I am considering whether to add a 7x64 to my collection. I'm not totally recoil-averse, but equally I don't see the need to get knocked around for no good reason. So, does anyone out there have good experience of loading for this round with, say, bullet weights in the region of 120grs?

The rifle in question will be a modern Sako, twist rate 1-10. My personal preference would be to use Vihtavuori powder. So any experience of this combination would be especially welcome.

Patrick

Hi Patrick,
A friend of mine is coming over from France with his new browning 7x64 at Christmas. we are going to load some light bullets 120gn hornady, he has had a problem with heavier loads that wouldn't group under 6".
so will let you know!

Griff

ps. he says that if we can't get it to group its up for sale!!!!

Hi,

years ago I tried to work up a full power hunting load with a 145grs GS and N160.
The cartridge is IMO not built for light and very light bullets loaded to high velocities.

Markus

Parick, a very fine and accurate load, at least in my rifle,is 58 Gr. of N160 with 140 Gr Sierra, overall-length is 84 mm.
V0 =+-880 m/s. 24 inch barrel.
This loading can be stepped up a lot,but what is the use.
With N 550 it is possible to get about 20m/s more with about the same pressure,but never done it myself.Hope this helps.
Hugh.

Patrick,
Most 7x64's have a 1-9 twists, meant to stabilize bullets > 140 gn. This was confirmed in the 3 rifles I have/had and all shot way better with bullets in the 160-175 class. Maybe you could make light bullets shoot out of a 1-10" ; it's worth a try. About recoil, the 7x64 is quite soft on the shoulder and, being its ballistic twin, the kick is comparable to the .280 Rem

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Andr�

Thanks to all for the info. It seems that everyone has been finding satisfactory results around the 140 mark - a little more than I had hoped for.

I'm still tempted by 120s - and looking at the data charts for the current Sako products, I am struck by a couple of things. They make 5 7mm rifles. Apart from the 7x64, these are: 7-08, Rem mag, Wby mag and STW. All the other 4 have a 1-9.5 twist, and the 7x64 is 1-10. Of the two types of ammunition they manufacture in 7x64, the lighter load is 120gr on top of 51.7 grains of N140. (Nice of them to put all this stuff in their sales brochure!) So in my mind at least, they must see some virtue in this projectile weight. And if it's good enough for them....

A final thought, and I know there is a lot of talk about twist rate, over-stabilisation and so-on. I have a Sako 75 in 6.5x55 - and that has a twist of 1-8. I stoke it up with 100gr BTs over 45grs of N550 and it loves that load. Shouldn't work though, should it? Should over-stabilise or somesuch.

The trouble is, and it's why I posted this topic, I want to be reasonably sure I can do what I intend to before parting with the money and buying the rifle. It's not a widely used round here, so the resale value of such a rifle would not be good.

Griff, I have only spoiled my lineup of Sakos with one other rifle, and that's a Mauser. I think that Browning would have to be very attractively priced! 6" groups sound absolutely awful, so please do let me know how he gets on.

Patrick

Patrick,

My best loads for the 7X64 are in the light bullet range. I have had excellent results with the 100gr Sierra HP Varminter, the 120gr Hornady FB Spitzer (used it on Springbok), and the 140gr Sierra Flat Base for target shooting, and baboons.

The latest bullet I'm testing is the 120gr GS Custom HV - very accurate - this will be my baboon and springbok round this year.

I don't know/not sure of the twist on my rifle (it is an M70 with a Shaw premium bbl.) I think it is 1:10. It certainly shoots the heavier bullets (160 - 175gr) OK as well. But for some strange reason 150gr bullets don't shoot well at all. (Must be me)

Cheers

Pete

Pete,

Thanks for that - just the sort of feedback I was hoping for. I think the purchase will go ahead, though probably not until next summer - I have to apply for permission to purchase in this calibre before I can buy one. That can take some time.

Best regards

Patrick

Hi Patrick
loaded some at the weekend here are the results:

primer. cci
case rws
powder 50gn n140
bullet 120gn hornady sp
col 3.290"
would of liked to have had them a bit longer but the browning would not eject a full round without it catching on the reciever.

shot three,three shot groups, apart from one flier all grouped within 3/4" nearly A cloverleaf but not quite.
have fun!

griff

Griff,

So I guess it's not going up for sale, then.

I assume you pal was pleased with this outcome?

Looks like I'd better put in for the variation anyhow.

Sako build the 7x64 in their action IV, which should be plenty large enough to avoid ejection issues.

Thanks for the information

Patrick

Patrick, 120 grain bullets will work in 7x64, one of the more popular factory loads for deer hunting is the RWS 8 G,KS.Just a little over 120 grains.
120 Gr. bullets will get around 970 m/s easily.
Hugh.

hi Patrick
I quote "definitely not for sale!"
he's chuffed to bits with it now!
I don't know what make of browning it was, it has a straight pull bolt and a plastic orange mag,and a 20" barrell.
nice looker, but the action seems a bit mickey mouse. the action will not allow a full round that is slightly longer to be ejected, I guess that the rifle was designed for woodland stalking with the european style brenneke bullets which are stumpy compared with the hornady.

griff

Griff, the rifle you're referring to is the Browning Acera. A Blaser R93 look alike, but without the finesse of the latter (Blaser has protected the best points of its design). Now the Acera costs half the price of the R93 too. What I really dislike about the Acera is that you cannot take out the bolt and are obliged to clean from the muzzle end, � la B.A.R.

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Andr�

Patrick

I have had a Sako 75 in 7x64 for a year. It is capable of great accuracy, and I find the recoil fine with bullets up to 162g (the heaviest I've used).

This load gives cloverleaf groups for me, and is very gentle to shoot:

58g N165 with 139g Hornady BTSP. It is very effective on fallow and roe, too.

Nick

Nick_S,

Welcome to the forums. It's good to see another UK shooter posting here. Thanks for the information on your loads. As you assume, I will be getting a model 75 (plod permitting), and from the sounds of it this will be a good round to go for.

Where do you get your brass from? The usual suppliers don't list it.

All the best

Patrick

Patrick

This looks like a good forum - I only just found it - it is good that some UK and European shooters use it.

Brass:

Reloading Solutions Direct in Oxford list new RWS, Norma (both v expensive) and Sellier & Bellot brass in their catalogue. I don't know if they have stocks or if they can order.

I have used once-fired RWS brass from a friend who also has a 7x64. I also visit France quite often, where 7x64 ammunition is readily available, and reuse the brass.

I notice you have a 6.5x55. This is also my other deer stalking calibre - a Lakelander in my case - but again I use quite heavy bullets - 140gr Hornadys.

I'll be interested to hear how the 7x64 performs when you get it. I have the impression that it is one of those inherently accurate rounds, and so quite easy to load for.

Nick