6.5 prc, 7wsm or 7mm rm?

[theosmithjr]

Im looking for one last quality rifle before I have another kid. This rifle will likely be the last one for a few years as my shooting has diminished already. I want the rifle to be a all around, target and hunting rifle. Weight doesn't bother me, I'm in good shape. I would like the ability to ring steel at 1k and hunt elk if needed. I've considered a 6.5cm, but I don't know if it's enough for elk. I don't reload, and will probably shoot 2-250 rounds a year out of the rifle. My budget is around 3-3500 for the rifle alone.

Go with the 6.5PRC or the 300PRC. You can do & kill ANYTHING with either.
Theosmithjr

 

[Model12boy]

I like the 7mm wsm as my preference plenty of good ammo available an if you wanna dial it in with tight groups, check with copper creek ammo to find a load your rifle likes.

 

[Wolf76]

7 rm or 300 wm(my preference).

I wouldn't jump on any potential fads, especially since you're not reloading.

 

[SilverbulletMAG]

I have a 7mm WSM so of course my pick of those you listed would be....7 RM. If you were a reloader I'd say go for the WSM but since you're not, the 7 RM will do ya well as an all-rounder with good off the shelf options.

 

[Knight Templar]

Start reloading, lots of fun, saves some money and makes a shooter out of a hunter, and build a 7mm Shehane...which is a 0.284 Win. improved...with a little tweeking can drive an 180 gr.. 3000 fps...!!!

 

[lancetkenyon]

Of those three, my choice would be 7RM if elk is on the table. Just about any factory loading is available. From fast varmint rounds to big, heavy game loads. Good speed, good bullet selection, good energy, available anywhere/everywhere.

7WSM is close behind. But I would still opt for the 7RM.

The 6.5PRC will work out to 600+ on elk if you put the bullet where it needs to go. But the offerings in factory ammo right now are extremely slim. Offering should get better over the next year. But I bet not many small gas stations in rural America will have any on their shelf in a pinch. Recoil would be milder.

I think barrel life will be similar between the three as well.

Have you considered other rounds? .280AI comes to mind...

 

[Buckys]

Sticking with the original choices, another vote for 7MM RM.

 

[HOT TUNA]

7mm Rem Mag gets my vote for the situation you described. The WSM and PRC I think would have limited options for factory ammo and be expensive to feed. If I had to choose only one cartridge for North American hunting the 7 RM would be it. It's been mentioned already but get an 8 twist barrel that way you'll be able to stabilize even the heaviest 7mm bullets.

 

[LVJ76]

Another vote for the 7mm Rem Mag, best of the 3 you listed. Ammo is available everywhere. I would also recommend a 1:8 twist, a lot of new high for caliber bullets out there you can use

 

[Jack R Tishue Jr]

One big thing to consider if looking at AI rounds is, you have to modify the feed rails to make it feed. Once done, you can't go back to regular ammo. The 7mmRM a fine round, and plenty accurate. And folks who say the factory rifles won't shoot, evidently not shooting them. You can get all the accuracy you need from a Rem 700 with not problem, and your chances of ever shooting at a 1000 yds at an Elk pretty slim. With a little tweaking, if any, you can get down under a MOA with the big 7. Friend of mine uses one to shoot 1,000 yd matches (laying on the ground, left arm for support, and sling), and finds it fine. I'd NOT go with anything 6.5 if going to shoot Elk. Had people say they wanted a 6.5 to do so, and then showed them one of our horses and said, do you really believe at long range a 6.5 gonna get the job done? Another thing is, if using AI or Gibbs rounds, or any "wildcat" configuration, besides having to ruin the action for anything else in the future, is, they are essentially a handloading proposition. You not going to find ammo at mom & pops hardware store and gun shop in the outback. But can find 06, 7mmRM 308, etc in the outback with not too much problem. Stick with the mainline rounds and be happy.

 

[MudRunner2005]

One big thing to consider if looking at AI rounds is, you have to modify the feed rails to make it feed. Once done, you can't go back to regular ammo. The 7mmRM a fine round, and plenty accurate. And folks who say the factory rifles won't shoot, evidently not shooting them. You can get all the accuracy you need from a Rem 700 with not problem, and your chances of ever shooting at a 1000 yds at an Elk pretty slim. With a little tweaking, if any, you can get down under a MOA with the big 7. Friend of mine uses one to shoot 1,000 yd matches (laying on the ground, left arm for support, and sling), and finds it fine. I'd NOT go with anything 6.5 if going to shoot Elk. Had people say they wanted a 6.5 to do so, and then showed them one of our horses and said, do you really believe at long range a 6.5 gonna get the job done? Another thing is, if using AI or Gibbs rounds, or any "wildcat" configuration, besides having to ruin the action for anything else in the future, is, they are essentially a handloading proposition. You not going to find ammo at mom & pops hardware store and gun shop in the outback. But can find 06, 7mmRM 308, etc in the outback with not too much problem. Stick with the mainline rounds and be happy.

None of my AI chambered rifles required modding the feed rails. And reglular ammo will still feed.

 

[Ron Milby]

Build a custom 7mm RemMag with a 26" 1:8 twist barrel.

7 Rem Mag is the way to go. Great hunting round and great round to ring steel.

 

[IndianaMatt]

Short Action-
7 SAUM or a Sherman

Long action-
.280 AI or a Sherman

If you want bigger-
I really like my 35 Whelen

 

[kevin0270]

7mm remington mag.my vote