Okay I am new here and am having a 7mm built to shoot 180 vlds. I am just about certain I am going with the Dakota but maybe a few doubts? Any one have any info on the 7mm long range magnum or the 7mm/375 ruger? Please share thoughts and opinions. Barrel will be 25 in Bruxx #4, stillar predator action and manners stock. Thanks,
7mm dakota or 7lrm
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The Dakota is a wonderful case size. I would not limit myself to just 25 inches. Instead of stressing the cases IMO it is better to just have 28 - 29 inch barrels to get that extra 100 or more feet per second over the shorter barrels. The weight difference is minimal. Like the #16 Palma and have it made in 28 or 29 You end up with 14 more ounces of kick reduction
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MontanaRifleman
Well-Known Member
This is the first I've heard of the 7mm LRM... maybe you could fill me in?
On the 7 Dakota vs the 7-375 Ruger, I have just gone through the same decision process withe 300 Dakota vs the 300-375 Ruger and picked the 375.
I think both have very well designed cases and they essentially have the same powder capacity but in the case of the 7 Dakota, it is slightly smaller. The 7 Dakota brass is made by Norma and probably a little better than the 375 brass which is made by Hornady.
The problem with the Dakota chamberings is that they are proprietary which makes die and brass selection and cost problematic... which is truly unfortunate because they are great cartridges... and this is why I went with the 375 Ruger parent. Dakota brass is $163 per 100 and 375 can be had for half that.
As far as dies go, Dakota chambered dies are very spendy, but you'll have to get custom dies for the 7-375 Ruger and forming dies. Custom match grade dies from Hornady will run $190 plus shipping, and $22/27 for the micrometer seating stem. You can use the 338 RCM and 300 RCM dies as forming dies for about another $26 ea.
What you save in brass you can put toward good dies.
Now don't forget, you'll have to turn your necks once or twice while forming the 375 cases. So you've got some work involved in getting the 375 to a 284.
The biggest thing that puts me off about Dakota is what they charge for brass.
The nice thing about both these cartridges is they will fit into a Howa/Vanguard and Rem 700 magazine (if not throated real long) with longer bullets vs something like the STW.
Well there you have it... be the first kid on your block with a 7-375 Ruger
gun)
On the 7 Dakota vs the 7-375 Ruger, I have just gone through the same decision process withe 300 Dakota vs the 300-375 Ruger and picked the 375.
I think both have very well designed cases and they essentially have the same powder capacity but in the case of the 7 Dakota, it is slightly smaller. The 7 Dakota brass is made by Norma and probably a little better than the 375 brass which is made by Hornady.
The problem with the Dakota chamberings is that they are proprietary which makes die and brass selection and cost problematic... which is truly unfortunate because they are great cartridges... and this is why I went with the 375 Ruger parent. Dakota brass is $163 per 100 and 375 can be had for half that.
As far as dies go, Dakota chambered dies are very spendy, but you'll have to get custom dies for the 7-375 Ruger and forming dies. Custom match grade dies from Hornady will run $190 plus shipping, and $22/27 for the micrometer seating stem. You can use the 338 RCM and 300 RCM dies as forming dies for about another $26 ea.
What you save in brass you can put toward good dies.
Now don't forget, you'll have to turn your necks once or twice while forming the 375 cases. So you've got some work involved in getting the 375 to a 284.
The biggest thing that puts me off about Dakota is what they charge for brass.
The nice thing about both these cartridges is they will fit into a Howa/Vanguard and Rem 700 magazine (if not throated real long) with longer bullets vs something like the STW.
Well there you have it... be the first kid on your block with a 7-375 Ruger
gun)
JARHEAD1371
Well-Known Member
Welcome to the forum.
I believe the 7LRM is the cartridge developed by Arron Davidson. It's a 7-378 Ruger, not sure if the case taper or shoulder angle is changed.
If I were you, and I was looking for a highly effective 7mm wildcat, I would go with the 7-338 Norma. You will get some excellent ballistics and have some great brass, not to mention easier to form the brass. I think you can now buy 300 Norma brass from midway.
I like your choice of the Brux barrel and Manners stock. If you're not dead set on a gunsmith to build your rifle I HIGHLY suggest Jim See at Center Shot Rifles. I had him build my custom 7SAUM almost 2 years ago and I have nothing but the highest respect for him and his work.
Good luck and be sure to keep all of us posted on your project.
I believe the 7LRM is the cartridge developed by Arron Davidson. It's a 7-378 Ruger, not sure if the case taper or shoulder angle is changed.
