The Practical Marksman

So I got a new 7WSM barrel for my Desert Tactical Arms Stealth Recon Scout and with ASC coming up I figured I might need to get a load worked up for it. Because of the compact size of the DTA platform, I wanted to go with a little bit longer barrel so I could achieve my desired velocity range without being too hard on the brass. It's a 28" barrel that I'll send out to get spiral fluted here soon and it had a Liberty Pandora brake/suppressor attachment. Even with a 28" barrel, it's still shorter than a Remington LTR with a 20" barrel. Balance of the rifle is perfect with this barrel and I am very fond of the contour. I think I'll be doing more of them in other calibers to complete my arsenal of barrels that I can use in this rifle. One thing to note, the impact shift from the .308 to the 7wsm is 3 MOA high and 3 MOA left. Not that hard to remember and very repeatable. I took the barrel out between break in groups to clean it and when I put it back in POA/POI did not change.

For the load, I'm using CCI Large Rifle Magnum primers in Winchester brass. The bullet is a Berger 168gr VLD Hunting bullet seated to 3.015 which is just into the lands enough there is the slightest bit of resistance when closing the bolt. It's not so hard in that I cannot eject the round and both of those aspects were important to me. Since I am using the 338/300WM magazines I can seat the bullets as long as I want them. As the throat erodes I'll just chase it with the bullet and adjust powder charge as needed. The 168gr bullets are leaving the barrel at 3055fps @ 12' from the muzzle as measured by my PVM-21 chronograph. The bullets have a published G1 BC of .617 and I have not yet confirmed that but it appears to have been confirmed by Brian Litz with a G7 BC of .316. I'll shoot it at longer distances to confirm that in my rifle at my AO.

After working up a load using Dan Newberry's OCW method, I loaded a few rounds to confirm the load. It's a 4 shot group and it measured 0.166" center to center and under .5" outside. I'm pretty pleased with the results.

If you're not getting your custom barrel conversions from Freedom Gunworks for your DTA rifles then you're missing out on some great shooting tubes!

That is a pretty small group kguns looks like the 7WSM will hunt!

For those concerned with feeding the 7WSM in the DTA, here is a little video clip. I also did a size comparison side by side with an 18" precision AR-15.

http://www.youtube.com/kgunz11#p/a/u/0/NXt58y05nU0

We need to work on your cinematography skills brotha.

FWIW, your sister (Stefanie) was dying with laughter when we got the closeup of your ugly mug.

All I'll say is DAMN!!!! 28" barrel the same OAL as an 18" AR.

Rich

Yeah well... I was cold and wind burned. It's tough being the camera guy, the producer, AND the star of the show all at the same time.

It's a pretty sweat little package. I just can't get over how well it balances and how comfortable it is too shoot unsupported!

Video was too large for YouTube so I had to break it down in segments.

Video 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IA2aeotl ... re=channel
Video 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XMqfWXS ... re=channel
Video 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QGh2oS3 ... re=channel
Video 4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6PL8ErD ... re=channel

I have M70 CFA in 7mm WSM and have achieved fairly decent results with that lashup.

The rifle:



The target:



Note the far left hit on the right target. That is what happens when you get over confident and pull a shot! 100 yards.

Winchester WLRM primer, Winchester brass, VVN165, 180 BERGER VLD.