what round do you guys like better for long range accuracy and power out to around 500 yards? 7mm mag or .300 win mag. i'm not worried about the price and reloading might be an option in the future but right from the factory loads what do you guys like?
7mm mag or .300 win mag
- Thread starter JTF#
- Start date
arcstarter
CGN Regular
- Location
- Lethbridge, AB
I have both but I prefer my 7mm as it is flatter shooting and love 140gr TTSX
I concur with Eagleye, the 7mm Rem mag is a fine round, but doesn't do much for me. The bigger 30 cals will do anything you ask of them at any hunting range, for any NA game, with a MUCH larger selection of bullets.
Used 7RM and various 300's extensively. FOr long range, the 7mm bullets have better BC's and would be my choice. Only time I'd prefer a 300 over a 7mm Magnum is hunting grizzlies, and even then it's more of a physiological thing, as a 7RM with TSX bullets will penetrate both shoulders of a grizzly. 
Put this in perspective... Do you currently have other guns? In what calibers? You mentioned long range accuracy (which could be target shooting) but you also mentioned "power" (which probably means hunting)... Would this gun be your largest most powerful caliber? What will you be hunting? If your largest quarry will be deer, then I would say definitely go with the 7 mil... But if you are thinking moose or big bears, then the .300 WM would get the nod... Personally, I don't shoot either... I prefer short action calibers over belted magnums and just move up in caliber class when required, I can always reload something for more horse power. My tendency is to load up my .30 cals and load down my 7 mils. They are both fine on most NA game so it will come down to your preference.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
I've used em both, and like em both. I have a preference to .30 calibers, so a .300 would be my choice over a 7mm in the same way that I prefer the .30/06 to the .280. Yes there is an argument to be made for greater SD and BC in any given bullet weight with the 7mm, but all you have to do is pick a heavier .30, and the 7mm's advantage goes away . . . except for recoil, which may or may not matter; depending on the particular rifle, how its used, and you level of experience. The trouble is, that you have to ask the question, suggests the .270 Winchester, .280 Remington or a .30/06 are better choices.
As far as I am concerned the 7mm Magnum is the answer to the question no one asked. Bullet selection is poor. I would go with the .300 WM, actually I would go with a 30-06 over the 7MM Magnum.
07blackwater
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Port Coquitlam, BC
Bullet selection is poor? You only need one, the 160 accubond. I vote 7mm.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
The selection of bullets that are avaialble for the 7mm probably equal that of the .30s; so no, bullet selection is not an issue if you choose a 7mm or a .270 for that matter.
7mm RM for sure. New high BC projectiles are/will be available from Nosler and Barnes. Less recoil (and potentially noise) and a .30 cal magnum. Probably 20 grains less powder used per round too.
I have two 7mm-08's for the kids to use. I can use the same 140gr projectiles or go down to 110gr for a decent youth load.
I have two 7mm-08's for the kids to use. I can use the same 140gr projectiles or go down to 110gr for a decent youth load.
Northman999
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Yukon
I've always strongly preferred 30's to 7mm's, so I would not hesitate to go 300 win mag.
One factor up here in the Yukon is you can't hunt bison with anything smaller than 30 cal 180 grain bullet, so, for us, anything smaller is out in terms of a "one gun" solution or "general purpose" rifle.
One factor up here in the Yukon is you can't hunt bison with anything smaller than 30 cal 180 grain bullet, so, for us, anything smaller is out in terms of a "one gun" solution or "general purpose" rifle.
If you are worried about how much powder you are burning, then move back to the 308 Winchester!
The 300 Mags with a 200 grain spitzer bullet at 2950+ is a bit better moustrap than the 7mm Rem Mag with a 160 or 175.
While drop figures at 500 are very similar, the big 200 arrives with a bit more oomph than does the 7mm.
I do not for a moment think the difference would result in any lost game, nor am I saying that the 7 is inadequate.
Recoil is the biggest negative factor for the 300. It is above the comfort level of many shooters, particularly with 200 grain+ bullets.
It really boils down to which one you prefer, personally. I doubt any game shot with either will know the difference.
Regards, Eagleye.
The 300 Mags with a 200 grain spitzer bullet at 2950+ is a bit better moustrap than the 7mm Rem Mag with a 160 or 175.
While drop figures at 500 are very similar, the big 200 arrives with a bit more oomph than does the 7mm.
I do not for a moment think the difference would result in any lost game, nor am I saying that the 7 is inadequate.
Recoil is the biggest negative factor for the 300. It is above the comfort level of many shooters, particularly with 200 grain+ bullets.
It really boils down to which one you prefer, personally. I doubt any game shot with either will know the difference.
Regards, Eagleye.
