I'm loading the berger vld 168 gr in my 7mm rem mag 700 and I haven't seen the velocities that I've seen others report. I'm using 65.0 gr H4831SC (max load) jumping 0.010" with an avg velocity of 2830 fps.
I couldn't find any specific load data for the vld so I used the sierra book for a 168 BTHP matchking which reports a max charge of 64.7 gr 4831SC @ 3000 fps. My velocity isn't far off but I regularly see others posting velocities well over 3000 for the same setup and would like to get the most out of my rifle. That being said, my rifle has a 22" barrel and isn't very new.
I previously loaded nosler 140 gr BST's @ the same velocity with the same powder and charge weight just into the lands. I worked up a load over 3000 for it but it was all over the paper so I stuck with 65.0 gr.
My question is: since I'm at the max load already, how much farther can I go before it's unsafe and is that velocity obtainable from a 22" barrel? Also, if my barrel is worn out would it be safe to increase the max load more than 5% to get the velocity I want?
I couldn't find any specific load data for the vld so I used the sierra book for a 168 BTHP matchking which reports a max charge of 64.7 gr 4831SC @ 3000 fps. My velocity isn't far off but I regularly see others posting velocities well over 3000 for the same setup and would like to get the most out of my rifle. That being said, my rifle has a 22" barrel and isn't very new.
I previously loaded nosler 140 gr BST's @ the same velocity with the same powder and charge weight just into the lands. I worked up a load over 3000 for it but it was all over the paper so I stuck with 65.0 gr.
My question is: since I'm at the max load already, how much farther can I go before it's unsafe and is that velocity obtainable from a 22" barrel? Also, if my barrel is worn out would it be safe to increase the max load more than 5% to get the velocity I want?