Guys,
I have just over 200 rounds through my new Benchmark barrel, so I thought it was time to try a ladder test and see what the barrel really likes, I got up early and tried to get to the range before the wind really picked up.
Rifle: Sako TRG rebarreled to 7mm08, 26" 3 groove 1-9 twist barrel.
My base for the load is.
RP .308 brass necked down to 7mm08, neck turned
Tula large rifle primers
Varget powder from 40.5gr to 43.5gr
Hornady 162 grn A-max
Seated to mag length of 2.945 COAL
Both groups were shot within 45 min of each other, when I got to the second group, the wind started to pick up coming from my six o clock.
I was just starting to see pressure signs at 42.5 grains, although at 43.5 it didn't look too terrible, what I saw was ejector swipe marks.
I just got my neck turning stuff yesterday and by turning my necks and really paying attention to bullet runout I was able to use higher charges without seeing as much pressure signs, as I believe with my match chamber and high bullet runout it was causing issues.
For now I am going to play with a load of 42.5gr. My last load was 42.3 grains and I was hitting an average of 2775, so with this I might be on the light side of 2800 fps, which I hope to have the benefits of decent speed, great BC .625, and lots of barrel life.
SScott
I have just over 200 rounds through my new Benchmark barrel, so I thought it was time to try a ladder test and see what the barrel really likes, I got up early and tried to get to the range before the wind really picked up.
Rifle: Sako TRG rebarreled to 7mm08, 26" 3 groove 1-9 twist barrel.
My base for the load is.
RP .308 brass necked down to 7mm08, neck turned
Tula large rifle primers
Varget powder from 40.5gr to 43.5gr
Hornady 162 grn A-max
Seated to mag length of 2.945 COAL
Both groups were shot within 45 min of each other, when I got to the second group, the wind started to pick up coming from my six o clock.
I was just starting to see pressure signs at 42.5 grains, although at 43.5 it didn't look too terrible, what I saw was ejector swipe marks.
I just got my neck turning stuff yesterday and by turning my necks and really paying attention to bullet runout I was able to use higher charges without seeing as much pressure signs, as I believe with my match chamber and high bullet runout it was causing issues.
For now I am going to play with a load of 42.5gr. My last load was 42.3 grains and I was hitting an average of 2775, so with this I might be on the light side of 2800 fps, which I hope to have the benefits of decent speed, great BC .625, and lots of barrel life.
SScott