Blackwater's right you only need one, which one depends on your gun. Find a 160gn pill that shoots the best in that 7mm and buy lots of them, zero it, then leave the damed thing and stop ####ing with it, just shoot it! don't change anything, that way it'll be good for targets hunting mouse to moose.
I have used both very extensively and can honestly tell you the 300 WM is superior to the 7mm RM on game. The question is not whether you need the extra energy it's a matter of WHEN you need that extra energy the old 7 ain't got it. I shot many head of game with the 7 RM and about 3 times as many with several 300s and the 300s work much better on those less than ideal shots that sometimes present.
I can also say I've used every bullet in the 300s from 150 TTSX to the 200 AB and Partition and have settled on the 200 Accubond for my all around hunting. I also settled on a 300 Wby cartridge but the 300 WM is a very potent cartridge. As far as accuracy goes, that will be more a product of your chosen rifle than the individual cartridge. Both are equally capable of 1/2" moa accuracy in suitable firearms, with properly tailored handloads.
I have also found when handloaded to their full potential the 300 WM offers a substantial margin over the big 7. I had 3 different 300 WM that would give 3100 fps with 200 gn Nosler Parts. Of all the big 7s I've owned and built (7mmRM, 7mm Wby, 7mmX300WM, 7mmX68 imp, 7mm STW and 7mmX300 Wby), the only one that even approached the 300 WM was my 7mmX300 Wby in a Ruger #1 with a 28" barrel and 175 Partitions. The new 7mm RUM equals and exceeds the 300 WM but again doesn't hold a candle to the 300 RUM.
My final conclusion, after building and shooting and hunting with many variations in both bore sizes, is that there is nothing you can do with a 7mm bullet that can't be done better with a 30 cal bullet of the same or better BC and SD. Also there are as good and even better bullets for the the 30 cals as the 7mms, so don't let that argument sway you, it's just not true, there has been more development in 30 cal bullets than ever in 7mm for both hunting and target shooting. 30 cal is the absolute darling of NA shooters and hunters and all the manufacturers recognize this fact.
Yes there is more recoil in an equal weight rifle, this is the law of physics and cannot be denied, but that in itself is telling you that you're also getting more out the front end, again laws of physics.
This has been my experience for what it's worth, I've used 30 cal Mags all over the world and banked some pretty high priced hunts on their ability to perform in the wind and way out there sometimes, and have never been let down, on anything from Suni, to Eland to Bison to Marco Polo to Altai Argali to grizzly and Dall and Stone sheep.
Just a note of interest, the caribou in my avatar was taken with a 7mm RM and a 160 Partition.
I can also say I've used every bullet in the 300s from 150 TTSX to the 200 AB and Partition and have settled on the 200 Accubond for my all around hunting. I also settled on a 300 Wby cartridge but the 300 WM is a very potent cartridge. As far as accuracy goes, that will be more a product of your chosen rifle than the individual cartridge. Both are equally capable of 1/2" moa accuracy in suitable firearms, with properly tailored handloads.
I have also found when handloaded to their full potential the 300 WM offers a substantial margin over the big 7. I had 3 different 300 WM that would give 3100 fps with 200 gn Nosler Parts. Of all the big 7s I've owned and built (7mmRM, 7mm Wby, 7mmX300WM, 7mmX68 imp, 7mm STW and 7mmX300 Wby), the only one that even approached the 300 WM was my 7mmX300 Wby in a Ruger #1 with a 28" barrel and 175 Partitions. The new 7mm RUM equals and exceeds the 300 WM but again doesn't hold a candle to the 300 RUM.
My final conclusion, after building and shooting and hunting with many variations in both bore sizes, is that there is nothing you can do with a 7mm bullet that can't be done better with a 30 cal bullet of the same or better BC and SD. Also there are as good and even better bullets for the the 30 cals as the 7mms, so don't let that argument sway you, it's just not true, there has been more development in 30 cal bullets than ever in 7mm for both hunting and target shooting. 30 cal is the absolute darling of NA shooters and hunters and all the manufacturers recognize this fact.
Yes there is more recoil in an equal weight rifle, this is the law of physics and cannot be denied, but that in itself is telling you that you're also getting more out the front end, again laws of physics.
This has been my experience for what it's worth, I've used 30 cal Mags all over the world and banked some pretty high priced hunts on their ability to perform in the wind and way out there sometimes, and have never been let down, on anything from Suni, to Eland to Bison to Marco Polo to Altai Argali to grizzly and Dall and Stone sheep.
Just a note of interest, the caribou in my avatar was taken with a 7mm RM and a 160 Partition.
Both are great for anything in north american but the 300 wm will give you more choice with heavier bullets. If your sensitive to recoil, go with the 7 RM, if recoil isn't a problem go with the Win. Mag.
Factory ammo for either one is availible pretty much everywhere, and at reasonable cost.
Factory ammo for either one is availible pretty much everywhere, and at reasonable cost.
