Hello guys. I need some help. I am going to shoot my very first F-class match next weekend with my new custom 7mm-08 rifle. The barrel is a24" Kreiger 9 twist barrel. Scope is a SS 3-15x42. The barrel seems to like the 162gr Amax bullet but I haven't shot it out to 300yd yet. It didn't like the 168 SMK. Would this bullet suffice or should I look for something else? Like I said, I am new to this game (i'm a uspsa shooter by trade) and don't fully understand the dynamcs of bullet and proper load developement. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
F T/R Competition Need help deciding best 7mm bullet for F-class for new shooter
- Thread starter greggrissom
- Start date
The best advice I could give is, seeing it is so close around the corner, to stick with what you know will shoot. Better to shoot that 162 Amax and give up a little to the wind, than to find out that quick load you found with a 180 wasn't all you thought it was and get's you all over the board.
Try to find a good load when you get back from the match. Try the 175/180 SMK or the 180 Berger VLD/Hybrid. Your twist is good to go, the '08 should push them to around 2600-2650 with H4350.
Try to find a good load when you get back from the match. Try the 175/180 SMK or the 180 Berger VLD/Hybrid. Your twist is good to go, the '08 should push them to around 2600-2650 with H4350.
You will be shooting Open division with that rig
Go have fun, your gonna see pert quick that Open guys run some serious rigs, you will not even be on same playing field as them.
Like i said Go have fun, your rig is not ideal for this but trigger time is trigger time
7mm has some very good bullets, stick with whatever your shooting and have dope for.
Go have fun, your gonna see pert quick that Open guys run some serious rigs, you will not even be on same playing field as them.
Like i said Go have fun, your rig is not ideal for this but trigger time is trigger time
7mm has some very good bullets, stick with whatever your shooting and have dope for.
Go and have fun. I don't know what contour you picked for your barrel, but if it's a like mine with a #4 you are going to really heat that barrel up shooting the long 20 shot strings we shoot in F class. Take your time, shoot slow, you have 30 minutes, use most of it. Your barrel will appreciate it.
If you have a load for the 162 go ahead and run them, the 180s need to be seated very long and I'm doubtful that you have the throat for them, you probably don't really have the throat for the 162s unless you ordered a reamer for them.
Lastly, if you use the 162s for something else you may want to reconsider using them for this match. They are currently not in production and are probably not going to be produced again until late this yr or next yr at the earliest.
Hornady Suspends Production of 150 Ammo Types and 150 Bullet Types for Balance of 2013 « Daily Bulletin
As noted above, in F-Open you are up against 22lb 7RSAUM/284Win type purpose built rifles. Have a good time, compete with yourself and the wind, enjoy it and don't worry about where you place.
If you have a load for the 162 go ahead and run them, the 180s need to be seated very long and I'm doubtful that you have the throat for them, you probably don't really have the throat for the 162s unless you ordered a reamer for them.
Lastly, if you use the 162s for something else you may want to reconsider using them for this match. They are currently not in production and are probably not going to be produced again until late this yr or next yr at the earliest.
Hornady Suspends Production of 150 Ammo Types and 150 Bullet Types for Balance of 2013 « Daily Bulletin
As noted above, in F-Open you are up against 22lb 7RSAUM/284Win type purpose built rifles. Have a good time, compete with yourself and the wind, enjoy it and don't worry about where you place.
Something to consider here is the Berger 168 VLD. You get a little more velocity with them and nearly as good of a BC. Much better than the 162's. If you do not have time to develop loads though, go with what you know, the 162 A-Max.
As far as saving the 162's, I wouldn't. They will be produced again soon and there are other, better, bullets in production to work with.
While your 7mm-08 might not be the ultimate in a competitive rifle caliber it is certainly no slouch. Learn your dope for the load you like with it inside and out. Being able to call wind is more important than how flat the rifle shoots. Granted a faster bullet decreases trajectory both vertical and horizontal (in the case of wind), but you still have to call that. I will also go on to say that much past 1k and either 180 Berger (VLD or Hybrid) doesn't stabilize as well with a 1-9" twist. I shoot a 7mm-08 with a 1-8" twist specifically for that reason. I had a .280 Ack Imp. with a 1-9" and when the bullets went transonic, you could see them giving up accuracy. My 7mm-08 does not have that happen. It's slower, but because of that I can reach farther out accurately.
An off the wall suggestion here is to try the 140 Berger VLDs as well. Within a thousand yards, what you gain in velocity makes up for a lot of drift if the wind isn't too bad. In strong winds the heavier bullets will beat it.
-good luck
As far as saving the 162's, I wouldn't. They will be produced again soon and there are other, better, bullets in production to work with.
While your 7mm-08 might not be the ultimate in a competitive rifle caliber it is certainly no slouch. Learn your dope for the load you like with it inside and out. Being able to call wind is more important than how flat the rifle shoots. Granted a faster bullet decreases trajectory both vertical and horizontal (in the case of wind), but you still have to call that. I will also go on to say that much past 1k and either 180 Berger (VLD or Hybrid) doesn't stabilize as well with a 1-9" twist. I shoot a 7mm-08 with a 1-8" twist specifically for that reason. I had a .280 Ack Imp. with a 1-9" and when the bullets went transonic, you could see them giving up accuracy. My 7mm-08 does not have that happen. It's slower, but because of that I can reach farther out accurately.
An off the wall suggestion here is to try the 140 Berger VLDs as well. Within a thousand yards, what you gain in velocity makes up for a lot of drift if the wind isn't too bad. In strong winds the heavier bullets will beat it.
-good luck
If your gun shoots well with the A-Max be happy. They are about 1/2 the price of the Bergers. Twice the "BANG" for your buck...so to say...Have fun and the best of luck.
Thanks guys. The barrel has a #18 light Varmint contour but still looks huge. The smith that built it recommended the 168 SMK but I can't get them to behave. My precision reloading skills aren't up to par yet. With the barrel being new, I'm wondering if this is having some effect on it for now since I barely have 100rds down the tube now.
