Browning hells canyon speed 7mm rem mag

So a new friend of mine came around to get his brand new browning x bolt hells canyon speed set up today. Once we got it zeroed and some velocity readings we shot a few groups with the factory muzzle brake and a stealth suppressor.
First off the rifle is nice topped off with a nightforce shv 5-20.
The trigger was still factory at 4.5-5 lb
After shooting my first group (Sam) with the suppressor I swapped out his Harris with my Harris with spikes so I could load the bipod. That may account for the difference in poi of 1” between my 2 groups and his as both were shot with my Harris. The spikes made a difference as I’m used to loading the bipod and his rubber feet slipped forward.
Interestingly both our groups were of similar size.
Ammo used was factory Norma with Barnes 140tsx.
The velocities were average 3230fps
The Velocities recorded was 3160 to 3295.
3 shot groups had 65-109 FPS Es.
The spreads were higher with the suppressor than the brake.
The brake groups were 1/2 to 2/3”
The suppressor groups were 1 1/4”
Groups were shot prone with a rear bag at 100yrds
Overall the rifle shot nice. Apart from the heavy trigger, but it was still crisp. The recoil pad is super soft, and recoil was tamer and more comfortable than the std tikka t3’s I’ve shot. The rifle was surprisingly light even with the nightforce.
We’re going to do a hand load for it so I will be interested to see how it will shoot with some better ammo.Attachment 93527

Good results there.
Not many factory rifles come out with a 26 inch barrel but it certainly makes a difference in performance for the 7mm rem mag. The longer barrel balances the rifle better and makes it easier to shoot well free hand Imo.

Yep, it was very well balanced. It was good to see and shoot one as I’ve never seen one in the stores. Great barrel contour. The flutes are so shallow though I don’t even know they are necessary. The only down side was the muzzle thread at 13x1, not very common. I would love to see one of these in the McMillan stock.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cowboy06

The only down side was the muzzle thread at 13x1, not very common.

---

The threads are M13 x 0.75 & M13 x 1.25, a cunning American idea so no one in the States can get that thread or any brakes etc....

But there is this Guy in New Zealand that makes the perfect brake for it with the right threads ;-)

That's some average grouping there champ, you related to philipo buy chance?

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

The 13 X1.25 can be modified to 1/2-20.
Otherwise ,it gets the chop and get rethreaded to a more common 14x1 or 9/16-24.
The hell canyon speed got a fatter barrel and a standard 5/8-24.
The factory break is there almost for decoration.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Friwi

The factory break is there almost for decoration.

---

As are most/all factory brakes, its all about the money honey, cheaper the better.....cheaper is always better Mate.....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cowboy06

Yep, it was very well balanced. It was good to see and shoot one as I’ve never seen one in the stores. Great barrel contour. The flutes are so shallow though I don’t even know they are necessary. The only down side was the muzzle thread at 13x1, not very common. I would love to see one of these in the McMillan stock.

---

There is a version with a McMillan stock available in the U.S.

X-Bolt Hell's Canyon Speed Long Range McMillan

Or - you can buy a stock directly from McMillan - but will need someone with an import license.

I've got an X-Bolt SS in 7mm-08 with a McMillan stock listed on Trade me if anyone is interested.

@Creeper if you read the Es beside the group you will see that the extreme spread of the ammo was very average, 63fps and jameses one was 70fps Yet the rifle still managed a 13mm 1/2 moa group with the muzzle brake. I think the results were pretty good.
For some reason the velocity spread was high with the suppressor and the groups were bigger.
I did shoot 15 rounds with my 338 and 300 and had single digit Es wit my hand loads so there was no problem with the cronogragh.
Greg I’ll let him know you have that thread.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Creeper

That's some average grouping there champ, you related to philipo buy chance?

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

---

Lets see your groups with a factory gun, factory ammo and a 5lb trigger @Creeper.... put your money where your keyboard is

The Hells Canyon McMillan in 28 nosler looks to be nice with a 1:8 26” barrel, but would it fit the 195gr bergers in the magazine probably not? Seems like a waste to do everything and not the magazine length to get the most out of it.

Browning is actually tightening its barrel twist on some calibres for 2018 to accomodate the high bc bullets available now days.

The triggers are adjustable to just over 3 pound in the xbolts, if it's anything like my 7mm they love the vld hunter 140s

I’ve just got it back, I’ll adjust the trigger and do a load up with some 2217 and 162 eldx and see how it likes it.

Attachment 95328
Finally got a quick bit of load development done.
162 eldx. I pulled no 2 shot a little.
Was 10mm for 3
19mm for all 4.
Did 8 round ladder. Node tested at a flat spot.
Es 12 SD 5.3 velocity av 2905 FPS.

