7 mm rem mag or......

[NP435]

I've used various 7mmRM's over about 40 years . It is a really good cartridge . As to the belt , it's a non issue , actually it only became an issue in a few gun writers imaginations when they were shilling the newer beltless mags like the 300WSM a few years back . Set up your dies the same way you would a rimless , beltless round , it works fine . If you're looking for a potent long range round , it is just that . I actually prefer it to the 300WM , it kicks less for one , and it has ample power for most game , up to and including Moose and Elk . That being said , I recently built a 280AI on a Mauser 98 . It is ridiculously accurate and is close on the heels of the 7mmRM . It does it with less powder and you get two more in the mag . Personally , I couldn't choose between them . I think it would come down to what's available to you and whether the rifle fits you properly . Either one is an outstanding cartridge .

AB

Perfect reply! Many don't consider not setting shoulders back in belted cartridges so they stretch and fail. My choice for the OP would be 280 AI just because im that way.

 

[white van man]

7mm rem mag, sold mine and got a 30-06 which is fine, BUT I wish it was a 7mm rem mag.
Steve.

 

[stubear]

I once took a 7mm rem mag and a 300wm on a hog hunt in the states (seguine Texas) with another member off here - we both agreed that neither were much fun to shoot often and gave you a headache!

go 30-06 and you will have plenty of stopping power, bullet choice and never be undergunned.

regards,
Gixer

I thought that but they are heavier rifles. Certainly my wm is heavier than my .25-06 and they are the same model rifle.

I would also say stick a brake or mod on and it completely changes them. I had a mod on mine but I really didnt like the overall length or weight (26" barrel with a 300g 7" mod on the end got a bit unwieldy) so I put a brake on it and never looked back. OK you need to wear ear defenders but thats really not an issue, at least from my point of view.

 

[Jgray]

Get the 7mm REM mag!!! Great round...

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

I went through this
for me the appeal of a Magnum is the ability to throw heavy bullets at non magnum velocities

Unless you go semi custom the 7RM runs out of steam at 167-170gr
The 300wm keeps on going up to 220gr

on paper I just didnt see the point of a 7mm 150gr doing 3100 (Federal Factory) when I have a .270 doin that with a 130gr
step up to 162gr and the velocity of factory ammo will drop into 2900fps (Hornady Factory) 162gr SST Superformance claims 3030fps

300wm however chucks more lead faster that the 7mm version of the same case:
Hornady Precision Hunter 200gr - 2850fps
Hornady 180gr SST - 3130fps
Federal 180gr 2960fps
Federal 150gr Fusion 3200fps

the extra weight negates the "7mm BC is better" argument
bigger frontal area
bigger calibre for scoring on targets
more bang for buck

 

[gixer1]

I thought that but they are heavier rifles. Certainly my wm is heavier than my .25-06 and they are the same model rifle.

I would also say stick a brake or mod on and it completely changes them. I had a mod on mine but I really didnt like the overall length or weight (26" barrel with a 300g 7" mod on the end got a bit unwieldy) so I put a brake on it and never looked back. OK you need to wear ear defenders but thats really not an issue, at least from my point of view.

Due to being in the states - we couldn’t use a mod in our case and that may have made a big difference...but they were quite light rifles (one a Winchester and the other a Savage...

Regards,
Gixer

 

[Namman]

I used a 7mm Rem Mag for years , taking dozens of roe and fallow with Speer 130 gr spitzers and then 140 and 145 grainers. It was a "super .270". and was as flat shooting as a laser! I have used 160 grainers in Africa and have witnessed several friends using 175 grainers taking game as heavy as kudu bulls and zebras. It is a tremendously effective long range cartridge. Mine is now in semi retirement as I prefer my .300 Win Mag with 200gr partitions.

 

[Sinistral]

I thought that but they are heavier rifles. Certainly my wm is heavier than my .25-06 and they are the same model rifle.

I would also say stick a brake or mod on and it completely changes them. I had a mod on mine but I really didnt like the overall length or weight (26" barrel with a 300g 7" mod on the end got a bit unwieldy) so I put a brake on it and never looked back. OK you need to wear ear defenders but thats really not an issue, at least from my point of view.

