Just returned from the range here in Reno NV 33 degrees here. I'm loving Re#26 . Today pushing Hornady 162gr Amax out of a 26" brux 9"twist bbl. Starting at 66grs avg velocity was 3,033 using a Magneto V3 ...67grs was 3,060 ,68grs was 3,125 69grs was 3,170,70grs was 3,225 with 1 shot 3,362 ? 71grs was 3,270 with one shot 3,310 ? 1/2 MOA -3/4 MOA accuracy with all loads. Using new Bertram brass and W-W LRMP all primers were Flat ,but no ejector marks and zero extraction problems. My previous loads were 69grs of H1000 producing 3,175 AVG with beginning pressure signs. What could've been the cause of the two spiked high velocity loads 3,310 and 3,362 ?
Reloader#26 and the 7mm WSM
- Thread starter Ironworker
- Start date
Was your barrel getting hot? Have heard that 26 can cause pressure symptoms on long strings of fire. I have no idea at what point it supposedly occurs.
Cold 33 degrees no heat problems at all.
B23
Gold $$ Contributor
Were you loading fairly close to the lands by chance? If so, and you weren't measuring off of the ogive after seating the bullets you could have had a couple bullets that ended up being closer to touching than your others and that'll spike things up and show increased velocity.
Also, I've never used Bertram brass before so I'm unaware of how consistent their brass is but you could have had a couple cases that were maybe a little thicker or something like that and they had a bit less case capacity than the rest. If you kept those two pieces of brass separate after you shot them and you know which ones they are out of all that you shot today, measure their case capacity in water compared to a couple of the others.
Also, I've never used Bertram brass before so I'm unaware of how consistent their brass is but you could have had a couple cases that were maybe a little thicker or something like that and they had a bit less case capacity than the rest. If you kept those two pieces of brass separate after you shot them and you know which ones they are out of all that you shot today, measure their case capacity in water compared to a couple of the others.
This Bertram brass was significantly inconsistent in case weights . But they were very accurate ?
Curious how the 180's will fire in that 1-9 Twist & extend that Barrel Life.
Ok so same Bertram brass I'm now loading 69grs of Re#26 rather than 71grs. Average weight of un-primed case is 214grs . I weighted some W-W and its a whopping 230 grs how much reduction in powder charge should it be ?
Never messed with the 7WSM but playing with the RL26 in a 284 Shehane. Raw speed and accuracy were there for the first 10-15 shots of a 20 shot string in LR prone, then I started to get off call fliers.
Given that, I would say that RL26 is an outstanding choice for hunting ammo, but not for competition.
As always, this advice is worth what you paid for it.
Lloyd
Given that, I would say that RL26 is an outstanding choice for hunting ammo, but not for competition.
As always, this advice is worth what you paid for it.
Lloyd
B23
Gold $$ Contributor
I think you won't really have any answers until you measure the volume of some of your cases, both with Bertram and the WW stuff. Some people use flake powder, and it's probably a little easier, but I much prefer to measure case capacity with water. Using water is a little more of a pain in the ass and not quite as fast as using flake powder but I think it gives a more consistent unit of measure.
I use RL26 in my 7mm Blaser mag which is real similar in size to the 7 WSM and it has worked very well for me, not had any spikes in pressure or velocity.
At these load levels, one thing to consider is secondary detonation.
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