A few 7mm questions

[JLT]

If you want a “ready to go” 7mm hunting rifle you might consider a 280AI that you can also buy factory ammo to suit, has virtually 7mm Rem Mag performance with a less punishing recoil..
Easy to load for and will drive 180gr bullets 2,850fps and 150’s-165’s over 2,900fps.
Even a tried and true 7-08 that will take virtually anything you might want to hunt and again is a “ready to go” rifle & ammo setup that won’t punish you and can be had in a “light weight” format.

Much wisdom, here. A .280 AI will perform even with the 7mm Rem Mag at all reasonable hunting ranges. Both of these cartridges have the benefit of factory ammo, with the 7mm Remington winning on availability.

The 7mm-08 is one of my two go-to deer rifles, the other being a .25-'06. I wouldn't hesitate to shoot an elk with it, loaded with the right bullet and at anything this side of 'over yonder' ranges.

I have rifles in all three chamberings. I certainly don't need all three. There is substantial overlap in capability among them. I shoot the 7mm-08 way more often than the other two.

 

[SKWERLZ]

If you want a “ready to go” 7mm hunting rifle you might consider a 280AI that you can also buy factory ammo to suit, has virtually 7mm Rem Mag performance with a less punishing recoil..
Easy to load for and will drive 180gr bullets 2,850fps and 150’s-165’s over 2,900fps.
Even a tried and true 7-08 that will take virtually anything you might want to hunt and again is a “ready to go” rifle & ammo setup that won’t punish you and can be had in a “light weight” format.

Basically identical to 7 saum but has a good selection of factory ammunition.

 

[JLT]

Basically identical to 7 saum but has a good selection of factory ammunition.

Yes, case capacities are very close.

 

[std7mag]

Haven't gone after elk yet. On my bucket list.

I'm shooting 7mm-08AI, 280 Rem, 284 Win, 7mm Rem Mag and 7mm WBY.

Furthest deer was with my 7mm-08AI with a 140gr Berger VLD. 413 yards. One shot. Deer dropped within 20 yards.

If you're looking for elk hunting tips, you might want to go to Hunttalk. Those people live and breathe all things elk.

You can check out Randy Newberg on YouTube. He has used a 7mm-08 out to 400 yards on elk numerous times.

 

[Fire Dog]

Haven't gone after elk yet. On my bucket list.

I'm shooting 7mm-08AI, 280 Rem, 284 Win, 7mm Rem Mag and 7mm WBY.

Furthest deer was with my 7mm-08AI with a 140gr Berger VLD. 413 yards. One shot. Deer dropped within 20 yards.

If you're looking for elk hunting tips, you might want to go to Hunttalk. Those people live and breathe all things elk.

You can check out Randy Newberg on YouTube. He has used a 7mm-08 out to 400 yards on elk numerous times.

As always, Shot Placement is the critical factor.
I always remember that the most successful elephant hunter that ever lived used a 7x57 Mauser….

W. D. M. Bell - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[JLT]

As always, Shot Placement is the critical factor.
I always remember that the most successful elephant hunter that ever lived used a 7x57 Mauser….

W. D. M. Bell - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

.275 Ribgy, he called it.

 

[SKWERLZ]

.275 Ribgy, he called it.

I’m definitely a 7mm fanboy.

 

[Orr89rocz]

Even killed some with a 6.5x53 i believe?

 

[Beruisis]

My modern 7x57 has done it all.

 

[Jr solocam]

I have always read about the comparisons of the medium/large case 7mm's. Data is all over the board. Some of my experience is as follows:

7wsm, 25", 180 VLD. MRP yielded 2920 and 7828SSC gave 2870, most accurate loads.
7 LRM, 26", 180 H, H1000 yielded 2965.
7 PRC, 22", 175 ELDX Hornady Factory at 2766. Granted those were the first 5 shots out of a new 22" barrel. The box says 3000 fps LOL I will start with R26 and N560, with 175 EH next week to see if I can improve on those numbers.
28 Nosler new and unfired.

