7MM or 300 Dakota

[hwy40]

I am gearing up for a rifle build on a Parker/Hale M1200 action. I am planning on going from a standard bolt face to a magnum. I had been entertaining going with the 7mm/375 Ruger wildcat but I can get the same performance out of the Dakota cartridges. The only question is 7MM or 300. I want to be able to take ballistcally responsible shots out to 1000 yards but should be shooting from 0-700 most often. The other particulars of the rifle will be a Bell&Carlson full aluminum block bedded stock, a Shilen #5 contour barrel, possibly fluted and finished at or about 27" topped with a Leupold custom shop VX-III 4X14 with custom BDC turrets mounted in a Leupold 1 piece windage adjustable base with matching rings. Let me know what you think and what your reasoning is for the caliber choice. Thanks in advance,
Dale.gun)

 

[JARHEAD1371]

I would go with the 7mm Dakota or 7/300 Dakota. Stick with the high BC 7mm VLD bullets and you will have no problem out to a grand. I would skip the windage adjustable base and either go with a dual dovetail or one piece rings/base from Nightforce. In my experience, these are much tougher setups plus you get 20 MOA cant with the Nightforce.

 

[hwy40]

How much difference will a 20moa base make? I can see it helping out at 1K but will it hurt me up close?

 

[JARHEAD1371]

The 20 MOA bases won't hurt you up close. It will help you out with your scope adjustment not bottoming out. Instead of using the bottom portion of the scope adjustment you will use the middle of the overall scope adjustment area. I that makes sense to you.

 

[hwy40]

That makes total sence, thank you. In the past I have just learned the ballistics of the load I am shooting and then held over. It works alright out to 600 or so but beyond that it gets pretty sketchy. I don't like sketchy when the kids are hungry.

 

[ewallace]

Both of the Dakota cartridges you are looking at will do the job at 1000 yards it would depend on what you are hunting if elk I would lean more to the 30 with 210g bullets.

 

[hwy40]

The only issue I have with shooting a 210 out of a 300 is that you can't get your velocity up very high. I don't mind the weight but I want to push it closer to 3000fps rather than 2800. My reasoning is that there is a 300 ft/lb difference at 1k. That can be the difference between proper bullet function and the bullet acting like a FMJ.
I think I would stick with a 180 in the 300 at around 3200 fps just for the retianed velocity and flatter trajectory.

 

[JARHEAD1371]

With the 7/300 Dakota you should be able to push the 180 Berger's or JLK's around 3100 fps. Plus you utilize the high BC of the 7mm.

You might also research the 300 Jazz, it's a 338 Norma necked to .30 and Improved. It will push a 210 Berger to 3150 with a mild load. I'm looking at this cartridge for my next build, except pushing the 220, 240 SMK, or 210 JLK.

 

[Bob lee]

If your going to be shooting at animals I would go with the .300 Dakota for the extra ft/ lbs of energy at long distances , sure the 7mm has great bc per bullet weight but not a significant difference if shooting the heavier vld s out of either chambering. I had a .300 Dakota that was built on a rem action and it shot lights out. Ibwas able to get 1 inch groups at 300 yards with 190 and 210 vlds the Jlk shot slightly better than the Berger.

 

[kc]

I have a Remington 7mm MAG and I love it..it needs a new Barrel and I plan to go back to the same calibre. It has feen fired well over 5000 rounds and thats about as all she can give me.
But anything that was over at 500 yards was killed or would be inside a 5 inch plate.

 

[trueblue]

Jarhead,
Just for your imformation, the 300 JAZZ will push the 240SMK @ 2900fps pretty easily.
Hwy40
I would not go the Dakota route. I would get a 7 or 300 RUM Sendero for about $1,100 and put a Nightforce on it, unless you already have the action for your build.

 

[hwy40]

I already have the action sitting here. That was why I was thinking about the Dakota. I don't have enough room to get a RUM in there without compromising the action.

 

[270 lefty]

If your going to be shooting at animals I would go with the .300 Dakota for the extra ft/ lbs of energy at long distances , sure the 7mm has great bc per bullet weight but not a significant difference if shooting the heavier vld s out of either chambering. I had a .300 Dakota that was built on a rem action and it shot lights out. Ibwas able to get 1 inch groups at 300 yards with 190 and 210 vlds the Jlk shot slightly better than the Berger.

I shoot a 270 amp based on a necked down 7 dakota with an improved shoulder loaded lite it still has almost 1600 ft lbs @ 1000 yards 170 grain bullet. I fill more than comfortable with that on elk @ 1000 yards

 

[hwy40]

The whole idea here is that I have a standard length action. I could build a 300 Win, 338 win, 358 Norma, 7mm rem/weatherby or maximize the actions potential with the Dakota. I have a 30-06 that I am comfortable with out to 500 or so, and just need some more punch at longer ranges. I am not a believer in bigger bullet makes deader animals. The venerable 45-70 won't kill a cottontail if you don't hit something vital. I am looking for retained energy at long range, something that comes from high B.C and velocity. I can achieve that with one of the Dakota chamberings. I just wanted your thoughts which one would make more sence. Thanks for your opinions and thoughts.