162 Gr HHT 7mm PRC

[Ndravetsky]

Has anyone tried the 162 grain HHT in the 7mm PRC yet? I’ve got N560 and H4831SC. I’m thinking around 62-63 grains for a starting load?

 

[gltaylor]

No data yet on the 162. There's data for the 170 to go by.

 

[Ndravetsky]

No data yet on the 162. There's data for the 170 to go by.

Thank you.

 

[Schmo]

Hey man, I’m interested in your results. I’m between the 153 HHT & the 162 HHT. I know either of them will be able to be pushed pretty fast!

 

[Ndravetsky]

Hey man, I’m interested in your results. I’m between the 153 HHT & the 162 HHT. I know either of them will be able to be pushed pretty fast!

I will post some results once I get set up. Just moved into a new house so all of my reloading stuff isn’t set up yet. I’m like you. I’m on the fence between the 153 and the 162.

 

[Bleeb]

I will post some results once I get set up. Just moved into a new house so all of my reloading stuff isn’t set up yet. I’m like you. I’m on the fence between the 153 and the 162.

I'm loading some up right now. I'm starting with 69gr Staball HD and working up to 71gr. I'll run down to the field and shoot some thru the chrony and post up later. I'm going to start with a 0.30" jump. The SAAMI freebore in the 7 PRC is 0.233". Jam for my rifle is 3.3505"

 

[Ndravetsky]

I'm loading some up right now. I'm starting with 69gr Staball HD and working up to 71gr. I'll run down to the field and shoot some thru the chrony and post up later. I'm going to start with a 0.30" jump. The SAAMI freebore in the 7 PRC is 0.233". Jam for my rifle is 3.3505"

Heck yeah. Let me know. I’m chomping at the bit to make a load. ( just moved. Hopefully getting my bench set up this weekend and back together)

 

[Bleeb]

Ok. I loaded up Staball HD from 69gr to 71gr in 0.5gr increments. Length with the 162gr HHT was 2.6645" BTO. I sorted the bullets by weight, and the variance in the lot was 0.1gr. I shot the lighter 162.4gr projectiles. Brass is once-fired Hornady bushing sized with 0.002 neck tension, and the primers are Fed 215s. The seating effort was typical of what I feel at that neck tension.

My rifle is a left-handed Savage 110 Ultralite with a 22" Proof barrel, stock stock, SRS Lil Chub brake, with about 130 rounds down the tube. The barrel was not cleaned for the last 15-20 rounds.

Temp is 34 dungarees frankenstein, with winds from the 2 o'clock at 15mph with gusts to 25mph+. So I shot at my 100 yard target, as I was only interested in velocity and pressure. My chrony bipod fell over twice, so I weighed it down with my ......uh......staplegun. The wood target blew over after shot #3. Dang! My fingers got cold quickly.

The numbers:
69gr - 2899fps
69.5 - 2911
70 - 2882
70.5 - 2945
71 - 2919

First, this is a small sample group, and needs further testing. The yo-yo velocity result is interdasting.
Second, the group was fairly vertical at about 2 inch top to bottom.
Third, I had no pressure signs at all. I run 175gr ABLRs at 71.2gr of Staball HD @2900fps, and I didn't expect any with the lighter copper solid.

We expect 3-6" of snow tomorrow, so it'll be a few days before I will get out and shoot. It'll melt fast.

 

[Steve Davis]

My 26" barrel 7 prc built on a Tikka, so only able to seat out to 3.25" oal, got stiff bolt at 70gr with the 170gr HHT. Got about 150 fps more with rl26. Looking forward to your results.

 

[LightTheTower]

W

Ok. I loaded up Staball HD from 69gr to 71gr in 0.5gr increments. Length with the 162gr HHT was 2.6645" BTO. I sorted the bullets by weight, and the variance in the lot was 0.1gr. I shot the lighter 162.4gr projectiles. Brass is once-fired Hornady bushing sized with 0.002 neck tension, and the primers are Fed 215s. The seating effort was typical of what I feel at that neck tension.

My rifle is a left-handed Savage 110 Ultralite with a 22" Proof barrel, stock stock, SRS Lil Chub brake, with about 130 rounds down the tube. The barrel was not cleaned for the last 15-20 rounds.

Temp is 34 dungarees frankenstein, with winds from the 2 o'clock at 15mph with gusts to 25mph+. So I shot at my 100 yard target, as I was only interested in velocity and pressure. My chrony bipod fell over twice, so I weighed it down with my ......uh......staplegun. The wood target blew over after shot #3. Dang! My fingers got cold quickly.

