Which 7 would you choose?

[Lonewolf74]

I'm toying with building a 7mm of some flavor cus I don't have any 7's. My criteria for this rifle would be a standard weight of around 8-10 pounds hit steel to a 1000 and deer to 500 maybe 600.

280AI is high on my list but I also got respect for the no frills, get it done, dependable 7.08. I also think the 7 SAUM is pretty cool just haven't looked into it a ton.

28 Nosler I do not want because I like to actually shoot my sh!+ and not re-berral every 2 seasons. Also if I'm serious on taking something big at distance the 30 or 338 is coming out.

So which 7 would you build and why? Which 7 has good performance vs barrel life? Which 7 is optimal on a short action, which is better suited to long actions?

 

[PBR driver]

Without question the 7mmSTW.
Mild on the shoulder and a lazer in the field!

 

[Beluebow]

The 284W/180hybrid in a long action with a standard bolt face.

Just to be different with a magnum bolt...7/6.5PRC.

 

[xsn10s]

I just put money down on a 7mm RM 1-8" twist barrel. It seems to be the easy button with balance on performance and barrel life. I considered the 7-08 and 280 AI also, the 7mm RM just seemed like the easiest solution.

 

[DoneNOut]

I'm gonna do a 708AI. 308 Lapua brass sized down by 708 die, then 708AI die. I sometimes don't keep things KISS. However brass availability is king! 7 SAUM? Geez good luck.

 

[Rick Richard]

7SAUM or 7PRC if your going to put range time on it too.

 

[Justice1327]

7 SS (SA) or 7 Mega (LA)

 

[LRNut]

I love the 28 Nosler but have two and bunch of rifles that have the same wind drift (RUMS, Lapuas, Edge) so I rotate thru all of them for bbl life preservation. I have had numerous 7 RMs and one STW but at this point I would say 7 PRC.

 

[Lonewolf74]

I've seen a few post now of people stating that the 7PRC is only about 50-75 fps faster then the 7 SAUM and it's taking 4 grains more powder to do it. Is this true? If it is I would definitely go SAUM over PRC.

I hand load so store ammo availability is no concern for me.

 

[Hydra6]

280AI has served me well over last 7 years hunting in Wyoming and New Mexico. 162ELDX Precision Hunter has killed everything it hit. Not too big, not too small - it fits into a standard long action with 308 bolt face. Easy to reload too - Hornady and Nosler have factory brass.

I have a custom short action ex-PRS rifle available - looking at 7-08 or 7 SAW for hunting/NRL Hunter rifle (because limited to short action).

I am watching 7PRC with interest

 

[xsn10s]

My criteria for this rifle would be a standard weight of around 8-10 pounds hit steel to a 1000 and deer to 500 maybe 600.

In a SA I'd go for a straight 7-08. Search pharmseller and his success and loads. I'm a heavy for caliber so a mid-long action 7-08 or variant makes more sense. But my criteria has longer ranges so that's why I went 7mm RM. At your range criteria a 7-08 makes much more sense.

 

[Huntnpack]

7 SAUM fits your criteria perfectly.
Build on a Medium or Long action.

 

[gillettehunter]

I've had a 7 SAUM for maybe 10 yrs. Taken over 50 animals with it. Made 4 trips to Africa with me. Kills great. Recoil is easy to manage. My PH last trip to Africa specifically asked me to bring it back again! What's not to like?
Bruce

 

[Lonewolf74]

7 SAUM fits your criteria perfectly.
Build on a Medium or Long action.

What is the OAL of your current setup… if you currently run a SAUM?

Does anyone make M5 type bottom metal and AICS pattern mags that fit the XM length actions and a cartridge such as the SAUM?