7-300 Norma

[Borisserge]

After an evening of chewing ideas of long range cartridges and bullets for f class competition and bench rest(when the weather is REALLY bad), we spoke more about the potential of 7-300 norma and the 195gr berger with a 34" barrel 1-8 twist and and slow powder.

I understand the life expectancy is harbouring on 500-650 rounds depending on how hard it is treated

Thoughts about this, and any first hand experience on this guy's?
I know Ryan pierce produces amazing 300NM

 

[Lbart]

If you go through with this idea I wish you the best of luck. While the 195 gr Berger has been used by some for FC, I would not recommend them. Especially in a large case such as the 7-300 Norma. Adding in the 34" barrel , long 20+ shot strings and a 1-8 twist and you are begging for bullet blow-ups. The 195 was designed as a HUNTING bullet. If you want to shoot FC with a 7mm, I would recommend the 180 or 184 Hybrid. I have shot a 7-270 WSM in 30" barrels with 180 &184's for a number of years with no ill affects and even then I hold the speed down to below 3k. They seem to shoot a bit better there. BTW I and my team mates tested the 195's before they came out and they shot extremely well but we never shot them in matches for the reasons stated. I blew up ONE 6.5 thin jacket Berger in a 6.5/284 before they came out with the Target bullets and started moly coating to prevent another lost match. Play it safe if you want to win.

 

[ShootDots]

If you go through with this idea I wish you the best of luck. While the 195 gr Berger has been used by some for FC, I would not recommend them. Especially in a large case such as the 7-300 Norma. Adding in the 34" barrel , long 20+ shot strings and a 1-8 twist and you are begging for bullet blow-ups. The 195 was designed as a HUNTING bullet. If you want to shoot FC with a 7mm, I would recommend the 180 or 184 Hybrid. I have shot a 7-270 WSM in 30" barrels with 180 &184's for a number of years with no ill affects and even then I hold the speed down to below 3k. They seem to shoot a bit better there. BTW I and my team mates tested the 195's before they came out and they shot extremely well but we never shot them in matches for the reasons stated. I blew up ONE 6.5 thin jacket Berger in a 6.5/284 before they came out with the Target bullets and started moly coating to prevent another lost match. Play it safe if you want to win.

What Larry said above ^^^^^ is absolutely true. Listen to his reply or you will be very disappointed!

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I dont think you would even get 500. Put a bore scope in a 300 Norma Improved at 100 rounds. Pretty good heat cracking even on the 30. These big cases are for hunting, slow fire with plenty of time to cool down.

 

[philloder]

If you go through with this idea I wish you the best of luck. While the 195 gr Berger has been used by some for FC, I would not recommend them. Especially in a large case such as the 7-300 Norma. Adding in the 34" barrel , long 20+ shot strings and a 1-8 twist and you are begging for bullet blow-ups. The 195 was designed as a HUNTING bullet. If you want to shoot FC with a 7mm, I would recommend the 180 or 184 Hybrid. I have shot a 7-270 WSM in 30" barrels with 180 &184's for a number of years with no ill affects and even then I hold the speed down to below 3k. They seem to shoot a bit better there. BTW I and my team mates tested the 195's before they came out and they shot extremely well but we never shot them in matches for the reasons stated. I blew up ONE 6.5 thin jacket Berger in a 6.5/284 before they came out with the Target bullets and started moly coating to prevent another lost match. Play it safe if you want to win.

Larry, I built a 7-300WSM based loosely on your specs. running moly 184 bergers @ 2950 fps. .3 moa 5 round groups @200.
just got done developing last week with Retumbo upper 60's weight and to my horror found its not available till next year and only have enough for about 30 rounds left. whats a good Stable alternative that's proven. tried H1000 but hit pressure before velocity. 30" Bartlein 5R 2.463"CBTO 0.015" jump
thanks, Phil

 

[Lbart]

Phil, I haven't use moly since Berger came out with the the target line of bullets. You should be able to get 184 naked Bergers to 2950 fps range using H-4831sc or VV N-165. That is the speed my rifles seem to like.

 

[dmoran]

Larry & Ben (@Lbart & @ShootDots)

No experience here and just guessing, but betting the torque from a 195 in a 8-twist barrel, could play havoc on tracking.
Am I thinking right on that, or is it not that much of an issue?

Just curious.....

 

[ShootDots]

Larry & Ben (@Lbart & @ShootDots)

No experience here and just guessing, but betting the torque from a 195 in a 8-twist barrel, could play havoc on tracking.
Am I thinking right on that, or is it not that much of an issue?

Just curious.....

Hello Donovan! Oh T-Rust me, torque is the real nemesis! If you get a stock similar to the MacMillan "Kestros" or "Kestros Z-Rail" where the center of gravity is as low as possible, torque is kept under control. I have several friends that shoot a 7 S.A.U.M. Ackley Imp. using the 195 with either a "straight" 1-8 or a 1-8.3. They are able to control it because of their low center of gravity stocks. Additionally, they have recently found out that keeping the velocity down at about 2785-2790 not only produces much better / consistent accuracy, torque has become very manageable. But get it up at 2900+ and torque is a bit tough and bullets (195 Berger's) can, from time to time, blow up..

 

[Lbart]

Donovan, people have told me my WSM's torque quite a bit even with 180's but I am not aware of it. I have a lot of bodily contact with the rifle and defiantly do not shot free recoil! Always have shot that way. Rifle returns to aim point when pushed back forward. BTW, when I tested the 195's at 1k I used a 1-9". Groups were a good as those with my 180/184's.