I had a very scientific way of getting my load and seating depth...
My first 7LRM was a rifle built by Matt Spoon using a Gunwerks reamer. When I got ready to try it out I asked Gunwerks what their load was. At that time the Berger Hybrids were not out so they were using the 180 g VLD Hunting bullets with the same load they use today with an OAL of 3.430 (same as today) so as a starting point I loaded them up. They shot so good I never tried anything else.
A few years later I bought a MtnX in 7LRM from Gunwerks (gun only) and started load development and scope turret data. They told me at that time that they were still using the same load, same OAL but using the Berger Hybrids so I gave those a shot in my MtnX and like the photo that I posted earlier, they shot lights out so I have never changed. I did try shooting some VLD Hunters out of the MtnX but they did not shoot quite as good as the Hybrids.
In my MtnX my loads cronograph at 3015 fps but to match up with my turret settings I had to adjust the velocity to 3050 fps at 4,000 ft and 50 degrees. My buddies MtnX chronographs the same load at 2980 fps and his turret settings matched his velocity. (we create our own turret data)
I have not turned any necks, just resize new brass, load them up and shoot them. Trim, tumble and repeat. I am full length sizing but only set the shoulder back .002. These chamber very smooth and easy in my rifle.
I have had such good luck over the years hunting with the VLD Hunters that I tried them in my MtnX and they did not shoot quite as good at the Hybrids so I stuck with the Hybrids in that rifle. I have shot 2 elk and 2 mule deer with the Hybrids in the 2 years I have owned the MtnX and those bullets performed perfectly too so I now have confidence in the Hybrids too.
I literally use the same seating die without adjusting it when loading for these two rifles even though I am using 2 different bullets. I have never tried any other load other than the 72.0 g of H1000.
You get lucky every now and then, these 2 rifles make up for the 10 or 15 rifles that I have owned in the past that have given me issues.
Not to say that I have not had issues with these rifles over the years. For a while I would blow primers out of every round I fired, even new brass. Finally figured out that my brass was too long and needed trimming (oops, my bad). Now I trim my brass every time I shoot (using a Little Crow, WFT trimmer, so easy and so fast). The lack of consistancy in the Hornady brass is very evident. Some brass hardly needs trimming some needs major trimming even after one shot. Bullet seating tension is all over the place, some are tough to seat some are easy but they all shoot good and consistant, even out to 1500 yards.
My Spoon rifle will start shooting consistant after about 3 shots but my MtnX, while keeping 0.75 moa after about 2 or 3 shots down a clean bore but it really starts to settle in after about 20 shots. I have shot it over 100 times without cleaning it with no loss of accuracy.
I get 6 to 8 loads out of a brass before the primer pockets get loose, this is out of either rifle. I will usually get 2 to 3 more loads out of that brass before the primers will literally fall out if I shake the brass. I do trim and tumble (using SS media) after every time I shoot.
Not sure if this helps but I hope so!
