Matrix 190gn 7MM Bullets - Range report

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roberti11

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This spring I had the opportunity to work with some excellent Canadian made match bullets. I came across Matrix bullets here on CGN, and after trying a sample of 200 of his 190gn VLD's I decided to run an extensive comparison with the Berger bullets I have been shooting for the last 2 years. The brass was all Winchester, wt sorted, uniformed, neck turned and annealed. These are excellent bullets and in my rifle I cannot tell any difference between these and the Bergers. I plan to use this for F-class this year and I can hardly wait to see how they perform out to 1000 yards. It is great to have access to such an excellent Canadian made product.


The rifle is a custom 7MM WSM, Nesika Action, Lilja 1:9 bbl at 30 inches in a Robertson Stock.

7mmWSM_0003.jpg



Here is the Data. I sorted a random sample of 50 each of Berger 180gn VLD's and Matrix 190gn VLD's. Sample was taken from a batch of 500 Bergers, and 1000 Matrix bullets.

For each I sorted into 4 batches based on the wt distribution of the bullets. For each I found that 80% sorted into Bin's 2,3 with 5% in Bin 1 (lightest), and the remaining into Bin 4. Of the 1000 Matrix bullets I sorted only 4 could not be sorted into one of the 4 bins.

ONT0001 ran the Matrix bullets thru a Juenke device
"90% within 4 deviation units
10% within 1 DU.
EXCELLENT.
I only tested bearing surfaces not boatails or ogives"

I then went to the range an fired several test loads, the data is reported below, for each row the numbers represent a minimum of 5 rounds some will contain 10 rounds. I shoot at two ranges so some are yards and some are meters. All values for load data are from an Oehler 33

The final testing was to estimate BC at the range, I used the same shooting chrony (I did not want to risk my Oehler at 300 yards) at 5 yards and 300 yards, I calculated the BC using RSI software and bullet flight software. There will be some error as I did not use 2 chrony's to record the speed of the same bullet, but relied on the average for several at each distance.

Here is the BC Data...

7MM_bul_0004.JPG



Measurement data for Berger 180gn VLD's

7MM_bul_0002.JPG


Measurment data for Matrix 190gn bullets..

7MM_bul_0001.JPG


Range data for both Berger and Matrix bullets shot at either 300 yards or 300 Metres, the group size listed refers only to vertical dispersion not max group size. Measured edge to edge with bullet dia subtracted.
7MM_bul_0003.JPG



Pictures of Matrix 7mm 190gn VLD bullet on the Left, and Berger 7mm 180gn VLD on the right

7MM_bul_0006.jpg


7MM_bul_0005.jpg


Tech Info, these are my measurements and NOT from the bullet maker..

http://shootershaven.net/MarkPic/7mmWSM/Matrix190.pdf

http://shootershaven.net/MarkPic/7mmWSM/Berger180.pdf
 
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I've had my eye on Matrix bullets since I found them while I was searching for Canadian bullet makers.

How did they group?
 
Is the BC on these really only .616 for the G1?

Seems awfully low for a 190gr 7mm bullet that is intended for long range use especially when compared to the claimed .792 BC of the Berger bullet that is 12 grains lighter.

P
 
BCs of bullets change daily due to changes in atmospheric conditions like temp and humidity and enviromental variables like elevation. I'd say Robert did very good.
 
Outstanding report. Love the tables and all the yummy calculations.

The muzzle velocity of your new wildcat looks fantastic and really puts the 7mm into a league all its own. I bet this will work superbly at 1000yds.

The 284 and Shehane are simply too small.

Hope the shoulder is not too sore when you are done.

I too am surprised at the large difference in relative BC between the two bullets. Does the Matrix use a secant or Tangent ogive profile?

Love to see pics of this bullet next to the Berger.

How does the cost compare?

I do agree that these bullets can work very well OFF the lands. Just a enough space to ensure no problems with extraction if needed. Tweak the powder charge and dial out the vertical.

I noticed that the Berger data only had the seating depths changed. Have you tried adjusting powder charges to also drop the vertical?

I would expect the vertical to be the same between the two bullets.

Keep up the great work and let us know how this bullet works in the heat of 'battle'.

I think posting pics on your wildcat will get a lot of interest too. That is a very ###y case.

Jerry
 
The 284 and Shehane are simply too small.
Click to expand...

