After wresting the LV rig out of BIG MIKE's grubby hands following his latest escapade, I decided it was time to dust off the ol' Oehler and run the remaining 12 rounds over the screens to see what the velocity was - here's what came about . . .

Morrison 1:18" , cut and crowned @ 22" - chamber features ZERO free bore  and a 1.75 Deg. throat angle (3.5 Deg. included). Charge weight 34.8 Gr. H-4198(extreme) - this is a FULL case ;  Bullet - BIB 118 ten ogive (moly coated); Primer - WSM; brass 7mm BR Rem; Loaded round NK diameter @ .3282" (across bullet base) for chamber NK diameter of .330"; "jam-seat" @ 0.015" with neck tension established via .324" NK bushing. 40 Deg. F @ 70% Relative Humidity. Five foot screen spacing, velocities as recorded with the screens centered 15 Ft. from the muzzle - not corrected for true MV.

The fouler shot (cold/clean BBL) registered 2965FPS - 60 FPS under the average of the next 11 shots, which was 3025 FPS, with an extreme spread of 27 FPS: 3012 - 3039FPS. On Tuesday, BIG MIKE "trekked"(HIS misuse of the language - I'd say he "HAULED ^&#*@ "! ) up to Terry's to shoot a postal event score- HE managed to shoot a 250-22X (possibly a 23x - if the scorer still loves him) with this rifle/load combination.

For comparison, using the same MC bullet  launched by 42.5 Gr. of Brigadier 3032 via my 30x47HBR rifles, under varying conditions, but  with similar BBL lengths ( 21-22.5") has produced velocities between 3020 and 3050 FPS. So, increasing the charge weight, thus energy, roughly 22% [over the BR] results in the 30x47HBR pretty much just maintaining the velocity - indeed, with the lighter 30 caliber bullet weights, the BR capacity IS quite effecient. Having been fired several times now, these Remington cases, which unfired, measure .464-.4645" have expanded to .468-.4685" at the web, while according to the reamer print, the chamber should measure .4707" at .200" ahead of the bolt face - primer pockes have remained tight.

Comparing these latest 30BR velocities with those recorded from the 24" Morrison 1:18" [on the HV rig] leaves not much doubt that, with this expansion ratio and powder burning rate, an inch of barrel is worth about 12-15 FPS. According to Dan Lilja, shortening a HV barrel from 24" to 22" results in a full 33% INCREASE in stiffness (less droop) - something to consider for the next barrel??

As is usual, DO NOT use this load info without working up form safely below; though safe in my rifles, it may not be in yours.

Keep 'em ON the X! R.G.