7MM PRC Barnes Loads

[Carnage2011]

Does anyone have a load that they really like with 168 grain barnes LRX or 160 grain LRX? I've done a bunch with Hammer Hunters and Hornady Eld-X but I'd like to try a few Barnes. If you have anything that you like let me know!

 

[CurrentTX]

Does anyone have a load that they really like with 168 grain barnes LRX or 160 grain LRX? I've done a bunch with Hammer Hunters and Hornady Eld-X but I'd like to try a few Barnes. If you have anything that you like let me know!

I know you posted this a while ago, but I am about to start load development for my 7 PRC. Here is the table I created for the work I will be doing with the 168-grain LRX. I am brand new to reloading, but I have been around it my whole life. I will take some good notes, see what I find, and keep you posted!

 

[Muskeez]

I had good groups with ELDX and H4831SC. Didn't get the magical number for speed but got 2850 ish and groups size trumped speed for me. It's a frustrating and rewarding game at the same time.

 

[CurrentTX]

I had good groups with ELDX and H4831SC. Didn't get the magical number for speed but got 2850 ish and groups size trumped speed for me. It's a frustrating and rewarding game at the same time.

Here are the first 8 rounds I loaded up and their velocities. Probably at my max already with N570, I am going to work up and group some loads with H1000, H4831SC, Staball HD, and N570 and see what happens.

 

[CurrentTX]

Some results after testing 9 shot ladder tests today. Gonna work up the ones that were similar in velocity and where they grouped on paper. H1000 and N570 look promising.

 

[Sheltowee]

Some results after testing 9 shot ladder tests today. Gonna work up the ones that were similar in velocity and where they grouped on paper. H1000 and N570 look promising.

How temp sensitive have you found the N560 to be relative to H1000?

 

[CurrentTX]

How temp sensitive have you found the N560 to be relative to H1000?

Still waiting on more bullets to come in to do further testing. The day I did the ladder testing it was 68 degree and 58%humidity, but those two powders showed the best grouping.

 

[CurrentTX]

Still waiting on more bullets to come in to do further testing. The day I did the ladder testing it was 68 degree and 58%humidity, but those two powders showed the best grouping.

I showed pressure signs a lot earlier with the N560, and very slight pressure signs with H 1000 at the top end. I’m hoping some higher quality brass reduces overall pressure.

 

[Sheltowee]

I showed pressure signs a lot earlier with the N560, and very slight pressure signs with H 1000 at the top end. I’m hoping some higher quality brass reduces overall pressure.

Interesting, thanks. I'm about to start experimenting with H1000 but N560 is an alternative that I'm considering.

 

[CurrentTX]

Interesting, thanks. I'm about to start experimenting with H1000 but N560 is an alternative that I'm considering.

Let me know what you find!

 

[Carnage2011]

I’ve been loading a bunch of 160 lrx with 68 grains of H1000 and magnum primers. Shooting great groups and pushing at 3026fps with no pressure. I started seeing pressure at 69 so I backed off.

 

[CurrentTX]

I’ve been loading a bunch of 160 lrx with 68 grains of H1000 and magnum primers. Shooting great groups and pushing at 3026fps with no pressure. I started seeing pressure at 69 so I backed off.

Barnes makes a great bullet, I may try that 160 later on, but that thing is flying at 3026!

 

[CurrentTX]

I finished load development with my 7 PRC, found a lot more successful grouping when I dropped the powder charges and sacrificed some velocity. I ended up with 62.4 gr of H4831sc in peterson brass shooting a 168 gr Barnes LRX.
2868 FPS
ES: 28.6
SD: 9.8
First picture is a 10 shot group at 100, second is a 4 shot group at 300, just over an inch.

 

[mauiarcher]

great groups. May have missed it but what rifle/barrel length? I have a 7 prc bergara on the way and looking for some load ideas. Have 4831sc presently and n560 en route which I heard can work well.

 

[CurrentTX]

great groups. May have missed it but what rifle/barrel length? I have a 7 prc bergara on the way and looking for some load ideas. Have 4831sc presently and n560 en route which I heard can work well.

Further testing in 100-degree heat to test load stability, this was shot with a 24" Proof Barrel out of a Sig Sauer Sawtooth. 20 shots @ 100 yards and 5 shots @ 300 yards. Stable through all temps i have tested and SD is 9.8 with the H4831SC. N560 was not burning evenly and was inconsistent for me.

 

[NM_Hawkeye]

did you try Staball HD or Grand?

 

[Cornbread]

Further testing in 100-degree heat to test load stability, this was shot with a 24" Proof Barrel out of a Sig Sauer Sawtooth. 20 shots @ 100 yards and 5 shots @ 300 yards. Stable through all temps i have tested and SD is 9.8 with the H4831SC. N560 was not burning evenly and was inconsistent for me.

Youre dialed in!!