Thx for your thoughts Yobuck, I see where you're coming from. I've been working with the big 7's (STW, Mashburn Super, 7x300 Wby, 7 Wby, 7 RM etc) for 35 years or so now. Same pretty much for 7828, I do love that powder and have used a couple ton loads of it.
Are you running a 26" barrel, or longer?
That said, we all have our practices and comfort zones. For me, I build a load that I can shoot 365 days a year. For me, if it's a load that works well in the winter but pops primers in the summer then it's time for me to back off. And again for me, if it's a load that's ruining the primer pockets (IE can't keep a primer in them) after 2 or 3 loadings then to me it's way off the charts into the PSI zone and time to back off. For me an extra 100-150 fps or so is just not worth it.
Again, keep in mind this is only my way and doesn't have to be anyone else's.
so I'm really not trying to school you even though it might sound that way...
I recall the first STW I built, like most I was reading and taking in what Layne was writing back then, think that a lot of us did. Then we got to actually working with them and we sorted out quickly how far out to lunch he was with his speeds!
Long ago I learned that people can make a round do what they want, I'm sure you've seen that as well. Personally I believe that's where the statement that 3400 isn't unheard of comes from. We've heard it before, but IMO that doesn't mean it's a good idea. Problem with a statement like that is that then along comes some speed freak (like I was years ago, I was President of the red liners club for a long time) and they try to do the same thing.
You mentioned that 7828 will abrubtly slam the door, I don't quite concur with that. But, I do feel like most powders/load combo's etc there will be a place that they'll get to where they'll just say "allright, no more quit pushing me"....I saw that a lot with a friend who insisted on getting his, IE pushing his 23-24" 6.5/06's with 140's to the ultimate goal of 3K (pre miracle powders, and to this guy all those zero's was so important), once he would go much over 2850 accuracy went in the toidy and primers would begin to pop (especially in the summer). Again, we use these guns for our year around shooting, so we want one load for all year that'll work on chucks to elk.
Thx much for your time, appreciate it, and I do share your love for the Big 7's, they're so easy to shoot from any position, you can shoot them a lot, and you don't need a brake on them (something which I refuse to own) in order to be proficient with them. Plus they absolutely pound game close and far!
(Sorry to drivel on, this lock down has me going crazy)
