7mm Rem Mag

[johnnyk]

southpa,
I'm with jakelly on this. I noticied the loading manuals starting playing down the 7Mag several years ago, especially Hodgdon, after the advent of the 7mmWSM. The same with the .300WinMag and the .300WSM. I believe it was all marketing hype to sell the new cartridges/rifles. Didn't buy it then and still don't.

I loaded the 150gn Ballistic Tip ahead of 63.5gn (.5gn over max in Nosler #6) of IMR4350 and got an average velocity of 3240fps. Very close to what Nosler quotes. I used this load in a 700P to take a 350lb Va. black bear at 15 steps. Yes, I agree, sometimes big game animals don't cooperate with us on the LongRange idea. The Ballistic Tip went through both shoulders, still going, I suppose. The bear never moved again (on his own).

Like roninflag suggest; with a 26" or longer barrel, good scope (Leupold at a minimum), solid platform (aluminum bedding block/stock) and good bullets with high BC's (take your pick) I feel the 7Mag will take big game from 0 to 1000yds with ease.

Your part? take the time to practice at your intended ranges under field conditions, like MMERSS said. Get proficient enough with your setup so all your shots are at least MOA at all ranges. 1/2 MOA even better! Good luck with your decision. JohnnyK.

[brentc]

For the most part I agree that the loading manuals have gone light on the 7mm RM, but a couple weeks ago Hodgdon updated their 7mm RM data with some some pretty hefty Retumbo and H1000 loads for the 180 VLD. I have trouble believing you could push the powder charge that high with any factory rifle with a 180. The velocity posted is easily attainable. The powder charges, though, are definitely not lawyer proof.

[Dick Tinsley]

My vote goes to the 7mm mag! I know I'm just one person an to each his own, I've shot the 7mag for over 30 plus yrs an no grips at all. I own other calibers, just the 7mag is my pick. It's good for just about anything on the North American continent, but like with anything, bullet placement plays a major role! One of my favorite loads is 71grns,h-1000,160 seirra game king,win brass. CCI 250 mag primer. Gets ya about 3050 an is very accurate. There's other loads an calibers out there, this is just my fav!! Just my 2cts!!

DT

[MontanaRifleman]

There is no such thing as "overkill". When deciding which cartridge is best for hunting from 200-1000 yds, the 1000 yds factor trumps.

7mm RM 180 Hybrid, G7 BC .345, MV 2950
1000 yds Vel 1756, KE 1232, 5 MPH wind 4.5 MOA

300 WM 215 Hybrid. G7 BC .356. MV 2950
1000 yds Vel 1788, KE 1526, 5 MPH wind 4.4 MOA

The ballistics are very close, but the 300 delivers 25% more KE down range.

Bigger hole + more mass = more damage... which means more effective killing.

There's no voodoo or magic to it.

The 300 WM is a more effective killer than the 7 RM just like the 338 RUM is a more effective killer than the 300 WM. Physics is physics and facts are facts.

[Dick Tinsley]

From what i can get out of this tread is southpa is really looking for a good caliber for deer! I think he also said something like a lot of his shots are up close!(50 yards to bout 150yrds) I might have read that wrong, but that's what I'm getting! 7mag,300mag,338,all are good! I'm still sticking with shot placement! Might open up a can of worms here, the caliber anybody chooses to shoot is their own choice, but if you don't have good bullet placement, the animal still suffers!

DT

[Kurt]

thats why i went 6.5 creed for a deer gun as i will practice alot more than i would with an uber mag of any short. elk different story but shot placement is number one on the list a gut shot animal with a 338 is a gut shot animal with 243.

[Dick Tinsley]

Originally Posted by Kurt

thats why i went 6.5 creed for a deer gun as i will practice alot more than i would with an uber mag of any short. elk different story but shot placement is number one on the list a gut shot animal with a 338 is a gut shot animal with 243.

Amen!!!! Nuf Said!!!!

DT