7mm-08 and 162 ELD-M

[walk2112]

I'd vouch for the 6.5 StaBall velocity numbers so far based on my testing with it in 22" barrel 7-08 and after it was chopped to 18.5". Not apples to apples but just for comparisons sake.

Just dug up some 150 eld-x chrono data from last year, 22" barrel, 2825 fps at 60 deg. F.
After barrel chop to 18.5" same load was 2722 fps at 34 deg F.

With 162 SST (all I could find at the time) 22" barrel was aver. 2791 fps, and I never pushed it on pressure to find out what the limit was because I didn't see any sign of accuracy coming out of that combination.

In testing with the 162 ELD-M later, 18.5" barrel w/ can, it became apparent that my rifle does not like either the bullet or the powder or both from an accuracy perspective so I never ran up to pressure, but at about 50 deg F was seeing 2670 fps average. Probably not far away from pushing it as hard as I'd care to anyway, it's a 7-08 not an STW ha. Not too shabby though! Just wish my barrel liked the powder better.

Going to try the unobtanium 4451 and Varget next w/ 162 ELD-M.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

I ran a bunch of recoil and ballistics numbers for the Hornady 139 Interlock SPBT and the 162 ELDX. For both bullets, a max charge of Varget (43.5 and 41 respectively) appears to optimize trajectory and recoil. The SB 6.5 delivers more velocity but requires significantly more powder to achieve it at the expense of additional recoil. If a guy is looking to shoot over 400 yards its certainly nothing to sneeze at, but for 400 and in I didn't see a significant ballistic advantage vs. recoil.

I have both powders on hand and am going to test with both bullets for accuracy. If my can ever gets out of jail, the point will be somewhat moot, but thought I would share.

EDIT: the numbers I ran were calculated for 18" barrel, subtracting 150 fps from published 24" barrel loads.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Ok plans changed.

Got them jumping .025. They fit and cycle perfect in a m+ tikka mag.

Loaded some up with staball 6.5 and some with varget.

Thank you again for posting this, and I came to virtually the same OAL while messing with seating length yesterday- 2.88.

 

[TxLite]

Thank you again for posting this, and I came to virtually the same OAL while messing with seating length yesterday- 2.88.

Hope they shoot well for you

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Hope they shoot well for you

Looking forward to testing!

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

@TxLite did you shoot a 10 shot group with the 47.2 or 47.5 loads? The 3 shot at 47.2 looks promising and wasn’t sure if you shot any bigger groups?

I pressure tested starting at 46.5 and didn’t run into any significant signs at 47.5. I’m planning to load up 20 there and see how it shoots.

 

[TxLite]

@TxLite did you shoot a 10 shot group with the 47.2 or 47.5 loads? The 3 shot at 47.2 looks promising and wasn’t sure if you shot any bigger groups?

I pressure tested starting at 46.5 and didn’t run into any significant signs at 47.5. I’m planning to load up 20 there and see how it shoots.

I did not. I just did that initial testing and didn’t take it any further. Too many other projects

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

I got out to shoot the 162 ELDX over 47.2gr of SB 6.5.

Temp 79, real feel 88

100 yards
1.25" targets (inside of electrical tape roll)

First 9 shots went into the bottom middle target. I had my magneto sport out for the first time trying to capture MV. Second 11 shots went into the bottom right suppressed. There was pretty fair heat mirage coming off the can, but still respectable group.

After troubleshooting some errors on the Magneto in the first few shots, I ended up with these readings. I had issues with some of my necked down brass being difficult to chamber and will pay closer attention to case length when resizing this brass. I'm also going to check for consistency before I load another batch. While my pressure test loads at 47.2 didn't show significant signs of pressure, all but 2 of these shots had apparent ejector stamps on them.

1. 2696
2. 2758
3. 2721
4. 2705

Fortunately, this rifle is shooting the 150 Fusions very well and without any pressure or other challenges. When I take another run at the 162, I'm going to drop back .5 grain and improve my brass consistency and see how they shoot. Interesting that POI was very similar to the 150s I shot the other day.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

My second round with the 162 ELDX turned out nicely. I dialed it back to 46.7 grains of SB 6.5 and sent 13 today. I had run a wire brush through the barrel a few times the other day, and anecdotally, the first couple shots weren’t great. The next 4 after it was re-fouled were almost touching. I adjusted .5 mil left and shot the remaining 7 just under 1” at 100.

 

[TxLite]

My second round with the 162 ELDX turned out nicely. I dialed it back to 46.7 grains of SB 6.5 and sent 13 today. I had run a wire brush through the barrel a few times the other day, and anecdotally, the first couple shots weren’t great. The next 4 after it was re-fouled were almost touching. I adjusted .5 mil left and shot the remaining 7 just under 1” at 100.

That looks like it will work! How were velocities?

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

That looks like it will work! How were velocities?

I didn’t chrono today. I gotta get another jug of SB 6.5 and plan to chrono the next batch. Round count is still under 75, so speed should be a little more accurate in the next round if the theory of barrels stabilizing from 75-100 or so rounds is true.

 

[sierracharlie338]

I have an itch for a shorty 7-08…. This thread isn’t helping

 

[walk2112]

I have an itch for a shorty 7-08…. This thread isn’t helping

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

I have an itch for a shorty 7-08…. This thread isn’t helping

It's a neat little gun at 18". With factory furniture and bipod, it's also fairly light even with the 3-15 SWFA. Suppressed shooting is an absolute treat too.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Ramshot Big Game powder is hard to beat in a 7mm-08

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Ramshot Big Game powder is hard to beat in a 7mm-08

@Pharmseller is a big fan as well. I have a difficult time finding it in my area, so I go with SB 6.5. Varget is another good option.

 

[Doc Holliday]

@Pharmseller is a big fan as well. I have a difficult time finding it in my area, so I go with SB 6.5. Varget is another good option.

Yeah I ended up caving and just bought it on gunbroker. 8# jug for $300 shipped. Expensive, sure, but it will last me for the next decade probably.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Yeah I ended up caving and just bought it on gunbroker. 8# jug for $300 shipped. Expensive, sure, but it will last me for the next decade probably.

That doesn't sound that bad and you're right, getting it pound for pound here and there is a PIA.

 

[JGRaider]

I chopped my 7mm08 to 18" and added a suppressor a couple of years ago. Even though I had extremely accurate Varget loads, I switched to Big Game and that powder made up for the velocity loss with a 22" bbl. Just as accurate as well.

 

[Pharmseller]

I sprinkle Big Game on my cornflakes.






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