Any experience with the new Model 7 300 WSM?

I'm new to the forum, shoot long range targets, love custom guns, but of all the rifles Ive ever owned, I like the model 7 308 that I own the best. It has a trigger, HS precision stock, nothing else. I drew a bead on a large brown bear on the Kensington this fall, and had no worries about the 308 doing the job, just a little extra power would be good here in AK, extend my self imposed range a bit.

I just sold a Browning TI 325 WSM, awesome rifle, but I just didn't like the action. It just didn't feel right to me.

So I'm thinking about the Model 7 300 WSM, as it's the one that just feels right when I pick it up. Obviously some after market minor work and new stock would be in order, but I've heard both bad and good things of new Rem quality. The model 7 I currently have is older, good quality. I prefer the 2 position safety, as I don't carry in chamber, I like push feed, and the packablity of a 20" barrel through alders for mtn goats, nothing worse than 8 hours of catching your barrel headed up hill. I carried a 26" barrel on Kodiak and that won't happen again. I was hunting a hacksaw halfway up the first mountain.

So has anyone had or currently have one in this caliber that can give me real world experience, like weight of bullets, accuracy etc? Any help would be great!

Coop

Man, put a brake on it. I have loaded for a couple lightweight non-braked .300WSMs, and they are no fun to shoot in my opinion. Not sure what it is, but I have shot the exact same rifles in non-braked .300WM, and they seem to honestly kick less to me. Must be some weird recoil impulse with the short/fat burn column. They are SHARP.

My concern would be mag box length.

A muzzle break is a consideration, I didn't have one on my 5.25lb 325, and it wasn't bad, so I'm hoping the 300 wsm will be similar. If it's sharper I will put one on for practice for sure, but not for hunting.

The mag length could be an issue depending on bullets. I use partitions or A-frames, so unless I can't get those to shoot I won't be using any real long bullets like my custom rifle.

Like Lance stated the 300WSM seem to have a sharp kick to them and I dont consider myself recoil sensitive at all, kinda surprised me when I shot one.

Well I will def be prepared to put one on. 20" seems like it will have a pretty good barrel hop. I know of a guy here that has a 16" 325, I bet it has some hop in it, 20" seems like a happy medium.

I had a model 7 XCR in 300 WSM it was my lightweight sheep gun about 10-12 years ago. I had action flats done bolt fluted and a McMillan edge put on it.
Leupold 3-9x32 with bdc reticle
Trigger tuned 2lbs
I loaded Barnes bullets in it and it shot awesome. No break would shoot 3/4 inch at 100 yards. The others I agree with if I was doing it now I would put a break on if anything for load work up and range time then peel off in hunting season.

I wished I had never sold it as it was a real nice outfit.

ramrod79 said:

I had a model 7 XCR in 300 WSM it was my lightweight sheep gun about 10-12 years ago. I had action flats done bolt fluted and a McMillan edge put on it.
Leupold 3-9x32 with bdc reticle
Trigger tuned 2lbs
I loaded Barnes bullets in it and it shot awesome. No break would shoot 3/4 inch at 100 yards. The others I agree with if I was doing it now I would put a break on if anything for load work up and range time then peel off in hunting season.
I wished I had never sold it as it was a real nice outfit.

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That sounds like a nice set up, thanks for your feedback. Mine will be used for every thing from sheep/goat early season next year to bears and moose later. Should be a good all around rifle.

It was very nice just over 6 lbs loaded. I looked back at my notes Barnes 130 TTSX shot the best screaming close to 3500 ft using imr 4350 fed 215 primers. Didn't have load charge written anywhere though for you.
Notes show the 150ttsx shooting very well too.

I ran 185 & 190 Bergers in the two I loaded for. Both around 2950-2970fps. Both accurate, but the Tikka T3 Lite was exceptional. Just took a lot of consistent shooter input.

lancetkenyon said:

I ran 185 & 190 Bergers in the two I loaded for. Both around 2950-2970fps. Both accurate, but the Tikka T3 Lite was exceptional. Just took a lot of consistent shooter input.

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I've had a few tikkas, CTR, Sporter, T3. They are by far the best bang for your buck, super accurate. I just can't make myself love them the way I do my Model 7, 700's. Every time I went out it was with my first gen vssf, sendero, or model 7. They just feel right, can't explain it. I will def be running 180-200 grain range.

coop22250 said:

I've had a few tikkas, CTR, Sporter, T3. They are by far the best bang for your buck, super accurate. I just can't make myself love them the way I do my Model 7, 700's. Every time I went out it was with my first gen vssf, sendero, or model 7. They just feel right, can't explain it. I will def be running 180-200 grain range.

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I agree. I am an R700 man myself.

The model 7 is a nice platform to use. Been using a stainless synthetic for 21 years. Real easy to pack in to brushy area. The only problem that i see with them is that they are shorter in the magazine area. Mine tolerates 2.800 and thats it. The mag box could be extended but you have the short bolt to deal with. Used one in 260. Small and medium game it excells in.

Well my local gun shop was able to order me a Model 7 in 300 WSM for $630, now I can get to shopping for a stock, trigger, and scope mounts. Thanks for everyone's input, hopefully it will like heavy bullet, or I might have to go shopping again!