Is 7mm the sweet spot for a long range big game Hunter?

Northern Shooter said:
I see that 7 Rem is suppedly offered in 175 grain but I'm not seeing this in stock anywhere. Is this configuration only for reloaders?
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175s certainly exist. Federal lists 3 loads with a 175gr bullet, a Fusion, a PowerShok, and a Trophy Bonded Bear Claw. Only the Fusion is listed as currently available though, lots of products from federal have been put on hold while they try to catch up with demand for more common stuff.

I know I've seen Winchester Super X in 175gr at Walmart, as well as Rem Corelokt.... but none of these budget- oriented options are going to give you the kind of accuracy required for 500+yds, at least not in my experience with them.
 
Suther said:
175s certainly exist. Federal lists 3 loads with a 175gr bullet, a Fusion, a PowerShok, and a Trophy Bonded Bear Claw. Only the Fusion is listed as currently available though, lots of products from federal have been put on hold while they try to catch up with demand for more common stuff.

I know I've seen Winchester Super X in 175gr at Walmart, as well as Rem Corelokt.... but none of these budget- oriented options are going to give you the kind of accuracy required for 500+yds, at least not in my experience with them.
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Agreed!

I think the closest in factory offering that is going to find to fit the bill best is the Nosler Trophy grade with 168 Gr Accubond LR bullets 7 grains is squat for difference.
I see HSM makes ammo with a 180 gr Berger in it that would also be worth looking for.
 
alberta tactical rifle said:
Agreed!

I think the closest in factory offering that is going to find to fit the bill best is the Nosler Trophy grade with 168 Gr Accubond LR bullets 7 grains is squat for difference.
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I can't imagine many people play in ELR hunting with factory ammo? Could buy a whole reloading setup in short order with the prices of premium ammo these days...
 
alberta tactical rifle said:
Agreed!

I think the closest in factory offering that is going to find to fit the bill best is the Nosler Trophy grade with 168 Gr Accubond LR bullets 7 grains is squat for difference.
I see HSM makes ammo with a 180 gr Berger in it that would also be worth looking for.
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Except that the Berger offerings, as far as a hunting bullet go, have already been drawn and quartered on other threads as being a poor choice... So that certainly wouldn't be a good a good recommendation...;)

When limited to off the shelf offerings, this is gets to be, well, limiting! Still would look at the 7 PRC, as it is backed by the same hype machine as the 6.5, offers 175 bonded/locked bullets at great speed, and will have a smattering of great factory rifle offerings as well.

R.
 
I've got a carbon wrapped 7saum barrel for one of my rifles. Was meant to be for ELR-lite and the longer shots we get in the mountains. Ended up building a .300NM for ELR and haven't really been able to get up in the mountains much due to work/kiddo/match shooting the past few years so mostly hunted with a 6.5 creed or .308 barrel on that same rifle. 7saum is nice if you can find the components and handload. I'm pushing Berger 180 Hybrids and Hornady 180 ELDMs at about 2850 out of a 26" barrel and have shot it out to 1600 yards. I've heard of lots getting a bunch more speed but I always hit pressure first. Will probably work up a load with some 160 class bullets at some point.
 
rugbydave said:
I've got a carbon wrapped 7saum barrel for one of my rifles. Was meant to be for ELR-lite and the longer shots we get in the mountains. Ended up building a .300NM for ELR and haven't really been able to get up in the mountains much due to work/kiddo/match shooting the past few years so mostly hunted with a 6.5 creed or .308 barrel on that same rifle. 7saum is nice if you can find the components and handload. I'm pushing Berger 180 Hybrids and Hornady 180 ELDMs at about 2850 out of a 26" barrel and have shot it out to 1600 yards. I've heard of lots getting a bunch more speed but I always hit pressure first. Will probably work up a load with some 160 class bullets at some point.
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The SAUM can be really about finding tough components that hide pressure well, seating bullets as long as possible, and finding the right powder combinations to tie it all together. 3000 fps, plus isn't unheard of... with 180's.

R.
 
So now that I've got the cartridge figured out, let's talk rifles. Not looking to spend a ton of money but let's say $2000 before optics.

