7MM Berger Bullet Groups

[johnnyk]

I know the Bergers will shoot. I have had their superb accuracy in other calibers, other rifles. It's just a matter of time before I find the right combo and that's a big part of the joy in handloading. I don't think I loaded those last few rounds into the LaG's, will snug the next few up and see what gives. Will let ya'll know what happens. JohnnyK

 

[wildcat338]

Here's a 3-shot group I shot with the 168 Bergers @ 100 yds. These were shot with the bullets seated .005 into the lands thats where I started and I think im gonna leave it there for the time being. Im shooting a bone stock Sauer 90 in 7mm RM theyre shooting under 1/2 MOA @ 300yds right now if I do my part

 

[Eaglet]

Good Shooting!

 

[NZ Longranger]

I have shot hundreds of deer, tahr and chamois with Bergers out of many different rifles at ranges from 100 to 1500 yards and they are a fantastic longrange bullet. In all the rifles I've loaded them in they needed to be jammed up to 25 thou into the lands. I have had little success jumping them, or even just touching. The difference between touching and jamming is chalk and cheese in my rifles. Don't worry about jamming them causing sticking in a hunting load, just run plenty of neck tension and you won't have a problem. The 180gn VLD 7mm at 3400 fps is my current long range hammer!
Superb bullets!

 

[284stak]

Based on the replys - I'm headed out tonight with seating depth adjusted to 0.010 into the lands. I am using uncoated bullets - are any of you guys using the Berger moly coated bullets? Has anyone seen any accuracy difference with the Bergers moly vs non - what about the velocity differences as well - again referring only to the Bergers.

 

[NDNorm]

reading this with a look to the future
Norm

 

[Eric Stecker]

Eric,

You will not hear me disparaging Bergers 7mm bullets at all, and I appalogize if my post seemed to do so, as that was never my intent.

Eddybo,

There was no offense taken and non meant on my part. Reports of shooters experiencing problems with the VLD in certain barrels is not uncommon. My post is meant to let hunters know that Walt spends most of his days developing our loading manual and helping shooters. We are committed to enhancing the shooters experience and Walt is a valuable resource.

He is doing well and is shooting is many BR matches. We recently returned from New Zealand where Walt took a nice red stag buck with the 257 Roberts using a Berger 25 cal 115 gr VLD. Walt is thrilled that the VLD bullet he started making in the 80s has turned out to be such an effective hunting bullet and he really enjoys helping hunters since he himself has been hunting regularly since he was a young man in Ohio.

Regards,
Eric

 

[drenge]

Sendero Man - what velocity are you getting with your 168's and 71 grains of retumbo out of your 7 rm?

 

[drenge]

NZ Longranger - What kind of neck tension would you suggest?

 

[WAMBO]

NZ Longranger,
What cartridge are you using to achieve 3400 fps with the 180 VLD and what is the length of the barrel?
TIA,
Wayne aka WAMBO

 

[wildcat338]

Wambo I believe its his 7mm Fatso but I could be wrong sounds like an awesome round.

Happy Hunting and Good Shooting!

Aloha!!!

 

[284stak]

Adjusted my seating depth to 0.010 and 0.015 inches into the lands and shot a 3 shot group with each using the 168 VLD's. At 300 yards, I got a 7 inch and a 9+ inch group --- fairly consistent for what I was shooting when placing the SD off the lands originally, ie 2-3 MOA. Just for the heck of it, I cleaned my barrel and shot the 140 accubonds after the above and shot under 1/2 MOA.
At this time, have to think that some barrels just do not shoot some bullets and I'm stuck with low BC bullets.

 

[NZ Longranger]

Sorry guys, been away hunting, didn't find your queries till now.
Its the 7mm/404 imp that pushes the 180gn Berger moly at 3400fps out of a 30" plus barrel, using RWS brass. Kirby's 7mmAM has more capacity and will easily beat it in the Lapua brass.
The Fatso is a WSM length 7mm/338 Lapua and is more like the 7mm STW ballistically, but does it in a short action.
I'll run a sizing button 4 thou under loaded round neck diameter to get the neck tension I want to jam a moly'd Berger in the lands, where they shoot best in my guns.
284, sounds like maybe your barrel doesn't like the heavy bullets, but I'd still try the 180 VLD jammed and the 162 A-Max just touching to be sure.
Greg

 

[hogslayer]

I shot a .25 inch 3 shot group at 300 yards with a stock sendero in 25-06 with the 115 grn bergers 56 grns of reloader 25 .015 in lands.