7MM build to "do it all"

[Bustercluck]

I watched a few YouTube videos awhile ago that said hornady was over exaggerating the performance on their 7prc for marketing. The consensus was no factory rifle was getting the results hornady stated in any factory rifle. I’d have to go back to find the vids, but it seemed like there was quite a few

 

[hunter-4-life]

Im not expecting it to be the same as on the box, that wasnt the point I was trying to get to. I didn't purchase the rifle as a speed demon. If i wanted a fast 7mm id build a 7-300 Norma Imp lol

Ive yet to ever seen factory ammo produce the velocity its advertised, ever. Thats why I handload. But, 50fps off advertised velocity I can live with actually. 2930-2950 fps from factory ammo advertised at 3000 is actually pretty decent.

My point was the variation in velocity between 2 boxes of shells tested, bought at the same store, on the same day. They advertise it as precision hunting ammo. Theres nothing precise about 100-120fps difference from box to box. And of those 3 boxes I bought, all 3 were different lot numbers. I didn't chronograph the first box as that was barrel break in, sight in and test accuracy. However it had silver primers so im assuming velocity was with the other ones at 2830fps.

 

[hunter-4-life]

I watched a few YouTube videos awhile ago that said hornady was over exaggerating the performance on their 7prc for marketing. The consensus was no factory rifle was getting the results hornady stated in any factory rifle. I’d have to go back to find the vids, but it seemed like there was quite a few

I watched a video on there the other night about that. The guy just bashed it into the ground. But thats one mans opinion. And we know what opinions are like.

I wanted to try one for myself. I didn't want a 28 nosler as brass availability sucks. A 7 rem mag doesn't do it for me as I wanted to run a heavy-ish bullet and your limited to mag length in a rem mag. 7 WSM is dead, 7 SAUM i'd have to build a custom rifle. So this was the only feasible option I saw at this time. Once I get a set of dies and some ADG brass and some H1000, ill actually see what it can do.

 

[boxhitch]

9" @ 700
Horn must feel they have 99.9+% of their hunter market covered
A store having 3 different lot numbers on such a new product also says they don't care enough either
good lesson, tfs

 

[hunter-4-life]

9" @ 700
Horn must feel they have 99.9+% of their hunter market covered
A store having 3 different lot numbers on such a new product also says they don't care enough either
good lesson, tfs

And realistically they probably do have 99.9% of their market covered cause lets be honest, most guys dont take animals 700 yards away. This year, I might. Ive waited 12 years for this mule deer tag, and my shot could be anywhere from 100 yards to 700 and I just wanted to be somewhat ready should I have to attempt it. And im not new to long range shooting, I just don't have a dedicated long range hunting rifle in my safe.

And a very good lesson, I spent $270 on shells yesterday, I could have bought all my reloading components for the same and had higher quality ammo. I have 7mm projectiles here, and H1000, just need dies and quality brass. I was just hoping that factory ammo wouldn't disappoint me again like it has in the past, especially when im shooting a box a year, but boy was I wrong.

 

[adamg]

This was the video I watched a while ago. It spells out the Hornady ammo situation very well.

 

[hunter-4-life]

This was the video I watched a while ago. It spells out the Hornady ammo situation very well.

Interesting.

My results with lot # in regards to velocity are opposite of his.

The fast stuff (2930 fps) with gold primers, is 3232764
The slower stuff (2830fps) with silver primers is 3231856
So in my case, newer=faster

I think i'll just order a set of dies and some ADG brass and stuff some good ol H1000 in it and go that route. Granted this is just a hunting rifle, I dont need it to shoot 1/2 MOA at any given range. And today I was ringing 12" gongs at 400-700 yards with ease, so part of me says good e-nuff. Then the OCD in me says nope, thats BS load your own haha but that gong is the size of deer vitals, and smaller than elk or moose vitals so I guess ill see what happens down the road. I might cave and just start loading for it.

 

[jamesharrison]

I know it's a boring old round, but the 7mm Remington Magnum is now 62 years old & is still available almost everywhere. Is the 7mm PRC, or 7mm Nosler for that matter, still going to be around in that many years?

 

[Bustercluck]

Interesting.

My results with lot # in regards to velocity are opposite of his.

The fast stuff (2930 fps) with gold primers, is 3232764
The slower stuff (2830fps) with silver primers is 3231856
So in my case, newer=faster

I think i'll just order a set of dies and some ADG brass and stuff some good ol H1000 in it and go that route. Granted this is just a hunting rifle, I dont need it to shoot 1/2 MOA at any given range. And today I was ringing 12" gongs at 400-700 yards with ease, so part of me says good e-nuff. Then the OCD in me says nope, thats BS load your own haha but that gong is the size of deer vitals, and smaller than elk or moose vitals so I guess ill see what happens down the road. I might cave and just start loading for it.

Have you glanced over some forums for the reloading issues with various brass/dies and the reloading problems from each? Maybe it’s been sorted out by now, but there was some issues with tolerances, chamber dimensions and brass in the beginning.

 

[hunter-4-life]

Have you glanced over some forums for the reloading issues with various brass/dies and the reloading problems from each? Maybe it’s been sorted out by now, but there was some issues with tolerances, chamber dimensions and brass in the beginning.

I haven't actually, or not on the 7 PRC. I mean ive had the rifle 24 hours, and put 35 rounds down it so I cant speak to much yet but I havent had any rounds not want to chamber, or feel tight. Just the fact that one box of ammo is 100 fps faster than the other

 

[boxhitch]

I am willing to bet that Hornady did not make changes, other than changing the sub-contractor that supplied that ammo, that was then sold with a Hornady head stamp in a package with the Hornady brand and logo on it.

