Tested 7/300wsm old Hart barrel

Well just for the fun of it I loaded up some different bullets to test out of 27 inch barrel which has a 1-9 twist barrel. This barrel was made in 1976 and it still looks good.  I loaded up the following bullets all with H1000 powder.

162gr Amax with long aluminum tip very first version. Sierra 175gr SMK very first patch every made got these for free from Sierra to test years ago since they didn't have a 1k range. and the Berger 180gr VLD

The 30 inch barrel turned up 2950fps with 66.2grs H1000 and a 180 Berger VLD  the 27 inch barrel went 2920fps  Cases were sticky in the Krieger came out easy in the Hart

175gr SMK went 2960fps from the 27 inch barrel and the 162gr Amax went 3080fps with no extraction problems  

The 180grVLD didn't shoot to good jammed might shot better jumping .020 or .030  the 175gr SMK shot very good  at 100 yards don't know if that will hold up at longer distances.  the 162gr Amax not great but they were jammed it may shoot better jumping also because of the Secant Ogive.  If I wanted speed with the 162gr Amax I would go to RL26 and probably get 3200fps'

Bottom line the 30 inch barrel really doesn't produce much a velocity increase over a 27 inch barrel probably 26 inches would work fine. 

I wanted to call Krieger about the barrel but got side tracked tomorrow is another day.