Anyone running 180 Bergers over 3100 fps?

[captacademy]

I'm currently running 180 Berger VLDs with 76.0 H1000 and averaging 2930 fps. I would like to get up to around 3150 if possible. Would appreciate any help.

My Rbros 7 mag shoots 180 VLD's using Retumbo 69.8 grains at 3050 fps and is extremely accurate! Brass life is also good. Very happy with this load.

 

[flip freeman]

I'm currently running 180 Berger VLDs with 76.0 H1000 and averaging 2930 fps. I would like to get up to around 3150 if possible. Would appreciate any help.

Just my 2 cents....I've played with STW, WSM, 7mm and 7RUM. If your getting around 3000fps, don't chase after 3150fps. It doesn't equate to much down range. Whatever speed you end up with, make it an accurate load and adjust your dope to accommodate that. I currently have a 7RUM that I try not to use anymore cause I got obsessed with how fast I could push the 180 Berger bullets and I got that rifle to shoot fast and flat, but it was at a cost of a lot of powder in each load. It wasn't worth the extra powder. I had loads from 89-92 grains of Retumbo and pushing that bullet 3250-3400fps out of a 29 inch custom barrel. It's been a great rifle that I have tuned up **** good out to 1200 yards, but it's a waste of powder. If I can get 2900-3100 out of any of the other 7mm cartridges, with considerably less powder, I'd be happy and work on your accuracy rather than 150-200fps more velocity. Look up the numbers out to 1000 yards and you'll see your not losing too much on hitting power. That's 20 years of playing with 7mm cartridges and I still love 7mm caliber, but I"d take the velocity your getting with only 70 grains of powder and work on tight groups.

 

[dchamp]

Just my 2 cents....I've played with STW, WSM, 7mm and 7RUM. If your getting around 3000fps, don't chase after 3150fps. It doesn't equate to much down range. Whatever speed you end up with, make it an accurate load and adjust your dope to accommodate that. I currently have a 7RUM that I try not to use anymore cause I got obsessed with how fast I could push the 180 Berger bullets and I got that rifle to shoot fast and flat, but it was at a cost of a lot of powder in each load. It wasn't worth the extra powder. I had loads from 89-92 grains of Retumbo and pushing that bullet 3250-3400fps out of a 29 inch custom barrel. It's been a great rifle that I have tuned up **** good out to 1200 yards, but it's a waste of powder. If I can get 2900-3100 out of any of the other 7mm cartridges, with considerably less powder, I'd be happy and work on your accuracy rather than 150-200fps more velocity. Look up the numbers out to 1000 yards and you'll see your not losing too much on hitting power. That's 20 years of playing with 7mm cartridges and I still love 7mm caliber, but I"d take the velocity your getting with only 70 grains of powder and work on tight groups.

Amen to that!!!

 

[chuckhammer]

Just my 2 cents....I've played with STW, WSM, 7mm and 7RUM. If your getting around 3000fps, don't chase after 3150fps. It doesn't equate to much down range. Whatever speed you end up with, make it an accurate load and adjust your dope to accommodate that. I currently have a 7RUM that I try not to use anymore cause I got obsessed with how fast I could push the 180 Berger bullets and I got that rifle to shoot fast and flat, but it was at a cost of a lot of powder in each load. It wasn't worth the extra powder. I had loads from 89-92 grains of Retumbo and pushing that bullet 3250-3400fps out of a 29 inch custom barrel. It's been a great rifle that I have tuned up **** good out to 1200 yards, but it's a waste of powder. If I can get 2900-3100 out of any of the other 7mm cartridges, with considerably less powder, I'd be happy and work on your accuracy rather than 150-200fps more velocity. Look up the numbers out to 1000 yards and you'll see your not losing too much on hitting power. That's 20 years of playing with 7mm cartridges and I still love 7mm caliber, but I"d take the velocity your getting with only 70 grains of powder and work on tight groups.

Very sound, practical advice.

However, if you are into extreme cartridges you won't be satisfied until your chrono surprises or even shocks you. Some of us share a Roy Weatherby and/or Kirby Allen spirit. Different strokes and all that.

 

[StaMic006]

I think I found a pretty good load. I will be doing some ladder testing this weekend but I am at 3089 fps w/84.2 grains of RL-33. Anyone else using RL-33 in a 7 STW?

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

I think I found a pretty good load. I will be doing some ladder testing this weekend but I am at 3089 fps w/84.2 grains of RL-33. Anyone else using RL-33 in a 7 STW?

I tried in in my 7stw with 171's, but the twist is a bit slow on my rifle so I didn't stay there. I was getting a bit of pressure signs by 84 and a good amount of shiner at 86 grains with the 171barnes match and rl33. I like rl25 for mid weight pills in the big 7mm's and rl50 or retumbo for heavy's, depending on which one groups better with the particular pill.

 

[jonthomps]

My Rbros 7 mag shoots 180 VLD's using Retumbo 69.8 grains at 3050 fps and is extremely accurate! Brass life is also good. Very happy with this load.

