]

Scott

Even if you plan to try out to 300 yard shots , 1" @ 100 is very respectable , and your speed is ample for both deer and bear at those ranges with proper shot placement .

You could try going down .5 & 1 full grain with your loads to see if that shrinks your groups or you could try adjusting the seating depth of the bullet to improve it also .

Myself I would leave well enough alone for a hunting rifle . 

stimpy

[High Brass]

If you get 1" groups consistantly, I'd sight it in and go hunting and leave well enough alone.  I'll admit though being easy to please.

[pastorbuck]

  Thanks guys,

I think I'll just come down .5 grains and see if the group tightens any.  If it does not, I'll stick with the 44.5 and then consider a trigger job next season.  Regarding adjusting the seating of the bullet depths.  I've set the COAL according to Barnes Bullets data, which is 2.735.  My rifle is a T/C Encore with a 24" 7mm-08 barrel.  Which way should I try adjusting the bullet depth, deeper or less depth?

Thanks,  Scott B.

[Val]

If you like to tinker with your loads, definitely play with powder weights around your best groups (.2 grain increments?). Also you may want to try and lengthen the overall cartridge (OAL) length by playing with the bullet seating depth. Just remember the OAL may be limited by the rifle magazine so insure the rounds will cycle through the magazine. Your load is plenty accurate for hunting but some of us like to tinker and get even better accuracy. It's an excuse to get out to the range and shoot.

[bilmac]

Lots of good advice I agree with here. What you've got is plenty good enough to go hunting. After the season if you've a mind to tinker, you could also try some different powders to try to shrink the groups, without sacrificing too much velocity. Sounds like you have a shooter there.

[BBF]

General rule of thumb:
The further the bullet has to travel  before engaging the rifling the lower the pressure achieved which usually decreases the velocity.

The closer the bullet is to the rifling or actually touching it, the pressure will be higher which will give you higer velocties.

[bilmac]

45

 your old logo was prettier

[pastorbuck]

  Thanks guys!  Regarding the bullet seating, it looks like I can extend the bullet out of the cartridge a bit.  Whereas this is a single shot TC Encore, there is no magazine issue to contend with.  Our deer season starts in about 2 months, so I have time to tweak the loads a bit, but I want to be well settled in to my loads with ample practice before white tail season begins.  I certainly agree that 1" groups at 100 yards is great for hunting, especially in light of the fact that here in New Hampshire, most of the deer I shoot are well under 50 yards (tight brush country, plus bow hunter up close set ups seem to follow my MO from the archery season to firearm.

What a great source of information this has been for me.  I'm sure I'll be back.  Now that I have the 500 S&W and the 7mm-08 shooting well with my reloads, I'm starting to think about reloading for my 223 (1 twist in 12") TC Encore heavy barrel.

Thanks again,

Scott B.