Building a 7mm hunting rifle. Have the Rem 700 L/A, a manners stock, a 26" Benchmark Barrels 7mm barrel and don't know what caliber to build. I have the mag bolt face and been thinking bout the & Dakota, but what else is out there for a 100-1k yd hunting rifle?
7mm Hunting Rifle
- Thread starter StanwoodSpartan
- Start date
.284 Ai. Magnum velocity without the belt and less powder.
StanwoodSpartan,
Good read:http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/7mm/ This site's info page on the 7mm caliber.
I personally own 2 7mm in 7mm RM flavour.
One is a hunter, the other set up for target/LR work. The first one weighs 7.5 lbs the second weighs 11.5 lbs. The heavier weight of the target rifle makes it real comfortable on the bench.
The belt comes into effect while forming cases for the first time, after that the brass performs as well as non-belted variations. With proper reloading setups, the belt is never a consideration once the brass has been fireformed.
If I was going to build another 7mm(sigh!!!) I would seriously consider the RSAUM for efficiency's sake for LR work. For any other situation, 7 x 57 AI would have my nod.
Cheers,
Phil aka tazzman
Your bolt face is magnum-sized(.532 in.), so .473 in. rim dia. cartridges will need another bolt. tazzman
Good read:http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/7mm/ This site's info page on the 7mm caliber.
I personally own 2 7mm in 7mm RM flavour.
One is a hunter, the other set up for target/LR work. The first one weighs 7.5 lbs the second weighs 11.5 lbs. The heavier weight of the target rifle makes it real comfortable on the bench.
The belt comes into effect while forming cases for the first time, after that the brass performs as well as non-belted variations. With proper reloading setups, the belt is never a consideration once the brass has been fireformed.
If I was going to build another 7mm(sigh!!!) I would seriously consider the RSAUM for efficiency's sake for LR work. For any other situation, 7 x 57 AI would have my nod.
Cheers,
Phil aka tazzman
Your bolt face is magnum-sized(.532 in.), so .473 in. rim dia. cartridges will need another bolt. tazzman
I'm building one now in "7mm Long Range Mag", Based off of the 375 Ruger (No belt) If you do your own reloading you can buy 7mmLRM brass and dies from Gunwerks. I haven't finished it yet nor have I tested it, but the ballistics should be in the 3100 fps with the 180 gn Bergers. I am using a 1-8 twist barrel so that I can shoot the 195 gn Bergers when they are available.
Preacher said:
What he said! I just ordered a barrel and it will make three for me! 8 1/2 or 9 twist, as much length you can handle, H1000/180 gr. Berger combo and you will be smiling.
7mm SAUM would be fine since you have a .535" boltface. 7mm rem mag is also a long-proven performer.
Have an unfired Rem 700 7mm rem mag BDL barrel would sell very cheap. Set the headspace so it's on the shoulder, not the belt and you will be surprised how well a factory 700 barrel will shoot.
It ain't the sexy number it was in the 60s and 70s, but the Rem Mag is a very balanced ctg and flexible to wide degree in terms of velocity and bullet weights. If you want to really have fun, get an RCBS bullet mold and see how well cast bullets can perform....
If you want higher velocities, look at the 7mm/300 win mag. Great brass, cheap, and easy to neck down to 7mm.
Have an unfired Rem 700 7mm rem mag BDL barrel would sell very cheap. Set the headspace so it's on the shoulder, not the belt and you will be surprised how well a factory 700 barrel will shoot.
It ain't the sexy number it was in the 60s and 70s, but the Rem Mag is a very balanced ctg and flexible to wide degree in terms of velocity and bullet weights. If you want to really have fun, get an RCBS bullet mold and see how well cast bullets can perform....
If you want higher velocities, look at the 7mm/300 win mag. Great brass, cheap, and easy to neck down to 7mm.
I bought the rifle as a 7mm Rem Mag and tore the barrel off and intend on having Benchmark Barrels do the build. I already have the Rem 700 L/A and a Manners T3 and the whole BDL setup. The barrel have will finish out at 26" and is a 1:9 at a rem varm contour... The smith there is pushing me on a 7 Dakota build, but the brass is quite steep. I reload all my own ammo, and even though it easy I hate resizing the neck on brass. How would the 7 SAUM run out of the L/A and what are the ballisitics versus the Dakota? As far as bullet choice I am leaning towards the 180 berger.
I would have to say beings that you have the mag. length action I would opt. for either the 280AI or the 7mm RUM. as I shoot both. The way to look at it the 280 is great with the 168 Berger Hunting VLD's and the RUM is great for the heavier bullets with good accuracy and deadly killing power! The two are both good to 1K and if needed to you can shoot the standard 280 ammo in the AI with no problems! There is one thing to remember and that is any load past 60.0 grains should have a mag. primer to ignite and my pet load for the 280 AI is 63.0 grains of Retumbo with a CCI 250 primer and Nosler brass with the 7mmRUM. I shoot a 189 grain custom bullet at 3250 with .5" moa.