That's a great group at a stout speed. What's your ES?

 

[paparickzi]

I recently got my first 7STW and have spent the last few weeks working on a load for it. I had found a really accurate load quickly at 74.4gr H-1000 with a COAL of 3.650, but the velocity was in the low 2800s. My goal was to find a load that would shoot .5MOA or better with a velocity of 2950-3000.

Turns out the gun likes the 180 Hybrids with 77.0gr of H-1000, CBTO of 3.020 and CCI 250 primers. 2995fps with ES of 7fps, shooting .354 MOA at 200 yards. As long as it holds below a minute to 1000, i think i've found my load.

 

[StaMic006]

I recently got my first 7STW and have spent the last few weeks working on a load for it. I had found a really accurate load quickly at 74.4gr H-1000 with a COAL of 3.650, but the velocity was in the low 2800s. My goal was to find a load that would shoot .5MOA or better with a velocity of 2950-3000.

Turns out the gun likes the 180 Hybrids with 77.0gr of H-1000, CBTO of 3.020 and CCI 250 primers. 2995fps with ES of 7fps, shooting .354 MOA at 200 yards. As long as it holds below a minute to 1000, i think i've found my load.

Sounds like a winner! I'm going to load a few with Federal primers this weekend to see how the RL33 and H-1000 do with those. I have been using CCI's for all of my STW loads.

 

[Rent Outdoor Gear]

I am running 84.5 grains of RL-33 at exactly 3100 fps in my STW with COATED 180 Berger Hybrids and 215M primers. This was about the safe max (for good brass life) in my rifle loaded at .050" off the lands (the sweet spot for Berger 180's and Accubond LR 175's for me).

I ran it up to 86 grains and saw pressure at 85.5 & 86. 86 grains shot 3151 FWIW...

84.5 - 3100 fps, SD = 11 fps, .45 MOA at 300 yards (5-shots)

83.6 grains shot 3070 fps, SD=5fps , .62 MOA

84.1 grains 3086 fps, .9 MOA

85.2 grains shot well, 3/4 MOA at 3122 fps (different day than the 86 grain load).

81 grains shot 2930 fps @ 1/2 MOA

My data shows velocity in my rifle with RL33 seated .050 off lands (Base to Ogive = 3.140") and 215M primer = 36.086x(RL33 charge weight) + 40.85

Example 36.086 x 84 grains + 40.85 = 3072fps

**Caution = I'm running coated bullets and can thus run a little heavier charge with less pressure & velocity. You will likely see higher velocity at a lower charge weight so work up S L O W L Y!!

 

[chuckhammer]

Coopdawg,
Good info. What's your barrel length and twist?

 

[Rent Outdoor Gear]

Thanks,

My barrel is a Krieger 1:9 5R @ about 26.5"

99.9% of my shooting is done at over 2700' elevation so I haven't had any stability issues shooting the heavier pills. Most of my hunting is done at 5000'+ elevation.

I should note that some folks may be able to get more velocity with increased jump space compared to what I'm getting. I know my buddies loads show way high pressure in my rifle when loaded out to my OAL. I have a Wyatt's box so I can load them long. The accuracy really comes together at .050" for this rifle. I haven't tested a lot with standard jump spacing, but I did a lot of testing between .015 and .100 off the lands & .050" was the clear winner in two separate ladders.

 

[Rent Outdoor Gear]

Sounds like a winner! I'm going to load a few with Federal primers this weekend to see how the RL33 and H-1000 do with those. I have been using CCI's for all of my STW loads.

That's almost exactly the load I used last fall with H-1000 & the accubond 175 LR's.

77.0 gr H1000 and 215M primers, 3.143 base - ogive, 3045 fps. Killed 4 goats last year, one at 565 yards. All one-shot DRT.

I have some Berger 180 hybrids loaded to test with that load as well. The Bergers seem to shoot a little better all around than the ABLR's.

All the velocity data I've posted is shot over an Oehler 35P chronograph FYI.

DC

 

[idaho elk hunter]

I posted earlier on the velocities of my 7mm Rem pushing velocities higher than the STW. I even verified the velocities through a Magento3 and a Pact. Something interesting happened last week. Getting low on loaded ammo I loaded some more up. Same powder, Same WW cases. same primer, Same lot numbers. The only thing different was the powder was a unopened keg. The very first shot blew the primer, Bolt was so still I had to take a rubber mallet to it. WOW. I have never had this happen before.

Keep in mind the powder, primers, cases were all bought on the same day at the same time and are all the same lot numbers.

Outside Temperatures were within 15 degrees of each of the days shot.

The only difference was the powder keg was never opened making it "fresh"?

I have had this with different lot numbers and hotter days. But even then It did not over pressure this much.

To let everyone know of how much over pressure it was I have to reset my headspacing. Scary overpressure.

Needless to say I am backing my loads down to 3000fps in the 7mm Mag.