7mm Rem Mag with RL-22...Help please

[tatasta]

Hello,

I have been reloading, successfully, for my Model 70 Classic with BOSS for several years.

Recently, I used a friends chrono to verify the performance of my loads of 62.5 gr. of RL-22, CCI Mag primers, Winchester brass and Hornady 154 gr. SST bullets.

According to my Hornady manual, this is a max load and should produce velocities of ~2900fps. When chrono was used, I am only getting 2800 fps. I know the chrono is accurate based on other caliber data I have collected.

The loads are extremely accurate but I know I am not shooting to the rifle's potential.

I plan to send my scope to Leupold for ballisticall matched CDS dials but want to get my velocity back up around 3000-3100fps before getting scope work done.

Any info or comments on how to proceed and what I can really do with RL-22 is appreciated. The 7mm has around 350 rounds through it.

By the way, I just bought a very clean Model 70 Laredo in 300 Win Mag and any insight to load data for it woul be great!!

Thank you

 

[dakotasin]

my new hornady manual shows 63.4 to be a max load for 2900 f/s...

if this were my rifle and i was bent on using 154's and rl-22, i would seat the bullet to max magazine/just off the lands length, and proceed cautiously to a load of around 67 grains (which is probably over max of every manual out there, but when you alter seating depth, or have a worn throat, etc you have to consider working different powder charges) and stop when i reach the accuracy level i want.

my own 7 mags, however, run on 162 hornady btsp's and rl-25 or h-4831, and run about 3000 f/s.

also, if you were satisfied w/ the load prior to the chronograph session, i would urge you to disregard the chrony and go about your business of killing stuff w/ a performing load.

 

[ants]

Yep, laboratory data versus real world performance.

Welcome to the Forum, tataska.

To deviate 100 feet per second from published data is no big deal. Published data is usually generated using a universal receiver (it's not even a rifle as you know it) under controlled laboratory conditions with a barrel length and twist rate different from yours.

So is your ammo accurate? Perfect!!! Laugh at the laboratory tested 100fps difference and enjoy your Winchester out here in the Real World.

 

[NCsmitty]

Alliant's web site shows 65gr of Rel-22 under a 160gr Speer at 2976fps. I believe that you have some room to improve your performance with the 154gr SST. Alliant's numbers are the most current data available, and book data should be treated as a comparative reference. A call or email to them should dispel any concern that you have. Check out the site, and sign up for their new free manual.

www.alliantpowder.com

www.alliantpowder.com/resources/catalog.aspx



NCsmitty

 

[joed]

If your ammo is shooting accurately I wouldn't worry about 100 fps. As a beginner I used to worry about this but over the years I've found I prefer a good shooting load to one at the highest achievable velocity.

 

[NCsmitty]

Keep in mind that your barrel may be around 26" long, but the Boss actually costs a bit in velocity, as true ballistic barrel length is probably less than 24".
The Boss does do it's job of recoil reduction though.



NCsmitty

 

[627PCFan]

100 FPS isnt going to do anything much for you unless your stretching 600 yards. All my 7mm loads are well below published velocities but they are dead on accurate. BTW, did you check your chrono batteries?