If I were you, and I was looking for a highly effective 7mm wildcat, I would go with the 7-338 Norma. You will get some excellent ballistics and have some great brass, not to mention easier to form the brass. I think you can now buy 300 Norma brass from midway.
I like your choice of the Brux barrel and Manners stock. If you're not dead set on a gunsmith to build your rifle I HIGHLY suggest Jim See at Center Shot Rifles. I had him build my custom 7SAUM almost 2 years ago and I have nothing but the highest respect for him and his work.
Good luck and be sure to keep all of us posted on your project.
Terry Scott
Well-Known Member
Well???
Which di you pick? I picked the 7LRM, it just arrived and will be ready to go to the range soon. If you chose the LRM can you share loads?
Which di you pick? I picked the 7LRM, it just arrived and will be ready to go to the range soon. If you chose the LRM can you share loads?
JeffVN
Well-Known Member
Terry I read you thread on the 7/375 Ruger. Congratulations on your new rig.
I've been internally fighting the same battle on these same two cartridges. I have a new Stiller 300 Tac sitting in my safe with Badger bottom metal/ 300 WM AI Mags and ultimately decided to spend teh $$ and go 7 Dakota (running out of a 28" barrel). Mainly, because I will be long throating it for the 180 Berger, 189 Cauterucio and 190 Matrix, but still need the loaded rounds to fit into a 300 Win Mag AI magazine - meaning it need to be 3.635- 3.640" long or shorter to fit the magazine. The Dakota is a touch shorter in length and helps me get to that dimension with more available case capacity. I agree teh brass is a financial pain, but I think it will be worth it in the long run. I do look forward to throwing the Big 7mm pills at high velocity.
JeffVN
I've been internally fighting the same battle on these same two cartridges. I have a new Stiller 300 Tac sitting in my safe with Badger bottom metal/ 300 WM AI Mags and ultimately decided to spend teh $$ and go 7 Dakota (running out of a 28" barrel). Mainly, because I will be long throating it for the 180 Berger, 189 Cauterucio and 190 Matrix, but still need the loaded rounds to fit into a 300 Win Mag AI magazine - meaning it need to be 3.635- 3.640" long or shorter to fit the magazine. The Dakota is a touch shorter in length and helps me get to that dimension with more available case capacity. I agree teh brass is a financial pain, but I think it will be worth it in the long run. I do look forward to throwing the Big 7mm pills at high velocity.
JeffVN
Ernie
SPONSOR
I have a 7mm Dakota and I like it.
Since I don't have the others, i don't have anything to compare it to.
Since I don't have the others, i don't have anything to compare it to.
lboom
Well-Known Member
I shoot a 7mm dakota necked down to 6.5 and I love it. The case is so good you will get manny many reloads at least 30 or more so the price of the brass is insignificant. Go with the longer barrel,maybe 28 or so. Mine is 30,bit too long for most gun cases but the velocitys are great,noise less. My 2 cents
MontanaRifleman
Well-Known Member
I just got some 300 Dakota Brass that I plan to neck down to 6.5 as well. The brass is made by Hornady and I was a little skeptical about ordering it but when it showed up I was very pleasantly surprised. Definitely quality brass, probably made to Dakota specs.. The 7 Dakota brass is made by Norma and should be at least as good, if not better.
RH300UM
Well-Known Member
+1 on trueblue
NZ Longranger
Well-Known Member
Because of the Dakota brass, dies and bolt face issues, we've built a 2.5" 7mm RUM we call the 7mm Stumpy. Its basically the same capacity as the 7mm Dakota. We just stopped our short throat 7mm RUM reamer short at 2.5", and cut a set of Redding Comp RUM dies off at 2.5". Its a really good rebarrel option for Tikka T3's, fits their action and mags just nice.
We do a 2.75" long 100 thou short version of the RUM as well, which we call the 7mm SRUM (short RUM) that fits a Remington 700 long action mag box perfectly, without having to lengthen it. It gets rid of the big jump to the lands you get with the factory spec full length RUM chambering.
Just a couple of the 7mm's we do for specific rifle brands and mag lengths.
Greg
We do a 2.75" long 100 thou short version of the RUM as well, which we call the 7mm SRUM (short RUM) that fits a Remington 700 long action mag box perfectly, without having to lengthen it. It gets rid of the big jump to the lands you get with the factory spec full length RUM chambering.
Just a couple of the 7mm's we do for specific rifle brands and mag lengths.
Greg
Ernie
SPONSOR
I forgot what the 284 Jazz was based off of.
RH300UM
Well-Known Member
I forgot what the 284 Jazz was based off of.
Ernie, It is based off the 338 Norma mag with a improved shoulder.
Ernie, It is based off the 338 Norma mag with a improved shoulder.
