Range Report Berger has a new 7mm bullet

[Steel head]

I had a bunch of 180 eldm’s blow yesterday
The 190 hybrids were awesome at 1930 yards yesterday.
I think I’m gonna switch to another bullet from the ELDM’s.
They’re just wearing my barrel down with no results often enough that it’s getting frustrating.

 

[Schw15]

I had a bunch of 180 eldm’s blow yesterday
The 190 hybrids were awesome at 1930 yards yesterday.

Do you guys think it is because of the 1 in 8 twist in the barrels

 

[nick338]

I had a bunch of 180 eldm’s blow yesterday
The 190 hybrids were awesome at 1930 yards yesterday.
I think I’m gonna switch to another bullet from the ELDM’s.
They’re just wearing my barrel down with no results often enough that it’s getting frustrating.

Tell me more please! Barrel length, twist, velocity and elevation?

I'm probably doing a 284 Winchester on a long action to try this bullet so I'm trying to gather as much info about it as possible.

 

[Steel head]

Do you guys think it is because of the 1 in 8 twist in the barrels

Certainly doesn’t help.
Hornandy lists BC data for a 7.75 twist so I thought I’d be GTG.
I had 147 eldm’s blowing up as well but that went away thankfully.

I bought a bunch of the Berger hunter 168’s
I think I’ll use those for mag feed loads short range use the 190 hybrids as single feeds for the mile plus stuff. Vertical yesterday was REALLY good with long loaded 190’s and R26.

 

[Schw15]

Certainly doesn’t help.
Hornandy lists BC data for a 7.75 twist so I thought I’d be GTG.
I had 147 eldm’s blowing up as well but that went away thankfully.

I bought a bunch of the Berger hunter 168’s
I think I’ll use those for mag feed loads short range use the 190 hybrids as single feeds for the mile plus stuff. Vertical yesterday was REALLY good with long loaded 190’s and R26.

That's good to hear my buddy just built the 7mm Saum 1 in 8 twist specifically for the 180s that's why I was asking but I've had 147 180 and 225 ELD matches and I've never had a blow up

 

[Schw15]

I told him about what you guys have said in the past about blow ups and he I was asking was a little worried

 

[Steel head]

Tell me more please! Barrel length, twist, velocity and elevation?

I'm probably doing a 284 Winchester on a long action to try this bullet so I'm trying to gather as much info about it as possible.

1-8 brux heavy Palma at 28”
New lot of R26 is a bit faster so 180 eldm’s are at 2955 with a lot of jump and they like the jump when they don’t blow up.
Might try single feeding them with a lot less jump to see if that helps them reach the target.

190 hybrids loaded long with .020 jump at 2920 but I’m gonna back down to 2900 for some extra hot day head room.

 

[Steel head]

I told him about what you guys have said in the past about blow ups and he I was asking was a little worried

Yesterday was probably 30% of them popping.
More than normal.

 

[nick338]

1-8 brux heavy Palma at 28”
New lot of R26 is a bit faster so 180 eldm’s are at 2955 with a lot of jump and they like the jump when they don’t blow up.
Might try single feeding them with a lot less jump to see if that helps them reach the target.

190 hybrids loaded long with .020 jump at 2920 but I’m gonna back down to 2900 for some extra hot day head room.

What elevation are you shooting at and when you say the 190's performed great, what was your hit ratio at 1930?

 

[Steel head]

What elevation are you shooting at and when you say the 190's performed great, what was your hit ratio at 1930?

Elevation there was 1800-2000.
I don’t know the target size but I’m guessing a 24” gong.
When I had a stable wind I think I had like 6 impacts in a row and better than 50% overall.

I had no mirage or ground effects to read besides an occasional fog patch so it was a send it and see what happens kinda day.

I was really impressed with the 190’s yesterday and will probably buy more today as I wanna try for 2200 soon.

 

[nick338]

Elevation there was 1800-2000.
I don’t know the target size but I’m guessing a 24” gong.
When I had a stable wind I think I had like 6 impacts in a row and better than 50% overall.

I had no mirage or ground effects to read besides an occasional fog patch so it was a send it and see what happens kinda day.

I was really impressed with the 190’s yesterday and will probably buy more today as I wanna try for 2200 soon.

That's awesome. Great shooting.

Would be interesting to see how the 183 Sierra would do in similar conditions.

 

[Steel head]

That's awesome. Great shooting.

Would be interesting to see how the 183 Sierra would do in similar conditions.

Send me some and I’ll tell you



I need to think about ordering a new barrel soon.

 

[Schw15]

Elevation there was 1800-2000.
I don’t know the target size but I’m guessing a 24” gong.
When I had a stable wind I think I had like 6 impacts in a row and better than 50% overall.

I had no mirage or ground effects to read besides an occasional fog patch so it was a send it and see what happens kinda day.

I was really impressed with the 190’s yesterday and will probably buy more today as I wanna try for 2200 soon.

Do you have to adjust the bc on berger at the farther distances like the eldm?

 

[Steel head]

Do you have to adjust the bc on berger at the farther distances like the eldm?

