New Load for my 7mm-08. Need Analayzed.
02-12-2004, 06:18 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Beckley WV USA
Posts: 139
New Load for my 7mm-08. Need Analayzed.
Today I tried a new load for my 7mm-08. I am shooting it out of a 22 inch barrel. and it is a single shot NEF. Ultra Hunter. outside temp was 34F. My load was 140 grain Nosler Partitions.with 41.5 grains of IMR 4064. Ive tried RL-19 with no good results. It was in Winchester cases with CCI LR primers and a OAL of 2.80" I had a 3 shot group at 7/8". I had a 4 shot group at 1.25" and 5 shot group at 2.96" the first 4 shots were at around 1.25" with the 5th shot being on out to open the group to 2.96" I don't know if the 5th shot was a flyer orwhat as I did not clean the barrel between any shots.
I shot one shot in the beginning at 39grains of IMR 4064 and it impacted 3 inches low of bullseye. The bullseye on all groups was a 1" bullseye. I shot a second shot at 40 grains which impacted at about 2.75 inches low and .25" to left of bullseye. and I shot 1 shot at 41 grains that impacted at 2 " high centered over the bullseye.
The 3, 4, 5 shot groups at 41.5 grains impacted with the first couple shots cutting each other in the 1" bullseye and the 4th and 5th shots from the last groups impacting with the 4th about1/2" HIGH AND 1 inch right and the on the 5 shot group the 5 shot impacted about3/4" high and 1.25" right.
There was no visible signs of Pressure on the case heads and primers and when measuring the web around the case head below the groove it measured .464 with an max measurement of .470. I was extrememly happy with the way the groups shot with 41.5 grains of 4064 IMR. The one manual saids that 42.5 grains is at 2865 fps in velocity. I do not have chronograph. Can someone tell me an estimate of what I am getting with 41.5 grains as opposed to the 42.5 listing? What is your alls opinions on this load and shooting. The gun is about a month old and I just got it zeroed the last trip to shooting. Thanks so much for your help as I have been working on this loading since I had the rifle.
Whitey
I shot one shot in the beginning at 39grains of IMR 4064 and it impacted 3 inches low of bullseye. The bullseye on all groups was a 1" bullseye. I shot a second shot at 40 grains which impacted at about 2.75 inches low and .25" to left of bullseye. and I shot 1 shot at 41 grains that impacted at 2 " high centered over the bullseye.
The 3, 4, 5 shot groups at 41.5 grains impacted with the first couple shots cutting each other in the 1" bullseye and the 4th and 5th shots from the last groups impacting with the 4th about1/2" HIGH AND 1 inch right and the on the 5 shot group the 5 shot impacted about3/4" high and 1.25" right.
There was no visible signs of Pressure on the case heads and primers and when measuring the web around the case head below the groove it measured .464 with an max measurement of .470. I was extrememly happy with the way the groups shot with 41.5 grains of 4064 IMR. The one manual saids that 42.5 grains is at 2865 fps in velocity. I do not have chronograph. Can someone tell me an estimate of what I am getting with 41.5 grains as opposed to the 42.5 listing? What is your alls opinions on this load and shooting. The gun is about a month old and I just got it zeroed the last trip to shooting. Thanks so much for your help as I have been working on this loading since I had the rifle.
Whitey
02-12-2004, 06:51 PM
#2
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 12,747
RE: New Load for my 7mm-08. Need Analayzed.
I've never had too much luck with IMR4064 except for a pet .30-06 load and180 gr Hornady SPBT bullets. I swear by IMR4350 in the .243, 7mm-08, .270 and 300 win mag.
My favorite load in the 7-08 Browning Micro Hunter is 46 gr. of IMR4350 behind Cabela's 150 gr SPCL bullet. This load consistantly prints the bullets into nice tight clusters anywhere from 3/4" to 1 1/2" depending on how well I'm doing that day. I like 4350 because it seems to use most of the case. The 46 gr charge comes to about the base of the shoulder. I've also found, just recently, that if you slightly crimp the case mouth after bullet seating, it improves your accuracy. You can purchase a Lee factory crimp die for about $8.00. You may want to try one of these next time you reload your ammo. That way you can shoot some crimped and some not just to see if you notice the difference. I know I did.
My favorite load in the 7-08 Browning Micro Hunter is 46 gr. of IMR4350 behind Cabela's 150 gr SPCL bullet. This load consistantly prints the bullets into nice tight clusters anywhere from 3/4" to 1 1/2" depending on how well I'm doing that day. I like 4350 because it seems to use most of the case. The 46 gr charge comes to about the base of the shoulder. I've also found, just recently, that if you slightly crimp the case mouth after bullet seating, it improves your accuracy. You can purchase a Lee factory crimp die for about $8.00. You may want to try one of these next time you reload your ammo. That way you can shoot some crimped and some not just to see if you notice the difference. I know I did.
02-13-2004, 07:03 AM
#3
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: lebanon pa USA
Posts: 652
RE: New Load for my 7mm-08. Need Analayzed.
This is a stupid ?, but are you sure the barrel isnt getting hot, if your shooting those groups one right after another Id imagine that your barrel would be smoking hot.
