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

Northern Shooter said:
As someone who doesn't currently own a 7mm/0.284 cal cartridge I'm starting to see the attraction to them after reading up on their ballistics.

High ballistic coefficients, high sectional density, close range energy comparable to 30 cal's and lower felt recoil vs 30 cal's....what's the catch?

I've been on the hunt for a long range hunting cartridge that will be more efficient down range than my .308s and 30.06s. I've been comparing magnums in the 338, 30 cal and 7mm categories as well as the new PRCs.

I think I've come to the conclusion that 7mm Rem Mag is about as good as it's going to get when you consider ballistics, recoil, costs etc.

What are the downsides to 7mm Rem Mag?

I'm looking to build a 8-9 lbs hunting rifle including rings and scope for reaching out 400m and beyond.

Considering rifles from Bergara, Tikka, Sako, Winchester etc.
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how do you value 35 years experience ? but I'm getting old and tired to be punished each time I squeeze the trigger.
Can you figure somebody shooting deers/moose with a 338 RUM and bears with a 375 H&H, and shoot ( not hunt) all year round ?
I will not write you a resume.
-Whats left is: 7mm Rem Mag with MB, 6.5 CM with MB, 243 Win both with and without MB,223.
I reload each one. shoot 1km and less.
Downside on my 7mm, I cant shoot strings of 15 rounds in a row, well: I can but at slow pace.....
Tikka/Sako/Ruger/Savage. depends of your expectations and budget.
Girlfriend loves the 243, got her first blackbear and buck with it, both did 100 feet....
You dont need a canon.
Remember: A small hole in the heart is better then a big hole in the butt.....
It reminds me with last few bucks with the 7mm, dont hit the shoulder blade, youll loose lots of meat, same is valid with 300 mag etc. Even with hits like that, they run about the same as the 243.
Also reminds me a 25/06 with some 100gr Ballistictip in the shoulder, surprisingly the damages were on par with the 300, but didnt go all the way through.
Have some pictures if interested...
oh! downside : barrel life if a concern.
338 RUM orignal 75 pieds (3).jpg
 

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I have a Husky 1900 in 7mm RM, I am told it will not stabilise larger bullets because of the 1-12 barrel twist[I am told], I have only shot it with some friends reloads 175 gr I think, I only found out about the twist rate after I shot it a bit and was blaming the loads, like many others I am waiting for primers, I will ask on the reloading site for some loads but I will probably try some 150s I also have some 140s for a 7 08 I could try. I have other rifles that can shoot heavier bullets but if this is true the versatility of the calibre is not there in this rifle.
 
Milt Dale said:
I have a Husky 1900 in 7mm RM, I am told it will not stabilise larger bullets because of the 1-12 barrel twist[I am told], I have only shot it with some friends reloads 175 gr I think, I only found out about the twist rate after I shot it a bit and was blaming the loads, like many others I am waiting for primers, I will ask on the reloading site for some loads but I will probably try some 150s I also have some 140s for a 7 08 I could try. I have other rifles that can shoot heavier bullets but if this is true the versatility of the calibre is not there in this rifle.
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Try some 160's. And keep in mind, Europeans generally used lighter bullets than North Americans. - dan
 
Milt Dale said:
I have a Husky 1900 in 7mm RM, I am told it will not stabilise larger bullets because of the 1-12 barrel twist[I am told], I have only shot it with some friends reloads 175 gr I think, I only found out about the twist rate after I shot it a bit and was blaming the loads, like many others I am waiting for primers, I will ask on the reloading site for some loads but I will probably try some 150s I also have some 140s for a 7 08 I could try. I have other rifles that can shoot heavier bullets but if this is true the versatility of the calibre is not there in this rifle.
Click to expand...

You can use a calculator like this one to check stability and recommended twist rates for various bullets/velocities/etc. https://bergerbullets.com/twist-rate-calculator/
 
Watched a backfire video today. Seems Hornady is abandoning 6.8 western. Look back at some cartridges that have been abandoned in the last 20ish years. Pretty much every WSM except 300, all the WSSM, Rums, and RCM.

If one was to buy a 7 magnum, which one? Certainly not 28 nosler, proprietary family like the Weatherbys. 7prc, will it lose to company bean counting, or be abandoned, likely to early to call? A fast twist match chambered 7rm, customs are nosebleed money. Just saying, since the thread became a 7 mag love festival.
 
7mm is a great hunting cartridge.

For some reason lately all the PRC cartridges are in good stock.

I don’t think there is any worry about any of the PRC family dying any time soon - all easy to reload for.
 
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7mm is a nice place to be in bullet diameter and weights for most NA game. From the 7 br to the 7mm-378 Wby there are a lot of power options in there. Over the years I have lost count of how many I have owned. Currently have maybe 10 different ones in the stable. With bullet weights from light varmint up to 195 gr heavy weights, you can cover a lot of bases. - dan
 
nowarningshot said:
Watched a backfire video today. Seems Hornady is abandoning 6.8 western. Look back at some cartridges that have been abandoned in the last 20ish years. Pretty much every WSM except 300, all the WSSM, Rums, and RCM.

If one was to buy a 7 magnum, which one? Certainly not 28 nosler, proprietary family like the Weatherbys. 7prc, will it lose to company bean counting, or be abandoned, likely to early to call? A fast twist match chambered 7rm, customs are nosebleed money. Just saying, since the thread became a 7 mag love festival.
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Thats only an issue if you only shoot factory ammo, anyone that reloads would be fine.
 
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