MACCA - 1st 7mm RUM Field Test

Hey MACCA  >>  Told ya I'd give a report on how the first test on varmints went with the 7mm RUM so here goes.

We got up to the chucks Friday afternoon.  The RUM was zeroed at 575 yds. with the drop chart worked up for the mil dots out to 1000 yds.  I was the only one of the group who had not "officially" gotten into the 500 yd. club, since we all had joined the Varmint Hunters Ass., so I was going to get the majority of the shots.  The wind was going to make things hairy, as we were set up shooting from East to West with the crosswind almost directly North to the South.  Not good.  From this position, shots to several intended targets were ranged at 880 yds. out to 925 yds.  Using the drop chart and doping for the breeze, getting within 6" or so was had several times, but no success.  The heat of the day had thermals making things a little dicey, as well.  I still had to deal with a case neck and bullet run out problem so I only took 15 loaded rounds with me on this test run.  Getting low on ammo from this position, we thought we'd try and change things up a bit.

We moved so that we were shooting North to South with the wind and the predictability of things leveled out a great deal.  Shots were much shorter, though.  By this time I had 4 rounds left.  4 shots taken out to 700 yds, 2 left blood trails back to their holes and one was recovered at a ranged 615 yds. that got me into the club with the RUM.  It has always amazed me how much punishment these little creatures can take and still get to their holes so there is no recovery.  Anyway, will submit all the data, with the 2 other family members that succeeded before me, when my pictures are developed.

I have been working on the run out problem this week and have a group of rounds put together in the 1's and 2's, rather than the 4's to 7's I had before.  Those Forester Competition sizing and seating dies did their job well.  We'll see how it all comes together this next weekend.  Gonna get up there just before the sun comes up.  Usually dead calm at this time of morning.  And shouldn't have to deal with the thermals clouding the picture either.  Will back up from our original position and stretch things out to that 1000 yd. range.

Little side note, this has all been with the relative mundane BC of that 140 gr. Ballistic SilverTip (.485).  I'm in the process now of getting info. on a 156 gr. .284 custom made bullet from a fella out of California.  I know very little about it right now but the BC is claimed to be around .615 and everyone's talking about it like it's the best kept secret for longer range shooting and hunting.  Folks claiming it's a dream on the antelope and deer.  Waiting for more info. but certainly wouldn't mind reworking a load in this RUM around a bullet with a .6+ BC.  Cut my current drift by a HUGE margin.  Anyway, looking forward to this weekend.  Chat with you later.  >>  klallen