New 7WSM project, Dies?

[FireKracker50]

Hello All
I am new to the forum. This is my first post. I'm not new to reloading but new to 7WSM and new to somewhat precision reloading.
My goals are moderate at best. Rifle is Kimber 8400 Montana 24" barrel, just purchased, i will bed and relieve the magwell issue.
Down the road i will more than likely get a shorter barrel or cut down factory barrel to 20in and port, or 18 and add threaded brake. Something more along the lines of the kimber anirondack that they dont offer in 7WSM. But for now I want to start working on loads with the 24" factory barrel.

I am not looking for 1000yrd accuracy but would like great 0-350yrd hunting rounds. This is going to primarily be use for whitetail hunting. So bullet considerations will more than likely be in the 140-168gr range. Currently anxious to try 140 Sierra tipped gameking, 150 ELD-X, and 162 ELD-X. I have some others laying around from loading 280 remington, such as 139 SST, 140 silvertip, 154 SST and 150 Sirrocco.

Bullet/Powder/Primer suggestions all welcomed!!!


My primary question today is what should i order in the way of dies?
I work with an RCBS rock chucker press. I have RCBS micro adjust matchmaker seating and hornady neck sizer for my 224 valk. And RCBS 3 die set for 280 and 300 win mag. The options seem limited with 7WSM.

The Redding Type S bushing dies just don't make since to me. What is there to gain from precision neck sizing from the outside diameter? Wouldn't this cause inconsistent neck tension?

I think i want a full length resizer for new cases, then a neck sizer with a expanding mandrel for fired cases, and a micro adjust seating die. I see that forester makes a microadjust seating die for 7WSM. I'm leaning towards that.
What should i be looking for in sizing dies?

Thank you in advance for any tip/advice

 

[AlNyhus]

My suggestion would be a Redding standard full length sizing die and a Wilson arbor style seating die. The Wison seater needs a small Arbor press for seating but they can really help with accuracy. They make seating depth changes super easy, too. Even if you're just going to load for magazine length, the alignment help from a die of this type can pick up the accuracy.

If you don't want to go the Arbor seater route, a standard Redding two die set would work well. I'd strongly suggest the carbide expander button kit, too. No need for any sort of neck sizer/mandrel lash up.

I imagine the Forster setup would do a good job, too. I'd pass on anything Hornady for dies with Lee a close second.

Good shootin' -Al

 

[FireKracker50]

So your saying no neck sizing with mandrel expander?
Just full length size and trust the expander ball to do the work?
Sorry I don't mean to regurgitate the same thing you said I just want to make sure I'm clear on what you are saying.

As for Wilson arbor seater I am not opposed to that. I had considered that for my valkyrie.
Do you have a best bang for the buck arbor press you would recommend?
Also is it possible to use the same stem for eld-x and tipped game king, SST, and Spitzer like Silvertip?
Would i need the standard stem or VLD?
I'm afraid the answer is going to be VLD for the eld-x and standard for the rest?

 

[AlNyhus]

I'd want to be full length sizing every time. With neck-only sizing, you're going to end up with tight cases pretty quick....especially with the WSM cases in a factory chamber. I'm not a fan of any sort of inside neck mandrel lash up.

The Redding floating carbide sizing ball option and some graphite dry neck lube is easier on the necks and eliminates the need for lubing the inside case necks.

If you go with a Wilson seater, choosing the VLD seater option will cover all your bullet seating. You can order the seater directly from Wilson and select the seater stem of your choice. I don't use the micrometer tops on the Wilson seater but that's a option you can decide on.

For an arbor press, the standard K&M is a nice unit and priced reasonably.

This isn't to say other stuff won't work. But over the years, this approach has given me excellent results in factory rifles and barrels.