7mm STW 168 grain Berger's @ around 3100 fps and a 26 inch pipe I have two STW's and love them one Is a Remington Sendero stainless fluted and the other one is a custom and love them both beleve it or not the Sendero shoots as good as the custom but Is a little slower velocity wise with the same load If I try to push It the groups open,they both shoot in the high .3 beleve It or not but It took some load development and fine tuning to get that but I did not mind .....
I can't say for the Dakota however the SAUM and 180 gr. Bergers would be better in a LA, IMHO. Throat it long to keep the bullet major diameter at the base above the neck/shoulder junction and it would require a LA.StanwoodSpartan said:
Alright, after doing some reading on that link above the 7WSM also seems like a very vialble caliber. Anybody shooting a 7WSM in a L/A with the heavier berger bullets? The main thing I like about the WSM is the brass cost. THe ballistics seem alright, and its a hunting rifle so I'm not worried about barrel life...
StanwoodSpartan said:
StanwoodSpartan,
I'm not saying that we don't have the answers to your questions but, in the link below, there are people that specifically share information about long range hunting http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/ Everything about the LR gun system, because it is a system not just the caliber.
Go visit them but keep your presence here because we have answers too. The 7 WSM is a caliber that is currently interesting in LR target shooting too but it is hard on barrels...
Cheers,
Phil aka tazzman
Stan,
I'm in the same boat as you right now trying to decide. This is going to be a hunting only rifle, no matches. I want to shoot the 168 and 180 Bergers. I've got a Rem 700 LA, Manners T stock, Benchmark #5 fluted barrel, and BDL metal. I have a standard bolt and a mag bolt that I can use. At first, I thought a .284 would be nice, but Win brass is only made once a year and I didn't want to mess with resizing 6.5-284 Lapua. I thought about a 7wsm, as I already have one in a heavier match rifle and love the caliber shooting the 168's. I also thought about a 7-300mag. Seems like this a very good cartridge as well, but will require resizing. The 7SAUM seems great, but brass availability is a issue. So this left me looking at the good ole 7 mag. I have no experiance with belted cases, so what's everyone's deal with them? Where are the issues at with them?
I'm in the same boat as you right now trying to decide. This is going to be a hunting only rifle, no matches. I want to shoot the 168 and 180 Bergers. I've got a Rem 700 LA, Manners T stock, Benchmark #5 fluted barrel, and BDL metal. I have a standard bolt and a mag bolt that I can use. At first, I thought a .284 would be nice, but Win brass is only made once a year and I didn't want to mess with resizing 6.5-284 Lapua. I thought about a 7wsm, as I already have one in a heavier match rifle and love the caliber shooting the 168's. I also thought about a 7-300mag. Seems like this a very good cartridge as well, but will require resizing. The 7SAUM seems great, but brass availability is a issue. So this left me looking at the good ole 7 mag. I have no experiance with belted cases, so what's everyone's deal with them? Where are the issues at with them?
Hi Stan,
If barrel life is not a problem then I'm in camp with your gunsmith. My .284 wildcat in nearly the same as a 7mm Dakota (7mm RUM case cut down .300â€). The guys I shoot with have dubbed the rifle “Thumperâ€. I shoot 175SMK's and 180 Berger VLD's. Basically with out pushing huge pressures as most handloaders have to do to get 3000fps out of these heavy wights, I do it at low pressure and have a 600yd point and shoot elk rifle. Recoil is no more that 7mm RM or '06. So for the cost of rebarreling just buy the Dakota brass and reload. I promise, you won't be sorry.
By the way my barrel is 28†and the action is a 1944 Turkish Mauser. My velocities are far below what you could expect from a 26†barrel on a R700 action but my rifle still shoots flatter than most.
Actual loads: for the 175 SMK, 75gr Retumbo with a MV of 2974fps and the 180 Berger VLD, 72gr Retumbo with a MV of 2840fps. All cases primed with Winchester MLR and cases formed from 7mm Remington Ultra Mag.
If barrel life is not a problem then I'm in camp with your gunsmith. My .284 wildcat in nearly the same as a 7mm Dakota (7mm RUM case cut down .300â€). The guys I shoot with have dubbed the rifle “Thumperâ€. I shoot 175SMK's and 180 Berger VLD's. Basically with out pushing huge pressures as most handloaders have to do to get 3000fps out of these heavy wights, I do it at low pressure and have a 600yd point and shoot elk rifle. Recoil is no more that 7mm RM or '06. So for the cost of rebarreling just buy the Dakota brass and reload. I promise, you won't be sorry.
By the way my barrel is 28†and the action is a 1944 Turkish Mauser. My velocities are far below what you could expect from a 26†barrel on a R700 action but my rifle still shoots flatter than most.
Actual loads: for the 175 SMK, 75gr Retumbo with a MV of 2974fps and the 180 Berger VLD, 72gr Retumbo with a MV of 2840fps. All cases primed with Winchester MLR and cases formed from 7mm Remington Ultra Mag.
The smith is pushing 190gr Marix Ballistics bullets over 3k fps with the 7 Dakota. This is why hes pushing this caliber, and supposedly the brass is top notch. Just wondering what the advantages over say a 7WSM would be. After doing some reading I've narrowed it down to the 7 Dakota and 7 WSM.
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.