Thanks for the link, yes that would be a nice piece of kit to own, very useful.
Max COAL's are as follows:
- Berger VLD: 92.4mm (3.633")
- Berger 180gr Hybrid: 94.2mm (3.708")
- Amax: 92.3mm (3.633")
- Hornady SST & InterBond: 90.3mm (3.555")
- Hornady Interlock: 89.9mm (3.539")
- Sierra ProHunter & GameKing: 88.3mm (3.476")
- Nosler BT: 90.4mm (3.559")
- Nosler partition: 89.9mm (3.539")
- Nosler Accubond: 90.8mm (3.574")
- Barnes TSX: 89.4mm (3.519")
- Swift Scirocco: 91.2mm (3.590")
The test load data can be found here:
The 7mm Practical. A Practical Magnum.
As to the Win brass, quality is fairly average. I am using unsorted brass and still maintaining both a low ES and desirable accuracy. Bare in mind, the Practical is supposed to be just that, I wanted a wildcat that would perform well in the hands of medium level experienced clients. For example, lets say the client has a basic Lee reloading kit. To this he adds a Hornady neck die and away he goes. My priority list goes something like this:
Good bore
Bore maintenance
Action true
Good bedding
Basic, sound reloading practices
Good shooting technique
If there is a problem with the bore, then we need to start looking at finer variables to relieve harmonic stress, that sort of thing. Thats when I start playing with bullet jump, changes in powder, etc etc. Fortunately, we haven't had any bore problems or sensitivity with the last five rifles. There are another three rifles in progress.
We ran Nosler brass through the Finnbear, good brass but it didn't make any difference regarding ES or accuracy. The Win cases do need annealing though, they split after a few shots if this is not addressed. I find that Win brass is prone to split in the 7mmRM and .300WM also, if left un-annealed. The Nosler brass saved a lot of time in this regard, didn't have to do any special prep, not even a chamfer, just necked it down.
I think the Practical is a great wildcat. As a commercial loading, I don't think its a good idea. A long necked 7mm Ruger would definitely be more popular. As a wildcat, the belt on the .300 case serves a purpose (fireforming). On a commercial loading, the belt would be pointless. FF loads in the Practical can be used out to all ranges. Most guys won't want to do this but at the very least, FF loads can be used with confidence out to 600 yards or so.