Bergara B14 Ridge Accubond load development

[Addicting]

1st round of testing today in the 7mm Rem Mag. Got some good nodes and a solid starting point for round 2.
100y 59g RL22

100y 62g RL22

100y 63.5g RL22 (no pressure signs)


The in between loads shot 2- 2.75” groups.

 

[cahunter805]

RL22 is pretty temp sensitive. What were temps like? H1000 is a great powder in the 7mm as is 7828.

Groups look decent. 59-61 is where I’d focus.

 

[Addicting]

It’s 40 degrees out. 59.5g was sub MOA as well. Unfortunately, 59g was only traveling at 2659 FPS which isn’t good enough and 200 FPS below book. I had an error group 2 was 62g. Original post was corrected.

 

[sn.outdoors]

I was never able to good velocities in my 7rm's with RL22. I've had much better results with imr7977 which is available almost anywhere.

If you want to get the best velocities, you should try RL26, retumbo, or 8133. The load I used this year was with RL26 and it's pushing 180vld's @ 2950fps. My best load with the accubond and RL26 shot 3015fps out of my b14 hunter.

Velocity isn't everything, but I'd be very disappointed with only 2660 out of the 7RM. Might as well shoot the 7-08 hunttalk and save some powder.

 

[Addicting]

I wanted to get a new chronograph before I ditched the RL22. Mine took a dump after the first set of rounds and I couldn’t get it to read anything but errors after that.

 

[Addicting]

I was never able to good velocities in my 7rm's with RL22. I've had much better results with imr7977 which is available almost anywhere.

If you want to get the best velocities, you should try RL26, retumbo, or 8133. The load I used this year was with RL26 and it's pushing 180vld's @ 2950fps. My best load with the accubond and RL26 shot 3015fps out of my b14 hunter.

Velocity isn't everything, but I'd be very disappointed with only 2660 out of the 7RM. Might as well shoot the 7-08 hunttalk and save some powder.

I was able to do some more testing today. I found a good node at 2850 FPS over a .5 grain spread before I started seeing pressure in the primers. I had terrible groups today at .070 off the lands where I normally start. I loaded up some at graduated depths for more testing but am questioning RL22. I bought 5lbs of it but am not getting the FPS that I see a lot of guys are with other powders.

Its funny the bottle says: "Powder of Choice for 7MM and .300 Win Mag" but the Alliant load data calls for RL26 on their website. Seeing I have 5lbs of it, I may just pick up some 150g Barnes TTSX to test next if I cant get the Accubond to work.

 

[rtraverdavis]

My 7mm mag loves RL22 with 160 grain Accubonds. Keep messing with it. My best load is right at SAAMI max length at 3.290 with 63 grains of RL22.

 

[Blacktailbc]

Might try IMR 7977 and Reloader 26 also

 

[mtmuley]

Its funny the bottle says: "Powder of Choice for 7MM and .300 Win Mag"

That's like going with "the most accurate powder tested" in a manual. mtmuley

 

[Addicting]

My 7mm mag loves RL22 with 160 grain Accubonds. Keep messing with it. My best load is right at SAAMI max length at 3.290 with 63 grains of RL22.

I started at 2.262 OAL, I will try shorting it up. I spoke with Nosler a while back and they said that they start with a .070 off the lands for their testing because the bullet likes a jump. The more I have been reading about it seems that is not the rule as they published their numbers off from 3.290. Where are you at for FPS? Barrel length?

Thanks Tony

 

[Addicting]

That's like going with "the most accurate powder tested" in a manual. mtmuley

A lot of guys on another forum swore by it when I was doing my searching, so I figured it was a safe bet. In the name of trying to get cost per round down with hazmat and shipping I ordered a 5lb jug. Now that I am seeing the results of an average 200FPS slower than the Nosler manual I wish I would of ordered the 26. Live and learn.....

Not all is lost though, if the 160 doesn't end up getting it done, according to a kinetic calculator and I will have more energy down range if I switch it up to a 150g and am able to get the extra FPS.

 

[mtmuley]

A lot of guys on another forum swore by it when I was doing my searching, so I figured it was a safe bet. In the name of trying to get cost per round down with hazmat and shipping I ordered a 5lb jug. Now that I am seeing the results of an average 200FPS slower than the Nosler manual I wish I would of ordered the 26. Live and learn.....

Not all is lost though, if the 160 doesn't end up getting it done, according to a kinetic calculator and I will have more energy down range if I switch it up to a 150g and am able to get the extra FPS.

In a lot of rifles it works well. I don't care how much success anybody else has with a particular bullet/powder combo. Or what rifle it is used in. I find my own. Chasing recommendations is pointless. Maybe that Bergara has a slow barrel. mtmuley

 

[rtraverdavis]

I started at 2.262 OAL, I will try shorting it up. I spoke with Nosler a while back and they said that they start with a .070 off the lands for their testing because the bullet likes a jump. The more I have been reading about it seems that is not the rule as they published their numbers off from 3.290. Where are you at for FPS? Barrel length?

Thanks Tony

+/- 3050 fps with a 24” barrel. Like mtmuley is saying though, mess around with different stuff to find what works for your gun. I tried five different powders before finding a load I was satisfied with.

As a case in point, I see IMR 7977 recommended several times here, yet my rifle hated it.

 

[cahunter805]

Can you reach the lands in your rifle? I’d start at .020 off and work from there. RL22 can be a good accurate powder but it is temp sensitive. Make sure to retest in the warmer weather.

 

[Addicting]

Can you reach the lands in your rifle? I’d start at .020 off and work from there. RL22 can be a good accurate powder but it is temp sensitive. Make sure to retest in the warmer weather.

I can reach them, last night I loaded up some sets of 3 from .005 to .100 in .010 increments in the node I found at 2850. I will post up some pics from the next Range day.

 

[huronmtns]

Capture the velocity on each of the sets of 3 also. This maybe interesting data to go along with the photos as well.

 

[Addicting]

Capture the velocity on each of the sets of 3 also. This maybe interesting data to go along with the photos as well.

Ran thru the test today and decided I need a new chronograph. The Caldwell I have is not reliable and a pain in the arse with all the Error codes it throws. After I cleaned out the garbage from the readings there was no noticeable correlation with the seating depth and the FPS recorded, they were all over the place.. Over 30 rounds with 10 min between each set they were between 2810 and 2926 FPS for a spread of 116. Each of those cartridges and bullets were weight sorted and the charge was weighed out to +/- .02 grains with Federal 215m primers.

 

[Addicting]

Out of the loads tested, this is the best group of the day. Shot from 200 yards 63.70g RL22, Fed 215m, .080 off the lands. Average was 2844 FPS, with a spread of 37 FPS.

 

[Addicting]

I also attempted a ladder test in .20g increments with RL 26. Not sure I succeeded in seeing the results at 200, but did see that my rifle likes the RL 26 way better across the spectrum.

 

[rtraverdavis]

67.3 grains of RL22 with 160 grain Accubonds?