Good shootin' -Al

 

[Charlie-NY]

I shoot a custom 7WSM hunting rifle myself. I've been using a Redding Type S FL sizer die with a micrometer seater die. I have used Win brass that I neck turn for uniformity and then prep. I have had no problem keeping 143 Hammer bullets under 2" @ 400yds with RE23 or RE26.

However, in my endless interest in new things, this rifle will get pulled apart soon and rebuilt into a new configuration. The ONLY negative thing I can say about the 7WSM is that there is no high-quality brass made for it. But from a hunting perspective, fully prepped Win brass works well.

 

[FireKracker50]

I have noticed that about the brass as well.
Are all the Redding Type S dies neck bushing dies? Do they have a standard FL sizing die or do i need a bushing type?
Do i need to be neck turning these cases?

 

[Charlie-NY]

I have noticed that about the brass as well.
Are all the Redding Type S dies neck bushing dies? Do they have a standard FL sizing die or do i need a bushing type?
Do i need to be neck turning these cases?

Redding has standard series FL dies too. They are much cheaper. Neck turning is not necessary. My rifle has a minimum spec chamber and the neck was a bit tight for my taste. Turning "may" help accuracy but that's not why I turned the cases.

 

[bucweet]

For brass I get Norma 300 WSM brass and FL size down to 7WSM. ( Redding bushing FL ). The sense I make about bushing dies is less work on the brass so more reloads, I still use a mandrel to size the inside of the necks.
I love the matchmaster dies from RCBS but as you know they don't make and refuse to custom make a inside sleeve that fits the 7 WSM, so i got a 7 rem mag matchmaster seater die and machined the sleeve to accommodate the 7 WSM case and it works great. When I say machined, I put it in a drill press and carefully opened it up.
You didn't mention barrel twist so cant help with bullet type, Mine is a slow twist so 168 bergers and VV 565 are my favorite recipe.
You probable already know about velocity loss from shorter barrels, so choose wisely.
Keep us posted on your decision and results

 

[FireKracker50]

Are the redding standard fl dies the same chamber specs and quality as the type S?

I haven't taken possession of the gun yet but I believe its 9.5 twist.

I would like to be 3000+ fps but mostly concerned with low ES and temperature stability, as this is for hunting.

I already have some H4831SC id like to try with the 150 and 162 ELD-X.
And I think I'll get some IMR4350 to try with the 140 TGK if I can ever get my hands on some of them.

I also have some VV N560 that shoots good in my .280Rem 22inch. With 140 amax. Not sure about it in the 7wsm though.

 

[FireKracker50]

Bringing this thread back to life. Sorry been a while since I've posted.
I ended up with redding s-type FL sizer. LE Wilson chamber bullet seater and k&m arbor press.
I have a lot of 7mm bullets but have yet to test with most of them.
I really wanted to just get something rolling for deer season this year.
The only powder I tested with was ramshot magnum. I loaded 5 charge weights each of 162 SST, 131 Hammer Hunter, 136 Shock Hammer, and 132 Tipped Hammer Hunter. The 132 HHT showed the most promising results and I was no where near pressure. Kept working up higher charge weights and never found any pressure signs. But I think i was fighting a loosing battle as we were coming into fall and first day of testing was sunny and 85deg 77.5gr @ 3426fps sd3 es5 was best group at 0.7" . Next range session was 70deg cloudy same charge weight was 3299fps sd8 es16 @ 0.88" group. Next range session was 80 but cloudy 77.7gr was 3356fps sd22 es29 and a wopping 1.86" group. Best group was 78.4gr @ 3323 sd10 es14 at 0.46". Next session low 60s cloudy best groups came at 78.7gr 0.75" group. group started opening again at 79.0gr but could have been from compressed charges. I forgot crono that day so i dont know speeds. The ramshot magnum proved to be extremely temp sensitive. Best groups in the hot sun were at 77.5 grains, but i know my ammo was heating up bad in the sun. And as weather got colder and less sun the best groups ended up being with 78.7 grains.
This gun is impossible to shoot a 5-shot group in 1 session as it gets blazing hot. It starts slinging rounds after the 3rd shots. So take the fps sd and es numbers with a grain of salt. All are from only 3 shots.

