7 mm BR long barrel

[shortmort]

Gentlemen, long time listener, first time caller.
I've had an XP 100 for years, shooting it and finding loads that exceeded my expectations. I now have the chance to build a 7 BR sporter/target on a M700 action with a custom barrel. My question is what would be your recommendations, powder wise, for developing a 130 gr. load that would fly out of a 26" barrel? I would find it hard to believe that my pet loads for the XP in 14" would transfer over to a 26" Douglas with the same results. I am currently burning through the very last of my W748.
Suggestions on powder and recipes will be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[R.G. Robinett]

The W748 may produce pleasing groups - used a LOT of it with 168s in 7TCU/14" Contender years ago. I'd expect 748 to be a little slow for bullets in that weight range (light).
Powders more likely to produce both precision AND velocity using 130 Gr. bullets: H-4198; V-130; RL-7; H-322(Extreme); Benchmark; etc. I'd bet more strongly on the first two. Good shootin'! RG

 

[mtngun]

I shoot cast in my 7BR so my loads are a bit weird, but for what it's worth I would add H335, LT30, LT32, and H4895. WW748 is not too slow, the only reason I'm not using it at the moment is because I'm out.

This may not seem noteworthy by jacketed standards, but try it with a cast bullet at 3150 fps. LT30 pushing through a 26" Pacnor with 14" twist. Speaking of which, most 7mm barrels have a relatively fast twist. If you are only going to shoot 130s then choose your twist accordingly, slower is more accurate.

I'm quite fond of the 7BR. You don't hear much about it these days but it's a nice little cartridge.

 

[John S]

My 7 BR is a .306 tight neck. Loaded rounds measure .3044.

My load for 130 grainers is 31.5 grains of Benchmark and GM205M primers and just touching.

The velocity out of a 26 inch barrel is 2625 fps.

This is a Silhouette rifle, but off the bench it will do Turkey head shots at 400 meters.

Hope this helps.

BTW for Rams at 500 meters I switch to 168's and 32.0 grains of Varget.