7mm RSAUM vs 7mm WSM vs the others

[AusFclass]

Im looking at getting a back up barrel for my f class rig to use in rough conditions.

obviously the 175 SMK or berger 180 will be on top of the list during load development.

at the moment i don’t have a magnum bolt but i would probably prefer going that direction if there is a significant advantage.

the things im looking for are:

inherent accuracy/ ease of load development/ case forming

quality/ availability/ cost of cases and dies etc

so help me out guys!! ;D

what’s the best of the 7mm?

 

[Preacher]

.284 Winchester is my pick of the litter.....

 

[280man]

I second that. The magnums are better in the wind but I don't think the slight advantage is worth all the mess that comes with it

 

[kyreloader]

I went with the .284 Shehane.

 

[Dgd6mm]

I built a 7rsaum that is a hummer at 1000 yards. When this barrel is done with , I believe the next one will be a .284 Winchester.

 

[AusFclass]

hmmmmmmm interesting. . .

most of the people i have spoken to that own a .284win say they are on the limit at 2900fps with a 30in.? maby 2950 with re17. the supply of that powder is probably going to be a bit sporatic over here so i cant rely in it.

i had thought about the .284 shehane but once you buy a custom reamer and dies and fireform every case there isnt a whole lot more to gain over a standard .284. and probably getting up to the cost of a new magnum bolt.

so that leaves me with how much beta are the magnums? what sort of fps do they get with the heavys?

some guys say they can get over 3000 easily but have to back em off to get back on to an accuracy node. myth or reality?

I built a 7rsaum that is a hummer at 1000 yards.
When this barrel is done with , I believe the next one will be a .284 Winchester.

dgd6mm why are you going away from the 7rasum if you have had good sucsess with it so far?

 

[GLC]

AUS F Class

I use a 300/7wsm with WIN Brass, (180 berger Vld) this will go all the way to 3150 without too much effort, i do not shoot it at this velocity more like 3050-3080, mine shoots very well at this node (i mentioned win brass as most guys over here think it is a bad thing) my results and V count at the world F Class champs last year were pretty reasonable ), AND i am still shooting the same barrel some 900 rnds now.
We of course do not string fire, which i personally think destroys barrels, and I think this was the subject of another thread on this forum section (vertical after 10-15rnds)
There is a significant advantage (wind drift @1000yrds) with this cartridge as opposed to a .284 (I have both) however I have been beaten by .284's so as ever it's all about wind reading skills and if it works for you on the day !

My plan was to use the .284 for 800yrd and light days and bring out the 7/300 for worse conditions (which seems to be most of the time in the UK!) so the 7/300 get's used more often than not.

Do not get me wrong i think the .284 is terrific, I have a 7RSAUM but have not had the time to test it yet.

Just my personal opinion!
with regards
Gary Costello UK

 

[1KBR]

Garry, how do you get 900rds out of your barrel? My buddies shared a pair of reamers and built up 7WSMs for BR and have been eating barrels (4 of us, 8 barrels so far).
I have heard that you guys get some hard barrels over there, is that right? Or is it more to do with the fact you dont string shoot in your country.
I get 3050 out of mine, but have moved back to 2930 fps due to pressure signs and recoil. All of our shoot well at 2920-2940 fps. Is it possible that some of the harder barrels you get might be a bit more "slippery" for the bullet?
Also, any tips on which primers to use, we are trying to get our ES/SD and accuracy down to 284 levels especialy if we are shooting a 15 shot match.
Are you guys allowed to use brakes over there? I found it hard to fire fast with my WSM as I do with my 284 without a brake.

 

[AusFclass]

i have a 6.5x 47 that im extreamly happy with and can hold my own in most conditions. BUT when there is a 20MPH fishtail switching every 10 seconds i need all the help i can get!!

Gary how did you find load development between your .284 and 7/300? what powders and cases neck turn or not etc etc. .

IF i could bet the .284 to really hammer at the top end 2900fps there wouldnt be any problems but if it isnt on the node at that speed the only place to go is down in to the 2800fps zone :-[

 

[1KBR]

AusFclass. If RE17 is available, get an 8lb tub, it will last a year and get to the 2920fps node easily.

Has anyone had bergers come apart when shot at 3050fps? We have seen it a few times and wondered if it was our land/groove/barrel configuration or something.

