7RM and 168VLD

[overinfinite]

Alright guys, slightly new build of a bergara ridge in a XLR chassis chambered in 7RM, 1:9.5 twist. I am shooting at 4500ish ft. This thing seems to be ultra picky and I am wondering if there is something else going on.
Factory federal, berger 168 classic ammo- amazing groups, 0.5" - 0.75" average out of 4 groups of 5. Ultra slow speeds compared to box rating, 2760fps avg. Vs 2870fps box.

Hornady precision hunter factory ammo 162gr eldx- hated it. Best group was 1.5", most hanging around around the 1.75-2.00"

Handloaded a ladder test of berger 168VLD using hornady brass bumped 0.004", bullet seated 0.010" off lands, about .
0.100" longer than samii. H1000 powder loaded from 67.0gr to 70gr in 0.5gr increments. 68.5gr shot the best. With 2930fps. SD of 11fps
Went to shoot groups today.. oddly would shoot 3 rounds in 0.500" with 2 flyers pushing the group out to 1.5"-2.0".
Other groups in the 0.75"-1.0" size.
Checked all bolts and retorqued with zero movement. I am wondering if this barrel is just not stabilizing the bullet as good as I thought it would.
Anybody else see anything simular, any directions I should take it. I have 3 weeks before a barbary sheep hunt and really wanted to use this thing. I have a 6.5CM with 100rds of 135gr classic ready to roll. Just wanted the 7RM to help buck the wind.

 

[FireFlyFishing]

I'm running them in my CA 7 mag 1:9 twist. I'm using RL-22 and shooting around 0.5" groups consistently. 1000 yard rock shots on the hillside no problem.

 

[AkleyFan]

IMO: Ditch the 7RM and take the 6.5 CM, troubleshoot later. Focus on the other aspects of your hunt. The Berger stability calculator says the 168gr is stable at your altitude, twist rate and velocity, there's something else going on that you can address after your hunt. Best of luck!

 

[overinfinite]

I'll post up some pics or the groups from today.. they are not terrible. Makes me think it's just me.

 

[FireFlyFishing]

How many rounds down the pipe?

All once fired brass?

Have you tried adjusting seating depth?

 

[overinfinite]

Just hit 300 rounds. I did a deep clean every 20 rounds until 100, then 1 more deep cleaning at 200. This last set of groups was rounds 270- 300. I was planning to do another deep clean before the next round of shooting.
Twice fired brass. I didn't have time to trim, so neck tension has been a consideration.
I haven't tried seating depth yet. I typically try 0.010" off lands and find powder that's promising and consistent, then move to setting depth. But to be honest the last 3 rifles I set up, I haven't had to really move off 0.010" off the lands. But every rifle is different. Starting to think this just might be me (shooter). Just hard to make sense of the extremely low velocity from factory ammo.

 

[southpa]

Keep working on developement until your hunt would be my move. Based off the pics I'd shoot that smallest group again and then try seating depths. Or shoot it at distance, see what it does. I didn't see any mention of distance.

If you're confident and happy with your other rifle than it's ready so don't stress.