I am wanting to build a long range hunting rifle and was wondering what cal. would be the best to use, I will be hunting deer and elk size game with this rifle and I would rather stay with standard load instead of a wild cat due to my limited hand loading experience. So tell me what you think
300 winmag vs 7mm mag
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AJ Peacock
Well-Known Member
I've shot thousands of rounds from 7mm Rem Mags and it is one of my favorite loadings. I've taken dozens of deer and several elk with it. However, the larger caliber the better when talking about Elk (.338 is even better). I'd choose the 300WM if I had to choose between it and the 7mm RM though.
For a long range round, the Rem Ultra Mag would be even better (300RUM is a smokin Long Range rig). If it was Elk only, I'd say the 338RUM instead, but the 300RUM is an awesome factory round.
The 300WM is a great round and has great over the counter ammo available, it doesn't shoot as flat as the 7mm RM. I setup a Weatherby MarkV in 300WM that shot factory ammo at well under 1moa. It's my dads rifle and I'd borrow it in a heartbeat for deer or elk if I didn't have access to my own rifles.
Either one will do what you want, but consider the 300RUM as well.
AJ
For a long range round, the Rem Ultra Mag would be even better (300RUM is a smokin Long Range rig). If it was Elk only, I'd say the 338RUM instead, but the 300RUM is an awesome factory round.
The 300WM is a great round and has great over the counter ammo available, it doesn't shoot as flat as the 7mm RM. I setup a Weatherby MarkV in 300WM that shot factory ammo at well under 1moa. It's my dads rifle and I'd borrow it in a heartbeat for deer or elk if I didn't have access to my own rifles.
Either one will do what you want, but consider the 300RUM as well.
AJ
MontanaRifleman
Well-Known Member
I used to hunt with a 7mm RM. Now I have a 300 WSM and 300 RUM (and a 7RM).
So first, I would recommend the 7 WSM or the 300 WSM over the RM & WM.
The 300 WM will shoot a 180 gr bullet about as well a 7RM will shoot a 160 bullet. Their trajectory and rang will be very similar with the 300 delivering a little more payload on target. For elk size critters, I would recommend a 30 cal bullet or more, but a well placed shot with a good performing 7mm bullet will do the job. With either cartridge you are looking at about 900 yds hunting range, give or take, with most loads, IMO.
Hope this helps,
-MR
So first, I would recommend the 7 WSM or the 300 WSM over the RM & WM.
The 300 WM will shoot a 180 gr bullet about as well a 7RM will shoot a 160 bullet. Their trajectory and rang will be very similar with the 300 delivering a little more payload on target. For elk size critters, I would recommend a 30 cal bullet or more, but a well placed shot with a good performing 7mm bullet will do the job. With either cartridge you are looking at about 900 yds hunting range, give or take, with most loads, IMO.
Hope this helps,
-MR
NONYA
Well-Known Member
Its a toss up,either will do the job,I shoot 7mags and the accuracy is outstanding,my 8 mag shines past 600 with a heavier bullet.There are always .284 bullets on the shelves here when the .30 section is empty,
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Another vote for the .300 Win Mag! gun)
Joe King
Well-Known Member
338 Lapua
Are you going to go "heavy" on your build? Heavy Barrel, muzzle brake etc resulting in a heavy rifle? Are you going to hunt extensively ( carry) with it?
In the first instance I would go with the 300 winny, in the 2nd, Id go with the 7 Rem in a #3 contour barrel, no brake.
The 7 is a mild shooting rifle, accurate, plenty of info out there for reloading, as well as great factory ammo. Eveything that has stood in fron of mine has died.
Both are excellent cartridges.
pyroducksx3
Well-Known Member
In a custom chambering I would choose a smith who knows what his 7 mag reamer will do, I have a 7 mag that will push the 180 bergers 3050 fps. If the smith doesnt have his reamer dialed or cant achieve these velocities or buying a factory gun then I say 300 win mag.
I am intetested in what you mean by this. ( I am not well nomenclated in chambering, I thought a reamer was a reamer)
JARHEAD1371
Well-Known Member
I chose to build my rifle in 7 SAUM a couple years ago, and have never regretted it. It's very accurate with the 180 Hybrid or 162 Amax and hand loads. I'm pushing the 180 Hybrid 3045 fps, which gives excellent long range results. I know you said you are inexperienced at hand loading, but with a small investment of quality hand loading gear, you will be amazed at what you can do. Besides, who wants to shoot a factory rifle with factory ammo? Good luch with your selection and pratice as much as you can, no matter which way you go.
Good luch with your selection and pratice as much as you can, no matter which way you go.pyroducksx3
Well-Known Member
A reamer can be a factory chambering but still have a few differences, such as bullet seating. I know my smith said he went through a few reamer designs before he got what he wanted. I know I seat my bullets long so thats part of it. Some people told me there was no way I would get 180 bergers to 3050 out of my 7 mag but I've confirmed the drops out to 1072 and it is. I'm not a smith so Im not sure how to explain all the little things you can do to get everything out of the chambering, maybe someone else could do a better job. I know that my factory 7 mag was only getting 2900 with 168 bergers before I gave it to my smith and had it completely redone. So thats why I say factory or smith without a tricked up 7 mag reamer I would go 300 win mag, the factory 7 mag just didnt do it for me.
captacademy
Well-Known Member
I recently went through this dilemma and went with a 7 RM shooting 180 Bergers over the 300 WM. I have a 7 WSM, 300 WSM and 338 Lapua for the heavy stuff.
Joe King
Well-Known Member
+1000000 on a good smith knowing his tools and what the hell he's doing makes for a fun shooting rifle