Attachment 95344

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cowboy06

Attachment 95328
Finally got a quick bit of load development done.
162 eldx. I pulled no 2 shot a little.
Was 10mm for 3
19mm for all 4.
Did 8 round ladder. Node tested at a flat spot.
Es 12 SD 5.3 velocity av 2905 FPS.

---

Pretty much what we're getting out of TimeRiders A-Bolt 2. Norma brass, 162 A-Max, 71.5gr 2217 and getting 2953fps.

Year love my a bolts. This was only 68.3 gr. No pressure at all. I’d stoke it up a bit if it was my rifle but as I’m loading for someone else and it is within adi book spec it might cover my ase maybe. Still shoots well within manufacturers spec anyway.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Friwi

Browning is actually tightening its barrel twist on some calibres for 2018 to accomodate the high bc bullets available now days.

---

I have been wondering which manufacturers would do this. Savage has a number of fast twist options in .223 (7) and .22-250 (9) for example. I think we will start to see more manufacturers looking at tighter twists, the sales volume of long high BC bullets is bound to drive a change.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Flyblown

I have been wondering which manufacturers would do this. Savage has a number of fast twist options in .223 (7) and .22-250 (9) for example. I think we will start to see more manufacturers looking at tighter twists, the sales volume of long high BC bullets is bound to drive a change.

---

Yep its a good idea as long as the loaded round will fit into the mag box when set up nicely near the lands.

There is little point if the sexy long projectile is just stuffed way back into the case....

Plenty of factory rifles have short magazines which is fine with factory ammo

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cowboy06

Year love my a bolts. This was only 68.3 gr. No pressure at all. I’d stoke it up a bit if it was my rifle but as I’m loading for someone else and it is within adi book spec it might cover my ase maybe. Still shoots well within manufacturers spec anyway.

---

I must admit that I'd seriously consider one too, ... with the bolt handle on the right side. I like the ergonomics. Probably would get away with a leftie for myself since I'm ambidextrous, ... I can't shoot easily as badly on both sides.

My a bolt is left handed .270. Would be my favorite rifle. I bought that near new one of tm for a mate. Should be good. Never had a bad one and I’ve bought and set up 4 in .270 for people

Iv got one of these nice rifle , trigger was pretty crap I put one of those lighter springs in from mcarbo that made a noticeable difference groups well im using the 162 eld x for 3140fps , had trouble with the scope moving in the Leopold rings iv since put a vx5 on , plenty of loktight and so far all is well .

I managed to get the hells canyon trigger down to 3.5lb it needs a new spring to make it lighter. He’s got it for hunting tahr to. 400m so no big deal. I ran it out to 425 on plates to check dope and it was bang on.
I put the Timney spring kit in my abolt and that made a nice difference.

So what’s the over all thoughts on the hells canyon? I’m things about getting one of the ones in 28nosler that are floating around..... but unsure

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Boaraxa

Iv got one of these nice rifle , trigger was pretty crap I put one of those lighter springs in from mcarbo that made a noticeable difference groups well im using the 162 eld x for 3140fps , had trouble with the scope moving in the Leopold rings iv since put a vx5 on , plenty of loktight and so far all is well .

---

I've had one of those Mcarbo trigger springs for a couple of months and haven't got around to installing it.

PM sent for some pointers. Cheers.

ive had an MCarbo spring in my Xbolt since last xmas- fantastc- makes night and day difference.

@stuart great rifle for the money. They are nice to shoot. Good weight, seem accurate and they make them in your wiz bang calibre of choice with a decent barrel length. Will it be better than a carbon bling made out of bits and bobs $7000 rifle. Not quite probably. But it’s $2000. It’d shoot just as good as a $4500 sako 85 I’d imagine.

Hi Boaraxa, what was your load data for that and how was the grouping. Still working on mine but getting a lot of copper fouling at the moment. Have a good load now for the Berger 162 and the SST 154gr just trying to sort the ELD-X now

@FlukeShot grouping is sub moa out to 500y I haven't really done much shooting beyond that range , il have a look in the book latter .

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FlukeShot

Hi Boaraxa, what was your load data for that and how was the grouping. Still working on mine but getting a lot of copper fouling at the moment. Have a good load now for the Berger 162 and the SST 154gr just trying to sort the ELD-X now

---

162gr ELD-X, Hornady brass, ADI2225 @ 72.6gr C.O.A.L.= ??? @Boaraxa need to recheck it… "I think" it was around 3.360" bottom to tip (overall)...