Seekins PH3 7 PRC Reloading Question

[Nova]

I just purchased a Seekins PH3 in 7 PRC and I'm getting ready to reload for it. I figured I would start with 20 thousands off the rifling lands for length. What do most of you start with?

Thanks.

 

[Grunt-N-Gobble]

Depends on the bullet but it's a good place to start. I started at .020" and ended up at .030".
If using Barnes bullets, they say .050" to start.

 

[Nova]

I just purchased a Seekins PH3 in 7 PRC and I'm getting ready to reload for it. I figured I would start with 20 thousands off the rifling lands for length. What do most of you start with?

Thanks.

I'm starting with Hornady 175g ELDx. I did buy some Barnes 160 LRX to try at some point.

I think I'll start at 0.020 off the lands for the 175g ELDx and go from there.

Thanks for the help!

 

[ahlgringo]

Good advice and ideas. The 160 lrx seems made for the PRC and hunting. Just for another data point. I ended up 75 thou off for the 168lrx and 125 thou off for the 160 in my 22" PH3. 70.3 gr H1000. 1/2-3/4 5 shot groups which is honestly about as good as I can shoot anyway.

 

[wapitibob]

.020 off and never move it.

 

[Nova]

I'm working my way up with the 175 ELDx and H1000. I'm up to 64.3 g stepping every 0.6g. The best 5 shot group so far is ~1.5 inch. I have a feeling it will improve as I increase the powder charge. I'm still 0.020 off the lands. I figured once I settle on the powder charge, I can tune the seating depth. I still want to take a close look at the 160 LRX too. Thanks for the information.

 

[Steeltalon]

I just saw another post about his 7PRC using ABLR. I remember this from Nosler:
"Nosler recommends starting load development with the AccuBond Long Range bullets at a depth that would result in a cartridge's SAAMI established maximum overall length. These bullets have a smooth junction of their bearing surface to the ogive. This tangent ogive design provides good accuracy without the need to be at or near the lands. Often, ABLR’s actually prefer at least .050” jump before making contact with the lands."

As another PH3 in 7prc (22"), I'm happy to share any load data questions if you have them.

 

[Redmcx45]

I just saw another post about his 7PRC using ABLR. I remember this from Nosler:
"Nosler recommends starting load development with the AccuBond Long Range bullets at a depth that would result in a cartridge's SAAMI established maximum overall length. These bullets have a smooth junction of their bearing surface to the ogive. This tangent ogive design provides good accuracy without the need to be at or near the lands. Often, ABLR’s actually prefer at least .050” jump before making contact with the lands."

As another PH3 in 7prc (22"), I'm happy to share any load data questions if you have them.

New Seekins 7PRC owner here and have a question Steeltalon. What’s your favorite powder? I have H1000 and N570 and Superperformance.

 

[Steeltalon]

New Seekins 7PRC owner here and have a question Steeltalon. What’s your favorite powder? I have H1000 and N570 and Superperformance.

First off, what are the details? Barrel length, purpose of the rifle, bullet preference? I've only tried H1000 out of what you have, but N570 was on my list until I was happy with N565. Superformance seems to be a little too fast of a burn rate for the application unless you're going for a slow-light bullet.

 

[Redmcx45]

First off, what are the details? Barrel length, purpose of the rifle, bullet preference? I've only tried H1000 out of what you have, but N570 was on my list until I was happy with N565. Superformance seems to be a little too fast of a burn rate for the application unless you're going for a slow-light bullet.

Sorry, Seekins Havak Ph3, 22” barrel, SiCo Scythe TI, Nightforce Atacr 5x25. shooting paper and steel at the moment. Range goes out to 550 yards. ultimately I want to go out west and mule deer, antelope and bear hunt. Elk even. All on my bucket list over the next 10 years. I have Eldm’s/xand have some Berger elite hunters coming. Just got the rifle so been shooting factory loads.

 

[Steeltalon]

Nice. I too am running a 22" with a Scythe on the end. I have mine as a middle ground between my 300WM and .308 rifles for hunting Elk & Muleys. My school of thought is Accurate & Heavy projectiles, minimizing the amount of shots I have to take to harvest an animal. So many people doing load dev on 7PRC are chasing velocity. I'd say 90% of conversations are about how fast they can get a round- and rarely are they concerned about consistency or long range accuracy. Your bullet choices are great for accuracy, especially when you can get to a range that reaches out to 1k+. I'm guessing you're bullets are on the high side of weight as well (175-195gr)?
I'm loading Nosler at the moment because I like the bonded ABLR and the Partition for lethality at shorter ranges. My go to powder (remember every gun is different) has been N565. H1000 worked well in ladder testing for me between 65.3-65.7 gr. The reason I chose N565 was tighter SDs all throughout the range of weights and slightly better velocities. If you're starting a load development, keep your eyes on what is more prevalent in the market. A great load is worthless if you can't make/practice with it. I haven't been able to find any N560 or N570 locally.
If you're just ringing steel and punching holes in paper your choices are great. Extremely accurate and high BC. Hunting purposes I prefer bonded because cup & core are more likely to separate which can mean more bloodshot meat or less lethal potential because it just goes straight through.

 

[Redmcx45]

Nice. I too am running a 22" with a Scythe on the end. I have mine as a middle ground between my 300WM and .308 rifles for hunting Elk & Muleys. My school of thought is Accurate & Heavy projectiles, minimizing the amount of shots I have to take to harvest an animal. So many people doing load dev on 7PRC are chasing velocity. I'd say 90% of conversations are about how fast they can get a round- and rarely are they concerned about consistency or long range accuracy. Your bullet choices are great for accuracy, especially when you can get to a range that reaches out to 1k+. I'm guessing you're bullets are on the high side of weight as well (175-195gr)?
I'm loading Nosler at the moment because I like the bonded ABLR and the Partition for lethality at shorter ranges. My go to powder (remember every gun is different) has been N565. H1000 worked well in ladder testing for me between 65.3-65.7 gr. The reason I chose N565 was tighter SDs all throughout the range of weights and slightly better velocities. If you're starting a load development, keep your eyes on what is more prevalent in the market. A great load is worthless if you can't make/practice with it. I haven't been able to find any N560 or N570 locally.
If you're just ringing steel and punching holes in paper your choices are great. Extremely accurate and high BC. Hunting purposes I prefer bonded because cup & core are more likely to separate which can mean more bloodshot meat or less lethal potential because it just goes straight through.

Excellent info thank you! Yes, my bullets are on the high side 175gr and up. I have a local gun shop 20mins away way out in the country that keeps just about any powder and bullets on the shelf. My options are open. what I am trying to do is not get analysis paralysis thus building on your current experiences and others here. I have loaded a few 175g eldm with N570 and they by far have the best ES and SD but they are loaded to full or compressed. Accuracy is meh maybe 1-1.5 mos at 100 yards. I’m just getting started though. Need to do more testing.

 

[Steeltalon]

How new is your rifle? I noticed quite an improvement in groups after 250 rounds. Also, when mine is a freshly cleaned gun, it doesn't group as well as when it's 10-20 rounds after cleaning.