So over the past few months I have come to realize that the 6.5X284 is (for the most part) the 6.5mm cartridge of choice for long range shooters. I am looking now at the 7mm caliber and am asking which cartidge would be best considering all aspects of shooting. I am looking at first accuracy, recoil(less is better for me), barrel life, brass quality, cost to reload among lots of things. What would you recommend in the 7mm caliber for 600 and 1000 yard shooting and possibly beyond??? Please all suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the advice.
7mm choices
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James Jones
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What are you shooting at at 1000yds?
for critters up to deer my vote goes to the 7-08 Ackley improved , you can use 308 Lapua brass which is very high quality and last a long time ,easy to find and cheap. 200 pieces would probably last the life of the barrel if you diden't get nuts with the pressure.
The 7-08 will have better barrel life less recoil than the 284 or 7mmWSM though you will give up some speed to the other two , maybe 200-250fps to the 284.
With a 168gr Berger at 2800fps you will have plenty energy to kill deer at 1000yds , and if you run a longer barrel say 28-30" you could possibley get 2800fps with the 180gr Berger
for critters up to deer my vote goes to the 7-08 Ackley improved , you can use 308 Lapua brass which is very high quality and last a long time ,easy to find and cheap. 200 pieces would probably last the life of the barrel if you diden't get nuts with the pressure.
The 7-08 will have better barrel life less recoil than the 284 or 7mmWSM though you will give up some speed to the other two , maybe 200-250fps to the 284.
With a 168gr Berger at 2800fps you will have plenty energy to kill deer at 1000yds , and if you run a longer barrel say 28-30" you could possibley get 2800fps with the 180gr Berger
zuba
Well-Known Member
I got this in an email the other day. I went with the 7wsm...
Vince B's 7mm WSM Record-Breaker (7 Win Short Mag)
Vince B's 7mm WSM Record-Breaker (7 Win Short Mag)
I have shot 7mm rem mag for years. also have a 7mm Weatherby mag as well. Both good, and not to be scared of, always been happy.
Recently,however after putting together a 260 AI, I have decided that 280 AI will be where I am going in the future. efficient and easy to load. With a longer barrel, it will be all i need using 180 vlds. If i really want to stretch the legs i would feel more comfortable in one of the 338's
Recently,however after putting together a 260 AI, I have decided that 280 AI will be where I am going in the future. efficient and easy to load. With a longer barrel, it will be all i need using 180 vlds. If i really want to stretch the legs i would feel more comfortable in one of the 338's
JARHEAD1371
Well-Known Member
I have done more research on the 7mm than I care to admit. If I had to stick with a 7 I'd either go with the WSM or Rem Mag pushing bullets in the 168 gr range. After all my research I decided to go with the 270 WSM pushing 150 gr Wildcat Bullets through a 28" barrel. The deer and antelope in SD won't know what hit them. gun)
MTNRaine
Well-Known Member
If you need a 7mm barrel i have exactly what you need!
I read the articles on that link. So is the extra neck length 7mm x 300WSM worth the effort over the 7mm WSM? Are there sources for quality brass? Looks like NORMA makes 300WSM, what about 7mm WSM? The neck reamer in that article was .312", turning the case down to that number does not sound unreasonable.
Interesting stuff.
JeffVN
Well-Known Member
I believe only Winchester makes 7WSM brass. I shoot the straight 7WSM., using Winchester brass. The length of the neck has not gotten in the way of my doing pretty well with it in F-Class Open.
JeffVN
JeffVN
Jeff,
If you don't mind me asking, tell me (us) a little about your rifle. Barrel length? Action? Scope?
Thanks!
JeffVN
Well-Known Member
Sure.
My current rig is a tactical 7WSM that I have modified only slightly - I bought a dedicated long-throated F-Class barrel - to shoot F-Class open. It based on a Surgeon SA using a McMillan Baker Special Stock with KMW cheek hardware, uses Badger Bottom Metal and AI Magazines (a 5 round .308 mag holds 3 7WSM and a 10 round mag holds 7 7WSM. In its tatcial configuration it runs a 26" barrel with a Op Inc Break and runs smoothly from the magazine running either Sierra 175s or Berger 180s seated to OAL of 2.90." In its F-Class configuration it runs a 28" barrel with NO break that has been long-throated to run the Berger 180s at 3.12", but must be single fed. Both barrels are AMU/MTU contour, so teh 28" barrel runs about 1.0 -1.5 pounds heavier. The Galss is OS Optics 5-25X with the PCMOA reticle, for ranging and ease of holding off when shooting.
This picture is of the 26" barrel before I got the 28" - you can see the thread cap on the front of the barrel where I have removed the break and installed the thread protector.
She ran just fine using short-throated ammo in F-Class Open.
My current rig is a tactical 7WSM that I have modified only slightly - I bought a dedicated long-throated F-Class barrel - to shoot F-Class open. It based on a Surgeon SA using a McMillan Baker Special Stock with KMW cheek hardware, uses Badger Bottom Metal and AI Magazines (a 5 round .308 mag holds 3 7WSM and a 10 round mag holds 7 7WSM. In its tatcial configuration it runs a 26" barrel with a Op Inc Break and runs smoothly from the magazine running either Sierra 175s or Berger 180s seated to OAL of 2.90." In its F-Class configuration it runs a 28" barrel with NO break that has been long-throated to run the Berger 180s at 3.12", but must be single fed. Both barrels are AMU/MTU contour, so teh 28" barrel runs about 1.0 -1.5 pounds heavier. The Galss is OS Optics 5-25X with the PCMOA reticle, for ranging and ease of holding off when shooting.
This picture is of the 26" barrel before I got the 28" - you can see the thread cap on the front of the barrel where I have removed the break and installed the thread protector.
She ran just fine using short-throated ammo in F-Class Open.
tjonh2001
Well-Known Member
my vote is for the 7mm wsm. i have been shooting one for a few years now and havent looked back. dont be affraid of the 180 bergers, i am pushing mine right at 3000 and would be comfortable shooting an elk to 1000yards.
Have every tried one of the Hornady 162 gr or Sierra 160 gr SBT's?
