Need help. Loading 7mm Mag. Can't get consistent accuracy.

[BIG D]

Ok, I bedded the rifle and shot a couple of 5 shot groups today. 2 powders, 2 seating depths, but the results were the same. Shooting goups of 1.2-1.7 moa at 100 yards. The factory remington loads had the best groups.

So, now what? Punt to a new rifle?

Upgrade to a new scope?

Hire someone else to pull the trigger?

I honestly think you are going to far too fast. Pick your load with the speed you like. Work on that powder charge with that Bullet and test seating depths. I've found most hunting bullets of boat tail design like to be between -.012 to .030 off of touching. Another thing, are you shooting with chronograph strapped on the barrel? How many shots between cooling? I've had a few magnum rifles, with MAGNUM charges comes Magnum heat. Most factory barreled magnums I've played with walked with each shot after 3. Barrel heat tosses groups. Chronograph on barrels walks groups. Slow down and let the rifle tell you what it wants. Sounds like it wants to shoot. Watch barrel temps. Test your moa load you've posted. Take that bullet and powder at that charge weight and that primer. Load all the same except for c.o.a.l. Then in groups of 3 load at -.005 to -.035 off your touch from the lands. While doing this make sure the barrel isn't hot. I suggest 3 because it's a magnum with a sporter weight barrel and they get hot fast. I think you will find it has a happy place. Don't chase your tail without doing seating tests. That will tighten groups way before any primer switch. Heat watch your heat. Sounds like your one load is close. Test it and smile when that bullet finally hits its happy place. Hopefully this helps. Be patient with testing. Heat isn't good for tight groups.

 

[Steve Ladino]

I am having the worst time finding an accurate load for my rifle. I am shooting a Remington 783 7mm Mag. I have had it for a year and was not satisfied with the accuracy of the factory rounds so I started reloading a few months ago. I started with H4831SC and a Hornady 154 SST. I have since also tried Retumbo/154 SST as well as H4831SC/Nosler Accubond LR 168gr and RL26/Nosler Accubond LR 168gr. I have only been using Hornady cases and Winchester WLRM primers. I did try varying the seating depth a little as well. Mostly done at normal COL, but some done at 0.03 off the lands.

All of my shooting has been off of a led sled.

My goal is to get something from 2950 to 3050 fps for a hunting load that I could confidently shoot out to 600 yds. So, if I can get repeatable 1 moa at 100 yds, with those velocities, I will be happy.

I have been able to hit 1 moa or less at times, but not at the velocities I would like.

Here is all of my data in the pictures below. Most of the data is using 3 shot groups, but a few had 5 shot groups. If I can't get 1 moa or less with a three shot group, then the 5 shot group is pointless to try. Isn't it?

Please give me some guidance as to what I should try next.

Glass bed the rifle?
Pick a velocity I like and try other seating depths?
Try another primer?
Try another powder?

 

[Steve Ladino]

Lots of good advice here from others so all I can add is what works in my 40 x which is R-19 ( 65 grains ) a Hornady 162 ( .010 off ) and a WWLRMP, light neck tension.......has the velocity you are after and is accurate in my rifle.

 

[Bart B.]

The free floating.. I think so. I can run paper all the way down between barrel and stock.

.006" thick paper doesn't verify the 1/16" clearance needed. Resting your cheek on the stock whose fore end rests on a bag can bend the fore end up against the barrel only .006" from it when it passed the paper test.

 

[oldroper]

.006" thick paper doesn't verify the 1/16" clearance needed. Resting your cheek on the stock whose fore end rests on a bag can bend the fore end up against the barrel only .006" from it when it passed the paper test.

You need to read date on his last post, was sometime in 2015