7mm Mag or 7 RUM for OCT 12 Guns, 2 Choices

[Subnormal]

I have two 700 actions waiting to receive two Lilja 7mm barrels. I have quite a bit of shooting experience but not so much gun making performance experience. I just started what most would call long range shooting two years ago. You could say I am in the experimental stage….if it will ever quit.

First option: 9" twist max length 30" with a comparable #3 contour going on a HS Sporter stock. Use is for elk and smaller big game animal with a max range 600 yards to a min range as close as the shot allows. Gun will probably shoot 600 rounds in its life.

Second option: 7" twist max length 32" with a comparable #7 contour and fluted going on a Manners MCS-T4 stock. Use is on wolves at ranges of 700 yards + and ballistics practice during the off season. The wolves are causing havoc on my hunting area and the closest I have been able to come one wolves standing still for any amount of time is roughly 700+ yards. I would also like a decent magnum rifle to practice yet semi-concerned about barrel life and $s to some degree (four seasons worth of shooting or 1200 rounds).

Both guns will not be complete no earlier than Oct of this year. I can wait for Berger to manufacture the 195 gr (so I hear) for use on either gun. Neither will have a brake. I will pack the Sporter all day, not so much for the other…more of a spot and stalk. Will the 7" twist "chew" up the coming 195 gr Bergers if chambered in 7 RUM? Maybe a great test platform to find out. Wouldn't mind testing for Kirby and Dan if they are interested.

Caliber of choice is limited to either 7mm Rem Mag or 7 Rum for both rifles.
Experimenting is exciting but I don't want to be unrealistic. Interested in what cartridge and powder bullet combo you would chose in both guns under the above conditions. I am leaning on 7 Mag for both due to a combo of barrel life but I would appreciate any of your suggestions on what you would choose. 7 RUM in the 7" twist is soooo tempting also. I do alot of internet reading and thought it's time to post something to see what help I receive.

Thanks much and happy shooting.

 

[angus-5024]

I know that you've said either 7 Rem or 7 RUM... but there are much better choices in readilly available chamberings. I think of how you want barrel life and performance. you can get great performance out of both the rounds you mentioned, but you can get the same performance or better, with better barrel life.

I am mainly thinking of the 7 RUM... the STW and Dakota are in the same preformance range. The STW is right on the heels of the RUM and burns less powder, with good brass choices.

As far as the 7 Rem goes... Im a guy thats not to sure how it got the recognition that it did. It performs great, but needs alot of barrel and excess powder to do so. It is the most readilly available 7 out there though, period.
The 7WSM, 7 SAUM, 280 AI or .284 win are much more well thought out cases for that bullet.

All that being said, I think that if you want to run a 195 Berger you will need at least a WSM/Rem mag case, but are looking more at the STW/RUM/Dakota class.

Im interested to see if you can run the 195's at RUM speeds in a 1-7 and not torque the jackets off.

 

[IdahoCTD]

Unless you have the barrels already I'd change the barrel order to 8 or 8.5" twist. There is no reason to go to a 7" twist for the 195 berger if they recommend a 8.5" twist. It's just going to work the bullets harder.

 

[meatyrem]

Go with the rums. One for long and one for not so long range.
I have a 300 rum sporter for short and a heavy for long.

 

[proload]

I recently faced a similar choice, but with different objectives. I wanted a 7mm that would be really good out to 500m for everything up to and including Wapiti (Elk). The rifle that I wanted (Rem M700 XCR II) was available in 7mm Rem Mag & 7mm RUM.

I went with the Rem Mag. It's tried and tested and thats what I wanted.

 

[angus-5024]

funny thing is that after saying all that about the ineffieciency of the RUM, I still have thought about buying one! And probably will, just to push the 195's.


One thing the RUM does have going for it (other than massive capacity) is that its beltless.

 

[meatyrem]

The one bullet I know Kirby uses is the 200gr ULD RBBT in his 7mm Allen mag. He would be able to help on this one.

 

[FEENIX]

Unless Kirby changed his mind or making an exception, he is no longer accepting Remington 700 actions, see third rifle on this thread ...http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f17/bit-aps-rifle-porn-56711/

 

[Subnormal]

Unless Kirby changed his mind or making an exception, he is no longer accepting Remington 700 actions, see third rifle on this thread ...http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f17/bit-aps-rifle-porn-56711/

Feenix,

I can't speak for Kirby but I believe he will take a special action rebuild on request with his approval. If you have the time, maybe we could test some of our rifle builds and in the future Kirby's rifle builds among gopher fields south of GF along the Smith. Let me know if interested. Great practce for comming hunting season.

Subnormal

 

[FEENIX]

Feenix,

I can't speak for Kirby but I believe he will take a special action rebuild on request with his approval. If you have the time, maybe we could test some of our rifle builds and in the future Kirby's rifle builds among gopher fields south of GF along the Smith. Let me know if interested. Great practce for comming hunting season.

Subnormal

Indeed! Kirby is probably super busy these days trying to complete them builds for the upcoming season.

Gopher shooting is fun and makes an excellent practice. My hunting buddy and I have been shooting for the last 3 weekends ... we normally go to a friends ranch in Cascade.

I will be tied up for the next couple of weekends or so but will definitely have you in mind for the invite.

Happy safe hunting/shooting, cheers!

Ed