I shot my first batch zeroing handloads today. I had put 100 rounds breaking in and just shooting of some cheap ammo prior to today’s shootings.

Rifle: My 7mm STW which is cobbled together on a Winchester Model 70 Classic Action, Brown green fiberglass stock, and some unknown 26 inch barrel. The rifle and action is cerekoted. I really do not care for cerekoting, but it came with the rifle. I bought it as a relatively cheap controlled round feed 7mm STW. Cobbled together is the right description.

Load: 160 grain Accubond in new Nosler ( I here it is Norma brass).

Temperature: Started 76 F and at the end dropped to 73 F.

Range: 100 yards on my Leupold 1600.

Scope: Leupold VX 5HD, 3-15x44 with 30mm tube and fire dot.

Target: One inch grid over deer vitals with neck and jugular.

The rest off hand on my BOG POD tripod.

I fired nine rounds the velocity on my Magneto Speed bayonet chronograph was as follows:

3182, 3212, 3195, 3198, 3235, 3239, 3204, and 3195. The average was 3,207.375 fps.

If we use 3,207 fpe is equal to 3,654 feet per square inch.

My first two shots were evaluation wise good. The were 1 1/4 inch apart but six inches fro center. I moved right 24 clicks. I shot three more and shot a 1 inch group about an inch off the zero line.

The next three shots I shot for the heart grid. The group is 1 1/2 (actually one notch under and less than 1 inch from the center line. The last shot is just off the center line.

I honestly do not think I can shoot consistently better than this. I have done better a few times, but not often. See my 270 reports. I think this rifle is a little less accurate than my 270s, but more than adequate, and as accurate as I can be on any given day.

There is a good deal of movement off the sticks, so I am going to call the left and right good.

Does anyone know with these numbers what my mathematical Zero is? If any one wants to see the target or rifle, just pm me an email address or IPhone number.

The elevation is about 3,800 feet above sea level.

All groups were measured from the farthest points on the bullet holes.

I love the fire dot and with 15 power I could see bullet holes from my shooting position.

Why did I quit on the ninth shot. Well, I do not think the 7mm STW kicks. It is loud, but does not kick. On the ninth round I started to feel it, and for once believed desecration was the better part of valor.

Thank you all.

It is unclear relative to the point of aim how high or low your group was impacting.

Please advise.

The groups were impacting 2 inches high above aim point. This is appropriate given the wobble.

Given all those parameters (including 3500 ft of elevation and 82% humidity) and assuming your scope center is 1.5 inches above the bore,

You are:

+.7 @ 50

+2 @ 100

+2.3 @ 150

+1.7 @ 200

0 @ 250

-2.8 @ 300

-6.8 @ 350

-11.9 @ 400

-18.4 @ 450

-26.3 @ 500


I would shoot a group at 50 & 150 and then a last group as far as you can at a know distance from as solid a rest as possible to try to confirm these.

A pair of portable Big Box folding saw horses and 3ft x 3ft piece of 3/4 inch plywood works good in a pinch and is fairly portable shooting table.

Use 3/4 inch as the weight of the plywood helps hold things in place.

Not bad numbers. You are wise to know when to quit.

Shooting til it hurts is not conducive to accuracy.

BH63

Had coolish weather today, I picked up a small sturdy table and made some sand bags. I used a target provide to me by a member here that has a black inch aiming point and inch grids. Thank you to this member.

I shot 14 rounds. I still am not locked down. But the first group from outside edge to outside edge was 1 1/4 inch for three shots.

The second group was 1 1/2 from outside edge to outside edge.

The third group was right at 1 inch outside edge to out side edge. The 14th shot centered this group.

The 15th shot off sticks cut the center of this group almost perfectly on top the center round.

The 15 shot vaporized a clay off sticks.

All was not perfect. I got fast and a little fatigued and pulled 2 shots almost horizontally in line 7 inches apart. Took a break and shot the last five slowly for me as much as the rifle.

Can’t wait to next weekend.

Yards: 100
Weather: 83

All measures were from outside edge of farthest apart shots.

This is my third target. Forgive me for not providing the play by play of the Second Round.

That's good numbers with the 160gr Accubond.I getting very close to those numbers with 77.0grs of Reloader-22.I need to pull mine out someday and see how it does with Reloader-26.That Powder is working really good in my 7mag,I think it will produce excellent results with 78.0-78.5grs.

Good luck on your hunting trip! Can't wait to hear the story and see the photos!!!