300 WSM or a 7mm Rem mag???

I have both a 300 win and a 7mm. The I prefer the 7mm hands down, just the recoil difference sells it for me. Bigger isnt always better...thats what I have come to learn.
 
Don't know if others do but I look at numbers a lot. The best chronographed load I can get with my 7 mag & 175 grn bullets is approx 2800 fps in a 24 inch barrel. I keep thinking it should be able to do 2900 but no dice. My 3006 in a 22 inch barrel gets 2740 fps with 180 grn bullets. I know they are all very good but for whatever reason the 7 mag performance troubles me. Going to try some different powder but am not hopeful within safe limits.
 
I have both a 300 win and a 7mm. The I prefer the 7mm hands down, just the recoil difference sells it for me. Bigger isnt always better...thats what I have come to learn.

The 300 Win does recoil considerably more than a 7 Rem. The 300 WSM isn't much different though. I've got a matched set in 7mm and 300 WSM and there isnt a dimes worth of difference between those two. The .300 Win is about 1 1/2 7Rems.
 
Don't know if others do but I look at numbers a lot. The best chronographed load I can get with my 7 mag & 175 grn bullets is approx 2800 fps in a 24 inch barrel. I keep thinking it should be able to do 2900 but no dice. My 3006 in a 22 inch barrel gets 2740 fps with 180 grn bullets. I know they are all very good but for whatever reason the 7 mag performance troubles me. Going to try some different powder but am not hopeful within safe limits.

Theres some sluggish 7 Rems out there. What powder are you using?
 
Theres some sluggish 7 Rems out there. What powder are you using?

My best powders so far are IMR 4831 and RL22. I have my 150 gr TSX ramped up to 3090 fps using 66 grains of RL22. That is a bit off the max load in some manuals. Work up and watch for high pressure signs. I think in the last several years, lawyers have been writing the manuals... my 2 bits. Your call.
 
Both good. Like the .300WSM - on paper bit more recoil but find it a lot more of a push than a punch. Prefer shooting it over 30-06 and .300WM.

Simplistic answer perhaps but try both at the range.
 
you can get the 300 wsm file or order a new bolt stop get the big clip and you can seat the bullets to the lands ,I have done this to a 260 rem so I can shoot vld bullets

Where did you order the new bolt stop from and which bigger mag are you running for the 300wsm. I would love to be able to seat my bullet out further and closer to the lands. I finding no accuracy loading to mag length.
 
Theres some sluggish 7 Rems out there. What powder are you using?

I have tried H870, RL22 and IMR4831. Am going to try retumbo next. I know some use H1000 or IMR7828 but man how many powders does a person have to own. Have tried 160 grain bullets but for whatever reason have always liked 175 grain more. I know, can't get H870 any more.
 
I have tried H870, RL22 and IMR4831. Am going to try retumbo next. I know some use H1000 or IMR7828 but man how many powders does a person have to own. Have tried 160 grain bullets but for whatever reason have always liked 175 grain more. I know, can't get H870 any more.

I just started with mine and the crony said I was knocking on the door of 3000fps in a 22'' barrel with a 168 nosler LRAB without excessive pressure. I'm using H1000, it could be the answer you're looking for.
 
I have tried H870, RL22 and IMR4831. Am going to try retumbo next. I know some use H1000 or IMR7828 but man how many powders does a person have to own. Have tried 160 grain bullets but for whatever reason have always liked 175 grain more. I know, can't get H870 any more.

You may never get it. Lots of rifles will never match the book.
 
Thanks for the input guys. Ive decided to go with the 300WSM. Picked it up this morning and tried it out this afternoon. Loaded up somen180 grain sierra gamekings, 3 shot groups were right about the 1 inch mark, and averaged 2917fps. Ill play with the seating depth next week and see what I end up with.
 
I doubt that I'd buy a 7 mag because the performance is so close to that of a .280, and I wouldn't purchase a short mag because their powder capacity is negatively impacted by the use of long bullets, which by necessity seat below the shoulder of the cartridge if they are to fit in the magazine. If the Tikka is a long action, the bullets can be seated out a bit, unless the rifle has a short throat, but the WSM still takes a back seat to the performance of the full length cartridges. So I guess my choice is would be a .308 Norma, a .300 Winchester or .300 Weatherby. Ranger Dave brings up the point of recoil, and these cartridges produce their share, where a 7 mag is more like a .30/06, but the .300s don't kick so hard that a dedicated rifleman can't develop a comfort level with them, if the rifle fits him, the respective heights of the comb and rings are compatible, and the rifle is fitted with a good recoil pad.

It appears though that you've made your choice, and the rifle appears to be a good shooter. Congrats.
 
If you already have lots of brass to reload than there is nothing to think about.
If you like 7mm RM,since it does not make difference in Tikka because all same lenght in action and in any magnum barrel lenght as well get the 7mm. Pretty sure it is easy to swap the brass.
I personally like WSM and have 270 and 300 but if long magnums are your thing then no short magnum guys can give you any advice,
Someone said that WSM hits harder,i personally dont know but know that with my 300WSM nothing walked away or had troubles finding it. Especially in combo with Barnes everything that was hit where aimed fall in its tracks or make few steps before falling down. I would not look in any other cal.for big game other than WSMs.
Now i dont need ten or fifteen comments what is wrong with 300WM or Weatherby or whatever longer than WSM.
Apsolutely nothing wrong,all great choices just WSM is something i liked and was succesfull with it,all i need.
Shoot on range 300WM and to me no big difference just never shoot an animal with it
 
is the .270winchester not an option for you?

long action, high velocity, 2015 modern bullets and I assume you can shoot accurate under pressure of a high country sheep hunt to place a shot in the vitals at the range you stalked into, beit 200 or 500, your call.

I know with mine, an with suitable bullet I could kill a goat at 400, with more practise I'd slip one into a fallow deer (goat sized) at 500 an that would be far enough.. that's with extreme practise a new scope bla bla.... but im just saying... its capable?

WL
 
I like the 7 mag. Fortunately I started loading for it years ago when you could get some velocity from it and never cut bak when the reloading manuals did. I'm usually pushing 160 at just under 3100. If I want more I go to the 300RUM with 200 accubonds at the same velocity. I'm sure I could get more but never tried as I get the same trajectory as the 7 mag.
 
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