7mm cartridges... what to choose?

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Wildfoot

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Ok, I am pretty new to hunting and shooting. I have a trusty .303 british right now, but it is a might heavy for trompin in the bush. So I am lookin for a new rifle, I thought the choice would be easy, but there are so many cartriges to choose from ..

The rifle will be used for any game in BC, and used by myself and my girlfriend. Ive only shot a few rifles with larger calibers than 22lr. It seems that the 7mm's have a good reputation, and lots of different bullets/loads for me to experiment with if i get into reloading. But what cartridge to choose?

I would like to keep the recoil similar to an 30-06, if possible.. i have no need for a big thumper, and rarely do I shoot past 150 yards.

What are the pros and cons for the different 7mm cartridges? Ive been mostly looking at the 7mm-08, 7mm Rem mag, 7mm WSM (And its remington equivilant).

Any pointers as to which way I should go? What is the most versitile cartrige for the loads I can put in it? Id like a rifle that can pop deer, moose and elk, but still maybe load up lighter bullets for bunnies, yotes etc.
 
If both you and your girlfriend are shooting it, and you want the recoil to be no higher than the 30-06, I would say your only choice is 7mm-08. Plus if you have mostly shot 22lr, start with a lighter recoiling rifle and work your way up. If youYou don't want to get a caliber that kicks harder than you are ready for, and develop a flinch.
 
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where the hell is the 280 man! that is what you need, if you want it light, get it in a mountain rifle package. It is THE 7mm cartridge of choice, especially if your not after super speed. The 280 can do everything the 7 rem mag can, just a little (but not much) slower. Light recoil, nice round.
 
thanks for some input. I haven't heard anything about the .280 .. a quick google shows me that it may be what i am looking for. Probably lookin at 7-08 or 280 then.. what would be the reason to choose one over the other?

I guess rifle prefrence will play a part in what round I choose. I was looking at something under $500 since i dont have lots of $$. I was lookin at the savage stevens 200. comes in 7-08, 7mm rem mag but no .280... is there any rifles that would be of similar quality/price that are chambered for .280?
 
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Favorite 7mm

I would go with the 7mm08 as it's a good round and seems to be more popular. I don't have anything against the 280 but I only know of one guy in this area that has a 280. The 280 is rarely found in any stores so reloading is the only way to obtain any variety.
It's like the 243 and the 6mm, the 243 won out in popularity.

The 280 uses a 30-06 case and requiring a long action the 7mm08 uses a 308 case and can be used in a shorter action which decreases the weight of the gun.
I use a 7 X 57 Ruger No1 and a Remington 700 BDL with a 7mm08 Mountain Rifle barrel and it's slightly heavier than a Remington No7.
I would go with the Savage Stevens 200 in 7mm08.
 
another vote for the 7mm-08 as it duplicates a well loaded 7x57 whick has killed just about everyting on the planet and does not knock back from under your hat.
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Forget the 7mm WSM and the 7mm RSAUM.... both pretty much obsolete already...

Go with the 7mm-08, .280 Rem, 7mm Rem Mag or even the venerable 7x57mm... ;)
 
Because of your budget, the stevens in 7mm-08. If your shots are within 150 yards, you don't need anything more. lot less recoil also.
 
Can I humbly suggest the .275 Rigby? It's just a 7x57 with a shorter throat for hunting spitzer-type ammunition.

Probably one of the best cartridges ever devised IMHO.
 
I have a 7mm08 and a 284. Both very good. My 284 is built on a mauser action (designed for the 57mm cases), so when throated appropriately I can seat heavy bullets out as long as the magazine length will allow, yet still have a shorter bolt throw than the 280. The ballistic performance of a 284 when seated long like this one, is somewhere between a 280 and 280 AI.
 
well it seems the general opionion is 7mm-08, which was my first thought, until i saw all the other calibers haha. I think I will be happy with one of those rifles, now I just have to save up the pennies!

What would be the reason why a hunter would want one of the 7mm magnum cartridges? just a little flatter shooting?
 
Wildfoot said:
What would be the reason why a hunter would want one of the 7mm magnum cartridges? just a little flatter shooting?
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Essentially, yes. A 7mm Magnum is a great longer range cartridge. They shoot flat, and the recoil of most 7mm magnums isn't excessive, so they are fairly easy for an experienced rifleman to shoot well.

Although in your case, I'd still go 7-08. Great cartridge.:)
 
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