LR factory 7mm rifle

Chronos

Chronos

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Ottawa
Hi,

I'm currently shopping for a long range 7mm (WSM or Rem Mag) factory rifle. My current list includes (not in any particular order):

  • Browning A-Bolt Composite Stalker
  • Tikka T3 Lite
  • Weatherby Vanguard Synthetic
  • Savage 116FCSS
All have their pros/cons and are reportedly accurate out-the-box. The Vanguard's comparison table tells more about each rifle (or derived rifle). I don't intent to mod this rifle and I do intend to occasionally hunt with it (from LR gophers to normal range deer).

It will have Leupold VX-III eyes and a set of Versapod legs.

Which would you recommend (keeping in the price range of the aforementioned list)? Feel free to add other rifles.

Thanks!
 
With a magnum cartridge and the desire to shoot more then 3rds at a sitting, a heavy barrel is a must. Pretty much any hunting contoured barrel is going to overheat making LR accuracy kind of a joke.

For a factory heavy barrel, I can suggest the Savage and Tikka.

I have seen a Tikka varminter shoot 3rds groups at 1000m 3" and 4" across using Berger 180gr bullets. This was accomplished by TWO shooters on TWO days using the same rifle.

I have seen enough Savages shoot to know that sub MOA at 1km is a possibility with good handloads, bedding, optics and trigger. My personal rifles.

I prefer the 7RM as brass is readily available and lee makes a collet neck sizing die for it. Plus the larger case capacity will get those 180gr Bergers singing along out of your typical 26" barrel. The 162gr Amax is also a wonderful bullet and far easier to find then the Berger - way less money too.

The smallest group I have ever shot at 1000m 3rds was with a 7RM, 162gr amax, Re25, Fed 215m, Rem cases, in a Krieger barreled Stevens. That was 2 9/16".

Factory actions usually don't respond to BR pressures so overloading a smaller case usually leads to poor accuracy. Use a case that will shoot at the desired performance at SAAMI pressures. This usually means going one step larger in case volume then what a BR actioned shooter might use.

Jerry
 
Just look at the models as I don't have all the different versions memorised.

They would all have the same barrel specs differing only with the stock.

If you are handy with tools, I would go with the base 110FV (or whatever it is called now). Blind mag, plastic stock, 26" heavy barrel, accutrigger. Bed that action, open the barrel channel ALOT, replace the recoil pad, put on a muzzle brake, enjoy.

Later, you can stiffen up the stock with some lumber and widen/flatten the forend to suit your front rest. These stocks are easy to turn into very nice BR shaped stocks. Some textured paint and they look very fancy.

I know they have made a stainless with fluted barrel and lam varminter styled stock. Very pretty and much more expensive.

Remember that there are plenty of stock options now and the metal work on the Savages are all the same except for steel used. They all shoot about the same too.

Good luck with your search.

Jerry
 
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