I'm missing something...... for what? These cartridges are now the 1000M paradigm in F-Class with 180 Bergers. Look at the equipment lists at the FCWC and the US Nationals.

The muzzle velocity of your new wildcat looks fantastic and really puts the 7mm into a league all its own
Click to expand...

Unless I'm missing something, he says he was using a 7 WSM

However, it is really good to see objective data for a change. It is also interesting to note that there is a correlation between minimal vertical dispersion and maximum velocities. What a pleasant surprise!
 
Follow - up

First, please do not assume I am trying to correct the BC's calculated by Bryan Litz, he has forgotten more about ballistics than I will ever know

http://www.appliedballisticsllc.com/index_files/BCTesting.htm

My intention was to be able to compare the Matrix bullets to a known standard. To do this in a meaningful way I needed measure both bullets the same way. My only option was to shoot strings of both bullets across a chrony. The absolute value of the BC's cannot compare to what someone like Bryan can get, but the relative comparison should be valid.

I should have posted a picture of both bullets side by side, I will do that tonite.

Ian..Yes, the rifle is a 7MM WSM, I had been discussing a new wildcat with Jerry, and had just ordered some brass from him to use as 'Donor' brass, so I think Jerry assumed this was the wildcat. I will use the 7MM bbl you sent me, but I am still waiting for a new boltface from Ian Robertson. Truth is I started looking for heavier 7MM bullets to use in my wildcat and then decided to test them against the Bergers while I was waiting for parts to arrive.

I have several more data sets for my 180gn Bergers, but none have as good vertical dispersion as the Matrix bullets do, I am not sure if I just have not found the correct load or if there is something else I have missed in loading the Bergers.

Yes, the price is good, and I would be happy with either, but it is nice to have access to a good product at home.
 
It is great to see another choice out there. I am Shared Skittless about building a gun around one bullet, and right now, the 180 Berger has been in a class by itself. I also will not pull any punches in that I am not at all impressed with what Berger pulled with its 105 VLD, (although I remain a Berger user) and it worries me that they may decide the 180 needs to same changes as the 105. Having an alternative out there is great.

If only we could get Lapua to hop on the band wagon in 7mm (and make a true .243" 105 Scenar)
 
The arms race in F Open has been raging for years and is not likely to end anytime soon.

Yes, the 284/Shehane is popular and WAS a paradigm shift 2 yrs ago when Mr. Ballard showed the way BUT this year, another option won.

For better or worse, there will be a quest for bigger, faster, "better" in future matches.

The 284 and improved variants works well in the high 2800's/ low 2900's FPS with your typical 30" barreled rig.

With a simple plug and play switch to a 280AI/7RSAUM, WSM/7RM, you can boost your top end another 100 to 150fps. Yes, there is a very nice node from 3050 to 3150fps with the 180's.

do some number crunching and the 7mm again looks like the best deal in town.

Barrel wear is no worse then the 6.5-284 and as this trend continues, barrel life will be the least of top competitors concerns. Shoulder reconstructive surgery will.

As has been shown in this thread, velocity over 3100fps is a no brainer with readily available stuff. Accuracy and vertical are just fine. Recoil is only slightly worse then with the smaller case 7 so why not?

New bullets and powders are going to drive this sport in many different directions and all of this is going to happen over the next 1 to 2 yrs.

For a techie or shooter with a big budget, wonderful stuff. For your average competitor with limited funds, it will be a challenge.

HOW FAST DO YOU WANT TO GO?

Jerry
 
Obtunded said:
It is great to see another choice out there. I am Shared Skittless about building a gun around one bullet, and right now, the 180 Berger has been in a class by itself. I also will not pull any punches in that I am not at all impressed with what Berger pulled with its 105 VLD, (although I remain a Berger user) and it worries me that they may decide the 180 needs to same changes as the 105. Having an alternative out there is great.

If only we could get Lapua to hop on the band wagon in 7mm (and make a true .243" 105 Scenar)
Click to expand...

I would like to see Lapua manufacture .284 cal Scenars as well, they must not be as popular in Europe.
 
Thanks for the data interesting read. what caught my attention is the weight variation of the matrix bullets. .400 vs. .240 which is alot compared to the Bergers. Looks like weight sorting would be worth while. The variation may have contributed to your larger SD numbers.

Do you have a link to matrix bullets.

Trevor
 
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