Just a thought that as magnum barrels are usually longer then surely it's bound to be heavier?
Anyway, I'd go further and recommend an HB model for a rifle in 7mm Mag to reduce the recoil if there's a factory option. The extra weight tames it to the degree that it isn't essential to fit a brake or a mod.

I have a matching pair of Tikka M65 LH rifles in .308 and 7mm RM. Both have the same action length (.30/06) and an identical factory stock. The .308 has the standard 22" sporter barrel, and the 7mm RM the 25" Continental HB. There is a kilo or so difference between the two. Neither are moderated. Subjectively, the recoil from the 7mm feels about 10% heavier than the .308, which is no big deal.

I view the 7mm RM in a different light to the other magnums as an ultra .270. For instance, a .300 WM is more than anyone needs for UK stalking. Why take punishment you can avoid? I've watched bigger blokes than me flinch and wince firing factory 180gr loads in rifles of similar weight to mine. IMHO in comparison a .30 cal mag is just too much gun, which is another point in favour of the big 7.

 

[25 Sharps]

Just a thought that as magnum barrels are usually longer then surely it's bound to be heavier?
Anyway, I'd go further and recommend an HB model for a rifle in 7mm Mag to reduce the recoil if there's a factory option. The extra weight tames it to the degree that it isn't essential to fit a brake or a mod.

I have a matching pair of Tikka M65 LH rifles in .308 and 7mm RM. Both have the same action length (.30/06) and an identical factory stock. The .308 has the standard 22" sporter barrel, and the 7mm RM the 25" Continental HB. There is a kilo or so difference between the two. Neither are moderated. Subjectively, the recoil from the 7mm feels about 10% heavier than the .308, which is no big deal.

I view the 7mm RM in a different light to the other magnums as an ultra .270. For instance, a .300 WM is more than anyone needs for UK stalking. Why take punishment you can avoid? I've watched bigger blokes than me flinch and wince firing factory 180gr loads in rifles of similar weight to mine. IMHO in comparison a .30 cal mag is just too much gun, which is another point in favour of the big 7.

Whichever way I go it will be a heavy barrel, my creedmoor is a varmint barrel, no issues for me carrying.

 

[Maidment78]

I ended up getting my T3 rebarrelled and was looking at the 6.5x55 but was told to look at a 7mm due to the bc, I do range work and hunt and the heavy 175g eld-x looked the job, so I got a straight .284 win. 24” Bart barrel and it’s brilliant.

brass was a sod as no one made it so had to neck up 6.5x.284 but lapua make it now so I think it will make it seriously popular. A friend got the 300 wm and it’s lovely but very heavy and punchy where my .284 is quite pleasant (.308 plus a little level)

is it a light weight stalker? No, but it’s stupidly accurate and great fun.

just a thought.

 

[njc110381]

If you've always fancied a 7mm Rem Mag then get one. I've had numerous belted magnums, I've never had an issue with the belt and they've always shot well. Feed it with a fairly heavy for calibre premium bullet and it will knock over anything you care to point it at in the UK and most things abroad too. I really liked Nosler Accubond 160gr in my 7STW.

 

[icedog]

I have a 7mmRM which was an early love. It's a Voere, built on a 98 mauser, and has proven itself accurate and deadly over our 50+ year relationship. Early on in my reloading education, I set myself up for some case head separations by setting the shoulder back to far ... just something to watch for. The "7" still gets out from time to time, especially if I'm anticipating long shots in open country, but other loves have come along in the way of different firearms, different actions, and new to me cartridges. If your heart is speaking to you about the sweetness of a 7mmRM, I say follow your heart. The "7" will not disappoint.

 

[Selous]

Two more fell to the 7mm RM today, except more in keeping to its intended use. Two chest shots on two Roe at a smidge over 200m, neither deer moved at all after being hit.

 

[Uncas]

The trouble with magnums is the weight, you are going to end up with a 9 or 10lb rifle.
If you like lugging that around for a full day all so well and good, next is the length to get the best
from the cartridge you need a 24'' barrel minimum, and you can do exactly the same with a 7x64/280/284 with 140/150gr bullets.
your choice, but don't forget that if you accidently hit a shoulder with the 7mm RM there will be a lot of wasted meat.