The numbers:
69gr - 2899fps
69.5 - 2911
70 - 2882
70.5 - 2945
71 - 2919

First, this is a small sample group, and needs further testing. The yo-yo velocity result is interdasting.
Second, the group was fairly vertical at about 2 inch top to bottom.
Third, I had no pressure signs at all. I run 175gr ABLRs at 71.2gr of Staball HD @2900fps, and I didn't expect any with the lighter copper solid.

We expect 3-6" of snow tomorrow, so it'll be a few days before I will get out and shoot. It'll melt fast.

What’s case fill like at +/- 70 grains?

 

[Bleeb]

My 26" barrel 7 prc built on a Tikka, so only able to seat out to 3.25" oal, got stiff bolt at 70gr with the 170gr HHT. Got about 150 fps more with rl26. Looking forward to your results.

W

What’s case fill like at +/- 70 grains?

Probably 92-94%

 

[Bleeb]

My 26" barrel 7 prc built on a Tikka, so only able to seat out to 3.25" oal, got stiff bolt at 70gr with the 170gr HHT. Got about 150 fps more with rl26. Looking forward to your results.

RL26 is pixie dust. I can't get my hands on it. I have 1/3# of Norma MRP on the shelf which I used in the 340 Wby. I may try that as it's a little faster than Staball HD, RL26 H1000, 7828ssc, etc, but the problem is Norma MRP is more unobtanium than RL26! Heck, I might as well try it lest it just sits there forever.

 

[LightTheTower]

Probably 92-94%

Erratic velocities are puzzling then.

 

[Steve Davis]

Ok. I loaded up Staball HD from 69gr to 71gr in 0.5gr increments. Length with the 162gr HHT was 2.6645" BTO. I sorted the bullets by weight, and the variance in the lot was 0.1gr. I shot the lighter 162.4gr projectiles. Brass is once-fired Hornady bushing sized with 0.002 neck tension, and the primers are Fed 215s. The seating effort was typical of what I feel at that neck tension.

My rifle is a left-handed Savage 110 Ultralite with a 22" Proof barrel, stock stock, SRS Lil Chub brake, with about 130 rounds down the tube. The barrel was not cleaned for the last 15-20 rounds.

Temp is 34 dungarees frankenstein, with winds from the 2 o'clock at 15mph with gusts to 25mph+. So I shot at my 100 yard target, as I was only interested in velocity and pressure. My chrony bipod fell over twice, so I weighed it down with my ......uh......staplegun. The wood target blew over after shot #3. Dang! My fingers got cold quickly.

The numbers:
69gr - 2899fps
69.5 - 2911
70 - 2882
70.5 - 2945
71 - 2919

First, this is a small sample group, and needs further testing. The yo-yo velocity result is interdasting.
Second, the group was fairly vertical at about 2 inch top to bottom.
Third, I had no pressure signs at all. I run 175gr ABLRs at 71.2gr of Staball HD @2900fps, and I didn't expect any with the lighter copper solid.

We expect 3-6" of snow tomorrow, so it'll be a few days before I will get out and shoot. It'll melt fast.

I wonder if your barrel is short for the slow powder?

 

[Bleeb]

Erratic velocities are puzzling then.

I cannot make any statistical determination from 1 round at each powder weight. Next test using Staball HD will be 3-round groups from 70.5 to 71.5gr.

 

[Bleeb]

I wonder if your barrel is short for the slow powder?

That's what I am thinking too. I'll do some 3-round groups with Staball HD to get a better idea. I may be getting incomplete and therefore inconsistent burns leading to yo-yo velocities. I have a bunch of 4831sc and N165 to try along with the MRP if the next test fails to produce.

 

[Ndravetsky]

Thanks for posting the results. Im curious how the 4831sc will work. I have N560 I want to try first and if it sucks, i'll probably switch to the 4831sc.

 

[Steve Davis]

Thanks for posting the results. Im curious how the 4831sc will work. I have N560 I want to try first and if it sucks, i'll probably switch to the 4831sc.

I think those are both a good bet. Particularly in the shorter barrels.

 

[Bleeb]

Dag Nabbit! I have to know now, lol.

I loaded up 3 rounds each of Staball HD of 70.5gr and 71gr, and am going down to the field to shoot. I seated them a bit deeper for a COAL of 3.3120".

Stand by.

 

[Bleeb]

BTW Steve, I am amazed that I ordered these HHTs Monday after talking to Brian and received them Wednesday from clear across the country! You have a fit operation there! Thanks!