difference in 7 MMs ?????

[Alfred Crouch]

I sure would appreciate some experiences and opinions: I am considering putting together one of the 7MM rifles for a mule deer, elk & pronghorn rifle. I live and hunt mostly in the East but I am preparing for a couple western hunts in the next few years. I look at the reloading and bullet performance data for the 7MMs and it leaves me with a lot of questions. My goal is to develope a balanced and reasonaable rifle for practical western hunting. It isn't my desire to have a gun capable of the longest shot to ever possibly present itself. The RUMS use from 90 to 100 grains of powder with a barrfel life of 1000 rounds but they apparently kill at phenominal distances. The regular 7 MM Rem mag uses a fraction as much powder but still achieves very respectable Velocity. From what I read the recoil difference is also very significant. What is the difference in effective killing range and is it really worth the additional powder, barrel wear and recoil punishment?

I want to balance recoil, powder used, barrell life, attainable velocity, killing range etc. I haven't hunted out west but based on all of my reading I think I could settle with a good shooting 800 yard rifle. It seems to me that I could spend a little more time to get within this range and still get lots of shots at desirable game.

What are your thoughts? What is your experience? Which of the 7 MM calibers would you be inclined to select? 7 MM Rem Mag, 7 MM WSM, 7 STW, 7 RUM, 7 Weatherby Mag. etc. Thanks for any and all input.

[AJ Peacock]

I have a little experience with the STW and a ton of experience with the 7mm Rem Mag. If you've never hunted out west before, I'd recommend the 7mm Rem Mag. It is a phenomenal cartridge and is easily capable of 800yds on Mule deer (my personal 7mm Rem Mag shot on a Muley is slightly longer than that).

I've not played with the 7mm WSM, but for all but the heaviest bullets, it is nearly the equal of the Rem Mag. I've played with the 300WSM and it is a phenomenally efficient and easy to shoot round. If the 7WSM is it's equal, it would likely be as good of choice as the Rem Mag.

The Rem requires a long action and the WSM can be built in a short action configuration. Most WSM's hold one fewer round in the magazine than the 7mm Rem mags.

All in all, every cartridge you mentioned would meet your requirements. If you could find an older (1960's) Rem Model 700 BDL in 7mm Rem Mag, you'd not only have a great rifle/cartridge, but you'd have one of the classic western rifles ever made.

AJ

[Michael Eichele]

Originally Posted by Alfred Crouch

What is the difference in effective killing range and is it really worth the additional powder, barrel wear and recoil punishment?

In my humble opinion, NO. This is why I am moving away from the 300 RUMs. Back to my 308. I have killed more game and at farther distances with it than with my 300 RUMs. Accuracy, user friendlyness, and lots of trigger time amount to success, not recoil and short barrel life.

I want to balance recoil, powder used, barrell life, attainable velocity, killing range etc. I haven't hunted out west but based on all of my reading I think I could settle with a good shooting 800 yard rifle. It seems to me that I could spend a little more time to get within this range and still get lots of shots at desirable game.

From everything you just mentioned I would look strongly at the 7mm WSM or even the 300 WSM. The 300 WSM will gain a bit more recoil only if youre running bullets heavier than what you would in the 7 WSM but will offer better bbl life over the 7WSM. If you want even better barrel life and less recoil, with acceptable performance, look at the SAUM cases.

[phorwath]

If you want a 7mm and you're content with the 800 yd maximum kill range, then I would go with the 7mm Rem Mag, shooting 168 gr Berger VLDs, trying Hodgdon Retumbo powder.

The 7mm Rem Mag or 7mm WSM will have sufficient teminal velocity and energy to kill those game out to the ~1000yd range. They'll kick less and barrel life will be extended compared to the larger case capacity cartridges you've mentioned.

I killed a large bull caribou at 850 yds two falls ago with the 7mm RM - no problems. I was using 160gr Nosler ABs at that time. I'm shooting the Berger 168 VLDs now and consider them preferable for 600+ yard shots on game.

If you want to stretch it much past 1000yds, then you might better go for one of the larger cased cartridges on your list in order to maintain sufficient terminal velocity/energy at those extended ranges.

[KQguy]

Personally,I would narow it down between the 7mmRem mag,and the 7mmWSM.I would give the nod to the 7mmWSM,because it is not a belted case.I know a belted case is not that big of a deal,but since they are nearly identical balistically,I would just go with the 7mmWSM.just my $.02
BTW,I shoot a 7MMwsm and would not trade it for anything,great balistics,and very efficient as far as powder consumption goes.I shoot alot,so efficiency is important to me.

[Kevin]

In my opinion I would say that you are really only gaining Less wind drift with the larger cases. Realistically the 7mm Remington Mag, 7WSM or .284win even, will all reach out to the capability of most rangefinders in average conditions which I figure to be about 1200 yards.

[silvertip-co]

They are all the same. The diff being do you want to pay 24,34,44,54,or 87 dollars for 20 rounds of ammo.