7MM build to "do it all"

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Betaprovet

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I am new to the forum and relatively new to shooting/ hunting. Been shooting and reloading pretty heavy for the last two years, got in deep...real fast!

To the point, I am wanting to build a "light"(8-10lbs) 7MM rig for hunting (100-400yrds) and medium to long range shooting (1000yrds and beyond). My main hunting focus is on elk and moose but deer and bear would be in the mix from time to time. I am ok with recoil management and my main rifle is a 300prc right now. I like the 300prc but I am wanting to build a 7mm custom rifle, this would be my first custom build. My main question would be what chambering? I am leaning towards a 280AI/ 7 SAUM or 7prc, what do you recommend and why? I will most likely load 160cx's or something similar for hunting and load some heavies for long range. I am all ears for suggestions, I have no bias here.

Second question, what action? I would like something stainless or very rust resistant, smooth and the option to change bolt faces if I decide to change it up. Bolt face changes are not a deal breaker though.

Third question would be stock, thinking carbon fiber here as well. I do like adjustability to get the ergos right! I would prefer a stock over a chassis.

Fourth question would be barrel, I'm leaning towards a proof carbon sendero, what carbon barrels have you used that flat out shoot. I would like to use a muzzle break as well, any suggestions there would be nice.

The rest of the build I think I have dialed... scope, mounting and trigger etc...

Sorry for the long post, thanks for your time if you made it to the bottom!

Cheers!
 
Thanks for the replies, appreciate the input. I have been considering a tikka action, they are so good, in my experience! Thanks for the input on the carbon barrels, that's the sort of info I'm looking for
 
I have gone down this road (custom 7mm for LR and hunting). I built if to bang steel out past 1000m and hunt big game.
Mine is 4 lbs heavier than your preferred overall weight but I prefer steel barrels.

Specs:
-1980’s Rem 700 LA action
-7mm Rem Mag
-8.5 ROT Krieger Sendero 24” SS barrel
-McMillan HTG/ADJ with left side flush cups and pic rail
-Williams bottom metal (oberndorf).
-Fat recoil lug
-Worked Rem trigger
-Heathen brake
-ATRS rings
-Leica Amplus 6 3-18X44i

It was built by Insite Arms, accuracy is phenomenal (180 Berger bullets in ADG brass).
When hunting I use a TAB Biathlon Sling, (carries easy) or it rides on the right side of my ruck with a quick release strap.

I love big 7’s, great ballistics and they buck the wind.
 
I would stay from the 284 win case, only because I just went through a nightmare trying to get mine to feed.

I haven’t looked at the 280 ackley case too much, but it seems long. If you want to run long bullets and stick them out of the case a ways you might run out of room in your action/magazine depending on what action you choose. You’ll have to do the math.

I like the 7 saum if you’re planning on running the 160-175 grain bullets. 7prc if you’re going with those 195 Bergers. Theres one more which is a tad more exotic called a 7prcw or7-6.5prcw, I think it’s the 6.5prc necked up to accept 7mm bullets.
 
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J996 said:
I have gone down this road (custom 7mm for LR and hunting). I built if to bang steel out past 1000m and hunt big game.
Mine is 4 lbs heavier than your preferred overall weight but I prefer steel barrels.

Specs:
-1980’s Rem 700 LA action
-7mm Rem Mag
-8.5 ROT Krieger Sendero 24” SS barrel
-McMillan HTG/ADJ with left side flush cups and pic rail
-Williams bottom metal (oberndorf).
-Fat recoil lug
-Worked Rem trigger
-Heathen brake
-ATRS rings
-Leica Amplus 6 3-18X44i

It was built by Insite Arms, accuracy is phenomenal (180 Berger bullets in ADG brass).
When hunting I use a TAB Biathlon Sling, (carries easy) or it rides on the right side of my ruck with a quick release strap.

I love big 7’s, great ballistics and they buck the wind.
Click to expand...

IMG_7443.jpeg
 
J996 said:
I have gone down this road (custom 7mm for LR and hunting). I built if to bang steel out past 1000m and hunt big game.
Mine is 4 lbs heavier than your preferred overall weight but I prefer steel barrels.

Specs:
-1980’s Rem 700 LA action
-7mm Rem Mag
-8.5 ROT Krieger Sendero 24” SS barrel
-McMillan HTG/ADJ with left side flush cups and pic rail
-Williams bottom metal (oberndorf).
-Fat recoil lug
-Worked Rem trigger
-Heathen brake
-ATRS rings
-Leica Amplus 6 3-18X44i

It was built by Insite Arms, accuracy is phenomenal (180 Berger bullets in ADG brass).
When hunting I use a TAB Biathlon Sling, (carries easy) or it rides on the right side of my ruck with a quick release strap.