I'll take that money

 

[boxhitch]

I watched a few YouTube videos awhile ago that said hornady was over exaggerating the performance on their 7prc for marketing. The consensus was no factory rifle was getting the results hornady stated in any factory rifle. I’d have to go back to find the vids, but it seemed like there was quite a few

Hornady spends a big investment in testing their products ...if you can believe the propaganda
Test facilities are going to be diff than any field test
I bet I can get different results testing a new Camaro than any factory vid can depict

 

[Potashminer]

Sometimes, is better just to get all the same lot numbers, and a "life time" supply - only two x two shot "groups" so far - both times two bullet holes touching - I intend to go with that ...

 

[J996]

I totally agree with the earlier comments on the Browning’s mag being limiting for hand loading.

With most things factory you are limited to the factory settings. Custom you can get it built however you like (i.e. loading long and faster ROT).

.

 

[270WSMXBolt]

So I'm jumping into the mix kinda late on this. It looks from your OP that you are inclined to shoot copper rounds. So my first and only really strong suggestion is to purchase a 1-8" twist barrel regardless of rifle, you can't over-stabilize barrel length or chamber type. Spin drift isn't really relevant at the ranges your talking. Speed kills though, when hunting. This will allow you to stabilize Higher BC longer copper projectiles. Chamber type should be determined by budget first then the math. Nobody can refute the math, or your budget.
Personally I love the short mags but if your not willing to load your own it's not relevant. It's kinda a dead cartridge but not because of performance. Tikka's love to shoot WSM's in my experience but stabilizing coppers is a different game, hence the 1-8" twists. When you hit 170 grain coppers and even a little less that's when your getting into the need for high twists.
On a copper vrs. lead note. Always clean copper jacket fowled barrels before firing mono copper. The mono's tend to stick to the jacketed copper fouling and the groups open up, according to Ron Spomer and some others including myself. Tried and tested on my 6.8 western. It's actually a pretty dramatic difference.
Potentially you might find a good deal on a WSM chambered because of ammo availability. People seem to regret selling any WSM that they have owned. Just sayin...
I think Precision Optics has a few 7mm variations with high twist and sub MoA
Cheers and good luck.

 

[hunter-4-life]

I totally agree with the earlier comments on the Browning’s mag being limiting for hand loading.

With most things factory you are limited to the factory settings. Custom you can get it built however you like (i.e. loading long and faster ROT).

View attachment 841713.

Brownings mag are way better than tikkas factory mag. Your darn near limited to Saami spec with a tikka mag.

 

[flyinlead]

When it comes to stocks, one thing that may seem insignificant but is hugely important for precision (imho), is an adjustable comb.

Just how your eye relief distance changes with different optics,, seeing you mount them more forward or rearward for optimal alignment, so can your comb height depending on different ring/mount combinations.

Having the ability to fine tune comb height can perfectly align you with your scopes eye box the instant you shoulder your rifle.

The better a rifle fits you (proper LOP, comb height and firing hand/trigger finger placement) the more consistently you will drive it.

That’s an excellent point. my approach is to simply glass bed the action in the cheap synthetic stocks and then add one of those adjustable height plastic combs that is installed by drilling two holes crosswise through the stock. You can even buy them on Amazon.
And I also added a Graco aluminum adjustable butt plate.
Doesn’t have the high end elite appeal but gets the job done for ergonomics.

 

[Betaprovet]

Thank you all for the replies, interesting and thought provoking comments. You all have alot of knowledge and I appreciate the time you took to add to this topic! Much appreciated!!

 

[Potashminer]

Co-incidence? - An acquaintance is helping someone to dissipate an estate, I think - I have used 7x57 for more than a decade to take many dozens deers - is also a 7x61 S&H here, with an adequate amount of new-unfired 7x61 "Super" brass on hand. Now a 7mm-300 Weatherby wildcat thing is in the mail to me - pictures appear to be a "custom" rifle - Remington 700 action, longish "silver" coloured barrel (stainless steel?) and a helical brake screwed on there, synthetic stock - barrel maker and chamberer, brake maker and installer, and stock maker unknown to me at the moment. I have no clue who put that all together. Rooting in the stash, I found some new Weatherby brand 300 Weatherby brass - so likely made by Norma - suitable to re-form to that wildcat, I hope, if that is needed. Should be reloading dies and some brass coming with that rifle. From on-line reading and another acquaintance, I suspect that wildcat is similar to the 7mm STW - so ought to be another step up along the 7mm line-up. I have no clue what is the twist rate, throat condition, etc. - all was reflected in the purchase price and to be seen once the thing eventually shows up here.

 

[dan belisle]

Co-incidence? - An acquaintance is helping someone to dissipate an estate, I think - I have used 7x57 for more than a decade to take many dozens deers - is also a 7x61 S&H here, with an adequate amount of new-unfired 7x61 "Super" brass on hand. Now a 7mm-300 Weatherby wildcat thing is in the mail to me - pictures appear to be a "custom" rifle - Remington 700 action, longish "silver" coloured barrel (stainless steel?) and a helical brake screwed on there, synthetic stock - barrel maker and chamberer, brake maker and installer, and stock maker unknown to me at the moment. I have no clue who put that all together. Rooting in the stash, I found some new Weatherby brand 300 Weatherby brass - so likely made by Norma - suitable to re-form to that wildcat, I hope, if that is needed. Should be reloading dies and some brass coming with that rifle. From on-line reading and another acquaintance, I suspect that wildcat is similar to the 7mm STW - so ought to be another step up along the 7mm line-up. I have no clue what is the twist rate, throat condition, etc. - all was reflected in the purchase price and to be seen once the thing eventually shows up here.

I've had both a 7mm-300 Wby and a 7 STW. Ballistically, they are practically twins. - dan