I need help with my 7WSM reloads

[lc284]

I had a rifle built by Penrod Precision with a rem 700 action, mcmillan stock and kreiger barrel chambered in 7WSM. I'm using win brass, win primers, 62g of R22 and 168g berger vlds. The only difference in the loads I'm trying is the bullet seeding depth. I used a gauge to find out an oal of 3.26' is touching the lans,well not overall length exactly - to the ogive). After barrel break in, I started testing loads with oal's of 3.25', 3.26' and 3.27'. None of those shot very well, but 2.72' shot the best, so I tried 3.28' and 3.29' oal and both of those shot significantly better,around 1/2' five shot groups at 100 yds). The last few times I've been to the range my first group is not very good, my second group better, and my third group more what I'm hoping for,between 1/2 and 1/4' 5 shot groups) regardless of the seeding depth. For example last week I tried 2.29', 3.30' and 3.31'. The first group with 2.29' was over 1', the second with 3.30' was under 1', and the third with 3.31' was just a hair over 1/4'. Then today I had similar results, but I started with 3.31',which shot 1/4' group last week then today 1'), then 3.32' and 3.33'. It doesn't feel like I can crush them in much further, the bolt is hard to close. Any ideas?!

 

[squirrelduster]

I had the same issue with my 300 win mag. I was cleaning it too much.
My new method is to run shooters choice through it on a couple of patches then scrub it 10 or 15 passes with a brush with shooters choice, I follow that with two wet patches. Then I run a couple of dry patches followed with a patch with kroil then another dry patch.
I only clean after about 30 or so rounds. It seems to take 10 rounds or so to start shooting good groups and getting consistent cold bore shots.
My 7wsm likes H4831 better than RE22. I shoot a max load with the 168 bergers and get 1/2' groups at 200 yards.

 

[lc284]

Thanks, I appreciate the help. Have you tried Re17? Where do you get your 7WSM data?