I just spent a fair bit of time and components on trying to develop a load for my deer/hunter silhouette rifle. Since we have a hunt coming up in a lead free area, I am using Barnes TTSX 7mm bullets in my 7mm-08. Took the Barnes book and started with their accuracy load since I already had that powder (RL 15) and did a ladder test, then began working on the upper node. Well, I couldn't get it to group less than a minute and a half from my 660. Took the last four rounds and ran them through the wife's new 700 and got a group that measured 0.48" C-C at 100yds. Okay........
Before the last range session, since I was getting frustrated, I went and loaded my last 5 projectiles with H4895 using an upper mid-range book load (SWAG of 42.0gr). Lo and Behold, 0.52" C-C at 100yds. from my 660. Same primer, Case, and bullet, only changing the powder. Shaking my head about the work that went into not getting a viable load and then hitting a potential one with the educated guess.
I will be trying to see if both loads are repeatable this weekend and maybe seeing how the H4895 load works in her rifle, since it would simplify things when we are out hunting.
FWIW
Rem 660 in 7mm-08, built by my father who can't remember the barrel manufacturer topped with a vintage compact Burris 3x9
and a brand new Rem 700 BDL, bone stock with a Leupold Vari-X II 3-9x40mm
Before the last range session, since I was getting frustrated, I went and loaded my last 5 projectiles with H4895 using an upper mid-range book load (SWAG of 42.0gr). Lo and Behold, 0.52" C-C at 100yds. from my 660. Same primer, Case, and bullet, only changing the powder. Shaking my head about the work that went into not getting a viable load and then hitting a potential one with the educated guess.
I will be trying to see if both loads are repeatable this weekend and maybe seeing how the H4895 load works in her rifle, since it would simplify things when we are out hunting.
FWIW
Rem 660 in 7mm-08, built by my father who can't remember the barrel manufacturer topped with a vintage compact Burris 3x9
and a brand new Rem 700 BDL, bone stock with a Leupold Vari-X II 3-9x40mm
