Anyone testing the Berger 195 EOL yet?

[Jordan Smith]

Any chrono readings to report?

See my post above.

 

[cdn shooter]

Ended up getting a break to head to the range this morning. Tested loads with H1000, 59-64gr. Stability from the 8.5 twist is fine. All loads tested were fired at 200 meters. 63gr showed promise at .7" 64gr started showing cratered primers and just slight resistance on extraction. Here's where things got weird...59gr went 2780 average, 60gr 2825, 61gr 2880, 62gr 2915, 63gr 2880, 64gr 2880. I just have a cheap chrony so maybe it's gone haywire. All loads above 60 gr went under 1/2 minute so tuning these buggers will be really easy.

 

[Jordan Smith]

Looks like you hit a pressure ceiling. I'd stop at 62gr.

The Chrony certainly is suspect, as always.

 

[cdn shooter]

Pressure ceiling? First I've ever heard of this. Pressure spike from seating bullets into the landes maybe? Powder to fast? I could have the throat pushed out another .250. Maybe getting a bit more case room would solve the problem.

 

[Jordan Smith]

Often when reaching excessive pressure limits you'll see little or no velocity increase with associated powder charge increases. This is a sign to back it off a bit, or switch to a slower-burning powder.

 

[Mystic Precision]

Often when reaching excessive pressure limits you'll see little or no velocity increase with associated powder charge increases. This is a sign to back it off a bit, or switch to a slower-burning powder.

Absolutely correct and you have to be very careful when you get to this upper plateau cause adding a smidge more powder may cause the pressure to then go ballistic.. literally and you will get some very exciting results in your chamber.

Jerry

 

[Jordan Smith]

Absolutely correct and you have to be very careful when you get to this upper plateau cause adding a smidge more powder may cause the pressure to then go ballistic.. literally and you will get some very exciting results in your chamber.

Jerry

Yup. Sticky bolt lift, in concert with hitting a pressure ceiling as evidenced on a chrono, is a sure sign that you're playing with fire. Literally.

 

[Jordan Smith]

BTW, another data point:

Kimber Montana 7WSM 9.5" twist
64.5gr IMR7828ssc (slow lot)
2801 fps average at 41*F, 25.07 InHg

Don't pay much attention to precision. I literally just seated the bullets at an arbitrary COAL to fit within the throat confines. Zero load work in any of these preliminary-testing data points.

 

[Mystic Precision]

That is really good info.. didn't think these bullets would need alot of extra spin to make work.

Bullet makers are quickly realising that they can engineer bullets faster then shooters want to change barrels. So if they make radical designs that need custom barrels, their market shrinks tremendously.

Berger has "backed" off on some of the extra heavy bullets to fall more inline with conventional twist rates - especially those for hunters. Sure, that neuters the bullets a smidge but better to get lots of happy customers at 95% potential, then a few custom barrel shooters at 100% potential.

Makes good business sense.... until factory barrels catch up with faster twist rates... and they will.

Jerry

 

[bsand]

BTW, another data point:

Kimber Montana 7WSM 9.5" twist
64.5gr IMR7828ssc (slow lot)
2801 fps average at 41*F, 25.07 InHg

Don't pay much attention to precision. I literally just seated the bullets at an arbitrary COAL to fit within the throat confines. Zero load work in any of these preliminary-testing data points.

What app are you using?

 

[Schecter 81]

Sounds like these have a lot of potential. I may have to get my hands on some to try in my 7LRM. Should be perfect. Running a 32" 1:8.5 twist and lots of case capacity. Still sitting on 700 180 hybrids though and waiting on my action to get finished

What are a box of these worth?

 

[Jordan Smith]

Ballistic: AE for iOS.

 

[Jordan Smith]

When I found out they were finally being released for production, I had 15 boxes imported from the US. Ended up costing me just a hair under $100 per box.

 

[sask378]

What are a box of these worth?

Jerry was able to get them within the first 6 weeks they were available. I think they were around $72.00 per hundred.

 

[Jordan Smith]

Here's a new toy I put together specifically for this bullet. Rob McLeod installed the barrel for me, and did a great job.

Trued Rem 700 L/A with raceways machined for oversized PTG bolt
Holland HD recoil lug
PTG 1-piece spiral fluted bolt w/Sako extractor
(Soon to be) Gretan fluted steel FP assy
XLR Chassis
Magpul CTR buttstock
Krieger SS #4.5, 8" twist 4-groove barrel at 26"
AICS .338 Lapua 5-shot mag
Timney trigger
EGW HD 20MOA rail, Burris Sig Zee High rings
SWFA SS 10x42 MQ

First group of 4 shots after bore sighting and finding pressure ran right around 0.8 MOA. Got a few loaded up to dial in seating depth, and we'll be there.

Cherry popped on this last-day buck...

Rattled in to 100 yards, broadside shot, through both shoulders, 195 Berger Hybrid at MV of 2850 fps, ran 40 yards and collapsed. Not a single drop of blood. Bullet left the signature Berger pinhole entrance, penetrated both shoulders, destroyed lungs, bounced off offside hide and was found in offside shoulder. Will weigh remaining bullet weight in the morning after I clean it up.

And some empirical data for those interested...

 

[cdn shooter]

Nice rifle and congrats on the buck!

I'll have to try out 7828ssc. I have a couple pounds in the cabinet already.

 

[Jordan Smith]

Thanks!

The powder is a great match for the 7WSM and heavy bullets. Load densities are right around the 95% range.

Here's the outcome of the recovered bullet...

 

[Willy 1]

I also bought some of Jordans excess bullets to try in my 7mm AM. I have a 1 in 9 twist and they worked real well in it. First I tested to find my max load as well as velocity. I quite at 89.25 grs of retumbo and mv of 3280fps. Cut the load back to a 3 shot average of 3173 fps 87.75 gr and headed to the range. With limited testing the results where good out to 960 yds. Managed to take my wt deer with this load at just under 700 yds. A one shot kill so I am happy with the bullets,velocity wise and performance.
Jordan great looking gun

 

[Haagen_Dazs]

I've been out of the game for the last 2 years and I remember watching LRH forums on this bullet. I'm glad to see these available in Canada, no doubt Jerry is behind that. I'm quite tempted to rebarrel mySavage 12 VLP from 223 to 7 WSM and start playing in the big league. Too bad I live in Atlantic Canada and shooting on crown land is prohibited and the best range I can get is under 300 yards :/

 

[sask378]

7 WSM & RL26

If you have a 7 WSM set up for the heavies I highly recommend trying RL26. I'd post numbers but I don't think anyone would believe me.