7-08 loads, New Bergara Ridge

[SilverbulletMAG]

Can you share how the accuracy and speed was with the 150ELDX/Staball 6.5 load? Thanks.

This particular rifle is consistently 100-150fps slower than any published data I should be getting with a particular powder/bullet combo. It's just really slow and doesn't like being pushed hard or accuracy quickly falls apart. Even with 140 pills, it likes to be under 2600fps. There were several combo's with 150 grain bullets where I was getting mid 2500fps and the published data says I should be well over 2600fps for example. So with that as reference, my speeds (while still being accurate) have been very impressive using Staball with the 150 ELDX/ABLR bullets.

Using Lapua brass, at 46.6 grains and seated pretty long (2.235" BTO) I am getting a 5 shot average of 2704fps with a nice broad flat spot from 46.5-46.8, all with an SD of 10 or less and no pressure. Accuracy is half-MOA and there is room to tighten that up further playing with seating depth.
I will say though, outside of that flat spot from 46.5-46.8, the ES and SD were pretty bad but almost everything was at least MOA.

 

[kelly ballew]

I haven't tried it with the 140 VLD yet, but I have a solid load worked up for the 150ELDX and ABLR using Staball 6.5. At some point in the near future I will try it with the 140 VLD though. I have a load worked up using 140 VLD and H4350 that I'll compare it to. If I can eek out some more speed and retain accuracy, great.

Thanks, I've had really good luck with ram shot hunter with the 140hvld's in rem 700.

 

[SilverbulletMAG]

Thanks, I've had really good luck with ram shot hunter with the 140hvld's in rem 700.

I did to, it's another fast and accurate powder. For me it was just a PITA to work with on the RCBS Lite (doesn't like the real fine ball powder and makes a mess) and then wanting something more temp stable.

 

[cape cove]

In all the 7mm/08"s I've owned the 145 Speer SBT has been a good performer. Nothing fancy just works and not an expensive bullet as well.

 

[7stw]

In all the 7mm/08"s I've owned the 145 Speer SBT has been a good performer. Nothing fancy just works and not an expensive bullet as well.

That bullet reference keeps coming up, especially on this caliber. I've not shot many Speers, I do have some, 160 grain, Grand Slams, I've had for years, and another box of plain 160 grain. If nothing else works, I'll give that one a try. THANKS!

 

[7stw]

In all the 7mm/08"s I've owned the 145 Speer SBT has been a good performer. Nothing fancy just works and not an expensive bullet as well.

Just bought a pound of StaBall6.5.
Supposed to be good in this caliber, temp stable, high velocities. Really good with heavies. Stoked!

 

[cape cove]

@7stw I recently got some of this powder also. I believe it should be real good or at least I hope so. I've done very informal tests as to pressure with it so far. With the 175 gr Hornady Interlock I began at 44 grs and worked up to a max of 47 grs. This was in my Browning BBR custom heavy barrel. In my custom Kimber I used the 139 gr Hornady and began at 47 grs and worked up to a max safe load of 51grs. I couldn't get velocity readings or accuracy results as I'm waist deep in snow right now. Will definitely give it more indepth testing when the summer comes. Let us know how you make out with this powder. I will also try it this summer with the 145 Speer.

 

[7stw]

@7stw I recently got some of this powder also. I believe it should be real good or at least I hope so. I've done very informal tests as to pressure with it so far. With the 175 gr Hornady Interlock I began at 44 grs and worked up to a max of 47 grs. This was in my Browning BBR custom heavy barrel. In my custom Kimber I used the 139 gr Hornady and began at 47 grs and worked up to a max safe load of 51grs. I couldn't get velocity readings or accuracy results as I'm waist deep in snow right now. Will definitely give it more indepth testing when the summer comes. Let us know how you make out with this powder. I will also try it this summer with the 145 Speer.

Well, I feel for you with the snow, I spent a good deal of my life in New England, and I don't miss a flake of it. We are dealing with a bunch of rain, and endless wind, but have been using the time to research, and retooling at my loading bench. Between the RL17, RL16, and now the StaBall6.5, I feel like I'm prepared, probably better then ive been on other calibers I've loaded for. None will be wasted, as I also have a 6.5cm, which will benefit from all these as well. This Bergara, really has my attention, as I believe, it has great potential. Probably the nicest rig I've owned. Really love this caliber.
I don't have a chrono avail to me yet, a friend does, and said he'd set it up for me, at some point.
I'm excited on the StaBall65. If it delivers what the hype says, Wow!
We'll keep on touch!

