7mm RM and Barrel Length?
- Thread starter IH8120
- Start date
What ranges do you expect the rifle to operate at, and do you have a bullet weight in mind already? If the rifle is for hunting with a lot of self powered miles I'd go light contour 24" with light bullets, slow twist. Hunting mostly from a vehicle I'd go 26" varmint contour and shoot 150-160gr bullets. But if your looking to run the heavy bullets and put them way out there I'd go all in on a 30" fast twist bull barrel.
Jordan Smith
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
Build the rifle for balance if you're going to be carrying it and shooting it from field positions. I would concur with a light #1 or #2 contour, 24" barrel for that application. If you're going to use it from a bipod or bench exclusively, then you'll get more velocity from a longer barrel (I wouldn't go much past 30", at the most). Count on about 20-40 fps per inch of barrel. Any potential accuracy gains come from a thicker, shorter barrel. Stiffness is the name of the game when it comes to accuracy. This accuracy gain is mostly a perceived difference, rather than a real one, as I've seen lots of light-weight barrels, as well as long barrels, shoot superbly.
Go with a 9" twist. Period.
Go with a 9" twist. Period.
I had Ted build me a 7 with a 29 inch barrel the gun ways 16.6 pounds. It makes your shoulder(carrying it) sore but I would carry it anywhere. I am like you sit and spot hunting. I have shot it out to 1845 yards. My advice it to talk to Ted about it. He has a world of great information. Listen to what he says and take it for what you want. I shoot 180 bergers out of mine as well. With that barrel lenght and 61.8gr of Retumbo I am pushing them at 2860, avgerage of 10 rounds. This is great because it gives me the velocity with a low load. This the barrel like! If you know what I mean! With this bullet and barrel combination I am sudsonic at 2100 some odd yards. I cant remember the exact number but that is far enough. I would post pics but I cant remember my Photobucket password and they wont help me. As for the best length Ted told me, and I believe him, barrel length does not make accuracy better or worse. The only thing it will give you is better velocity. Now I have found that you, to stat the obvious, need to have the right powder bullet combo to make those velocities efficient.
Heres the pic...
Heres the pic...
I have a lot of experience with 7mms . For your purpose I would highly recommend a 27 inch barrel ( around 0.8 at the muzzle) and don't use 180 bergers for hunting as they are way too stiff( unless it is for something like large grizzlies). You will probably have to have 2 loads for it. One for under 500 yards and one for the longer ranges. One bullet won't do it all.....
What do you plan to hunt with it?
What do you plan to hunt with it?
7 num num, wow that is a sweet rig. Who built it? 1845 yds that's impressive, someday for me hopefully! What barrel contour did you end up going with from Ted? I only have a HS Precision stock that fits my sporter rem barrel at the moment. I am thinking that #2 or #3 at max. Interesting to hear that you are using Retumbo, I am as well. What primers do you find work well? I am using CCI 250's. What brass do u use? I have only shot to 400yds so not far. Thx again for the info.
Had a 40X in 7 mag some years back with a 27" bbl. Shot very well, and gave good velocity. FWIW - dan
Thanks,
Lyle Linkitas from SK turned it all together. It has a Dave Kiff over sized bolt, mc A5 stock and a sleeved 700 action, and a Rifle Basix trigger. IOR 16 power scope with 100 min.
I use Hornady brass as this is the best bang for the buck with regular mag primers. I find no difference between match and reg in this gun.
The contour is a #6 a 2 or 3 will save you on the weight and it will still shoot. I just have something for the heavy tubes.
Not to sure about killing stuff with 180 bergers out far but out to 500 yards they knock em dead. Think of it this way... you have to go in 5-6 inches to touch a vital. My rifle is at the speed out sound around 2100 yards. That means that the little 180gr Beger is going around 1054 fps at that range that is 790 mile per hour. Enough said