I love big 7’s, great ballistics and they buck the wind.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply, cool build! The 7mm road haha, I've never owned or shot a 7mm but all of a sudden I need one...your right, the numbers are just to good on these 7's. Did you have it chambered to run a longer coal than 7 rem mag sami spec? If that makes sense
 
Bustercluck said:
There’s plenty of good canadian barrels out there that are as good or better than anything else. Ibi, ks arms, or jury.
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I'm running a ks arms 6 dasher barrel and it flat out shoots!! Supper happy with Mike's work and customer service. Thanks for the reminder, I do like to support Canadian made products.
 
Thunderhog said:
What? Not the 284 Winchester that you and I love.

Oh the shame of it.......:) LOL:ROFLMAO::LOL:
Click to expand...
I ve got a lot of 7 mm s - 284 W 280 REM 280AI 7 RM 7 PRC 7 STW 7-300 WBee

The 7 PRC is a much Improved 7 RM - better head spacing - better Coal with heavy bullets yet keeping powder capacity because of case design . Very little overbore so good barrel life etc etc etc ! 🤪😀

Ballistically “ I “ think the 7 PRC is the BEST cartridge for its FPS And it’s COAL ! And bullet weight .
Lots of the other cartridges are Great too ,! Such as the 280 AI but it needs a long action with its long COAL with heavy mono bullets as do most of Big 7 s .
The. { my } 7 PRC will shoot 180s at 3000 168 s at 3150 160s at 3200 and they all fit in a Tikka T3X action and mag .

TH - I have a 284 W LW rifle in a short action and it’s Coal is limited to LW bullets 120-130 with any performance
Those LW bullets are not good for a LR hunting rifle . 🤷🏼‍♂️
Now in a Std or LA the 284 can perform pretty good but the 280 AI is still superior in ballistics .

JMHO 😀. RJ
 
coleman1495 said:
I’d get a donor Tikka and a custom barrel. I’d probably try 284
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I fully agree as I LOVE Tikka T3X. Actions - and the mag box will do 3.340 “ plenty long .
But a 284 Win has no where near the performance of a 7 PRC
I use the 284 W in my F class rifle with a 32 “ barrel I shoot 180-184/grers at 2835 fos as that is where the node ( accuracy ) is and brass life is Good too . Can get it up to 2875 or + but it will destroy brass and accuracy is less.
In a 24 “ hunting barrel your gonna be a lot less FPS even in a long action with the long throat then a 7 PRC .
Again JMHO RJ

But it’s a Great cartridge for 100-400 yard hunting Fiordland Sure 👍
 
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Betaprovet said:
Thanks for the reply, cool build! The 7mm road haha, I've never owned or shot a 7mm but all of a sudden I need one...your right, the numbers are just to good on these 7's. Did you have it chambered to run a longer coal than 7 rem mag sami spec? If that makes sense
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Yes, I had it optimized for Berger 180’s. Running a 20 thou jump with land contact at 2.800” (ogive at 2.780). Coal is 3.520”.
IMG_7494.jpeg
 
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remington jim said:
I ve got a lot of 7 mm s - 284 W 280 REM 280AI 7 RM 7 PRC 7 STW 7-300 WBee

The 7 PRC is a much Improved 7 RM - better head spacing - better Coal with heavy bullets yet keeping powder capacity because of case design . Very little overbore so good barrel life etc etc etc ! 🤪😀

Ballistically “ I “ think the 7 PRC is the BEST cartridge for its FPS And it’s COAL ! And bullet weight .
Lots of the other cartridges are Great too ,! Such as the 280 AI but it needs a long action with its long COAL with heavy mono bullets as do most of Big 7 s .
The. { my } 7 PRC will shoot 180s at 3000 168 s at 3150 160s at 3200 and they all fit in a Tikka T3X action and mag .

TH - I have a 284 W LW rifle in a short action and it’s Coal is limited to LW bullets 120-130 with any performance
Those LW bullets are not good for a LR hunting rifle . 🤷🏼‍♂️
Now in a Std or LA the 284 can perform pretty good but the 280 AI is still superior in ballistics .

JMHO 😀. RJ
Click to expand...
Appreciate your input and experience, thank you!
 
I built more 7mm Remington Magnums than any other cartridge. It is an excellent cartridge for North America. It will handle any animal with acceptable recoil and an excellent trajectory.
The .280 Remington is also excellent with a little less in recoil and performance.
... and the 7mm-08 is excellent out to about 400 yards on game animals.
 
remington jim said:
Hey J996 Nice LR rifle . What load powder ? Primer ? Brass ? Do you run under the Berger 180 ? Also FPS please ? 😀RJ
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I developed its current load a few years ago when we had almost no powder . Retumbo and the like were unavailable, but I did manage to score a large matching lot of IMR7977. I knew this would run a bit slower, but should produce great consistency.
As things go 7977 is now discontinued. The load is 66.4 grains with Fed FGMM 215 primers in ADG cases.
It only runs 2815 fps out of the 24” barrel with a 29 moa dial for 1000 meters.
Once I burn up the current barrel and powder, I should get more speed with the N568 I now have waiting for the re-barrel.
 
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