I finally made some time to get a scope on my 7mm Backcountry and do some shooting. I used the 175 Tipped Fusion for the bore sight and first 5 round group. Then I shot the 195 Berger EOL and finally the 168 Barnes LRX. I only had a short time to shoot as darkness comes quickly as our seasons change so I did not try either the 155 or 170 Terminal Ascent loads as from my observations, those are the ammunition being shot when people have issues with the extraction.
Speeds claimed and speeds recorded are as follows from a 20" barrel with a SilencerCo Omega 300 DTM suppressor using a Garmin Xero Crono:
175 Federal Tipped Fusion ammo:
Claimed box velocity for a 20" barrel is 2975 fps.
Actual observed velocity on 6 rounds was 2999.3 fps.
195 Berger Elite Hunter ammo:
Claimed box velocity for a 20" barrel is 2850 fps.
Actual observed velocity on 5 rounds was 2853.3 fps.
168 Barnes LRX ammo:
Claimed box velocity for 20" barrel is 3000 fps.
Actual observed velocity on 5 rounds was 2971.0 fps.
I will shoot and get 10 round groups to post from each ammo once I get the two Terminal Ascent loads shot and make sure that they aren't going to lock my action up.
My initial thoughts...
The trigger on the rifle is heavy but breaks solidly so I may see if I can turn it down to a lighter weight before I shoot groups. The recoil impulse while definitely heavier than short action cartridge was not uncomfortable and much less than a comparitable weight 300WM shot without any muzzle devices. The muzzle velocity observed is close to or in excess of claimed box velocity of the rounds I tested. Initial groups all showed promise on the new barrel and none of the ammo shot has been completed disqualified for future shooting or testing. Hopefully this Savage won't lock up like others have on the internet. My suppressor did seem to get hotter with this rifle/ammo than it has with other guns/ammo while the barrel did not get as hot as one would expect for the suppressor temp.
This is a fun rifle so far.
Jay