calibres

[AlanF]

Here is a photo of my new 7-08ai.

Norm,

What do you think about starting a new F-Economy class!

• Calibre must be one never used at Queens level
• Scope model must have a reputation for mechanical failure
• Stock must be a source of amusement
• Action must not be approved of by Bruce Moulds

Alan

[Norm]

Alan I think I tick most of those boxes except the scope is reliable.

The stock for end is a bit shorter than planned. The chainsaw has a mind of its own sometimes.

As for pimping. The stock is to have Xmas lights embedded into it for our Christmas break up shoot.

I think it will go ok but time will tell.

[aaronraad]

Norm, I can see you turning up with that powder blue rig at the next shoot with a white Phrygian cap singing the La La Song...or are you more of a red cap Papa Smurf kinda F-Classer?

[bruce moulds]

the super lr looks promising.
seems to hold about 0.3 moa vert at 100, and 0.5 moa vert at 500m.
this is fireformed and fireforming using 42 gn 2209.
there seems to be honesty in this cartridge.
bag manners are a pleasant experience.
I think norm's chambering will be similar using 162 amax bullets. maybe a bit more recoil and a bit more barrel life.
the super lr is still young, so the whole life of the barrel will be a learning curve.
6,5x47s are reported to shoot any load well until a stage in their barrel life, when they need a specific load to perform. perhaps this cartridge will be likewise.
a most pleasurable experience which bodes well for the future.
using similar logic, I would like to try the 7 x 57 Ackley in the future.
keep safe,
bruce.

[Norm]

I shot the 7-08ai Yesterday.

First relay was using a fire forming load of 49gn AR2213sc and second hand pulled 168gn bullets. These bullets were salvaged from poor performing .284win loads. The recoil was very mild but accuracy was not great.

The second relay, I used a fire forming load of 48gn of AR2213sc 180gn G7 projectiles. Accuracy was much better but there was also a lot more recoil.

Bruce, I think you are right. The 162 A-Max would be an excellent bullet for this calibre. Making it a very cost efficient round to shoot.

I have not tried fire formed cases yet.

[AlanF]

...Bruce, I think you are right. The 162 A-Max would be an excellent bullet for this calibre...

Or the hollow point version perhaps?

[Norm]

I see that Lapua has just released two new 7mm bullets.

A 180 grain and a 150gn Scenar. The new 150gn Scenar might be the go to mid range in my 7-08ai

[aaronraad]

I see that Lapua has just released two new 7mm bullets.

A 180 grain and a 150gn Scenar. The new 150gn Scenar might be the go to mid range in my 7-08ai

Nice!

If they're as tough as some of the other Scenars, there might be a few shooters re-chambering to >80gr capacity 7mm calibres. I'm sure there is another accuracy node around 3700 fps

Good news for barrel makers also

[AlanF]

One of the earlier reservations about 7mm as a LR target calibre was the limited bullet selection. How things have changed!

I note that BCs are not yet available. If the 6.5mm 136 is any indication, then BC may not be a strong point with the Scenar-L range. The emphasis may be more on consistency. The main Scenar I've used in the past was the 6.5mm 139. They actually measured very well, so not much room for improvement there.

Alan

[bsouthernau]

On a related subject - is there a 7mm based on the 30-'06 for which dies and chamber reamers are readily available?

Barry

[AlanF]

Barry,

Not sure about the 7mm/06 but the 280AI is readily available for dies etc and I'm fairly sure it can be based on 30/06 brass. Matt Paroz may chime in on this.

Alan

[IanP]

On a related subject - is there a 7mm based on the 30-'06 for which dies and chamber reamers are readily available?

Barry

Alan is right in his above comment. If you want a 7mm version of the 30-06AI its readily available as the 280AI. Pre-formed cases are available from Nosler and dies/reamers are straight off the shelf.

The closest direct 7mm case is the 280 Rem which is almost a match for the 30-06. The 30-06 case can just deliver a little more energy than the 280R. Look here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.280_Remington

If you want a great 30cal then I can recommend the 30-06AI shooting the Berger 200gr hybrids. I fireform Lapua 30-06 brass and the cases are super strong. Accuracy is as good as my Shehane shooting the 180gr hybrids but barrel life should be much better. Case life with the 30-06 Lapua brass looks like its going to be far in excess of the 10 loadings available with the Shehane. Zero head expansion so far in testing loads out to 2900+ fps with the 200 grainers.

Ian

[bsouthernau]

Thanks Alan and Ian. Plenty of food for thought. I'm not hell-bent on a 7mm and a 30cal has some attractions inasmuch as I already have a selection of suitable .308win barrels and bullets. Just rechamber and get some dies and brass.

[Matt P]

The 280AI and the 7mmx06 AI are different, the 06 has a longer neck and smaller case capacity, probably making it the ideal 7mm but dies would have to custom made and no ready to go cases, the reason I went for the 280 was simply at the time I could get 280RWS cases, and not 30-06 and I would have to either make or get made dies, one thing when contemplating use any of the 06 family of cases nearly all measure around 0.466" at the base (doesn't seem to matter what brand) and most SSAMI spec reamers cut a 0.471" chamber, now whether this will make a difference to primer pocket life I can't comment but I speced my reamer to cut 0.469".
Hope that helps .
Matt P