Yes but I think a bit less.
.376 is close.
I think I’m gonna do a two stage BC to get it perfect.
This is what worked with my old lot of R26 with eldm’s at 2920.

It was a smidge off now that new powder is at 2955.
I’m going to back that load down to 2920

 

[nick338]

Send me some and I’ll tell you



I need to think about ordering a new barrel soon.

Have you looked at N565? I hear it's more consistent lot to lot and velocities on par with RL26.

 

[Schw15]

Yes but I think a bit less.
.376 is close.
I think I’m gonna do a two stage BC to get it perfect.
This is what worked with my old lot of R26 with eldm’s at 2920.
View attachment 7263186
It was a smidge off now that new powder is at 2955.
I’m going to back that load down to 2920

What ballistic app is that? Yeah i always use there step down seems to work good

 

[Steel head]

What ballistic app is that? Yeah i always use there step down seems to work good

Ballistic AE.
I’m having a hard time leaving it because I know how to work with it well.

 

[Steel head]

Have you looked at N565? I hear it's more consistent lot to lot and velocities on par with RL26.

No
I’m already going to be wincing at going back to Berger pricing!

lol!

 

[nick338]

I've seen some good stuff on Brux barrels lately. I may try a 1-8.5 twist for this build.

 

[Schw15]

Ballistic AE.
I’m having a hard time leaving it because I know how to work with it well.

I use sterlok pro

 

[nick338]

No
I’m already going to be wincing at going back to Berger pricing!

lol!

Just curious, what kind of freebore do you have?

 

[Steel head]

Just curious, what kind of freebore do you have?

standard Sammi chamber.
.090 freebore.
I actually have a reamer and am considering sending it to get the freebore reground

 

[KYpatriot]

Tell me more please! Barrel length, twist, velocity and elevation?

I'm probably doing a 284 Winchester on a long action to try this bullet so I'm trying to gather as much info about it as possible.

I was going to do a 284 and went straight 7mag instead for slightly more speed and glad I did. I was worried about the belt and my smith (Gradous) said why, just ignore it. So I did, it just isnt an issue. Nosler custom brass, throated long and running 2990 with h1000 and 180hybrids in a 26in bartlein 1-8.5. Only thing id do different is id go 1 in 8 twist since I only shoot heavies anyway.

 

[nick338]

I was going to do a 284 and went straight 7mag instead for slightly more speed and glad I did. I was worried about the belt and my smith (Gradous) said why, just ignore it. So I did, it just isnt an issue. Nosler custom brass, throated long and running 2990 with h1000 and 180hybrids in a 26in bartlein 1-8.5. Only thing id do different is id go 1 in 8 twist since I only shoot heavies anyway.

Appreciate your advice. My reasoning for a 284 Win vs 7 SAUM, 7 WSM or 7 Mag is the fact that I actually don't want a ton of speed. I want to preserve chamber and barrel life as much as possible, while also mitigating the amount of thumping I get in a long range session. 284 will have more barrel life and less recoil than all of them and Peterson makes great brass as well.

I don't think a long 284 Winchester is the best at anything but loaded at 2750-2800 with that 190 Berger it will do everything I want it to well.

Are you seeing something you don't like with a 1-8.5 twist?

 

[KYpatriot]

Right on should be a great build then.

Not seeing any problems with the 8.5tw, even with 195s hybrids. Its just that it doesnt quite spin anything heavier than 180 enough to optimize BC for those bullets. They will stabilize, but have slightly reduced BC. For the bullets I ended up shooting, no reason not to go 8twist. All depends on your plans.

 

[nick338]

Right on should be a great build then.

Not seeing any problems with the 8.5tw, even with 195s hybrids. Its just that it doesnt quite spin anything heavier than 180 enough to optimize BC for those bullets. They will stabilize, but have slightly reduced BC. For the bullets I ended up shooting, no reason not to go 8twist. All depends on your plans.

Was thinking 6.5x284 or 6.5 PRC but I'm seeing barrels smoked in 800-1000 rds and I don't want to rebarrel that frequently. Long action 300 WSM was interesting but more recoil and sight picture movement then I wanted. 284 Win seems to fit right in the middle of all of it.

 

[KYpatriot]

Yeah its right in the sweet spot of barrel life/performance.

 

[Steel head]

Appreciate your advice. My reasoning for a 284 Win vs 7 SAUM, 7 WSM or 7 Mag is the fact that I actually don't want a ton of speed. I want to preserve chamber and barrel life as much as possible, while also mitigating the amount of thumping I get in a long range session. 284 will have more barrel life and less recoil than all of them and Peterson makes great brass as well.

I don't think a long 284 Winchester is the best at anything but loaded at 2750-2800 with that 190 Berger it will do everything I want it to well.

Are you seeing something you don't like with a 1-8.5 twist?

My initial loads for my 7 saum were 2800.
180’s at that speed perform really well.
284 or 284 shehane should be there and possibly with 190’s

 

[KYpatriot]

Hey @RobertGradous, saw your “like.” Glad you are still on here, Thanks for building a hammer of a rifle!! I have really enjoyed it.

