7MM 168 GR Berger classic hunter in 7mm-08 CBI

[et]

Hello everybody I was looking for a little bit of info. Well maybe some confirmation. I have recently put a 26" 7-08 CBI on an older flat back model 10 and was planning on shooting the classic hunter 168 gr bergers. Has anyone loaded these before in a 7-08 or more specifically a CBI 7-08? After using the hornady OAL gauge it put my lands at 2.800" with the berger classic hunters. That just so happens to be the SAAMI spec for a 168 gr in 7-08 maybe I'm confused but I kind of thought that I would be able to load a little bit longer considering its not a factory barrel. I have done my first round of testing at this length which is just kissing the lands and I have good hopes for this round, loaded up three each at 40, 40.5, 41, 41.5, 42, 42.5 and 43 of IMR 4350 and havent reached any pressure signs yet. The Berger manual says 42 of IMR 4350 as max for the vld and my lyman book says 45 for max with a smk in 168. All testing was done at 300 yds with 40.5 and 41.5 showing great results. 40.5 had a 1.1" ctc group with two touching and the third about an inch higher. 41.5 had two rounds at the same vertical and i pulled the third right but it was within .5" vertical of the others.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8262/8653874806_7ac099386a.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/65929467@N02/8653874806/)
41.5 grs IMR 4350 2.800 OAL 300 yds
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8115/8652771517_40648bd9e7.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/65929467@N02/8652771517/)
40.5 grs IMR 4350 2.800 OAL 300 yds
Seems like I've been rambling on a little bit and sorry for that. i guess my question is...does it seem like my barrel has a short free bore if im only able to get 2.800" oal at the lands? Am I going to have any issues running this load at this oal? Should I expect to reach pressure sooner running this load at the lands because I would like to get around 2700 fps without any issues. Thank you for any and all input on any of the matters I seemed to have rambled about.

[Jamie]

For me, the simple answer would be, if I got 1.1" groups at 300 yards, I would not worry about velocity at all.

The other answer is, it seems your throat was set up to run the 168s and lighter. You have hit no pressure signs, it seems to be at SAMI specs for the 168, I 'd say it is like it is supposed to be. What is your current velocity?

[et]

Thanks for the reply Jamie. According to the berger book that 40.5 should be mid to high 2400 fps. It lists 42 as max at 2565 in a 24" barrel and mine is a 26" so is might be at 2500 fps. The plan was to get an accuracy load first then see what fps it was. Dont have a chrono yet so was going to have to borrow a buddies once I figured out an accuracy load. going back to the range today to see when pressure shows up. got some loaded up all the way to 45.