 

[7stw]

7-08 with Varget and Hammer Hunters (131 grain) is a perfect combination, in my view. I get 2940 fps in an accurate load.

I spoke with Steve, and that's the bullet he recommended. Another member here, has been shooting Hammers, in 30 cal, with incredible accuracy. They definitely have my attention!

 

[7stw]

I use norma and lapua brass, I believe norma is phasing it out so lapua would be a good brass to start with. I use IMR4350 but H4350, Varget, RL15, and IMR4895 would all be worth a try. CCI BR-2 primers, I'm at about 45gr with IMR4350 but you want to start lower and work up. For what its worth the Varget was the runner up powder to the IMR4350 for accuracy. Its a very accurate round that's just fun to shoot. I use 140gr bullets with a 1-9" twist. Excellent hunting round that don't beat ya up at the bench. Enjoy! Dave

Got a Blue box in the mail today, that jingles! Love the new box!
Got a pound of StaBall yesterday too. I've been reading a lot of, and a good friend is shooting, with promising results. Very responsive to charge changes! Wide range too!

 

[7stw]

Guys, had a little range time today, temp was about 35degrees, no wind. New Lapua brass, 45.2, and 45.7 grains of StaBall6.5, and 168 smk. Used 215GMM as a trial. Decent groups, under an inch. First shots, in a hole. Third one, I pulled. Knew it when I pulled it!&#/^^^! Also, with same powder, shot 150 smk, also decent group. All loads were middle of the road, no pressure at all. Shot a total of twelve, with virgin brass, and StaBall. Loads all look promising, all need to come up in powder. Used same charge, and CCI BR2, on another group, with 150smk, nice group, yup, pulled the third one.
Finally, got a decent mid range charge group with 150AB, this time using RL17, 44.6 grains. First two, same hole. All groups fired, except for one, were under an inch. Need to revisit most, or up the charge, as Ive got headroom on all. Rifle has 87 rounds through it, barrel cleans easy.
Bottom line, it seems to like 150AB, and RL17. Just hsve to fine tune it.
Pleased with StaBall so far. Used mid range loads, and virgin brass today, so wasn't expect to set records today no how. But this rig will shoot! It's all good.

 

[LVJ76]

Guys, had a little range time today, temp was about 35degrees, no wind. New Lapua brass, 45.2, and 45.7 grains of StaBall6.5, and 168 smk. Used 215GMM as a trial. Decent groups, under an inch. First shots, in a hole. Third one, I pulled. Knew it when I pulled it!&#/^^^! Also, with same powder, shot 150 smk, also decent group. All loads were middle of the road, no pressure at all. Shot a total of twelve, with virgin brass, and StaBall. Loads all look promising, all need to come up in powder. Used same charge, and CCI BR2, on another group, with 150smk, nice group, yup, pulled the third one.
Finally, got a decent mid range charge group with 150AB, this time using RL17, 44.6 grains. First two, same hole. All groups fired, except for one, were under an inch. Need to revisit most, or up the charge, as Ive got headroom on all. Rifle has 87 rounds through it, barrel cleans easy.
Bottom line, it seems to like 150AB, and RL17. Just hsve to fine tune it.
Pleased with StaBall so far. Used mid range loads, and virgin brass today, so wasn't expect to set records today no how. But this rig will shoot! It's all good.

I'm curious to see what speeds you'll get with StaBALL 6.5

 

[7stw]

I'm curious to see what speeds you'll get with StaBALL 6.5

I've got a ways to go, like I said, I was starting in the middle, and raised .5 grain, still in middle. The 150AB really wants to shoot, which I have no problem with. Ironic, the StaBall, threw them all over the place, the RL17 balled them up.
This gun does not like 139 Hornady interlock! Two inch group, at a hundred!
The 168smk load is promising, which is just going to be as fun load. I'd like to have a load for each weight. So, 150 is close, and 168, I'm working on it!
Maybe I'll try 140 AB!
I just couldn't lock up today on target!

 

[7stw]

One thing I did notice, is that when using s unknown ball powder, I try a mag primer. Some are hard to lite, some more then others. I noted that on tge ones i had the mag primer in, the primer was flat, as if overpressured, but it wasn't. No smears, two finger bolt lift. On the non mag primer loads, accuracy seemed better, and primer edges still round. My feeling is that this ball powder, dosent need hot spark.
Additionally, my next charge after the first one, was 1.5 inches higher then the first, as in the ladder test, but that was a .5 grain increase. What I take from this, is thst it is charge sensitive, and responsive to subtle changes, and I think that near the top, it will be even more sensitive. Just my take.