Clark I got a box of those dudes for Christmas and haven't got a real decent idea where to start. Im looking for precision, and velocity near what you found, powder isn't an issue as I have most for the 7mm rem mag.
Can you point me in a starting direction?
CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond or not covered by currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The Firing Line, nor the staff of TFL assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.
Hodgdon publishes 59 gr H4350 140 gr 2,927 fps 50 k c.u.p. 24" barrel 3.25" OAL
Quickload thinks that is 2,987 fps 48,306 psi
If I work up to 72 gr H4350 140 gr Nos BT moly, 26" barrel 3.4" OAL, I find the threshold of extractor groove growth
Quickload thinks that is 3,469 fps 82,077 psi
I can back off from that threshold a 3% safety margin for a useful load, knowing that H4350 is a temperature stabilized. BUT if the powder were Re17, I would have to reduce by a larger margin.
I have been hunting in 2013 a Rem700 I rebarrelled and in 2014 a stock Browning 1885 with:
70 gr H4350 140 gr Nos BT moly, 26" barrel and measuring 3400 fps
Quickload thinks that is 3,386 fps 74,884 psi
I only recorded 3 groups in 2014:
1) 1.0" 3 shot group at 100 yards = 1.0 moa
2) 3.6" 3 shot group at 450 yards = 0.8 moa
3) 7.2" 3 shot group at 550 yards = 1.3 moa
In prior years with other 7mmRemMag rifles I have built and other factory rifles, I have hunted with
120 gr Nos Bal Tip moly 3.34" 72 gr H4350 measure 3633 - 3652 fps
150 gr Nos Bal Tip moly 3.34" 66 gr H4350 measure 3333 - 3375 fps
162 gr HNDY SST moly 3.34" 62.8 gr H4350 measure 2904-2969 fps
Those other bullets work well, I just think the 140 gr Nos Bal tip is best.
Then there are the bullets that DO NOT work well:
I have been getting good accuracy with 180 gr VLD, but poor stopping power.
I have been getting good stopping power with 160 gr triple shock [tsx], but poor accuracy.