I think I need to go up a little in burn rate and find a more temp insensitive powder. May try 4831sc next.

As a side note I'm considering having the barrel cut down from 24" to 20" or even 18" for an even more compact hunting package. Either that or leave this one as is and buy a kimber anarondack 18.5in 7mm-08 for my compact package.

Lots more testing to come. I have lots of 7mm bullets. I really wanted the rampshot magnum to work as it's cheap and ball powder. But I think im going to have to move away from it.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Easy route 4831sc and Berger 150 classic Hunter, or the SST.

 

[RegionRat]

This gun is impossible to shoot a 5-shot group in 1 session as it gets blazing hot. It starts slinging rounds after the 3rd shots. So take the fps sd and es numbers with a grain of salt. All are from only 3 shots.

Yes, Mother Nature is cruel and the random dispersion of ballistics in light carry rigs is one place where statistics catch up with you fast.

It takes lots of patients to do load development on light carry rigs. They can be difficult to tame on the bench, and they require lots of time since they cannot be shot fast.

Most carry rifles will not perform at the level of a match rifle, so don't drive yourself nuts trying.

Speed stats for 3 shot groups are low value. If your session is from the same day or similar weather, then you can try to aggregate data to form an opinion.

I would prioritize the target while just keeping an eye on the chrono but what I am really saying is that good speed stats with poor targets are cold comfort. Nice to have both but it rarely happens in a light hunting rig.

It is just my opinion and many don't share it, but I consider the distance from the aim point over several sessions and cold bore shots to be far more important than group size in a light carry hunting rig. That covers your cleaning regimen plus the weather changes. It also requires many range sessions.

I also prioritize the selection of a temp stable powder since where I live/test is far from where I hunt in both distance and climate. I avoid ball powders for these applications and if H4350 (not IMR4350) will work I try hard to use it, or the next best one that is as temp stable as I can get. 4831SC is worth a look.

 

[Steve morgan]

Hello All
I am new to the forum. This is my first post. I'm not new to reloading but new to 7WSM and new to somewhat precision reloading.
My goals are moderate at best. Rifle is Kimber 8400 Montana 24" barrel, just purchased, i will bed and relieve the magwell issue.
Down the road i will more than likely get a shorter barrel or cut down factory barrel to 20in and port, or 18 and add threaded brake. Something more along the lines of the kimber anirondack that they dont offer in 7WSM. But for now I want to start working on loads with the 24" factory barrel.

I am not looking for 1000yrd accuracy but would like great 0-350yrd hunting rounds. This is going to primarily be use for whitetail hunting. So bullet considerations will more than likely be in the 140-168gr range. Currently anxious to try 140 Sierra tipped gameking, 150 ELD-X, and 162 ELD-X. I have some others laying around from loading 280 remington, such as 139 SST, 140 silvertip, 154 SST and 150 Sirrocco.

Bullet/Powder/Primer suggestions all welcomed!!!


My primary question today is what should i order in the way of dies?
I work with an RCBS rock chucker press. I have RCBS micro adjust matchmaker seating and hornady neck sizer for my 224 valk. And RCBS 3 die set for 280 and 300 win mag. The options seem limited with 7WSM.

The Redding Type S bushing dies just don't make since to me. What is there to gain from precision neck sizing from the outside diameter? Wouldn't this cause inconsistent neck tension?

I think i want a full length resizer for new cases, then a neck sizer with a expanding mandrel for fired cases, and a micro adjust seating die. I see that forester makes a microadjust seating die for 7WSM. I'm leaning towards that.
What should i be looking for in sizing dies?

Thank you in advance for any tip/advice

 

[Steve morgan]

Buy a set of Forester dies , they work great in my 7wsm