Reloading advice 7x65R

powdermaker

powdermaker

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I recently purchased a Bläser K95 in 7x65R. The only load data I could find was from Hornady. I understand that the 7x64 and 280 Rem. are almost identical but did not want to chance extrapolating the data. So, I downloaded the Hornady app. Reloader 19 looked promising. So, I loaded 15 rounds of RWS brass with Federal 210 match primers and 140 grain Barnes TTSX.
Starting load was 53.5 grains of Reloader 19 five shots averaged 2517 fps.
54.5 grains averaged 2637 fps
55.5 grains averaged 2722 fps
I then switched to three shot groups to conserve my limited supply of bullets:
57gr averaged 2750 fps.
57.5 gr. averaged 2757fps.
58 gr. averaged 2780 fps.
Hornady lists max charge at 58.7 grains at 2950 fps. I am not anywhere near that velocity. The barrel on my Blaser is 24" so even if the test barrel was 26" that wouldn't account for the difference? I also shot two factory rounds on two consecutive mornings to check the chronographs accuracy.The 172 grain Sellier&Bellot both chronographed at 2499 fps and the bullet holes were almost touching. So, I don't think my Chronograph is inaccurate.

I was really hoping to get 2850 out of this rifle with 140 gr. bullets. Should I quit while I am ahead? The powder is almost up to the case mouth at 58 grain of reloader 19. I could ad another 0.5 grain and get 2800 fps.
The Blaser action is very strong but it is not a bolt action. I don't want to push my luck. Any idea why I am not getting at least 2850 fps with this load? I have a second container of Reloader 19. I was thinking I should try it to see if it gives a different velocity?
Any advice welcome!
 
I am just developing loads for my 7x65 drilling. Norma and Lapua also have load data for it. I’d look at RL15 or R19 with the 140 grain bullet.

That said, personally I’d find my accuracy load and go with that giving up 50-100fps, if needed. Also, if there was no pressure signs and with a totally normal velocity, I’d have no concerns pushing your loads another .5-.7 grains. Try some of the factory Norma ammo… they are loaded warm! They shoot about 4 inches higher than my hand loads in the same weight of bullet.

I haven’t chronographed anything yet as I am still figuring out the vintage Geco Scope on my drilling.

Have fun with it!
 
I have a Martini chambered for the 7X65R. Great cartridge.

I think the loads listed by Hornady are held back to moderate velocities in deference to the older Drilling actions.

OP, IMHO RL19 is a bit slow if you want to get better velocities, with that 140 grain bullet. You might find H414 or RL17 to be more suitable.

Nothing wrong with your load development at all. Just IMHO.

I don't know where the barrel came from, it's 27 inches long and has a 1-8 twist rate.

It won't shoot bullets lighter than 140 grain, preferrably boat tailed, well.

It's a lovely rifle, straight grain Walnut stock with an Ivory tip on the fore end and a brass fore end hanger plate.

The rear sight is a folding type, especially made for Martini recievers and is adjustable for windage and elevation, the front sight is a globe type with interchangeable inserts.

The receiver is a commerdial, AGP, Bisley Works, made in England.

The trigger breaks very crisply at around 3 pounds.

I've gone with 160 Nosler and Speer Grand Slam over 51 grains of IMR4350 powder and CCI250 primers as my go to loads.

Velocities, according to my Magnetospeed, is just under 2800 fps.

The identical load with 175 grain bullets clocks at just under 2700 fps.

I also have tried the Barnes 195 grn round nose/flat base bullets and they're very accurate.

I'm using 51 grns of H4831 over CCI 250 magnum primers and getting around 2550 fps.

The cases are all RWS. I haven't seen any pressure signs. Not even flattened primers.

Hardly any visible indications on the outside cases to show they've been fired, other than a 1/8 inch black carbon ring around the case mouth. All indicators of reasonable pressures and a tight chamber, well matched to my die set.

I built this rifle over 25 years ago, for a now deceased friend. He supplied the materials and made the stock.

Rowen passed away, at 93, after a far to long stint in a hospital ward, waiting for the end.

He took his last Deer with it at 85, even with cataracts to hinder his aim. Watching the antic he went through to look around the cataracts and align the sights was an experience. He had it down pat though, as he had been doing it for 20 years.

He couldn't handle the recoil or the weight of the rifle, so he gifted it to me for my 55th birthday.

For his next birthday, I gifted him a small Martini Cadet rifle, chambered for the 257 Maximum, which starts out as a 357 maximum and is formed over three passes of varying dimeters to get a one caliber long 25 caliber neck.

The 257 maxi is a smoking hot cartridge, giving 3100 fps with a 75 grain bullet.

I also have this rifle, bequeathed from his estate.
 
Thanks Bearhunter. Some rifles are simply tools to get the job done. Others are special and carry a lot of sentimental value.
Fuzzy39. Nice to know I 'm not the only CGNutter with a preference for unusual guns and calibers!
Thanks for the advice guys.
 
One of my favourite rounds... and the quintessential rifle chamber on a combination/drilling. At the moment I'm getting by on Norma factory ammunition, but kitted up years ago for when the day comes I must reload.

My Hornady manual verbatim says "Caution must be used when using the data presented here, as this data was obtained with a strong bolt action Mauser rifle. Normally combination guns are not capable of handling loads equivalent to that of the bolt action. For this reason, loads shold be reduced 10-15% when loading for combination guns."

My assumption is the data they provided in the 8th edition reloading manual is for Brenneke's rimless twin the 7x64. I'm not familiar with the Blaser K95 actions strengths and how it compares to say a Ruger #1 action which is very sturdy so I leave that with you. Hornady reports a max load of 56.3grs RL19 for their 139gr bullet and in their test rifle it achieves 2900fps. Same powder but 154gr bullet; 49.9 start - 53.5gr max and 175gr bullet; 47.5 start-51.5gr max. Weird that Honady would list a different max loads in the book and App.

Slower powders do yield higher velocity. Typically I'd start with slower powder like 4831 but you found a very accurate load... that is more important than an extra 100fps.
 
7x65R data "should" be the same as 7x64 but reduced in pressure about 5%. Not necessary in the strong Blaser tilt block action, but that is the industry standard. I would not blindly trust Hornady data for that cartridge, I suspect that they were actually testing the 7x64, not a rimmed 7x65R in a bolt action. I don't know of any bolt action that is made for the rimmed version. Rims and magazines don't play together well. To further confuse the issue, USA reloading data sources commonly ignore the long freebore design of the 7x65R and 7x64 chambers. That long jump the bullet makes before engaging the rifling reduces pressures vs. .280 Remington data, which most of the USA 7x64 / 7x65R data is extrapolated from. The Lee manual simply explains that they reduced their .280 data to approximate 7x64 loads. Not very helpful. So USA data is very inconsistent.
Not all 7x65r or 7x64 rifles will shoot 140 grain bullets accurately, due to the long jump before the bullet engages the rifling. But some do, even though their chamber/throat design and barrel twist is better suited to 160-175 gr. bullets.
Powdermaker, I have some VV N160 on hand if you want to try it. That's what I use in my 7x64 rifles, best powder I've found for them.
 
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