7 WSM success

[wyshadow]

After weeks of tribulations, I'm finally shooting this round good enough to hunt with. As of right now, I choose a lighter bullet until I'll find a different powder for some heavier 145, 150, 152, and 162.
My load is as follow:
- Hornady 139 SP Interlock
- H4831sc 59.2 grains
- CCI Magnum primers
- Winchester brass

I'm getting two different speeds but I'm going to choose the speed it says in my Strelok because everything lines up ballistically. The speed I'm getting on my magneto is 2849 fps, and the speed I'm getting on Strelok is 2805 fps. From playing around on Strelok, I wanted to know the best distance for the bullet to rise not higher then 3 inches and not drop below 3 inches. I wanted to hold dead on a coyote under a certain distance. According to Strelok, I need to zero my rifle at 170 yards to give me 2 inches high at 100 yards and 230 yards.

I went to the shooting range to test Strelok:
170 yard zero


50 yard target


100 yard target (aiming at the bottom red dot)


200 yard target


300 yard target


On the 300 yard target was two 3 shot groups. The 300 yard target was on a different day and on a clean barrel. Its good to know this rifle needs about three shots to settle in. I waiting 2 to 3 minutes between shots and i did test a fast 3 shot test and didn't get a high string on impacts.

This 7 WSM was the hardest I ever had to work at to get where I'm at now. I had to figure out how to fit in a magnum round in a 308 blind mag, change out a bolt face, how to deal with a donut, and figuring out how to properly neck down a cartridge. On top of all these problems, I'm still dealing with neck issues I may have to always deal with

 

[S3silver]

I don't have a 7 WSM but have also been interested in it. Glad you've got things figured out. It can be frustrating getting a rifle to feed and shoot where you want it. It seems you have some of those issues ironed out with a few more to go. I was surprised you were only getting mid 2800's with the 139 interlock. Must be a mild load? I guess I was expecting more out of the WSM case. I think a 7mm-08, 284, or 280 rem would easily get that with a lot less powder and thump on the shoulder in case you want to switch and go an easier route. I do have 7mm-08, 284, and 7 mag. For reference, my 20" barreled 7mm-08 is pushing the 139 lrx just shy of 2800 with 42.5 gr of powder.

 

[L.Sherm]

Do you have some H1000? It works extremely well in my 6.5x300wsm with 140's

 

[joshb]

“For reference, my 20" barreled 7mm-08 is pushing the 139 lrx just shy of 2800.”
About what I would expect. Maybe a little slower…2700 for that round.
I had thought the WSM would get you faster speeds too, like around 3000 or better?
Add: I found this on Wikipedia. Pretty much what I remember:

 

[wyshadow]

I was getting over 3100 fps and I wasn't at max case capacity. I was getting terrible groups and high pressure signs.

 

[joshb]

I was getting over 3100 fps and I wasn't at max case capacity. I was getting terrible groups and high pressure signs.

I read that you “necked down”. That can cause thicker neck walls. Have you cast your chamber to get your chamber’s true neck dimension? I’m wondering if you have enough clearance.

 

[wyshadow]

Do you have some H1000? It works extremely well in my 6.5x300wsm with 140's

I bought a pound of H1000 and will test after the holidays

 

[WAMBO]

I've reloaded 2 different 7 WSMs for friends using 162-168 grain bullets with 60-64 grs of H4831SC w/velocities from 2900-3000+.
Both rifles shot great, one was a factory Savage, the other a trued Remington 700 with Broughton barrel.
My 7WSM is Savage with a Broughton barrel likes the 175 SMK over 67grs of H1000, 3000 fps.

 

[Bill Clifton]

My load for my Browning A bolt 7wsm has always been 140 gr Noslers on top of 70gr WXR, Winchester brass and WLR primers. 3260fps at the muzzle. When I got that load worked up I bought enough WXR to last the life of the rifle and it's barrel.

 

[S3silver]

My load for my Browning A bolt 7wsm has always been 140 gr Noslers on top of 70gr WXR, Winchester brass and WLR primers. 3260fps at the muzzle. When I got that load worked up I bought enough WXR to last the life of the rifle and it's barrel.

That sounds more like it! Same for Bill’s 175’s at 3000.