Handloads and Low Velocity

[montana_native]

Having issues with two guns.

First is a 7mm Mag. OAL = 3.380"

Loaded with a 154 gr Hornady SST
62.5 gr of RL 19 = 2580 fps.
64 gr of RL 22 = 2625 fps.

Loaded with a 162 gr Hornady SST
62 gr of RL 19 = 2560 fps
63.5 gr of RL22 = 2620 fps

Second is a 22-250. OAL = 2.410"

Using a 60 gr Hornady V-max
32.0 gr IMR 4064 = 3120 fps
37.5 gr IMR 4350 = 3185 fps
A factory load with a 55 gr bullet went 3580 fps.

It seems to me that the biggest issue is with the 7 mag. Hornady's book claims 3000 fps is acheivable even with the 162 gr bullets. With my 22-250, I used powder that was about 6 years old and figured that might be the problem.

We confirmed the chrono was OK with some other guns. I am not a very experienced reloader so I may be overlooking something simple. MY 6.5x284 was pushing a 140 gr SMK at 2950-3000 fps through this chrono with my handloads.

Thanks for any thoughts.

 

[billmo]

Both seem pretty slow man but that 7mm Mag. just don't seem right to me. Those loads should be faster then that. Bill

 

[cliffe]

if you are shooting in the cold, wouldn't you see a little slower speed. also with a little longer OAL the case capacity would be a little bigger, giving you less pressure.double check your scale.are you seeing any signs of pressure? what length of barrel? have you shot any factory rounds with the 7 through the chrono. cliffe

 

[montana_native]

Barrel is 26", I didn't try any factory loads. That's next I suppose. I might also shorten down the OAL to see what happens.

Thanks.