Thread: can't leave well enough alone 7mm rem mag 180gn eldm and VLD

Well had some spare time so have loaded up a ladder of berger bombs to try at the range tomorrow.
Below is a 180gn VLDH behind a 162gn ELDM man I love the mag on this 85 action so much room.




Not much room for bigger cal



All set for some range time tomorrow....

Better results with the 180gn bergers too, not quite there but better and some direction at least for the fiddler in me
The speed I was able to push these heavy slippery slugs at was quite surprising.
Went to about 1/2 a grain over book max and got better speed than my 162gn eldm load.
No signs of pressure at all, no sticky bolt, primers looked good, no ejector marks nothing at all.
I don't see the need to push them any harder but I will be playing with the seating depth and trying my best load from this ladder again as I can't be sure I didn't muff one.

Here's my ladder and the speeds I got off the magneto speed chrono.



As you can see some very consistent speeds at the higher charge weight end of the ladder

Continued...

Group #6 was by far the best with group #7 giving the most consistent speed.
Group 6 there is a possiblity I may have muffed 1 but I was very careful to wait between shots so the barrel didn't get too hot.
I'm going to load some more at the same charge as group #6 and also try different seating depths.
This ladder was all seated at 10thou jammed into the lands.
Anyone else got any suggestions ?

Just to be sure after all the shooting I checked my zero with my 162gn eldm load....it's bloody hard to beat and prints groups like this with boring regularity.

Originally Posted by dannyb

Group #6 was by far the best with group #7 giving the most consistent speed.
Group 6 there is a possiblity I may have muffed 1 but I was very careful to wait between shots so the barrel didn't get too hot.
I'm going to load some more at the same charge as group #6 and also try different seating depths.
This ladder was all seated at 10thou jammed into the lands.
Anyone else got any suggestions ?
Just to be sure after all the shooting I checked my zero with my 162gn eldm load....it's bloody hard to beat and prints groups like this with boring regularity.

Attachment 146015

Try jumping them. I use the 180vldh in my practical, 60thou jump and 1/2” all day if I do my bit. Also was using the 168vldh in my mod 7 saum, mag fit so the jump must be quite large, still very accurate
Cheers

Originally Posted by jono7

Try jumping them. I use the 180vldh in my practical, 60thou jump and 1/2” all day if I do my bit. Also was using the 168vldh in my mod 7 saum, mag fit so the jump must be quite large, still very accurate
Cheers

That's the plan with my best charge weight, will try different jump and then if no joy start over with 2217 powder

I use 2217 in the practical 3015 with no pressure and low es.
Cheers