I'm starting to think 7 SAUM or 280AI may be a better compromise. I chose the PRC due to brass quality and availability. I hope I didn't buy into Hornady's hype train. What are you guys seeing with real world PRC velocities?

 

[PhilC]

To 500yds 7RM will get the job done as will many others. Bought my 7RM in 1986 none of the modern 7mm variants existed. So what if I used 10gr more powder to achieve my goal, not target shooting except for pre-hunting zero confirmation and practice. Fill my tag, clean my rifle and back in the safe for next year.

My longest kill shot with 7RM on a desert muley in Nevada was 350yds using a 150gr Nosler BT, fell in it's tracks. Although I hunted elk with the same rifle was never fortunate enough to fill a tag.

Lots of options today, that said, if were I to purchase a 7mm today for sub-500yds, it'd be a 280AI.

All I'm shooting now are paper targets with cast bullets in 7BR.

 

[varmit_hunter]

I would give the 280AI a hard look. I have a 280 Rem 7mm mag and a 280AI rifles. I like the 280AI the best.

 

[PhilC]

I would give the 280AI a hard look. I have a 280 Rem 7mm mag and a 280AI rifles. I like the 280AI the best.

When my son was old enough I bought him a Winchester model 70 Classic Featherweight in 280 Rem. Limited production runs with the pre-64 action, should've bought 2.

 

[SKWERLZ]

I would give the 280AI a hard look. I have a 280 Rem 7mm mag and a 280AI rifles. I like the 280AI the best.

All the 7mm’s with 55-70 grains useable case capacity are fantastic.
Takes a pretty big 30 cal to match the 7mm ballistics and then you get the recoil penalty.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

If, I was building, a Medium "Long Range" ( to 1,500 Yards, Max ) Steel play / Target, Rifle Today, I'd go with,..
a 7 SAUM or, a 7mm-.270 wsm !
Good 7 mm, High BC, Bullets available and LOW,.. Recoil !! ( Braked of, Course ! )

 

[Tangent]

Anyone considered the 7-6.5PRC? Good brass, enough oomph, accurate. Only downside is no factory ammunition.

 

[SKWERLZ]

If, I was building, a Medium "Long Range" ( to 1,500 Yards, Max ) Steel play / Target, Rifle Today, I'd go with,..
a 7 SAUM or, a 7mm-.270 wsm !
Good 7 mm, High BC, Bullets available and LOW,.. Recoil !! ( Braked of, Course ! )

Or 7PRCW or 7SS, to me the sexiest of the 7mm short mags is the 7BSM.
A friend shoots 7WSM with good effect.

For me when I jumped on the 7mm bandwagon 7 saum was the easiest and I have no regrets.

My current barrel is at 1300 rounds so I’ll be chambering a new Krieger I got a great deal on soon to replace it.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

I've heard that, the 7 SAUM Has, descent Barrel Life and MOST Probably, What I'd Build for, a LR, Steel Plate "Shooter". ( 168 gr. Bergers @ 3,000 fps, sounds, real GOOD to, Me ! ) 23 or 24 inch bbl. w/ a PVA Brake !
And, Nice ADG Brass, is also Available, another,.. Plus !

 

[Fuj]

Yinz can do what you want but, I'm sticking with my 284 Winchesters
and my shorter off springs. Sometimes going smaller is better then
going larger for certain bullet choices......Just saying

 

[centerlineseal]

168 gr. Bergers @ 3,000 fps, sounds, real GOOD to, Me !

I'm running an old, late 60s Rem 700BDL in 7mm RemMag. An outstanding elk killer with 150 gr Nosler Solid Base and IMR 4350, but the accuracy seemed to fall off to above 3/4" at 100 yds, ... so I developed a new load with IMR 7828 and 168 gr Berger VLDH. After fine tuning bullet seat, I (probably one-offed) shot a 0.192" 3-shot group at 100yds. Velocity of merely 2,740 fps. Tough to beat, ... in my book.