Thread: Just the tip......7 rem mag A-Tip load development

Recently picked up a Bergara B14 Wilderness in 7mm rem mag and have been keen to get into load development (always the way).
I have owned a few Rem mags (3 from memory) and developed loads for a few more as well.
Earlier efforts saw me using 162gn ELDM's to devastating effect, mode recently I have loaded 180gn ELDM's again super accurate and phenomenal BC
I am a self proclaimed BC slut and despite that I have decided to try Hornady 166gn A-Tips even though the 180gn ELDM's have a superior BC.
I just like trying different stuff
I'm holding high hopes for these A-Tips and rightboff the bat I can say they are super consistent in finish, weight and length.
Really nice to work with.



I couldn't find load data with Retumbo/ADI2225 in hornady load manual however Hogdon list 166gn a tip data on their website which was very handy.



First up I set about working out my jam length using the loctite method I learnt from Ultimate Reloader on YouTube.
I came up with 2.4715" ogive measurement and 3.4585 C.O.A.L (I never work with C.O.A.L but have included it for reference later).
For my charge ladder I will work up in 1gn increments with the A-Tips seated 10thou off my jam measurement.
I have started my ladder at 72gn and have loaded right up to 75gn (yes 2 gn over book max )
The reason for this is that at book max of 73gn Hogdon states it is a compressed load when seated to SAAMI length 3.290" C.O.A.L
My C.O.A.L is 3.4485" which is a decent bit longer giving me ample room in the case resulting in a book max load not being anywhere near compressed, in fact even at 2 full grains over book max I am still not compressed.
Obviously the usual warnings apply work up carefully and every rifle is different etc etc, if at any stage I get pressure signs (velocity being the best indicator) then I don't need to shoot the higher charges, obviously I'll be watching for sticky bolt and super flat primers but velocity will be my primary pressure indication if even if none of the other signs are evident.
I'd like to see an accuracy node around 3000fps but will have to see what the rifle likes at the end of the day.
Anyway I'm all set to go just need to pray for a break in the weather so I can shoot my ladder and analyze the results.










(I didn't load 71gn as i felt my longer COAL would see my velocity drop too much)

As a side note, I will say it's nice to be working with a rem 700 action where I can decide seating depth based on my jam length and still have ample room in the mag, rather than have my seating depth dictated by the mag length

On a side note what speed did you get and powder did you use with the 180s?

Originally Posted by matto1234

On a side note what speed did you get and powder did you use with the 180s?

2870fps over adi2217 although I reckon adi2225 would also work and possibly even give slightly higher velocity

We tried the 153gr Atip in a 6.5 PRC. Possibly the most accurate bullet Iv worked with. From a sako S20 the worst group it shot was .62 out of a dozen on the initial run down, only got better from there. The down side was 4 shots in the field with ranges in the 400-500 yds, all hits verified by spotter no deer recovered. I sectioned a couple and they had no cavity at all. The alloy tip was in contact with the lead core maybe creating a fmj effect. 6.5 bullets were thin on the ground at that time so I switched to Hunter bullets 123gr AH . Results have been more than satisfactory.
153gr with a 135gr on the right.

Originally Posted by sneeze

We tried the 153gr Atip in a 6.5 PRC. Possibly the most accurate bullet Iv worked with. From a sako S20 the worst group it shot was .62 out of a dozen on the initial run down, only got better from there. The down side was 4 shots in the field with ranges in the 400-500 yds, all hits verified by spotter no deer recovered. I sectioned a couple and they had no cavity at all. The alloy tip was in contact with the lead core maybe creating a fmj effect. 6.5 bullets were thin on the ground at that time so I switched to Hunter bullets 123gr AH . Results have been more than satisfactory.
153gr with a 135gr on the right.
Attachment 247795

Interesting, certainly heard a lot of differing opinions on their effectiveness on game (more that they perform well, than not), will update when I've had a chance to try them. Hopefully my results are positive maybe the 7mm will perform better. If not I have 180gn ELDM's and 162gn ELDM's available but may actually try 168gn VLDH next.

There wasnt a lot of information on terminal performance at the time and even now there only seems to be anecdotal reports based on small sample size. I was hoping they would be more like an Amax. I have a box of 135gr I was going to use in the 6.5x284 but Iv seen enough to leave them for range work. The other issue I see with them is the alloy tip extends out covering the edge of the jacket which I think coupled with the lack of cavity prevents reliable expansion.Im sure they will kill well sometimes but there are other far more reliable options that are available again. Bergers 140 EH Im finding very good along with the 143eldx and Hammer bullets offerings be they a bit spendy. .

I don’t get the propensity of kiwi hunters to use a bullet manufactured and marketed for targets and load them for shooting deer and expect hunting bullet results.

Bullet manufacturers might know what they are talking about, I mean Hornady has only been making bullets since 1949.

Load some Speer grand slams and I bet you will get good, ethical results

"I don’t get the propensity of kiwi hunters to use a bullet manufactured and marketed for targets and load them for shooting deer and expect hunting bullet results." maybe this threads not for you then

Thanks for the feedback. Can't speak for the A-Tips as far as using match bullets for hunting as I haven't used them yet, but as far as ELDM's they work extremely effectively. But that's a whole other argument I don't really want to get into here, this is just a load development thread.

Yeah, some of us like to tinker with new shit, just becos.

Originally Posted by chainsaw

Yeah, some of us like to tinker with new shit, just becos.

And that A tip just looks fucking cool

Sent from my SM-S916B using Tapatalk

Well charge ladder shot this morning, didn't leave me feeling too confident nothing grouped better than about 1 inch except the hottest load but that was well over pressure and i wasn't gonna be anywhere near that.

1.) 72gn avg: 3020fps S.D: 22fps E.S: 44fps group size approx 1.5"

2.) 73gn avg: 3088fps S.D: 10.4fps E.S: 20.8fps group size approx 1.8"

3.) 74gn avg: 3126fps S.D: 11.5fps E.S: 23fps group size approx 1.5"

4.) 75gn avg 3188fps S.D: 19fps E.S: 38fps group size .7" but way too hot erratic velocity and heavy bolt (book max load velocity is 3047fps so well over pressure here)

I was happy enough to shoot the 3 higher loads having seen nothing concerning in brass, primers etc but fully aware they were all considered over pressure.



I went home feeling a little disappointed but set about loading a seating depth ladder using my lowest charge, i used the lowest as i knew by seating the projectile deeper into the case there was potential for pressure to increase.
I seated projectiles at 30thou jump, 50thou jump and 90thou jump.

Back to the range.

30thou load produced just over 2" group avg velocity 3043fps S.D: 19fps E.S: 38fps

50thou load produced .54" group avg velocity 3018fps S.D: 8.5fps E.S 17fps (that'll do)

90thou load produced 1" group avg velocity 3017fps SD: 16.7fps E.S 34fps

I have no doubt i could tutu and tweak this but i see no need to and don't have the time.
I loaded up 6 more and confirmed grouping without the magnetospeed, very slight shift in P.O.I but grouping stayed around .5-.6"
Happy days, I will definitely be upgrading the trigger as i really struggled even with the Bergara trigger set to it's lightest setting which I'm picking is between 2.5 and 3lbs (I like em really light).




(the green tip projectiles are factory Sako 140gn blade, i picked those up for up close things)

Nice now some animals to see how effective those A Tips are.

Originally Posted by Mooseman

Nice now some animals to see how effective those A Tips are.

On the cards next week