What are some decent lightweight offerings that come in 7 Rem (or 7 PRC) today?

I'm currently leaning towards one of the Bergara's (Wilderness Ridge or one of the new carbon models). I'm open to other options as well.
 
Northern Shooter said:
So now that I've got the cartridge figured out, let's talk rifles. Not looking to spend a ton of money but let's say $2000 before optics.

What are some decent lightweight offerings that come in 7 Rem (or 7 PRC) today?

I'm currently leaning towards one of the Bergara's (Wilderness Ridge or one of the new carbon models). I'm open to other options as well.
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I’ve haven’t looked at the Wilderness Ridge, but looked over the specs for Wilderness Terrain. The Terrain is a chunky rig weight wise before optics. Seems anything geared towards LRH is avg around 8.5-9.5lbs before optics.

Have you looked at Browning X-Bolt LR series or just a straight Tikka T3x?
 
Rman said:
The SAUM can be really about finding tough components that hide pressure well, seating bullets as long as possible, and finding the right powder combinations to tie it all together. 3000 fps, plus isn't unheard of... with 180's.

R.
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Yeah, totally. I tried a few different powders (H1000, H4831SC, H4350) but I'm using Bertram brass which by my understanding is mediocre (I bought 300 pieces when I saw it available when I was having the rifle built) and I'm feeding from a mag so my OAL is limited as well.
 
rugbydave said:
Yeah, totally. I tried a few different powders (H1000, H4831SC, H4350) but I'm using Bertram brass which by my understanding is mediocre (I bought 300 pieces when I saw it available when I was having the rifle built) and I'm feeding from a mag so my OAL is limited as well.
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ADG, Peterson, or the like for brass. RL22 or N165 for powder. Overall length at 2.950"... all good places to try and be. Never used Bertram so not sure what it's about. You can muck with the length and adjust powder charge accordingly... pressure is pressure.

R.
 
ShrtRnd said:
I’ve haven’t looked at the Wilderness Ridge, but looked over the specs for Wilderness Terrain. The Terrain is a chunky rig weight wise before optics. Seems anything geared towards LRH is avg around 8.5-9.5lbs before optics.

Have you looked at Browning X-Bolt LR series or just a straight Tikka T3x?
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I was just looking at the Tikka site. I'm digging the grey laminate and stainless look so the T3X Laminate Stainless is an option (7.1lbs). I also like the Sako Kodiak for a similar look.
 
Northern Shooter said:
I was just looking at the Tikka site. I'm digging the grey laminate and stainless look so the T3X Laminate Stainless is an option (7.1lbs). I also like the Sako Kodiak for a similar look.
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I've got the T3X laminate stainless chambered in 7mm Rem Mag. It's not a featherweight, but it's not heavy either. Right at 7 pounds I'd say. I just rescoped it with a VX-3HD and Talley rings, so it's a fairly light gun all-up, even after upgrading the trigger guard/mag well to aluminum (not that I ever had a problem with the polymer).

I also really like the Bergara rifles. The Wilderness Ridge is a bit heavier than the Tikka. Another option that I was looking for is the Model 70 Extreme Weather. Could be another nice one to watch for.
 
mikeyb said:
I've got the T3X laminate stainless chambered in 7mm Rem Mag. It's not a featherweight, but it's not heavy either. Right at 7 pounds I'd say. I just rescoped it with a VX-3HD and Talley rings, so it's a fairly light gun all-up, even after upgrading the trigger guard/mag well to aluminum (not that I ever had a problem with the polymer).

I also really like the Bergara rifles. The Wilderness Ridge is a bit heavier than the Tikka. Another option that I was looking for is the Model 70 Extreme Weather. Could be another nice one to watch for.
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How do you find the felt recoil on your Tikka with your current setup? I'm guessing your sitting around 8lbs with scope and rings.
 
Have had a couple of Tikka M695's in 7mm RM... probably a bit lighter than 8 pounds scoped.. closer to the mid 7 pounds, and recoil has been very manageable.

R
 
I never weighed my Gen 1 A Bolt Composite SS in 7mm, but I’d guess it would’ve been around the 8.5lb mark. Managable weight wise, but the 26” barrel was a nightmare through the tag alders and brush.
 
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