7mm Rem Mag on the decline?

[ndking1126]

Hello, I just got my first magnum, a 7mm Rem Mag Savage 110. It's used, and I bought it for the action. If I can shoot it as is for awhile, that's just a plus.

I'm not seeing as many factory ammo options as I used to, or at least as I seem to remember. There are a lot of "Unavailable, Limited Run" and "Unavailable, No Backorder" on websites. Do you think this is because demand is so high and they can't keep things in stock, or because new cartridges (PRC, 28 Nosler, etc) are starting to replace it? If it matters, I'm looking for ammo in the 150-162 range for my 1:9.5" factory barrel.

 

[KMLampson]

Demand for ammo right now is beyond crazy, especially for popular cartridges.

 

[Quintus]

I still see ALOT of 7 mag at most of the gun shops and Cabelas and such, while several still have never seen a Nosler cartridge and have not hardly heard of the 6.5 PRC. They have ALL heard of the Creed and that may have taken some of the share, at least around places I get to.

 

[257Tony]

I'm thinking the old 7 mag is better than it's ever been right now, with modern powders like R26 and a 180 vld or eld, it's tough to beat! Especially if you lengthen the throat a little...

 

[ndking1126]

Thank you for your feedback. I was leaning towards high demand, but thought it was worth asking. I've never been one to like big magums because I don't like a lot of recoil. I used to have a 30-06 with a hard butt plate that I shot 180 grains out of. I figure shooting 160s with a recoil pad will be about the same recoil (maybe a little less?) but with a lot better ballistics. And because it means I got to get a new gun.

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

I wouldnt say its declining. We're in a major ammo crunch right now. People will often over look it for the 300 win mag but I really like the 7mm rem mag. With modern powder and bullets it's a really hard case to beat for the 7mm bore. Not over bore but not under powered. Good all around cartridge

 

[J E Custom]

The 7 mm mag will be around for many years because it versatility and power. there are many wannabees and the only thing close the the total package is the 280 AI. just like the 6.5s cant actually replace the 7 mm mag the 7mm rem mag cant replace the 30 mags. But it is not supposed to. most cartridges fit a niche and will do somethings a little better than others in that same niche.

Ammo manufactures, go where the most business is at that time and sometimes neglect the cartridge that made them money in the past. The new designer cartridges are most of the reason for the shortages in other tried and true cartridges.

I used a 7mm rem mag for 1000 yard matches and I never had any doubts about it's capability at those distances, Especially when conditions killed other cartridges performance.

At one time the 280 had all but disappeared and only the dye hard knew there value. Now it is one of the best 7mm cartridges available and popularity has returned better than it was.

J E CUSTOM

 

[ndking1126]

At one time the 280 had all but disappeared and only the dye hard knew there value. Now it is one of the best 7mm cartridges available and popularity has returned better than it was.

J E CUSTOM

Agreed, and it was/is very high on my list. I really like the 280AI, probably better than the 7RM, but the lack of factory ammo is a problem for me. I don't have time to reload anymore, so I just shoot factory. That and when buying used it can be hard to get exactly what you want. I'm hoping to shoot this for 3, 4 years and see if the 280AI ammo selection is any better. On the other hand, I have a 270Win and feel like the 280AI is a little too close to that in power. The 7mm makes more sense in that regard. First world problem, that's for sure!

 

[FEENIX]

Hello, I just got my first magnum, a 7mm Rem Mag Savage 110. It's used, and I bought it for the action. If I can shoot it as is for awhile, that's just a plus.

I'm not seeing as many factory ammo options as I used to, or at least as I seem to remember. There are a lot of "Unavailable, Limited Run" and "Unavailable, No Backorder" on websites. Do you think this is because demand is so high and they can't keep things in stock, or because new cartridges (PRC, 28 Nosler, etc) are starting to replace it? If it matters, I'm looking for ammo in the 150-162 range for my 1:9.5" factory barrel.

Sometimes the shortage depends on the bullet weight you are looking for. For instance, this online retailer >>> http://www.selwayarmory.com/catalogsearch/result/?caliber=5766&cat=0&q=hsm+AMMUNITION on has 150 and up on their current inventory list. For me, the 168 is perfect for your rifle. BTW, your action is an excellent choice for DIY projects. I have a .270 AI and .264 WM builds with 110/111 actions. Good luck!

 

[LVJ76]

On the decline? No.

There are tons of ammo options from all brands, just not many available right now with the current high demand on ammo.

About 3 of weeks ago I got an email from Sportsmans Warehouse about some loyalty points I had to use or lose them, so I went online to see what I could use theae points on and thought heck some ammo for my 7mm Rem Mag, and no ammo available, lots of options but all out of stock. I wanted the Federal premium with the 168gr Bergers to try them out but had to put in for notifications of when in stock. Just got them in on Friday.

When I did go in store where there is usually tons of 7mm Rem Mag ammo was just empty.

 

[Jud96]

It's definitely not on the decline. I know 3 people personally who have either bought or built a 7mm Rem Mag in the past year. There are more options today such as the 6.5 PRC, 280 AI, 7mm SAUM, 28 Nosler, 30 Nosler, and 300 PRC that are all gaining traction and taking away from the overall amount of new 7mm Rem Mags being built. The thing is though, most rifle manufacturers make 7mm Rem Mags and not all of them make the other cartridges. There's also a lot more people getting involved in long range shooting/hunting/competition nowadays as well. So I think more people will continue to be buying 7mm Rem Mags for years to come. It might lose some popularity in the coming years, but it will never fully die off anytime soon. It's such a well rounded cartridge and there's so many options for ammo, rifles, brass, data, bullets, dies, etc that it will be hard to fully replace.

 

[Westernhuntr]

I think a better question would be " is the 300 WM on the decline"..

 

[Buck Fever]

If 280AI is close to 7 RM, 284 Winchester is also.

I just bought a set of 7 RM loading dies for parts because I need an expander for 284 dies from a defunct manufacturer.

The funny thing is that I already have a buyer for the parts I don't need.

Personally I want to stay away from belted cartridges otherwise I would have a 7 RM for sure.

I know loading for belted cartridges is different and I want to stick with straight wall and bottle neck...

 

[25WSM]

Don't worry your 7mag will be around forever. It's still one of the most popular cartridges in the USA. And for good reason.
Shep