 

[GLC]

1KBR, to be honest not really sure how it's lasted to 900 rnds, borescope shows no signs of any real serious problems so go figure! It is a Bartlein 5R, remember i do not shoot a 7WSM it is a 7/300 (300 wsm necked down to 7mm,) slightly less case capacity and a longer neck.
My rilfe was made in the U.S by Alan Warner, I imported it.
I think it's they way we shoot, not strung fire, we get at least 40-60 secs before the target comes up then 45 secs to shoot, you cannot follow your spotter this way but it does help to focus on the wind flags and it's certainly easier on your barrel and maybe easier for gun handling.
i am not alone mind you, the latest UK 1K F class record (75.10 thats a max score with 10 V bulls or X's) (200.10 in U.S scoring) was set with a rifle with 1500rnds down it ! (UK made Border barrel)
We do not use brakes or moderators.
one thing I do do is clean religiously after every shoot to bare metal, this can take a couple of days until i am happy with it, I also use Vit single based powder which is very consitent. I have never really got excellent spreads like you can in a .284, if i can get 15fps or below and a good group i am satisfied, I use 215 mag primers in one barrel and BR2 in another.

Hope this answers your questions.
regards
Gary

 

[GLC]

AUS F Class,

My .284 liked N560 and 175 Sierra's, (57 grains for 2920) Safe in my rifle but usual disclaimer work up slowly before anybody tries it! it would not shoot a berger for love nor money, I am waiting for the new Hybrid to see if they will work, it also favoured BR2 primers.

Both .284 and 7/300 are tight neck, with the WSM I use Win Brass (inside lathe turned necks) and the .284, Lapua turned with a K&M.

Funnily enought the .284 was more difficult to load develop, (probably because i wanted it to shoot Bergers rather than anything else)

We shot a ultra long range match recently,1000,1100 & 1200 yrds, with some serious fishtail winds, the WSM really shone, I am sure due to the better ballistics due to extra velocity.
That said a 284 Shehane won the 1100yrds stage! so still very competitive.

I am waiiting for a Shehane and want to test it against the WSM like for like and see if the advantage is worthy or not.

hope this helps
regards
Gary

 

[AusFclass]

ohhhhhh they all sound good!!

the first shipment of re17 has already sold out over here and who knows if or when we will see another :-[

maby the 7 rsaum is a middle ground between the .284 and 7/300?

 

[GLC]

Agreed on the RSAUM, cannot wait to try out the barrel i have sitting in the safe, will have to wait till the end of the season when i get some time.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[memilanuk]

Hello Gary,

One of the things I'd heard about the big 7mms while over @ Bisley was an interesting 'thumb rule' on the barrel life... something along the lines of 'phenomenal accuracy for the first 250rds, very good accuracy from 250-500, good accuracy from 500-750, and after that you're living on borrowed time'.

Any thoughts on that as a general guide? I do think you're probably spot on regarding the string fire vs. pair fire vs. barrel wear... unfortunately string-fire is the order of the day over here so it's what we're stuck with

Do you feel there is a significant gain in accuracy and/or barrel life with the 7/300 WSM vs. a straight 7 WSM?

Thanks,

Monte

 

[GLC]

Hi Monte,
generally yes we have found you will get the best out of the barrel at -250 rnds, however not the case with my current barrel, i shot 3 of the tightest grounds in a tunnel range recently (last week) which put the barrel over 900rnds. Again perhaps this is a freak and I am lucky! I will report when it let's go.

Regarding 7WSM vs 7/300 I could not get the 7WSM to shoot at all! nor could several of my fellow shooters, I have seen a few around but most of the big magnum shooters went to the 7/300 or 270 (same thing really)
Hope you enjoyed your time at Bisley, cannot believe it was a year ago already!

Best regards
Gary

 

[Obtunded]

Very interesting insight Gary, thank you for sharing!

I have had the opportunity to speak with a number of shooters that have used the 7-300WSM as it has been a cartridge we have had our eyes on for some time on the Canadian Team. It is very interesting how you have managed such success with barrel life! I think your theory on string shooting holds validity, (we have a slow-as-molasses elderly shooter that was winning club matches with a 6BR with 5000 rounds down the pipe) however we in Canada also shoot squadded as two or three shooters, yet barrel life has been a very consistent 700-800 rounds among the shooters that have campaigned them in competition. I thought Monte's 250-500-700 rule sounded -anecdotally anyway - very accurate!

I have spoken with a number of shooters that are currently using 280AI's with the Hybrid Bergers and are achiving 2900 with relative consistency, and barrel life has thus far been quite good as well.

...always looking for the better mousetrap!

Cheers,

Ian

 

[Forum Boss]

For those of you who may not be aware, GLC is Gary Costello, who just happens to be the 2009 F-Open World Champion. When Gary talks, it makes sense to listen.

Gary, thanks for participating in our Forum. We value your participation!

 

[AusFclass]

7mm RSAUM it is!

ive got the barrel on bolt on the way and all things going well should have them by the end of october ;D

 

[Dgd6mm]

AusFclass, after borescoping these 7 short mags using slow burning powder I've changed my mind. The next barrel I will have QPQ'd for extended barrel life.