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7mm Mag vs 300 Win Mag Help Me Decide
- Thread starter Animal
- Start date
CharlieNC
Gold $$ Contributor
Both are overkill for 500yd deer. For 800yd targets the 223 gets the job done, unless you're after high precision competition. Based strictly on the parameters you mentioned I'd ditch the mags altogether. 6.5 Lapua or everybodys fav Creedmore get your stated objectives done efficiently at much lower cost and recoil. New bolt and leftover action length of course.
No such thing as overkill. Wrong forum. I'd agree there may be better cartridges but killing deer with a 338 isn't overkill if that's your choice of weapon for the task. It's just "your" deer rifle.
I watched a hunter in Wyoming shoot an Elk with a 50BMG. Used a 750 Amax. The shot was from about 600 yards and in a valley. Shooter on top of a hillside. Upon the impact, it didn't really look as if the elk was hit as it jumped and walked a couple steps. A few more seconds and it staggered and dropped. The bullet entered and obviously exited without much damage other than thru lungs and possibly edge of heart. Point is besides the abuse from recoil or cost of ammo, his choice was his on weapon. Why have it if your not gonna use it as a hunter. I owned a 338 for years not drawing tags decided to use it on deer. Worked fine. I had better options but chose that rifle as it was one that was set up for hunting. Worked perfectly other than I still have the ringing in my ears from the brake on the barrel.
(Quot) Third, I am finding less and less time to do any reloading so consequently using more factory ammo which runs about $55 - $60 per box in .300 RUM with availability being a constant issue.
I will say that I have a good brake on the gun and the recoil is really not an issue at all for me. Also, where I hunt, if a deer runs 40 yards after I shoot it, I may never find it due to the brush and terrain. The .300 RUM definitely shines in that regard! I went back and forth on the decision because I really like the .300 RUM but in the end the Ammo issue and barrel life swayed me to change...Quote
That would change my thoughts on either, custom factory ammo goes to the 300 Win, and if you need to anchor in 40 yards inside 500 yards, my load for this requirement was a 165 NBT at almost 3400 FPS. I culled a lot of deer with that combo, less dialing and never dragged one through the beans, does get a little messy at times.
I will say that I have a good brake on the gun and the recoil is really not an issue at all for me. Also, where I hunt, if a deer runs 40 yards after I shoot it, I may never find it due to the brush and terrain. The .300 RUM definitely shines in that regard! I went back and forth on the decision because I really like the .300 RUM but in the end the Ammo issue and barrel life swayed me to change...Quote
That would change my thoughts on either, custom factory ammo goes to the 300 Win, and if you need to anchor in 40 yards inside 500 yards, my load for this requirement was a 165 NBT at almost 3400 FPS. I culled a lot of deer with that combo, less dialing and never dragged one through the beans, does get a little messy at times.
28 nosler?
AckleymanII
Gold $$ Contributor
Animal, you should contact Alex Wheeler on this site and have him chamber up a 28 Nosler for you!
I have been shooting the 7 Stw since approximately 1989. The 28 Nosler and the 7 STW are ballistic twins.
I shot the 140g Nosler combined Tec bullets at 3650 with IMR 7828, deer have never taken a step. My cousin had a bunch of the old Nosler 120g solid base lead tips hoarded and shot them at 3850 with amazing accuracy.
You will not believe how fast deer drop at 500 yards!
I have been shooting the 7 Stw since approximately 1989. The 28 Nosler and the 7 STW are ballistic twins.
I shot the 140g Nosler combined Tec bullets at 3650 with IMR 7828, deer have never taken a step. My cousin had a bunch of the old Nosler 120g solid base lead tips hoarded and shot them at 3850 with amazing accuracy.
You will not believe how fast deer drop at 500 yards!
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I liked my STW when I had one. It is the best round for beaver I have ever used. Deer... well the 338LM is it. Granted way off topic
Personally I would go for the 300win mag. There is plenty of very good ammo to choose from. They are adding more every month since it is becoming a issued round for snipers. Cost... I think it is right inline with what you were seeing for the RUM but you never know you might get a lower cost round to shoot well enough in your rifle.
Personally I would go for the 300win mag. There is plenty of very good ammo to choose from. They are adding more every month since it is becoming a issued round for snipers. Cost... I think it is right inline with what you were seeing for the RUM but you never know you might get a lower cost round to shoot well enough in your rifle.
Alex Wheeler
Site $$ Sponsor
If I had a RUM action it would be a 28 or 30 Nosler. I hunt elk so I prefer 30s.
300 WSM is a fantastic cartridge. Chambering it in a long action would let you handload long with heavy bullets and still fit them in the magazine.
300WM is another fantastic cartridge. I have found I need to use an extra step in case sizing to use a special collet die to properly size the case just forward of the belt. Using long AICS magazines I can load the 230 OTM Tactical to within .005" of the lands and still get then in the magazine. Not sute how you guys are doing that (or IF you are) with the 215 hybrid. Would be jumping almost .090" for me at max mag length.
The only reason I bring this detail up is that these things are best considered before you have a barrel chambered.
1. Pick a purpose
2. Pick a bullet and a velocity
3. ==> determine probable jump
4. Pick a cartridge with the needed capacity to get to velocity
5. Check max mag length
6. Pick a chambering reamer
7. Buy a barrel with the right twist for the bullet and velocity at your altitude and temperature.
300WM is another fantastic cartridge. I have found I need to use an extra step in case sizing to use a special collet die to properly size the case just forward of the belt. Using long AICS magazines I can load the 230 OTM Tactical to within .005" of the lands and still get then in the magazine. Not sute how you guys are doing that (or IF you are) with the 215 hybrid. Would be jumping almost .090" for me at max mag length.
The only reason I bring this detail up is that these things are best considered before you have a barrel chambered.
1. Pick a purpose
2. Pick a bullet and a velocity
3. ==> determine probable jump
4. Pick a cartridge with the needed capacity to get to velocity
5. Check max mag length
6. Pick a chambering reamer
7. Buy a barrel with the right twist for the bullet and velocity at your altitude and temperature.
Not to be Stuck in the 50's... The 7 Rem Mag was designed to hunt and be deadly to 500 Yards with Yester-Years relatively small Projectiles near 130 Grains. Today's 7mm ELR Bullets are much better and much heavier. If you want a Gun for the 21st Century do the 7-300 combination, or if you don't mind the extra expense 28 NOZ.. Your original post seemed to lean towards ELR. Yes the 210 300 Winnie is effective, but it seems you might be weary of kick.
I believe @AckleymanII hit a home run on his recommendation. FIRST: Since you have a R.U.M. you have the L-O-N-G Magnum action. This will allow you to use a cartridge like the .28 Nosler. SECOND: Now you have enough horsepower and speed for an extremely flat trajectory, combined with AUTHORITATIVE killing power! THIRD: I do not own one but I have a friend who has built several for hunting customers. He states that it is SUPER accurate with the Berger 195s! Accurate, flat and powerful! What more could you want?
Good choice either way. I look at the 7 mag and 300 mag as old school magnums. Muscle cars of the past but still fit in the now. Obviously they fit your niche. Good luck.
nmkid
Gold $$ Contributor
When I lived in Wyoming, (sigh) I used the 7MAG for a couple of years. Nothing to complain about. Then I lucked into a 300 WIN MAG. I had a 27" barrel slapped on and as they say...The rest were history. The barrel length was never a problem in the wide open spaces of, "God's country! I had my 300 for 13 years and it claimed 12 elk. Never lost an elk shooting the 165 Swift A-Frame bullet. Ahhh. The good old days.
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