 

[Namman]

The trouble with magnums is the weight, you are going to end up with a 9 or 10lb rifle.
If you like lugging that around for a full day all so well and good, next is the length to get the best
from the cartridge you need a 24'' barrel minimum, and you can do exactly the same with a 7x64/280/284 with 140/150gr bullets.
your choice, but don't forget that if you accidently hit a shoulder with the 7mm RM there will be a lot of wasted meat.

Hit a deer in the shoulder with most deer legal cartridges/bullets and you will get wasted meat. The beauty of magnums is their versatility especially with handloads.
I love my 7mm Rem Mag ( 130 to 175 grain bullets) and my .300 Win Mag (150 to 220 grain bullets).
However as you say your choice, but I know my preferences.

 

[John Gryphon]

I actually shot quite a few sambar this year with an `06 and sure they kill as they have done forever BUT they do not put big deer down with the authority that the 7mm RM does

Thats for you Ed in case you missed it...there is paper and there is a stags shoulder.

on paper I just didnt see the point of a 7mm 150gr doing 3100 (Federal Factory) when I have a .270 doin that with a 130gr

Thats a sambar stag neck hide and the reason why heavier bullets do it better.

 

[smokey]

Thinking of putting in a variation, have 2 6.5s and a 25-45 all conditioned for deer (plus a 7.5x55 but that is not really for stalking).

Most of my stalking is roe & munties as that is what I have on my ground but getting regular invites for lowland red and fallow so I want something a bit bigger (yes i know the 6.5s are capable but that is not what I'm asking).

I've pretty much always fancied the 7 mm Rem mag, RFD is pushing me toward the 300 win mag but having had a look around .280 AI is looking appealing. What's people experiences of should I just go for the rem mag as that's what I want? Will be reloading, is the belt really an issue?

Cheers

I spent a lot of time in Africa and NZ on culling operations and used bigger rifles i could not handle the recoil of the 300win mag i loved the 7rem mag i had 3 in total a BSA CF2 a Parker Hale 1200 and a beautiful Sauer i shot the Barrels out on all of them and a 30/06 BSA That i had re-barrelled as a 280 another superb gun all these rifles had heavy wood stocks and long barrels the long barrel is good for making the rifles comfortable to shoot PLEASE TRY TO TRY A SIMILAR GUN BEFORE BUYING I FIND RECOIL HURTS MY SHOOTING YOU MAY TO IF YOU GET THE WRONG RIFLE

 

[User00035]

I'll be putting in for a 7mm RM at some point on my present ticket. Looked into it a lot and what I learned is (as far as I can see) that there's little point going .300 WM over a 7 mm RM if it's for use in the UK. The 7 mm fires .284 cal bullets and 300 WM is .308, and so the 300 will handle heavier bullet weights. Unless you're shooting something that demands a heavier range of bullets it's just a waste of about 25% more bang and recoil for not a huge amount of terminal gain.

And in any case the 7 mm's slippery .284 bullets have a slightly higher BC so as range increases the 7 mm reels in the 300 WM's advantage at the muzzle.
Africa or America - .300 WM. Europe and UK - 7 mm RM.

(Other opinions are available and are sure to be along soon).

 

[Namman]

I'll be putting in for a 7mm RM at some point on my present ticket. Looked into it a lot and what I learned is (as far as I can see) that there's little point going .300 WM over a 7 mm RM if it's for use in the UK. The 7 mm fires .284 cal bullets and 300 WM is .308, and so the 300 will handle heavier bullet weights. Unless you're shooting something that demands a heavier range of bullets it's just a waste of about 25% more bang and recoil for not a huge amount of terminal gain.

And in any case the 7 mm's slippery .284 bullets have a slightly higher BC so as range increases the 7 mm reels in the 300 WM's advantage at the muzzle.
Africa or America - .300 WM. Europe and UK - 7 mm RM.

(Other opinions are available and are sure to be along soon).

I hate to say it but you are right in the UK , however I prefer my .300 Win Mag for plains game (with 200 - 220 grain bullets). The only problem I had with a 7mm Mag on fallow deer was in using bullets heavier than 154 gr. Heavier bullets tended not to expand much.

 

[User00035]

Having said that, there are more used .300 WMs than 7 mms available in the UK and quality used 7mms are thin on the ground. So I'll be looking out for a nice older Sako or Tikka in 300 WM and rebarrelling for 7 mm.