.270 win or 7mm rem mag

My first centrefire rifle was a 7RM Savage that wouldn't feed. I haven't been too excited about belted cartridges since then - especially ones like the 7RM that have a perfectly good shoulder to headspace off of.
 
1899 said:
I've owned both, and like both. Both will do a good job for you on larger game, especially with some of the higher performance loads like these:

.270 Win
Superformance 140gr SST - 3090fps
Superformance 130gr GMX - 3190fps

7mm RM
Superformance 139gr GMX - 3190fps
Superformance 162gr SST - 3030fps

Just choose the one you want more.
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This is one comparison but there are many others.
Two Sierra screens on your monitor, or any two reloading books. One will always make the other a liar but it becomes your decision.
Much like the chicken - egg controversy, do you pick the bullet before the rifle or does the rifle come first?
When I bought my first rifle, a Model 700, the .30-06 was well reported on, and the 7 mm RM was relatively new by comparison. Already thinking of reloading, the bullet selection in .308 calibre was considerably better.
20 years later and with an elk tag in my pocket the search for a .338 WM started but there were none to be found but there was a 7mm RM. Comparisons of it versus the .30-06 left me with my original.
Comparing a 7 mm RM with a .270 must have equal comparisons. Barrel length, bullet weights, & ballistic coefficient. Sectional density might be another arguement but there is only 0.007 of an inch difference in the diametre of the two.
Rifle and fit and handling come first. Selecting the bullet is for further study.
I have a .280 Rem., and have had a .270 Win., a .30-06 (recently given to my son), and a .338. If this is the rifle of a lifetime that is one thing but when the "I think I need another rifle bug" strikes again the same advise will still be valid.
The .270 WSM was a valid additon to the comments . . . the "small ####" comment was not.
 
My simple advice is:
  • 270 Win is a better choice if you don't reload (wider choice and availability of ammo)
  • 7 Rem Mag is a better choice if you reload (better choice of bullet)

Alex
 
The 7mm Rem is a wonderful cartridge, extremely versatile flat shooting available in factoy ammo with good bullets and I personally hate the 270, no logical reason, just my own personal bias. With the 264 and 7Mag out there never saw much use for the 270. Thought about a 280? Another superb option, with greater bullet weight options than the 270.
 
hunter-4-life said:
Thanks guys. My other question is can .270 be handload to perform like a 7mm or say a 300?
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No, because it isn't;)

With bullets in the 130-150gr arena, the 7RM and the .270WCF are identical on game given the same bullet contruction and bullet placement.

If I intended to keep it under 300, I would go .270 and never look back. I used a 130gr Federal Fusion to dump my moose this year in .270.

The 7RM only starts to pull away when you move into the 160-175 gr range and are wanting to go to uber-ballistic coefficient bullets to move into the 500+yardage arena, which it sounds like you are not.

So, buy a .270 load up some 140gr Accubonds at 3000fps, and go kill deer and elk. Poor mans 7mm.
 
flick said:
My first centrefire rifle was a 7RM Savage that wouldn't feed. I haven't been too excited about belted cartridges since then - especially ones like the 7RM that have a perfectly good shoulder to headspace off of.
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The 7mm Rem Mag feeds wonderfully in all sorts of rifle. Sounds like a Savage problem.
 
rem338win said:
The 7mm Rem Mag feeds wonderfully in all sorts of rifle. Sounds like a Savage problem.
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Here comes 20 replies praising Savage as if Zeus' lightning bolts had the little chief symbol embedded on the handles. RALPH

I know shot placement is always most important, but the second thing always on my mind is energy, there for I am saying go with the 7mm.
 
7mm Rem Mag 140gr AB @ 3200fps .270 Winchester 130gr AB @ 3100fps

100yds 2765ft/lbs 2.1" 100yds 2367ft/lbs 2.4
200yds 2396ft/lbs 1.8" 200yds 2012ft/lbs 2.0"
300yds 2068ft/lbs neg. 3.1" 300yds 1701ft/lbs neg.3.3"
400yds 1776ft/lbs neg. 13.0" 400yds 1429ft/lbs neg.14.6"


I see nothing to worry about.
 
Im going with a .270 for a number of reasons: 1) Ammo anywhere! Where i live we have literally 4 calibers to choose from (.270, .30-06, .308 and .300 win mag) 2) 7mm rem mag is tad more to shoot 3) lighter recoil to practice more and my gf can shoot it 4) Just nice caliber that is proven!
Thanks for opinions!!
 
rem338win said:
The 7mm Rem Mag feeds wonderfully in all sorts of rifle. Sounds like a Savage problem.
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I was made to understand that the feeding problems in savage rifles of a particular vintage was much more prevalent with belted cartridges. No matter how you look at it a belt is a purposeless feature on a 7RM, serves only to reduce magazine capacity (or case capacity, if you'd rather look at it that way).
 
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flick said:
I was made to understand that the feeding problems in savage rifles of a particular vintage was much more prevalent with belted cartridges. No matter how you look at it a belt is a purposeless feature on a 7RM, serves only to reduce magazine capacity (or case capacity, if you'd rather look at it that way).
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You just confirmed that it was a Savage problem. I have owned belted magnums in everything from Mausers to falling blocks and never had an issue. The belts don't intrude into the case capacity, and the reason they all have belts is due to them sharing the parent cartridge of the .375 H&H that did headspace off of the belt. People have been more than able to shoot itty bitty trophy winning groups with the cartridges sporting that belt, so who cares?
 
Belts

rem338win said:
You just confirmed that it was a Savage problem. I have owned belted magnums in everything from Mausers to falling blocks and never had an issue. The belts don't intrude into the case capacity, and the reason they all have belts is due to them sharing the parent cartridge of the .375 H&H that did headspace off of the belt. People have been more than able to shoot itty bitty trophy winning groups with the cartridges sporting that belt, so who cares?
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They are also wonderful when making 300 Wby from 300 H+H, 450 Ackley from 375 H+H or 416 Rem, and so on.... and so on...and so on.....
Belts make wildcatting so much easier and standard brass available for some of the more expensive Mags.
 
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