7mm rem mag... I don't get it.

While range finders have turned into a wonderful, affordable tool for most hunters I have yet to see a gadget that can calculate the wind drift for you in the field. .

In the same way that you can use a range finder to calculate bullet drop, and then make MOA adjustments to your scope, you can also use a wind meter and do the same for windage:

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Kestrel 1000 Electronic Hand Held Wind Meter


Measures:

Current Wind Speed
Average Wind Speed
Maximum Wind Gust
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Data hold function
Large easy-to-read display
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Wide range of wind speeds and low startup speed
Two-year warranty
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A slip-on protective cover

Neck lanyard
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7mm, mag or otherwise

I always remember Jack O'connor's writings about them. He once stated how many hundreds of game animals he had either shot, or seen shot, with each of a 7 x 57, or a 7mm Rem mag. He stated that he could not detect any difference between the two, on the effect on an animal. He said the obvious, a good hit, dead animal. poor hit, wounded animal.
I much prefer a light Mauser, without the belt around the case.
 
I always remember Jack O'connor's writings about them. He once stated how many hundreds of game animals he had either shot, or seen shot, with each of a 7 x 57, or a 7mm Rem mag. He stated that he could not detect any difference between the two, on the effect on an animal. He said the obvious, a good hit, dead animal. poor hit, wounded animal.
I much prefer a light Mauser, without the belt around the case.

And not to mention "H4831" is a darn good powder, too... ;)
 
At 400 yards there is so little difference between the 7mm Mag & the 30-06 that no animal in the world will be able to tell the difference.

If laser like trajectory and retained energy were the only criteria in a hunting rifle we would all be packing braked .50 BMG chambered rifles.

The .50 doesn't have a laser like trajectory compared to some for hunting, and one will NEVER sit in my gun room, EVER!
Cat
 
In the same way that you can use a range finder to calculate bullet drop, and then make MOA adjustments to your scope, you can also use a wind meter and do the same for windage:

OK .........................................

So how do you get the deer/elk/moose or whatever to stay put in one spot while you trot the 400 - 500- 600 or whatever yards down to where said animal is to check the wind conditions there? :rolleyes:

There is no guarantee your 5 mph breeze where you are standing is not gusting to 15 mph where the animal is standing. That 10 mph difference will have your high .500 BC bullet started as 3100 fps impacting 10-12 inches off of where you think it will. Just enough to result in a gut-shot animal in a lot of cases.

Also say you are shooting cross canyon which is very typical with long range shooting here in B.C. Even an experienced shooter who takes the time to watch the grass and brush movement where the animal is and make a good guess at what is happening there has no way of gauging what is happening out in the open between where the shooter and animal is sitting.
 
The wind direction and speed between the shooter and the target can be estimated by watching the mirage between the two as you change the focus of a spotting scope set at high power.

However it is at best an estimate.
 
Boo, you are of course correct about that- Although the wind meter does give you a reasonably good guess, and that is the best you can get with a meter.

A long range shooter I knew once told me that the most important part was wind doping, and that the mirage doens't lie. That does indeed take experience, but I've also seen some fine shooters use wind meters and adjust thier shots accordingly, and hit the target.

It's just another tool inthe toolbox, and it won't work perfectly in 100% of the situations.
 
. That does indeed take experience, but I've also seen some fine shooters use wind meters and adjust thier shots accordingly, and hit the target.

While hunting we usually have little time to judge the animal, range the distance, dope the wind, get a steady rest, and pull off a shot.
I think Ted's estimate of 2 shooters in a hundred may even be a bit optimistic. While hunting, unlike a lot of long-range target shooting, the first shot does count and in most cases it is the only shot that counts. A "windage" shot prior to "real shot" is not a good idea while hunting. ;)


To get this thread back on track I stand fast on my assertion that the extra little bit of effective range the 7mm RM offers over the 30-06 is lost on the majority of hunters out in the field each year. :)
 
The 7mm mag seems like a love it or hate it chambering in my experience.

I've known more than one guy who bought one and quickly got rid of it due to noise and recoil, or due to a close range failure-to-kill what a .303, .308, or 30-06 would have dropped cold. Most of the guys I know who hunt with one are sort of part time hunters/shooters; the guys who one day went out and bought one hunting rifle with a scope and some ammo and decided that they were done shopping for rifles. It serves them I guess, but I always wonder if it's more because they never experienced anything else.
 
The 7 Rem Mag is a damn fine cartridge...arguably one of the best around for North American game, and anyone that claims otherwise has not used one (properly)!
 
The 7 Rem Mag is a damn fine cartridge...arguably one of the best around for North American game, and anyone that claims otherwise has not used one (properly)!
Which of course could be said about any number of cartridges from the .270Win. up to the 338Win or 35 Whelen.

Personal preference prevails.......... I think it's more than I would need for deer and not enough (for me) for bigger stuff.


.
 
I was recently shooting some 160 gr Accubonds in my old SAKO 7mm mag. It leisurely put three, three-shot groups into less than an inch at 3100 fps using Re22. This at 100 yd.

The group size with this load at the pig rail, 300 m, 327 yd, was less than five inches. The center of the group was less than three inches low.

That is about as far as most can shoot well enough in the field, and flat enough for anyone to hunt anything in the world. :D

I have shot quite a few groups at this same distance with various 30-06 rifles and loads, and they drop about four inches more at this distance. Still plenty flat enough for a rifleman who knows his gun.

Ted
 
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While hunting we usually have little time to judge the animal, range the distance, dope the wind, get a steady rest, and pull off a shot.
I think Ted's estimate of 2 shooters in a hundred may even be a bit optimistic. While hunting, unlike a lot of long-range target shooting, the first shot does count and in most cases it is the only shot that counts. A "windage" shot prior to "real shot" is not a good idea while hunting. ;)

)


Sorry, i should have said "adjust thier scopes" not "adjust thier shots" No ranging shots fired, just range, check wind, dial in and BLAMMO....:)

If you are shooting past 300 yards, you should be taking your time, not rushing it!:cool:
 
I was recently shooting some 160 gr Accubonds in my old SAKO 7mm mag. It leisurely put three, three-shot groups into less than an inch at 3100 fps using Re22. This at 100 yd.

The group size with this load at the pig rail, 300 m, 327 yd, was less than five inches. The center of the group was less than three inches low.

That is about as far as most can shoot well enough in the field, and flat enough for anyone to hunt anything in the world. :D

I have shot quite a few groups at this same distance with various 30-06 rifles and loads, and they drop about four inches more at this distance. Still plenty flat enough for a rifleman who knows his gun.

Ted

Yep, you said it!
 
I shoot a 7mm mag and handload for it as well. My rifle is picky as to the powder I use but here are a few loads.

140g accubond chrony'd at 3100 fps and VERY accurate. Better than a 270...hmmm maybe

160 accubond 3000 fps and VERY accurate. Not bad.

Truth is I do not load my rifle with hot tricked out loads. Sure it is capable of more but I have found that as soon as I exceed 3100 fsp using any bullet my accuarcy goes to hell. I think that a 270 is probably more effiecent using a 140 grain bullet. Downrange though the 7mm is very good and is a flat shooter
which is why I like is so much.

My other favortie cartridge would the 7X57, I have a thing for 7mm's
 
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