Staball 6.5 - Sounds like you're getting 100fps faster than reloading data that uses as 24" barrel despite you using a (presumably?) 22-inch barrel. And blowing primers 2 grains below max? What grain weight are you referencing as max?
Quite the opposite (and then some). Hodgdon reloading data says I should get 2975 FPS in 24 inch barrel at 59kpsi with a 140 - if that be correct, I should get at least 2925 FPS in my 22.44 inch barrel at more/less 59kpsi (I would expect more, actually, since the bearing surface of my bullet is lower than theirs, and I'm seating .075 longer OAL, increasing the size of the combustion chamber, with a 0.100 inch jump to the lands which will also reduce pressure). However, at 2800 FPS (technically was like 2796 or somesuch), 2 grains below book max, and I got primers so flat I'm confident I'm up around 70kpsi.
I don't care if I'm getting that velocity or not, I was just commenting that my results are not as advertised.
Hunter - Surprised to hear that given that Nosler lists hunter as faster than Varget and N160 (at least with a 150gr bullet), and Hodgdon shows it neck and neck with H4350 and Varget with a 140gr. What loads/speeds were you getting with flat primers?
I was surprised by this as well. Hodgdon lists 51.5 grains and a 140 Swift A-frame at 2871, 49.5 for a 150 SMK at 2817. At 47.3 I got 2700 FPS, and primers plenty flat to convince me I didn't want to keep going. (not that primers flat are like the be-all/end-all of pressure testing, but once they start looking like a mushroom when you pop a spent one, your chances of being over-hot are very very good, LOL).
What are you leaning on the +/- 100fps for? Does your ballistic app put that in make or break territory for terminal performance at your max personal range? Sounds like Varget is your clear winner all around regardless.
I was not/am not leaning on nothing - even 2800 FPS is plenty with a 140 TGK to touch 500 yards north of 2k FPS, which is plenty plenty for me. I was just commenting that Staball 6.5, per Hodgdon's data, is the magic sauce that would (in theory) knock a 140 up into the 2900's at relatively low pressure, and it does not even remotely come close to that in my experiment just now.
@Pharmseller has a lot of experience with Big Game if you're looking for some of the best velocity in a 7mm-08. Nosler reloading data also has it out front as well with a 140gr. It's given me fantastic accuracy and good velocity, but the ES/SD aren't amazing. Again, I guess it depends on what range you plan to shoot at.
2860 with Varget is more than plenty for me - even 2770 or so would be plenty - I'm not chasing velocity here, I'm looking for accuracy. The ES/SD from the Varget experiment at 42 grains were excellent (SD of 6, max spread of 18 - and I am sure I can tighten that up with paying closer attention to precision when measuring). I tested some lower charges that came in with nearly double the SD/ES numbers, so right about there looks like 'money' to me - in so far as good ES/SD contribute to accuracy - we'll see what the target says when I get a chance to hit the range and accuracy test em.
Again - My post you are replying to was just keeping with the theme of commenting on my reloading adventures and the results thereof, I wasn't meaning to imply anything else.
