7mm Dakota

xphunter

Well-known member



9T 7mm Dakota with H-S Precision center-grip stock, Brux barrel, Holland's Radial Baffle brake. Work finished up by Michael DeLoach at Nine Run Gun. Leupold Mark 4 FFP 6.5-20 with Holland's ART MOA reticle.
Retumbo and 180 Hybrids. Long Range big game rig.
 
Originally Posted By: Smokin250ERNIE! I need to come out and play some time! Another fine piece!
Well....Start driving
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Originally Posted By: sandy hicksAwesome. I would love to shoot that thing. How do you adjust to the rifle scopes on your handguns? 16 inches plus the break?

You get your eye up there really really close Sandy.
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Originally Posted By: pyscodogOriginally Posted By: sandy hicksAwesome. I would love to shoot that thing. How do you adjust to the rifle scopes on your handguns? 16 inches plus the break?

You get your eye up there really really close Sandy.
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7 SAUM XP when Erik was either 17 or 18 years old.
He doesn't have a heavy hold on the grip.
I like Holland Radial Baffle Brakes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_FbsGLxxw8&index=27&list=FLfEoqqK-q7iARmKwk742NZg
 
Originally Posted By: xphunterChanged my mind. I am going to start with the 175 grain Hornady ELD-X, instead of the 180 Berger Hybrid.

I'm assuming you're running a 1-8tw barrel, yes?

Have you by chance given a look at the new Sierra 183 MK they came out with last fall? It's only a tick heavier than the Berger but has a BC of .713 compared to the Berger and Hornady's .660 It's about 30 thou longer than the ELD-X 175 also.

But in that size case the ELD-X 175 could very well be the hot ticket.
 
Originally Posted By: B23Originally Posted By: xphunterChanged my mind. I am going to start with the 175 grain Hornady ELD-X, instead of the 180 Berger Hybrid.

I'm assuming you're running a 1-8tw barrel, yes?

Have you by chance given a look at the new Sierra 183 MK they came out with last fall? It's only a tick heavier than the Berger but has a BC of .713 compared to the Berger and Hornady's .660 It's about 30 thou longer than the ELD-X 175 also.

But in that size case the ELD-X 175 could very well be the hot ticket.

Not a 8T, but maybe a 8.5, I know it is at least a 9T.
I know several that are running 9T on 7RM's and they keep accuracy out to 2K, so I am not concerned about stabilization.
If, for some reason, it is not stable, I will use the 180 Hybrid's.
This is a hunting rig, so I don't plan on using the Sierra.
I have a bud that shoots F-Open that uses the Sierra's and really likes them.
 
Do you prefer the center grip for control or it just used to keep the gun shorter?

I shoud have left that handgun article closed. Makes me want to drag my handguns back out of the safe.
 
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I like it for balance/handling and it gives me just a tad more room to straighten out compared to using a rear grip
 
Originally Posted By: xphunterChanged my mind. I am going to start with the 175 grain Hornady ELD-X, instead of the 180 Berger Hybrid.

Curious, since you mentioned this is going to be a hunting rig, what made you decide to give the 175 ELD-X a go over the Berger Hunting VLD 180's? Was it bullet design and characteristics you like better about the ELD-X or that you can likely shoot it a little faster due to it weighing slightly less but has an equal BC to the 180 Berger or???

No right or wrong answer, only curious as to why you chose one over the other is all.

I'm curently in the process of having a 7mm built myself and the usable case capacity is nearly the same as your Dakota. I've been on the fence as to which bullet, 175 ELD-X or 180 Hunting VLD, to try first. As of now, I'm about 60/40 ELD-X but I don't think you could go wrong with either. That new 183 SMK is pretty impressive looking but like you, the 7mm I'm having built will be for hunting and I'm concerned that 183SMK won't really open up and will pencil straight through.

I'm getting old so my memory isn't what it once was but weren't you looking at building a 28 Nosler at one time and shooting the Berger 195's or did that project turn into the 7mm Dakota w/175's that you're doing now? If you built the 28 Nosler how did it turn out and what bullet did you end up using? If I have you mixed up with someone else, my bad, disregard and carry on.
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I have the 28 Nosler rifle with a 8.5 twist Brux, set-up for the 195's. I haven't got it running yet.

Going with the 175 as my primary on the XP, for it's ability to work at lower impact velocities and likely have a more reliable expansion in the front half of the bullet over the Berger 180 Hybrid or VLD
 
Originally Posted By: xphunterI have the 28 Nosler rifle with a 8.5 twist Brux, set-up for the 195's. I haven't got it running yet.

Going with the 175 as my primary on the XP, for it's ability to work at lower impact velocities and likely have a more reliable expansion in the front half of the bullet over the Berger 180 Hybrid or VLD


LOL I can appreciate that, to many new projects and not enough time. That's ok, I think there are a lot worse problems to have.
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I'm leaning toward the 175 ELD-X myself so I'll be interested in reading about how they work out for you. Do you by chance have a powder you plan to start with and if so do you mind saying what it is? I'd think RL33, H1000, or maybe that new IMR7977 Enduron would possibly be good choices.
 
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