Wanting advise for new 7mm build

[FTRinTexas]

Looking for advice on caliber selection for a new 7mm hunting rifle. I have an 8-twist fluted light Palma 31” blank leaning up against the wall. Can be short or long action. Bolt face doesn’t matter at this point. Style of hunting would be long range western states. Looking for 1500+ barrel life. I reload, so wildcat calibers are an option? Already have 7mag and straight .284. Considering 7-300 PRC, 7-6.5 PRC, 7LRM. Any 1st hand experiences of calibers?

 

[SKWERLZ]

7 saum
Decent barrel life
Fabulous in a short, medium or long action
With the common.180/.220 freebore is awesome medium action with excellent speeds.
Good ADG brass
Lots of good powders available.
7/6.5prc and 7/300WSM are other short magnum options.

 

[TrapperBR549]

280 AI

 

[Preacher]

Seeing you have a 284, the 7mm SAUM is a great one to add too.....

 

[David Milisock]

You have a 7 mag and 284 so going for more velocity gives you litte wiggle room for improvement in applicable energy at range.

I tried long range hunting, just not my cup of tea, sure I bagged game but it's just not me.

As far as I'm concerned there are 3 good factory 7mm rounds, 7MM-08, 7x57 Mauser and 280 Remington. Handloading for them improves their capabilities. You can build light weight stalking rifles from each. You'll find depending on the weight of the game 600 yard capabilities from the 280, down to 350 or 400 for the 7MM-08, the 7x57 in the middle. The 284 is similar to the 280 so not much change there either.

No I didn't include the 7MM magnum in my pick of good 7MM cartridges, I think that with it you need to not take shots closer than 300 better at 400.

 

[JLT]

280 AI

This, right here. You get 7 SAUM capacity and performance (very close, anyway) with good-to-great brass that is actually available. Brass can be formed from a number of different cases in a pinch, too. Factory ammunition is available, although not thick on the ground.

 

[swd]

Bryan Blake’s 7FCP. SAUM performance but based off available Lapua 6.5 PRC brass. Reamer and dies available.

 

[hogpatrol]

You have the twist for the heavies so one vote for a 28 Nosler and the 195 Bergers.

 

[Fuj]

28 Nosler......

 

[Fuj]

You have the twist for the heavies so one vote for a 28 Nosler and the 195 Bergers.

Beat me by a second.....LOL

 

[swd]

28 Nosler......

I’ve built a few. Throat them long and use a Wyat’s box. Great cartridge!

 

[Orr89rocz]

28 nos likely wont get more than 1000 rounds barrel life tho…probably way less than that. I love mine tho, it sends 180’s at 3275 node in a 28” barrel. Has touched 3400 but hard bolt lift

 

[Mulligan]

I have a pair of 7 mags, a 7-08 and a 7-08AI, I am pondering a 275 Rigby, which I think is a 7Mauser improved.
For a hunting rifle, it just sounds interesting.

my 2 cents
CW

 

[Sandstorm]

No votes for the 7 PRC ..?

 

[STOMP442]

Short action I would go SAUM or 7WSM. Great accuracy and performance from both. Long action I would go for the tried and true 7mag. The last few I have built are pushing the Berger 190 LRHB from 26" barrels at 2950 with H1000. Not much more to ask for in my opinion.

 

[whatwind?]

7/300wsm for the win

 

[nakneker]

I have used a 7 Saum for the majority of my big game hunting when it’s my tag for quite a few years, I’ve been super happy with it. Accurate and deadly. I’m gonna build a 7PRC, components are ordered, just curious. The 7-6.5 PRC would be another good choice imo.

 

[ChrisNZ]

..am pondering a 275 Rigby, which I think is a 7Mauser improved.
For a hunting rifle, it just sounds interesting.

No, just another (old fashioned) name for a 7x57.

 

[Mulligan]

No, just another (old fashioned) name for a 7x57.

Gotcha, thanks
CW

 

[SKWERLZ]

This, right here. You get 7 SAUM capacity and performance (very close, anyway) with good-to-great brass that is actually available. Brass can be formed from a number of different cases in a pinch, too. Factory ammunition is available, although not thick on the ground.

Yep
280AI is certainly another good option.