300wsm vs 7mag

The 300 wsm will not run a 215 berger at 2850-2900 out of a 23" barrel if you are lucky you might get 2700 more likely 2600 a 26" 7 rem mag with 180 Berger will do 2900 so go with the 7 mag

I am pushing the 215 out of 24" 1:10" barrel with 60.5g of RL-17 at 2800 FPS. Others are even getting better velocities with RL26.
 
I am pushing the 215 out of 24" 1:10" barrel with 60.5g of RL-17 at 2800 FPS. Others are even getting better velocities with RL26.
That's pretty amazing. At my elevation (2200 ft) it would useful out to 950 yards. Supersonic almost to a mile.
 
Personally I'd be, and have been, torn between choosing between the 7mm and the 30 cal for LR hunting/ varmint/ target rifle. When it's all said and done I doubt the caliber will be as important as how well the rifle shoots.
 
I am torn between to rifles/calibers. Shooting factory ammo
I have the opportunity to sell my current rifle and buy something new for elk. With shot opportunity ranges out to 800-900 yards.

My current rifle Tikka t3 superlight 7mag with 1:9.25 twist. shooting 162gr eldx
(I shoot 154gr sst currently with great success on many deer and bear out to 700 yards)
Or
Kimber 8400 300wsm with a 1:10 twist shooting 200gr eldx

With those two options at hand. Would I be better off with the 300wsm or stick with the 7mag.
Thank you
I know you've specifically asked about those two chamberings but given your desire to use factory ammo I'd really suggest the 300 PRC, factory 212 ELDX loads at 2900 +.
I wouldn't get a wsm unless you're throating it out and handloading, same with the 7 RM.
It sounds like you're looking to go light so the CA Ridgeline 300 PRC would be awesome
 
The argument that you won't notice the recoil on the one shot at an animal misses an important point. To make long shots requires a lot of practice. A like many others here I've had a number of .300's and a number of 7mm's. I find the heavy bullets from a 7 mag a bit more pleasant to shoot than the heavier weight required to match bc's in a 30 cal. It's more enjoyable to pound out rounds practicing which raises my confidence level to the same degree as shooting my 22-250.
 
My longest shot on an elk, so far, was 1098 yards. 7 mag, 180 gr Berger HVLD. Nice broadside shot and the bull stumbled down the hill maybe 50 yards and went down. He wouldn't have died any faster with a heavier 30 bullet.
 
I hear ya, I have family in Tucson, and we did a deer hunt a few yrs back, them darn cactus suck!!!

I'm in Tucson and yes they do, but it's a good way to find the deer. If there is Choya cactus, grass and water around, there will be deer.

Depending what area you get drawn for you may get one where you can actually glass and be able to set up a long range shot, then on others the terrain is just small rolling hills with no high vantage point to glass from so it's more of walking, spook a deer and shoot.
 
The 300 wsm will not run a 215 berger at 2850-2900 out of a 23" barrel if you are lucky you might get 2700 more likely 2600 a 26" 7 rem mag with 180 Berger will do 2900 so go with the 7 mag
It will, have saw it up to 2900 with RL26 @ 3.12" OAL from a 24" barrel, Bertram brass. I will attempt to achieve the same thing.
 
I'm in Tucson and yes they do, but it's a good way to find the deer. If there is Choya cactus, grass and water around, there will be deer.

Depending what area you get drawn for you may get one where you can actually glass and be able to set up a long range shot, then on others the terrain is just small rolling hills with no high vantage point to glass from so it's more of walking, spook a deer and shoot.

I was stationed at DMAFB in 1992-1996 and used to hunt deer near the Biosphere area and learned to hate the jumping chollas.
 
Prior to LRH member's (my sincere apologies if I have this wrong but I think it was @Dosh) RL-17 recommendation, I was only getting ~2700 FPS with MAGPRO. When time allows, will have to try RL26.

Never used MAGPRO or ANY RL powder!!
 
LOL! My bad, that's why I apologized before hand and was only trying to give credit where it is due.

No offense taken. Living in the other "Phoenix" metro area, I never see those powders on the shelves. I have always gone out of my way to buy local, so if I don't see it here I don't buy it. I am however intrigued with the hype with RL26. Perhaps Bruno will get some in so I can perhaps give it a try.
 
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