 

[clcustom1911]

Certainly doesn’t help.
Hornandy lists BC data for a 7.75 twist so I thought I’d be GTG.
I had 147 eldm’s blowing up as well but that went away thankfully.

I bought a bunch of the Berger hunter 168’s
I think I’ll use those for mag feed loads short range use the 190 hybrids as single feeds for the mile plus stuff. Vertical yesterday was REALLY good with long loaded 190’s and R26.

You can still be supersonic at 1500+ with the 168 Bergers if you're launching them kissing 2950-3000 and depending on your atmospherics.

 

[Steel head]

You can still be supersonic at 1500+ with the 168 Bergers if you're launching them kissing 2950-3000 and depending on your atmospherics.

Considering how fast I can get 180’s safely 2950-3000 should be a fairly mild load and my goal.
I just sized some brass and will load small ladder with them and test them Sunday at distance.

 

[nick338]

Considering how fast I can get 180’s safely 2950-3000 should be a fairly mild load and my goal.
I just sized some brass and will load small ladder with them and test them Sunday at distance.

So I'm guessing you went subsonic before you hit 1930?

 

[Steel head]

So I'm guessing you went subsonic before you hit 1930?

With the 180’s and 190’s yes.
I’m supersonic to about 1825 yards

The 168 classic hunters should do 1500-1600yards.

Those are with a winter DA of 900.

 

[nick338]

That's good news on your results with the 190's at 1930 going subsonic. I may go with a shorter barrel on this and will definitely be subsonic at a mile at my elevation.

 

[USP45]

I just had a 7/300WM with a 37 degree shoulder built, .190 freebore and running CIP length magazine so should be able to mag feed up to 3.70 or so. Using a Krieger 1-8 at 28" and hoping to be able to run the 190 hybrids or 195's. Was going to use the 180 eldm's but after reading Steel head's results I am not sure that I want to try unless newer lots are not going poof, especially as others with 7/300 are pushing 180's well over 3000fps. Kind of sucks that they changed the jackets and they are no longer holding together. Guess I will see if anything has changed when I come home from deployment in August.

 

[Steel head]

I just had a 7/300WM with a 37 degree shoulder built, .190 freebore and running CIP length magazine so should be able to mag feed up to 3.70 or so. Using a Krieger 1-8 at 28" and hoping to be able to run the 190 hybrids or 195's. Was going to use the 180 eldm's but after reading Steel head's results I am not sure that I want to try unless newer lots are not going poof, especially as others with 7/300 are pushing 180's well over 3000fps. Kind of sucks that they changed the jackets and they are no longer holding together. Guess I will see if anything has changed when I come home from deployment in August.

You’ll like the 190 hybrids.

My testing with them showed typical Berger quality and the BC I found was better than the 180 eldm.
I have a bunch of 190 on the way.

 

[nick338]

Hornady 190 A Tip G7 bc .422

Insane

 

[Steel head]

Hornady 190 A Tip G7 bc .422

Insane

It better be for the price.

Curious as to tried up BC’s

 

[Schw15]

Wow worth a 7mm for the atips

 

[nick338]

It better be for the price.

Curious as to tried up BC’s

Well we know the 180 ELD bc is less than what they claim. Looking forward to someone testing these to see if it's close.

 

[Schw15]

Well we know the 180 ELD bc is less than what they claim. Looking forward to someone testing these to see if it's close.

I shot the 180 eld m for 4 or 5 months from 100 to 1760 and found the bc on for me at 5400 elevation

 

[nick338]

I shot the 180 eld m for 4 or 5 months from 100 to 1760 and found the bc on for me at 5400 elevation

So you're saying .401 g7 bc is what you were seeing?

Most other people I have seen are getting good results with a .360 bc or similar. And it's very unlikely it has a higher bc than the Berger 195 EOL

 

[Schw15]

I have strelok pro put that bullet in and worked great but i didnt keep it long and that was over a year ago. But also shoot 225 eldm and 147 eldm and find them dead on when i put my info in app. But ive heard alot of people say there not as high not sure if im crazy or what lol but i did see even hornady lowered the bc on website

 

[nick338]

I have strelok pro put that bullet in and worked great but i didnt keep it long and that was over a year ago. But also shoot 225 eldm and 147 eldm and find them dead on when i put my info in app. But ive heard alot of people say there not as high not sure if im crazy or what lol but i did see even hornady lowered the bc on website

I'm still seeing .401 on their website

 

[Steel head]

I used a variable BC down to .360ish for the 180’s to get them to jive out to 2050 yards.
I typically shoot at altitudes of 900-2500.

 

[Schw15]

Yes i use there step down bc values off there website and if you go to the step down bc part the bc is lowered

 

[Schw15]

.391 now not .401

 

[Steel head]

Jeez Hornandy
What’s up with this?

 

[Steel head]

Homework for this weekend.

 

[nick338]

It shocks me that they still expect shooters to use that bc. Not sure how they expect us to believe the bc is higher than their 225 ELD-M, which is longer and heavier for caliber than the 180.