Thread: 7 PRC MK V Weatherby load development

After owning this rifle since mid last year I have finally got around to buying all the components and tools needed to kick off load development for this puppy.
I'm intending to run 180gn ELDM's, ADI2225 powder, Norma brass, federal magnum primers.
Today I prepped 21 cases and measured my my jam which came to 3.425" C.O.A.L



I set up my dummy round 30thou shorter at 3.395

Tested for mag fit and cycling....shitloads of room



Checked for bearing surface in the neck and that seems adequate



I'm waiting for velocity data from a mate before I decide on charge ladder weights, hoping for accuracy and a decent velocity in the 29xxfps
It'll either shoot or it won't.
If it looks promising I'll load up some more and get some decent data.


Here's a comparison shot of my dummy round next to a 165gn bondstrike factory round

Originally Posted by dannyb

After owning this rifle since mid last year I have finally got around to buying all the components and tools needed to kick off load development for this puppy.
I'm intending to run 180gn ELDM's, ADI2225 powder, Norma brass, federal magnum primers.
Today I prepped 21 cases and measured my my jam which came to 3.425" C.O.A.L

Attachment 289866

I set up my dummy round 30thou shorter at 3.395

Tested for mag fit and cycling....shitloads of room

Attachment 289867

Checked for bearing surface in the neck and that seems adequate

Attachment 289868

I'm waiting for velocity data from a mate before I decide on charge ladder weights, hoping for accuracy and a decent velocity in the 29xxfps
It'll either shoot or it won't.
If it looks promising I'll load up some more and get some decent data.


Here's a comparison shot of my dummy round next to a 165gn bondstrike factory round

Attachment 289869

Interesting to see how it goes im doing the same with my Tikka at the moment with 175 eldx and 180 ELDM.

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Originally Posted by 25/08 IMP

Interesting to see how it goes im doing the same with my Tikka at the moment with 175 eldx and 180 ELDM.

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I been dying to get behind the big Weatherby but have been busy with higher priority tasks, looking forward to a bit of trigger therapy.

Nice, have you shot it with the factory ammo?

Originally Posted by outdoorlad

Nice, have you shot it with the factory ammo?

Yup 20 rounds of Norma bondstrike, I got another 40 rounds to get through to salvage brass for my reloading.
It shoots the Norma factory stuff ok, nothing amazing but I'd say it moa or there abouts, it may improve now I have a braked suppressor instead of the factory radial brake. I never really liked the radial brake.
At the end of the day it doesn't matter how the factory ammo shoots, it's anemic as fuck even out of a full length 24" barrel from memory about 100fps slower than claimed on the box.

Originally Posted by dannyb

Yup 20 rounds of Norma bondstrike, I got another 40 rounds to get through to salvage brass for my reloading.
It shoots the Norma factory stuff ok, nothing amazing but I'd say it moa or there abouts, it may improve now I have a braked suppressor instead of the factory radial brake. I never really liked the radial brake.
At the end of the day it doesn't matter how the factory ammo shoots, it's anemic as fuck even out of a full length 24" barrel from memory about 100fps slower than claimed on the box.

I have to do some more testing with mine it's fitted with a DPT and break cap.
It wasn't shooting that good, and when talking to a mate that had just brought a Sako new fitted with a DPT and end cap break that would only shoot 2" groups.
Until he removed the cap then it shot under 1", I tried mine yesterday same thing end cap shot 2" groups no end cap under 1" but this was only a small sample test so I need to try more.

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Originally Posted by 25/08 IMP

I have to do some more testing with mine it's fitted with a DPT and break cap.
It wasn't shooting that good, and when talking to a mate that had just brought a Sako new fitted with a DPT and end cap break that would only shoot 2" groups.
Until he removed the cap then it shot under 1", I tried mine yesterday same thing end cap shot 2" groups no end cap under 1" but this was only a small sample test so I need to try more.

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My 270win mk v is an absolute laser with the same braked suppressor, I do run that with 2 baffles removed due to it being a Magnum can on a non Magnum rifle.

Originally Posted by dannyb

My 270win mk v is an absolute laser with the same braked suppressor, I do run that with 2 baffles removed due to it being a Magnum can on a non Magnum rifle.

I have one on my 6.5 as well and it shoots fine so I'm unsure.

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Originally Posted by dannyb

My 270win mk v is an absolute laser with the same braked suppressor, I do run that with 2 baffles removed due to it being a Magnum can on a non Magnum rifle.

I may try the 7mm one on my .260 as I know it's an accurate shooter.

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Right just heard back from my mate, he's running a shorter C.O.A.L than me his is 3.358" vs mine 3.395" his 22" barrel vs mine 24" barrel
At 68gn his is achieving 2931fps and at 69gn 2961fps, bearing in mind 2" less barrel and slightly shorter C.O.A.L than me, ive loaded up 5x at 68gn and 5x 69gn just to see where my velocity is at.
I cant get to the range till Sunday or possibly Monday weather permitting but will report back post range session.

Those flutes......

This is from the Hawkins website using Rotumbo and 180eldm.
I'm using 175 eldx and 225 at 70.8grn 2860fps

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Originally Posted by 25/08 IMP

This is from the Hawkins website using Rotumbo and 180eldm.
I'm using 175 eldx and 225 at 70.8grn 2860fps

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To some degree it depends on seating depth though....that chart doesn't quantify a seating depth.
My figures are based off what a mate has achieved.
In reality I'd like to see mid 29xxfps to 3000fps but will see what comes out in the wash.
Once I find a charge weight that is in the velocity range I want I'll load up at least 10 maybe 20 and see what accuracy is like, if they aren't accurate at 30thou jump they probably won't be accurate at any other depth and I may have to re evaluate my projectile choice....but hopefully not

My 280 was jumping them a long way due to magazine length with good success in the kimber.

Originally Posted by Stocky

My 280 was jumping them a long way due to magazine length with good success in the kimber.

Yup and loads of people do jump them for the same reason, and I'll definitely try if accuracy isn't sufficient, I just think my barrel will either shoot them or it won't irrelevant of jump.
This is the worst part of load development....waiting to shoot, wondering if accuracy and velocity will be found to be adequate.