So I got a new 7WSM barrel for my Desert Tactical Arms Stealth Recon Scout and with ASC coming up I figured I might need to get a load worked up for it. Because of the compact size of the DTA platform, I wanted to go with a little bit longer barrel so I could achieve my desired velocity range without being too hard on the brass. It's a 28" barrel that I'll send out to get spiral fluted here soon and it had a Liberty Pandora brake/suppressor attachment. Even with a 28" barrel, it's still shorter than a Remington LTR with a 20" barrel. Balance of the rifle is perfect with this barrel and I am very fond of the contour. I think I'll be doing more of them in other calibers to complete my arsenal of barrels that I can use in this rifle. One thing to note, the impact shift from the .308 to the 7wsm is 3 MOA high and 3 MOA left. Not that hard to remember and very repeatable. I took the barrel out between break in groups to clean it and when I put it back in POA/POI did not change.
For the load, I'm using CCI Large Rifle Magnum primers in Winchester brass. The bullet is a Berger 168gr VLD Hunting bullet seated to 3.015 which is just into the lands enough there is the slightest bit of resistance when closing the bolt. It's not so hard in that I cannot eject the round and both of those aspects were important to me. Since I am using the 338/300WM magazines I can seat the bullets as long as I want them. As the throat erodes I'll just chase it with the bullet and adjust powder charge as needed. The 168gr bullets are leaving the barrel at 3055fps @ 12' from the muzzle as measured by my PVM-21 chronograph. The bullets have a published G1 BC of .617 and I have not yet confirmed that but it appears to have been confirmed by Brian Litz with a G7 BC of .316. I'll shoot it at longer distances to confirm that in my rifle at my AO.
After working up a load using Dan Newberry's OCW method, I loaded a few rounds to confirm the load. It's a 4 shot group and it measured 0.166" center to center and under .5" outside. I'm pretty pleased with the results.
If you're not getting your custom barrel conversions from Freedom Gunworks for your DTA rifles then you're missing out on some great shooting tubes! Freedom Gunworks Inc. - Freedom Gunworks - (Powered by CubeCart)
For the load, I'm using CCI Large Rifle Magnum primers in Winchester brass. The bullet is a Berger 168gr VLD Hunting bullet seated to 3.015 which is just into the lands enough there is the slightest bit of resistance when closing the bolt. It's not so hard in that I cannot eject the round and both of those aspects were important to me. Since I am using the 338/300WM magazines I can seat the bullets as long as I want them. As the throat erodes I'll just chase it with the bullet and adjust powder charge as needed. The 168gr bullets are leaving the barrel at 3055fps @ 12' from the muzzle as measured by my PVM-21 chronograph. The bullets have a published G1 BC of .617 and I have not yet confirmed that but it appears to have been confirmed by Brian Litz with a G7 BC of .316. I'll shoot it at longer distances to confirm that in my rifle at my AO.
After working up a load using Dan Newberry's OCW method, I loaded a few rounds to confirm the load. It's a 4 shot group and it measured 0.166" center to center and under .5" outside. I'm pretty pleased with the results.
If you're not getting your custom barrel conversions from Freedom Gunworks for your DTA rifles then you're missing out on some great shooting tubes! Freedom Gunworks Inc. - Freedom Gunworks - (Powered by CubeCart)
