7mm WSM

vitriol

vitriol

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I decided to start LR shooting and received many good advices so far. I'm in the process of buying a reloading kit and have decided to reload a .270 rifle I already have for the summer. After learning to shoot at LR and reloading, I will have a rifle built for me (so it will be ready somewhere between this winter and next spring I guess?) I received some advice pointing me towards a .223 or .308, but after reading this http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek064.html
I am thinking a 7mm WSM could be what I want. I plan on using it mostly for target shooting, but I don't plan to do any competitions. I work most of the time in the great north/arctic so I would like to use that opportunity to shoot at long range with good accuracy (1000m I guess). I will also use the rifle for hunting caribou once a year (not at long range here) and might use it for camp protection against bears (black and polar).
I want a gun with moderate recoil and not too expensive ammo so I can shoot it a lot.
Now I have to admit I would REALLY like to have a PGW Coyote action on my rifle (wich should fit the 7mm WSM).

What do you guys think? I already e-mailed a gunsmith but can't stop thinking about that and waiting for him to awnser is a torture :D
Thanks!
 
You are going to get a lot of different views with this post, but I'll say what I know without bias.

The 7WSM , or the 300WSM for that matter, would be okay for sure, but if you don't plan on competing, and possibly would like to keep thhe same barrel for a long time, a .308 would be a much wiser decision,.
The 308 will do fine at 1,000, and will we more than good on caribou.
it is light recoiling, and barrel life is substantially longer than either of the shortmags, of which I own a 300WSM and two 6.5WSM's.
Bullet weight and selection is a non issue, as there are many different types for each caliber, as is stock design and material.

Glass?
A high end scope is mandatory if you are going to spend big bucks on the rifle, otherwise it's like putting wire wheels on a AMC Pacer.

I nrmally use a variable scope with a power range from about 6 to 20X for targets, anmd this will be okay for your hunting, also.

The decision , in the end is yours, and I am sure you will have a lot of fun with your eventual choice, be it a falling block, or a bolt action, a medium weight or a heavy barrel, 24" or full 30"!:)
Cat
 
308's and 223's are shot long distance out of necessity, not because they're particularly suited to the task. By virtue of being military rounds, some competitions require their use. But you're right a 7mm WSM would be much better. So would the .270, for that matter, if there were any match bullets in .277. You may also want to look into a 6.5 of some sort. (6.5-284, perhaps?)
 
If barrel life were an issue the 6.5/284 would be a no go.
The 308 is mandatory in Palma matches yes, but some of us can shoot them quite well at 1,000.
Palma must be shot with irons, and as soon as you put a good piece of glass on a Palma rifle , your scores get even better.
However, I also shoot some "barrel burners" for fun and giggles, just because!:D
Cat
 
Before you decide on what you would like, figure out what you can actually shoot. Reloading is a must so you need to have access to components.

Will you shoot to 1000m often or just once a year? If the majority of your LR shooting is 600 to 800yds, the fast twist 223 is a great choice for plinking. The 308 would also work and with the 155gr Scenar/Amax quite good to 1000yds as well.

However, better ballistics are offered by other cals and if you want to hunt, the 7mm is a great one (so is the 6.5).

I shoot several 7mm rifles and love it. The 7WSM is nice but the 7RM is more available (not that factory ammo is up to the task). The 280 and improved versions like my Mystic also are excellent and a bit easier on the barrels.

For bullet, the 162gr Amax is pretty hard to beat for ballistics, availability and cost. I have shot this bullet very effective from 1200m to a mile in my 7 Mystic. Would be plenty of bullet for LR hunting too. A 162gr SST should land in almost the same zero if you prefer a 'hunting' bullet for cariboo.

If you want to go for a 6.5, I would go 6.5-284 as I like the idea of more horsepower if hunting is involved. The 260 and 6.5X55 will work but not all that big if you need some 175gr RN for boo boo defense.

Neither the 7mm or 6.5 would be my choice for white boo boo defense mind you. But that is another story.

For your 270, consider the 150gr SST's. I have shot them very accurately to 850yds and have no worries they will go to 1000m. That way you can plink and hunt with the same load. H4831SC, CCI BR2 in collet neck sized brass.

Jerry
 
Humm Lets not over look the 7mm 08, Shoots flatter than the 30-06 Springfield. Recoil is a little more than a 243 Winchester. Tack driving accuracy is inherited from the 308 Winchester Point blank range is over 300 yards (+/- three inches. Cheap to reload and brass last longer than most.
 
Thanks for the advices!

Mysticplayer: Why do you think the 7mm would not be up to the task for white bear defence? Last time I went to Greenland the local guy I had with me had a 7mm and the year before the guys gave me a .270 for protection in an area where the white bears are VERY common. :eek: Maybe they didn't like me :D
Also, most of my shooting will be in the arctic where I will have the opportunity to shoot at very long distances but where good winds will be almost always present. I hear that the .223 don't do well when windy. is the .308 better?

catnthehatt: What kind of barrel life should I expect of a 7WSM? And a 308? Barrel life is something I had not considered at all.

Local shop has 7WSM brass readily available, so that's not a concern.
Have to go do some reading about that 7 Mystic!

Thanks!
 
Well with no first hand experience with an animal that is very big, strong, and will hunt me, I lean towards bigger better. Just about anything can be made to kill just about anything but there is a bit of a difference when that 'anything' is hunting you.

If a small cal high velocity cartridge was all I had, of course, I would defend myself and hopefully be the victor. However, for strictly a defense rifle, I lean to bigger bore and heavier slower bullet.

I bet wind will be a constant companion. The high BC of the 6.5 and 7mm bullets at 2900fps and faster will make it easier to hit at LR. The 223 and 308 need to be driven very agressively in the wind.

Jerry
 
I believe you can take the 6mmBR article to the bank. Look at a 1-9 or 1-8 twist to shoot the 180 Berger VLDS (for target work). I doubt you'll look back. Its good to see Jerry (mysticplayer) is still around, I was worried he wasn't going to come clean on the previous subject of engineering and the discussion on stock stiffness:rolleyes: .....still waiting there Jerry;)
 
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