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7-300 Long Range Improved

I recently had Dave Manson design a reamer for me based off the 300 WSM and soon to be released ADG brass.
It's a necked down 300 wsm with the shoulder blown out to 45 degrees, It's called the 7-300 Long Range Improved (LRI)
I decided on 45 because 40 didn't seen like enough improvement on the 35 degree shoulder of the parent case, also I wanted to maximize case capacity and 100% stop case growth.
Plus no one's doing 45 degree shoulders so I just wanted to try it.

I love the WSMs for their effortless accuracy and efficiency, the most accurate rifle I ever owned was a 7 wsm.
My objective was to build a lightweight 18" 7mm that would maximize velocity with 180/195 Bergers for my primary elk rifle.
I hunt elk in everything from thick timber to cross 800 yard clear-cuts here in Idaho, a suppressor is a must in this invironmemt where shot opportunities can come and go in a matter of seconds.
I cover lots of miles in steep mountainous terrain, and I believe I've built the perfect lightweight LR rifle for the task.

I had McGowen barrel make me a factory tikka contoured 18" 8 twist prefit with the muzzle flared up to .730 for 5/8×24 threads
The barrel came in at 2 lbs which is even lighter than I'd expected!
All set up with a vx5 HD in talley rings with the factory stock, and 9" Banish 30 suppressor it weighs 8lbs 5 oz.
I'm about a month out on a custom CF lightweight LR stock from MPI, it should come in sub 20 oz so the final weight will be around 7lbs 13 oz.

I'm still waiting for my custom dies from Hornady but in the meantime I used a 270 wsm die and a .284 expander to size a few winchester cases down.
I fire formed with 15 grains of unique topped with TP and got a near fully formed case, fully formed capacity is 82 grains with WW brass.
Pretty darn good considering the parent case measured 79 grains in 30 cal
Shooting 195 EOLs I worked up to pressure while zeroing at 100 yards, and ended up at 2815 with 70 grains of N570!
Accuracy is outstanding even with crappy brass, I'm getting sub 1/2" groups edge to edge.
More load data to come when I get the dies, and ADG brass.

1. Fireformed next to sized down parent case
20220118_160714.jpg

2. 7-300 LRI 195 next to 30 Nos 220 LRHT
20220123_092315.jpg

3. Scoped and suppressed
20220119_114312.jpg

4. 100 yard group
20220125_092751.jpg

5. Barrel flare
20220118_162826.jpg
 
You'll still have to eventually trim, i'm guessing.
Could have always done the 60° shoulder like the JDJ cartridges.
 
18" barrels shooting 195's at 2,815 fps is very efficient for sure !
I am very impressed to say the least.
Thanks
Yeah I'm really impressed with the velocity so far, I'll do proper load development when I get my adg brass and dies next month.
I'm waiting for a backorder of 180 hybrids as well so I'll give them a go, it's going to have a ton of jump though
It's pretty cool to get such good accuracy at a max load like that, and with janky case sizing..
 
Hi, I know this is an older post. How's the barrel life looking so far? I'm looking to do a 30" or so for bench shooting only. What twist barrel do you use? Thank you
 

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