7mm Sherman MAX complete

[Korhil78]

Just received my kids 7mm Sherman MAX today! It was built for my son so he can have a lifetime of fun with it if he chooses. Gonna shoot the 195 Gr Berger out of it. Shot one loaded 7mm SAUM round just a bit ago and it formed right up. Looks a lot like a 7 WSM and most will say why not just have a 7 WSM made. The reason I went with the 7 Sherman MAX is because of brass choice. I like good brass and ADG makes some fine brass for the 7 SAUM.

7 SAUM round in the left and fireformed 7 Sherman MAX on the right.

It's was built on a Tikka T3 action with a Bartlein #3 contour barrel and a T2 Terminator brake out on the end of it and all of it sitting in carbon fiber Mcmillan gamescout. When I fired the one round, I held the rifle in two hands to my side and fired it unshouldered. That thing barely moved even with a 195 Gr bullet in front of 58 Gr of H1000. I have the YO Dave trigger spring for the tikka trigger which will allow me to lighten the trigger a ways if we choose to.

Going to fireform the brass this weekend and then get to load development during the next weekend. I will keep everyone posted on accuracy and velocities. Should be a good time. My son has a cow elk hunt right after thanksgiving so we will get to see how it performs on game soon.

 

[elkaholic]

Just received my kids 7mm Sherman MAX today! It was built for my son so he can have a lifetime of fun with it if he chooses. Gonna shoot the 195 Gr Berger out of it. Shot one loaded 7mm SAUM round just a bit ago and it formed right up. Looks a lot like a 7 WSM and most will say why not just have a 7 WSM made. The reason I went with the 7 Sherman MAX is because of brass choice. I like good brass and ADG makes some fine brass for the 7 SAUM.

View attachment 148833

View attachment 148834
7 SAUM round in the left and fireformed 7 Sherman MAX on the right.

It's was built on a Tikka T3 action with a Bartlein #3 contour barrel and a T2 Terminator brake out on the end of it and all of it sitting in carbon fiber Mcmillan gamescout. When I fired the one round, I held the rifle in two hands to my side and fired it unshouldered. That thing barely moved even with a 195 Gr bullet in front of 58 Gr of H1000. I have the YO Dave trigger spring for the tikka trigger which will allow me to lighten the trigger a ways if we choose to.

Going to fireform the brass this weekend and then get to load development during the next weekend. I will keep everyone posted on accuracy and velocities. Should be a good time. My son has a cow elk hunt right after thanksgiving so we will get to see how it performs on game soon.

sweet looking rig! Cant wait to see how it shoots

 

[dok7mm]

Really nice rig! See you used the old "my kid needs a rifle" trick. Looking forward to seeing how the 195 flys.

 

[Korhil78]

Really nice rig! See you used the old "my kid needs a rifle" trick. Looking forward to seeing how the 195 flys.

Yup! And it worked! I will be using RL-26 since I have 3 lbs of it. Should do well.

 

[elkaholic]

Yup! And it worked! I will be using RL-26 since I have 3 lbs of it. Should do well.

N570 is king but 26 should get near 3000' if you stand on it! It should run comfortably between 2900-2950'

 

[turkeyfever]

Tagging in.

 

[B23]

Probably would have to use a long drop tube with N570, it's pretty bulky powder, and even with a long drop tube can you get enough N570 in the case to outrun RL26?

 

[elkaholic]

Probably would have to use a long drop tube with N570, it's pretty bulky powder, and even with a long drop tube can you get enough N570 in the case to outrun RL26?

Yes you can.
I load 70 grains by using a 1' drop tube and reached 3050' with a 195.
I run it at 2950-2975 with good accuracy
I think N565 will be very useful as well. The burn rate is very close to H1000 but its more dense and has more energy with very good stability.

 

[Idaho Trecker]

Sweet rig! There may be a reason to have kids after all!
I'm waiting on a barrel for a 338 max.

 

[ramrod79]

I can't wait to see the data on these Sherman Max cartridges.
Great looking rig too!!

 

[Korhil78]

Just got a new addition to the rifle in the mail today. A Bradley cheekrest. First time that I have ever used one but it is a very good design and is very lightweight compared to the built-in stock versions. Super easy to set up and very sturdy. On problem I see with it is the price which was $120 for some foam, plastic, Velcro and 4 screws but it works well!

 

[hseII]

Yes you can.
I load 70 grains by using a 1' drop tube and reached 3050' with a 195.
I run it at 2950-2975 with good accuracy
I think N565 will be very useful as well. The burn rate is very close to H1000 but its more dense and has more energy with very good stability.

MAX?

What's COAL on the MAX Cases?

 

[Korhil78]

Yes...it is one of Rich Sherman's wildcats. It's a blown out 7mm SAUM case.

My loaded round measures 2.422" (touching the rifling) with the Hornady gauge or 3.172" measured just with the calipers. That's with a 195 Gr Berger.

The case itself measures 2.010"-2.013" when fire-formed where the regular 7mm SAUM case is around 2.023". The body of the fire-formed case is .547" where the regular case measures around .540".

 

[elkaholic]

MAX?

What's COAL on the MAX Cases?

Yes, the Max. Korhil is correct on the coal. I had previously mentioned 3.090" but that is not what the 195 is. I measured mine at about 1.167" which is likely just bullet length variation. I shot mine again yesterday at 3000' with 69 grs N570 behind the 195. I also tried 565 for the first time. 65 grains made 2902'. I would caution though that your barrel may pressure up faster. These Rock barrels seem to build pressure slower than most Ive shot.
i. e. you may get the same velocity/pressure with as much as 2 grains less charge?