7mm wsm load development

[coolhandjoe]

I'm getting a 7mm wsm with a 25" barrel built on a Savage Stevens 200 LA receiver. It is getting a barrel put on and it is getting the action cut to the large shank size, new stockade Rollover Cheek thumbhole stock, and trued and timed. This rifle will mainly be used for hunting and some long range plinking. I plan on loading up some 162 gr AMAXs, 160 gr Accubonds, and some 140 gr Accubonds.

I have been looking at some reloading data from Hogdgon and Nosler. The reloading books seem to be a bit slow from what I've been hearing from some range reports. Most of the range reports are also regarding the 180 gr VLDs. From looking at price vs. performance I'm not sold on these bullets, especially for hunting.

Does anyone have some good loads using these bullets? What powders do people seem to like for these bullets as well? What kind of velocities should I be getting? What kind of barrel life is being attained?

 

[Skyking]

Re: 7mm wsm load development

Sounds like you have a good gun coming. I don't know why you would build a custom gun and not shoot the highest BC bullet you can get. That's why you go with the 7wsm, is for that 180vld. I shot the hunting 180 vlds, over 65g of H1000, cci-br2, +005 to touching the lands, out of my 26' barrel at 2975fps. They work great for a hunting bullet. Don't let price be your determing factor. I have 800 rounds down now. 1500-2500 should be no problem

GAP 7wsm in action

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1997308&page=1

 

[coolhandjoe]

Re: 7mm wsm load development

Well the 180 vld does have quite a high bc, but I should be able to shoot flatter in the range that I hunt and shoot, under 1000 yds, using the 162 gr. Amax. I have heard generally 2950 fps for the vld with a bc of .659 according to Berger, and the Amax I think I've heard it suggested 3100 fps (I would like to confirm this by the way) with a bc of .625 according to Hornady. I have heard little of the Amax, but for where most of my shooting occurs it shoots flatter and the windage is pretty close and it costs less. The gun will still be able to use the vlds so I could still become a convert.

The other issue is that around the 140 to 160 gr bullets are where more hunting bullets are found with good bcs and I trust a true hunting bullet for closer range targets. I know Berger has the hunting version, but it says it's designed beyond 300 yards. Where I hunt in KY I could get a shot from 10 ft. to 1000 yds if I'm comfortable taking the shot. I plan on probably having 2 bullets for this, but we'll see what I feel like once I'm shooting the rifle.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[coolhandjoe]

Re: 7mm wsm load development

I just checked out your gun and video that stuff is nice. I can see where the highest BC really pays off there. I usually do go with the highest BC bullet I can get, but in this case, this is more of my hunting rifle. I also have a .338 lapua magnum I use the Bergers and I like them I just need to get some more velocity from them.

 

[Bacarrat]

Re: 7mm wsm load development

You also have to test out the lighter bullets. Sometimes they do not shoot well out of a 7WSM for some odd reason. I know my old barrel didn't like the AMAXs. Never a problem with the heavies.

 

[coolhandjoe]

Re: 7mm wsm load development

Good point. Some barrels just have different preferences. A buddy of mine had a .308 win rifle that would shoot 155 gr bullets out of his rifle 1 hole groups all the time. The first time I spotted for him, I thought he missed his target, because I couldn't see any other signs of a bullet. Of course give that rifle a 168 gr or 175 gr bullet and it just couldn't group them very well.

I can't wait until the rifle is finished to try them all out. I think there is a Sierra gameking that is 175 gr that I may use as a hunting bullet if the lighter ones don't work out as well. I talked to my gunsmith and he has had great results with the lighter ones, so I'm not too worried on the performance right now.