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7mm Rem Mag confusion..........advice please

Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 7:27 pm
by Scotsgun
Right, I need some advice from the reloading gurus. I know very little beyond basic reloading so need some guidance on where to go next.

I recently bought a very underused Sako TRGS M995 in 7mm Rem Mag. Essentially a mate bought it and realised that he disliked the recoil. He downloaded the rounds, fitted a kick-eez pad and still found it unpleasant. Perhaps his other rifle being a 243 contributed. Anyway it collected dust a while and now it's mine.

Problem is that although barely shot-in, I'm underwhelmed by the accuracy. Yes it'll shoot MOA but nothing spectacular and I've noticed something strange. It'll shoot approx MOA at 100-250 and then it tightens up! It's like the bullets stabilise into a sweet spot. Continuing out to approx 500 before opening up. Only this morning I shot a 3-shot group at 500yds which was just over 3 inches. However I struggle to achieve this at 250 yds. It defies the laws of physics!

It's driving me nuts. I've tried all manner or bullets, powders and loads; right through from little 110gr to stupidly long and heavy Berger VLDs. God, VLDs. I could fill endless threads with my dramas with those buggers. Never again. Of them all, the most consistent bullets have proved to be 140gr Nosler Btips, 140 great Sierra products hunters and 139 Hornady SSTs. There really isn't much in it, so I chose to continue with the SSTs due to availability.

Powders. Most consistent for the SSTs and the other bullets of similar weight are 62gr of Vhit N560, 63grs of Ramshot Hunter and 74grs of Ramshot Magnum. Unless someone can advise otherwise and end my confusion, i'll keep with the Vhit N560 and the SSTs. However the important point is that the weird spot thing remains; the spot may shrink or grow in yds but the best is largely with the load chosen. I just need for it to 'stretch' down to 200yds and out to 1000. I got this rifle with the hope of it being my primary culling rifle.

Help. All sane advice gratefully received.

Re: 7mm Rem Mag confusion..........advice please

Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 7:51 pm
by dodgyrog
Is the barrel touching the channel in the stock at the forend?

Re: 7mm Rem Mag confusion..........advice please

Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 9:31 pm
by Scotsgun
Nope. Nor is the scope loose anywhere or the bedding rough. I'm starting to loose sleep over this one.

Re: 7mm Rem Mag confusion..........advice please

Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 10:32 pm
by Blu
Scotsgun, I had a very similar problem with a Tikka 270WSM and it turned out to be nothing to do with the ammunition mate. I won't say any more than that for now but will wait and see what advice is given and how you get on with it. Suffice to say I sorted the problem out and the rifle now shoots real sweet.

Blu :twisted:

Re: 7mm Rem Mag confusion..........advice please

Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 11:14 pm
by Graham M
How long is the barrel?
G.M.

Re: 7mm Rem Mag confusion..........advice please

Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2013 6:38 am
by ovenpaa
What is the barrel twist and are you shooting it with a suppressor?

Re: 7mm Rem Mag confusion..........advice please

Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2013 8:44 am
by tackb
Blu wrote:Scotsgun, I had a very similar problem with a Tikka 270WSM and it turned out to be nothing to do with the ammunition mate. I won't say any more than that for now but will wait and see what advice is given and how you get on with it. Suffice to say I sorted the problem out and the rifle now shoots real sweet.

Blu :twisted:
I don't get this post ? why not help him yet?

Re: 7mm Rem Mag confusion..........advice please

Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2013 9:00 am
by Blu
tackb wrote:
Blu wrote:Scotsgun, I had a very similar problem with a Tikka 270WSM and it turned out to be nothing to do with the ammunition mate. I won't say any more than that for now but will wait and see what advice is given and how you get on with it. Suffice to say I sorted the problem out and the rifle now shoots real sweet.

Blu :twisted:
I don't get this post ? why not help him yet?
Because I want the guy to explore every possible avenue before I throw in my tuppence worth and besides, even though I had a similar problem his may require a completely different solution. There are a lot of very knowledgeable folks on here way smarter than me, I'll pitch in when time comes and if needs be.

Blu :twisted:

Re: 7mm Rem Mag confusion..........advice please

Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2013 9:33 am
by tackb
fair enough , seems a little odd to me though?

Re: 7mm Rem Mag confusion..........advice please

Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2013 9:57 am
by Blu
tackb wrote:fair enough , seems a little odd to me though?
Makes perfect sense to me :grin:

Blu :twisted: