Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Range Report: 7mm Dakota and the 180 Berger VLD

Thought some might find this of interest....

Rifle is a Winchester 70 Classic Stainless, 24" Lilja #3

I had been working with Retumco, with less than satisfactory results.

Switched to H1000 last weekend. Range was 100 yards, temp was around 52 degrees.

74.5gr H1000 shot into .676, no velocity reading on Chrony

75.0gr .481, @ 3031 FPS

75.5gr .673 @ 3056 FPS

I then cleaned the rifle, and re-shot all three loads twice each this weekend.

The 74.5 gr load was up first, shot greater than MOA (clean barrel?)

75.0 gr Averaged 3071 fps, first group into .516, second group had a flyer that opened the group up to 1.376.

Without the flyer all three groups are sub .5 MOA, with the lowest spread and deviation of all loads.

75.5 gr averaged 3079, .734, .693......all three groups averaged .70.

Based upon the velocity between 75.0 and 75.5, this may be top end, although there were no pressure signs.

Plan on re-shooting 75.0 and 75.5 at 200 yards next session...

Good report Doug...velocities sound about right although I never worked with a 180 BERGER when I had a Dakota.I think you are about where you should be velocity wise.

Your powder charges are about identical to what I run in the Mashburn with a 175 NPT,but maybe a grain or so higher,and for about the same velocities from a 24 inch tube.

The Mashburn and Dakota are pretty much identical from a performance standpoint.

Bob,

I was a bit surprised at the 40 FPS difference with the 75.0 load, thought H1000 would be more consistent.

Could have been the sun playing with the chrony I guess.

Next range session will tell.

If at all possible load a 75.3 in the middle of that 75.0&75.5 and see what happens. And afterwards if you have them try all 3 loads with a different magnum primer Doug.....