7MM Dakota

[dwm]

Anyone have any experience with a rifle chambered in 7MM Dakota?

Looks like about the perfect "commercially available" case for a Remington 700 LA magnum boltface rifle. (No fireforming.) Big fat case that has 7MM RUM capacity and is only 2.50 inches long, same length as a 280 Remington, and 0.34 inches shorter than a 7MM RUM.

Could easily drive long heavy 7MM bullets and still be able to fit them in the magazine. Something to think about when I shoot out the barrel on the 7MM RUM ...

What is involved with chambering a R700 7MM RUM to 7MM Dakota?

What kind of performance can you get from the 7MM Dakota?

Does Redding make off the shelf dies for it?

How about throat life?

 

[sure shot]

I'm also very interested in this cartridge and would like to hear everyone's thoughts on it. Is Dakota the only manufacturer making brass for them?

 

[duckinalaska]

I would worry about shooting the barrel out of the 7 RUM first. I would rather keep the ultra. The Dakota has about the same performance as the STW, and the brass is expensive.

 

[Len Backus]

Capacity is much less than the RUM, about the same as the STW. Redding does make the dies. If you are planning to switch to longer bullets as your throat moves, be aware of the need for a faster twist on longer bullets.