Group sizes

[easternoregonballistics]

I recently purchased a tikka t3x lite in 7 PRC. Ive gone through my normal load development and ended up with a 10 shot group size of 1.7-1.8 inches at 100 yards. Is this acceptable? Ive always done 3 shot groups and wasn't happy unless they were less than .75. Im hoping to take this to longer range hitnjng so im curious what guys say. Thanks

 

[doverpack12]

Do you have a suppressor or break on the rifle?

Have you shot a cartridge that big before in your other load developments?

 

[SkunkCabbage]

What’s the mean radius?

 

[easternoregonballistics]

Do you have a suppressor or break on the rifle?

Have you shot a cartridge that big before in your other load developments?

Its suppressed. Its actually a step down from what im used to. I was shooting a 300 weatherby with a brake in an almost identical setup. Ive struggled to get this gun shooting accurate and im trying 10 shot groups for the first time. Ive always done 3s or 5s. So im just not sure what's acceptable for a 10 shot group

 

[Tmac]

It may be acceptable. Really depends on your target size and distance. I suspect most .75” 3 shot group rifles with a good shooter would be 1.25” - 1.75” for 20 shots.

 

[ckt3]

That doesn’t sound crazy since you’re shooting a 7mm magnum in a lightweight rifle. What’s its total weight?

A 10 shot group will still underestimate the group size. It’ll probably keep growing if you shoot more (20-50 shot group).

Worth checking mean radius as others suggested.

 

[easternoregonballistics]

It may be acceptable. Really depends on your target size and distance. I suspect most .75” 3 shot group rifles with a good shooter would be 1.25” - 1.75” for 20 shots.

Its mostly an elk gun out to 600 at the max end. Ive shot further and practiced further but im getting into lighter guns for back country stuff and cutting my disyances... call it hunting instead of shooting.

Ive never had quite the trouble getting small groups with anything else that I've had with the ABLR.

 

[easternoregonballistics]

That doesn’t sound crazy since you’re shooting a 7mm magnum in a lightweight rifle. What’s its total weight?

A 10 shot group will still underestimate the group size. It’ll probably keep growing if you shoot more (20-50 shot group).

Worth checking mean radius as others suggested.

Its just over 8 pounds all in. I dropped the suppressor off of it tonight to try with a brake. Should take it closer to 7

 

[easternoregonballistics]

What’s the mean radius?

I would guess somewhere just above 3/4 of an inch

 

[Tmac]

Its mostly an elk gun out to 600 at the max end. Ive shot further and practiced further but im getting into lighter guns for back country stuff and cutting my disyances... call it hunting instead of shooting.

Ive never had quite the trouble getting small groups with anything else that I've had with the ABLR.

ABLR’s can be finicky. At least they have been for me. I have only got them to shoot well in a few rifles. Perhaps try another bullet?

 

[mtnbound]

I recently purchased a tikka t3x lite in 7 PRC. Ive gone through my normal load development and ended up with a 10 shot group size of 1.7-1.8 inches at 100 yards. Is this acceptable? Ive always done 3 shot groups and wasn't happy unless they were less than .75. Im hoping to take this to longer range hitnjng so im curious what guys say. Thanks

Your group size is fine, especially when using the ABLRs. You might get better groups either by hand-weighing the ABLRs and grouping them by weight or by trying a different bullet.

 

[easternoregonballistics]

What’s the mean radius?

I would guess somewhere above 3/4 of an inch

ABLR’s can be finicky. At least they have been for me. I have only got them to shoot well in a few rifles. Perhaps try another bullet?

I may have to. Im a big fan of the original accubond that I shot out of the 300 wby. Ibe tried the ABLRs in the 300 B, 2 different 7 PRCs, a 300 prc and a 6.5 prc. None of them seem to love the bullet. Its a shame since in theory it strikes me as a perfect hunting bullet. I may just go back to the regular AB or try something mono for variety

 

[easternoregonballistics]

Your group size is fine, especially when using the ABLRs. You might get better groups either by hand-weighing the ABLRs and grouping them by weight or by trying a different bullet.

Ive heard a lot that they can be a finicky bullet... any idea why?

I may try a hammer or something if these dont work out

 

[wapitibob]

That chamber was made for long heavies; ELD's and Bergers.

 

[easternoregonballistics]

That chamber was made for long heavies; ELD's and Bergers.

Yep. Im hoping to find a mono shaped that way. I thought the ABLR would get me there. I like the high BCs but I want a tougher bullet than the elds or bergers... wasn't impressed with the EOLs in a 300 prc last fall. Ive never been super impressed with the ELDX but its acceptable if its what I end up with. I just like a tougher bullet

 

[wapitibob]

I have had zero issues with the 195's on E/D/P from my 7prc. There is no scenario where I would shoot a Hammer or a Nosler out of this rifle, the freebore is just too long.
The 180 Hybrid is the most used, but my rifle didn't like them. I went to the 195's as I had experience with them in my 7stw and they tuned up, verified to 1,000 in less than 30 shots.
The only solid I know of that might fit the bill is the Apex Afterburner. I would go light for caliber, their 145 most likely, If I had to use a solid. Maybe the 134.

 

[ckt3]

Its just over 8 pounds all in. I dropped the suppressor off of it tonight to try with a brake. Should take it closer to 7

Not sure exactly how valid it is but interesting theory.. Brian Litz’s TOP Gun formula puts a light 7 PRC around 2 MOA I believe. You may need to double check that since I’m going off memory.

 

[easternoregonballistics]

I have had zero issues with the 195's on E/D/P from my 7prc. There is no scenario where I would shoot a Hammer or a Nosler out of this rifle, the freebore is just too long.
The 180 Hybrid is the most used, but my rifle didn't like them. I went to the 195's as I had experience with them in my 7stw and they tuned up, verified to 1,000 in less than 30 shots.
The only solid I know of that might fit the bill is the Apex Afterburner. I would go light for caliber, their 145 most likely, If I had to use a solid.

Good to know... you dont think the 170 hammer hunter tipped is closely shaped to the elds? Ive never been around any of them. I grew up with swift sciroccos so that's kind of what I expect from bullets

 

[easternoregonballistics]

Not sure exactly how valid it is but interesting theory.. Brian Litz’s TOP Gun formula puts a light 7 PRC around 2 MOA I believe. You may need to double check that since I’m going off memory.

Ill take a look at that... never heard of it before

 

[wapitibob]

Good to know... you dont think the 170 hammer hunter tipped is closely shaped to the elds? Ive never been around any of them. I grew up with swift sciroccos so that's kind of what I expect from bullets

I know a guy using 177 hammers but from a 28 Nosler. I used 143's from my 7stw. This 7prc is using 12gr less powder than my stw, I don't think it has the oomph <wallop> for a 170 solid.