Looking for realistic 7mm Rem mag numbers

[Diver_mike_85]

Hello. I recently found a Browning Xbolt western hunter for sale in a 7mm Remington magnum. At a price point I couldn't refuse. By no means do I need this rifle, seeing I have a 270wsm and a .308 Winchester, but i fell like every gun safe should have a 7mm rem mag.
Most of the ballistic numbers I've been seeing out the 7mm are so close to the 270wsm that it's almost not worth the purchase. The 270 wsm has a 23" barrel with the short action making it a pretty nice rifle for the NE where I live. The 7mm has a 26" barrel and the obvious long action...making the gun about 6" longer with the break.
I guess my question would be what are realistic numbers you guys are getting out of the 7mm...reloads and factory...so I can compare them in the ballistic software. In the 140gr to 165gr range...the 1:9.5" twist isnt ideal for much heavier according to Bergers stability calculator. Thanks boys

 

[Barrelnut]

160 gr factory ammo is around 2950 fps outta a 24" barrel. Maybe 3000 fps with a 26" barrel. --- Hand loads will be close to the same. With some of the faster loads getting 3000 ~3050 fps.

 

[MTLIVIN]

If you start looking at the higher BC 160-165 gr bullets at 3000-3100 fps (3100 is possible with Retumbo or RL26) it will outperform the 270 WSM at longer ranges by a wide margin. The high BC bullets in the 160gr class will make a difference in drop, energy, and drift at 400+ yards vs the .277 140-150 class offerings. If you only hunt under 400 yards its really not much advantage though

 

[Diver_mike_85]

I just keep reading guys complaining about faulty factory specs and testing done with a 24" barrel, thus my original question. I reload a bunch of different cartridges and would eventually start loading in 7mm. I've been considering making a jump to a bigger round with a larger spread from the 270. Something in the 300/338 win mag category..... especially if I plan on hunting larger animals than deer....

 

[LaHunter]

I'm able to push 160 grain Accubonds with IMR 7828 just a bit over 3100 fps from a 26" Krieger barrel with a 9.5 twist. Very accurate combo in my rifle.

 

[sendero72]

I loaded some 180 eldm's with RL26. MV 2983 and shoots in the .1's. All depends on the twist you have. Mine barrel is a 26"Hart, 8 twist.

 

[myanmar1]

I have the Hells Canyon Speed in 7mm. Berger 168vlds over
H1000 I'm getting 3,060.

 

[johnnyk]

I have a 700P in 7RemMag and in 2009 I was loading the 150gn Ballistic Tip with 63.5gn of IMR4350 and Rem 9.5M primers. I was getting 3234fps average and it averaged .430" for several 5-shot groups. This is .5gn over the book max (Nosler#8) so proceed with caution. No pressure signs in this rifle but kicks like a po'd mule.
I recently tried RL-26, BR2's and 169.5gn Wildcats. With 69.5gn this combo punches .5" groups @ 3062fps (avg).
I am suprised it grouped the WC's this good. I tried the 168gn Bergers years ago (several boxes) and could never get it below 1". I tried alot of powders/primers and seating depths. When I ran out of the Bergers I quit trying and went with the 150's.
Love the .270WSM! I tell people who ask me about it, "it'll do anything the 7Mag will do". Good luck. johnnyk.

 

[scdogman]

The 180 eld-m will shoot in a 9.5 twist barrel. At 8000 ft the bullet is stable with no bc loss. At 575 ft it's loses 6% bc. I'm using .750 and consistent at 1000 yards.

 

[therifleman556]

I had a 700 LR. I was able to squeeze 162 Hornady ELD-Ms out at 3200 with RL26. I didn't notice any pressure signs but backed down to 3100 at any rate.

I also have a 270 WSM now and am so far quite impressed. For hunting inside 400 yards it's just about perfect.

A 110 grain Barnes TTSX going 3500+ is an absolute laser and recoil is barely more than my 7mm-08 with 140s. From a handy sub-8 lb package, what's not to love?

 

[lancetkenyon]

My 7RM (26" 1:8.5") shoots a 180 Hybrid @ 2996fps over 69.0gr H1000 into tiny, lethal groups. Same charge weight pushes a 168 HVLD @ 3075fps, and 183 SMK @ 2985fps. Not even close to pressure in my rifle.

With RL26, I was pushing a 183SMK & 180 Hybrid about 3070-3080 if I leaned on them. But accuracy was not quite as good. In the .5 range still.

 

[Diver_mike_85]

I like the 110gr hornady BTHP match bullets over IMR4350 out of my 270wsm..hornady book shows it about 3500 but I haven't been able to verify the speed myself. Does a number on coyotes.

 

[Diver_mike_85]

But the new 7mm xbolt showed up yesterday and I need to pick it up today. Hopefully ill be able to outfit it by the end of the weekend and test her out.

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

I launch 162 eld-m bullets at 3125 with rl-26 in my browning x-bolt eclipse hunter. I ran up over 3150 with no visible pressure signs but backed it off to my accuracy mode. I dont forsee a 270 wsm with a factory twist rate touching a 7mm mag at long range. Especially when you load a 7mm with the new heavy weights.