7x64

freddygotarf

freddygotarf

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Im reloading for a 7x64 I put togheter . Have tried a lot of different loads but non is standing out. So far best group is about 2” at 100 m. I used a 175gr hornady in that load with N165 powder. Today I decided to drop a bullet into barrel to see what max lenght could be. Measured about 3.800”. COL for my load showed 3.300.Thats 1/2” freebore. Magazine max COL is 3.425”. What do you think should a I try to seat it out more?
 
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I load mine to fit mag length, I think its about 3.5, you will not get close to the land with a 7x64, bullet jump doesn't seam to matter in mine,(Sako AV) i am shooting 154 gr interbonds and 162 gr Sst at 2900/2800 with R26, 3/4 to 1/1/4" depending on me having a good day or not.
I got good accuracy with flat base speer 160gr, 150 balistic tips and 120gr TTSX, you will have to play around and work out what you rifle likes.
 
There is so much freebore in a couple of my 7x64's that a Nosler partition 160 grain would be out of the case before it engaged the rifling. But they both shoot good. If your problem really is a bullet issue, I suggest you try a 175 gr. RN like the Woodleigh, Sierra, or the discontinued Hornady. Long, straight sides on the bullet may help accuracy in your rifle.
My 7x64's like VVN160 and IMR4831 but other powders of similar burn rate are OK too. Your VV N165 seems like a logical choice.
 
I've found 160-175gr the best so far, long 150's are pretty good too like the ABLR. Likes the 175gr Speer Deepcurls with some moly coating.
4350 and 4831 for powder, shoots everything pretty good, no complaints, Stainless Zastava M70.
 
OP, there is an old reloading trick we used to use when loading for rifles such as the one you have, with excessive freebore.

PARTIAL NECK RESIZING, instead of full length or even just the length of the neck to the shoulder.

You don't mention whether your chamber was cut with a reamer or if you're using an existing chamber and set the shoulder to accomate it.

Many take off barrels will have chambers reamed on the large side and that includes the necks, which expand to much IMHO to the parameters of the chamber.

It's always good to get the bullet ogive as close to engaging the leade as you can, without actually jamming it into the leade.

From the sounds of your mag length, you're still going to have appx 1/4 inch of freebore.

This means you have to keep your bullet as close to the axis of the bore as possible, before it enters the leade.

One of the easiest ways to do this is to Partially Neck Resize.

This procedure will work quite well, with the long/heavy bullets, you should be using with that twist rate of 1/8.5.

The unsized neck portion will fit into the chamber and keep the bullet aligned with the axis of the bore.

The long bullets will take up some powder room in the case but they should also be long enough to hold the bullet aligned until it's either in or very close to the leade.

As long as your leade surfaces aren't eroded to badly, this should at the very least shrink your groups and at best solve your accuracy issues.

There used to be a very good reason for designing cases with long necks, that shot long bullets.

With today's tight tolerances and great machining capabilities, we've been able to bypass such things for the most part, until we start using early designed cartridges.

The 7x64 is an excellent cartridge IMHO.
 
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freddygotarf said:
My chamber was cut with a PTG reamer. Headspace is tight.
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I wasn't referring to ''headspace''

I was referring to excessive ''freebore'' which can easily be present, even with a tight chamber/headspace.

Tikka/Sako seem to have eliminated the issue of ''excessive freebore'' in their firearms, even though they have IMHO excessive freebore, by keeping the tolerances to a bare minimum in the freebore area
 
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"Excessive" freebore is a deliberate design feature of the 7x64, and allows the cartridge to use heavy bullets fired at lower pressure than it would generate if it had a shorter throat. Whether or not 7x64 freebore is a feature or a flaw is personal preference. I like my 7x64's and they like heavy bullets. ;-)
 
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Longwalker said:
"Excessive" freebore is a deliberate design feature of the 7x64, and allows the cartridge to use heavy bullets fired at lower pressure than it would generate if it had a shorter throat. Whether or not 7x64 freebore is a feature or a flaw is personal preference. I like my 7x64's and they like heavy bullets. ;-)
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Yup, as long as the freebore isn't excessive in length and diameter. Most freebore is excessive in length and diameter and as such isn't good for accuracy.

If your rifle is acceptably accurate for you, that's fine.

In general, it's no longer a necessary feature.

I have rifles with what I consider to be excessive freebore that are lazer accurate if I do my part, but the reason they're accurate is because the tolerances in their loooonnng throats is very tight.

Most factory rifles have generous dimensions cut into their throats and are mediocre at best accuracy wise. That by no means implies that they aren't accurate enough for hunting at reasonable ranges.
 
I am loading 150 RCL's over RL-22 @ 3.300" in my Ruger Mark II 7X64... I shot factory S&B 173 Torpedo's for a couple years harvesting brass and killed a truck load of game with them... a great hunting round that I recommend for non-reloaders.
 
Did some shooting today. Non of the loads was any good. Best load had a 3” group at 100m.
Going to try again but up the loads and see what happens.
 
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