Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 7mm Rem and the Berger VLD -- what gives?

I've been trying to work up a load in my 7mm Rem Sendero using the 168 Berger VLD and Retumbo. Long story short, I'm repeatedly coming in just under 1 MOA. After much experimentation, 70.5 grains seems to be optimum in my rifle. Initial results were best with the bullet 0.010" off the lands. That's the first picture, and it's fairly representative of what I'm seeing. It wants to perform, but there's always that stray shot or two that just won't stay with the group.

Berger recommends experimenting with COAL at 0.010, 0.050, 0.090, and 0.130 off the lands to see whether the VLD likes more jump. They suggest that one of these will outshine the others by a wide margin. Well, the second photo shows the results of that test. Holding everything else constant, from left to right, top to bottom, you can see I gradually moved seating depth out from 0.010 to 0.130 off the lands. There are six shots per group (two three-shot groups fired at the same target).

I'd be hard pressed to tell a difference between them. They're all around MOA, and 3 of 4 are 0.9" or better for six shots. Not bad, but this gun will make one ragged hole with the right load. Not sure whether to try a slightly faster powder, different primer, etc.? All brass is PFL, and every possible step that can be taken to uniform the brass (including culling by weight, neck-wall thickness, and runout) has been taken.

Ideas? Loading into the lands is not an option. And please...don't suggest that I just "go hunt." I have other rifles with which I can just "go hunt."

How about fine tuning the seating depth? Choose the group that shot the best and move the bullet in and out .005", .010", .015" to see if there is a trend. You might be able to tighten up the groups with no other changes.

This is a factory package right? Using a inch pound torque wrench to tighten action screws the recommended torque. I did this with a 7 RUM Sendaro and it tightened up the groups. It has been a while since I owned that rifle, cannot remember the recommended torque. Thinking it was 70 in/lbs but not positive.

Have you carefully inspected the crown? I have seen 1 MOA groups reduce to 1/2 MOA just by freshening up a crown.

Keep us informed on your progress.

I don't know much about reloading but maybe trying the next accurate charge down(whatever that was since 70.5 was the best) and messing with the distance off the lands and see if you get a better result with it. Might be the cheapest and easiest first thing to do.
Then again you can try a different primer since primers are fairly cheap when compared to buying a new powder.

I am currently working a load up with a buddy of mine leading the way. Shooting 154 interbonds with retumbo. Before I change my powder (if I need to), I would prefer to change OAL, then primer, and finally powder before I change bullets.
I hear and read about good results with H1000 about as much as I do with Retumbo with the Bergers.

I am just answering this from what I percieve to be the easiest and most cost effective steps first.

Kique

At some point, I'll just give up on the VLD. I can't see racking up a round count of 200 on this barrel just to get the VLD to print.