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A few 7mm questions

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.
I played with 168 Berger classic hunters in my saum with H4831SC.

It was really impressive to 1000 yards with even milder recoil.
 
Lets not forget, it's not just the cartridge.
Weight, stock design, shooter have a lot to do with regards to felt recoil.

I loved my NULA 24B in 280 Rem!!
But at bare rifle weight of 5.5lbs, scoped and slung at just under 7lbs, it wasn't something that you wanted to shoot a lot of groups with from the bench.
But it was a joy to carry around versus some of my other rifles.
It accounted for 5 deer with one shot each, which is to me what it was built to do.
 
My last (actually, only) centerfire rifle was a 30-.06 my dad got me as a teen for deer hunting. Skip forward about 5 decades into retirement and my bucket list desire to hunt elk and pronghorn has me prowling this and other forums to come up to speed. Things have changed a bit. At this point, I’ve settled on a 7mm as a reasonable compromise for both of those game animals, but the current pace of change within that category is impressive. I have some questions that I’d be grateful to hear back on. I should add that reloading is a distinct possibility as load optimization sounds like a lot of fun. Also, I’m not particularly concerned about barrel life:
  1. Regarding overbore cartridges such as the 28 Nosler, is it not true that one could use a smaller powder charge to replicate both the performance AND barrel erosion rate of one of the slightly less potent 7mm cartridges? I understand, why buy the additional capacity if you’re not going to use it, but I want to make sure I have a handle on the relevant performance aspects.
  2. Regarding the 7mm Backcountry, I’ve read early claims of improved barrel life that I do not understand. Is it that with the higher chamber pressures the powder charge burns faster so one isn’t sending combusting powder down the barrel? I’d have thought that the higher pressure was detrimental to barrel life. Or are both of these true, and we really need to wait and see what the net reality will be?
  3. Also re/ the 7mm BC, I’ve seen reports of excellent accuracy and reports of good but not best-in-class accuracy (I think it was a statement that extremely high chamber pressure is not optimal for accuracy). Again maybe it’s a wait and see thing, but I’m guessing that for hunting out to 500 yards or less, accuracy is likely a non-issue for this cartridge. Does that sound right?
  4. Having read the fly-in-the-ointment about Hornady’s advertised performance vs. what is practically attainable with the 7mm PRC, have their been permanent/indefinite changes in gun powder availability in recent years such that it’s best to assume that Hornady’s initially published numbers are mostly out of reach for the reloader?
Thanks in advance.
I have no idea how far you're going to be shooting but the 280 Remington is a great 7MM. Even better if handloaded.

I'm a big believer in 2 7MM cartridges, the 7 x 57 and the 280 Remington.
 
280 AI or the 7mm PRC is what I would recommend and would push you to the 280AI, I’ve had about 15 or more 280AI built and they all shot well,
several full customs some rebarrel jobs but the one constant is a good quality barrel, Benchmark Bartlein single point cut rifled barrel.

The 280AI has an excellent balance of moderate recoil and performance.

Several excellent factory ammunition offerings these days also add to the appeal of the 280AI,

Barnes Vor-TX LRX 152gr is an excellent option,
My current 280AI shoots this at 2970fps with a 24 inch barrel

Nosler Trophy Grade 140gr Accubond or 160gr Accubond offerings are also excellent
Hornadys ELDX 162gr
Federal Terminal Ascent 155gr is another excellent factory ammo.

My latest 280 AI custom build, 7lbs 12oz scoped

IMG_8110.jpeg
 
Couple of months late to the discussion, sorry. Alliant has exited the reloading (retail) market segment. They seem to be focusing on supplying finished ammo producers. I love (loved) RL 16 and 23. Never dated RL 26.
Midway shows some reloder 23 they got in recently.
 
I have friend who is a paraplegic, loves to hunt/fish/trap. He was invited to go to Co elk hunting. At the time over the counter cow/antlerless lic were available. He found a light use M700 7RM bdl. I loaded 175gr grand slams to 30/06 velocities, as mag loads recoil would put him off balance on his 4 wheeler seat. Told him with the GS bullets, penetration was good even on hard angle shots. Important for someone limited mobility. We zeroed 225 yards. The guys he hunted couldn't believe how well that bullet worked on his elk, exits even on shoulder shots at close range.
 
Love the 7mm rifles - have 7mm-08 and 7mm Rem Mag. (Funny thing, just picked up a 30-06 too! Haven't had one since early 90's and missed having one around).

The longest shot on a deer for me was 375 yards - 7mm-08 and one shot and done. Ammo? You guessed right if you said 140 Remington Cor-Lokt. Deer was hit just a little low and it went about 30 yards. Love the 7mm-08. My loads now are a 140 TSX and a 120 Nosler BT.

My 7mm Rem Mag is a T3 Ember. Have a load with 139 LRX pushing 3125fps and the kick is very light - amazing round and look forward to my first opportunity to take a deer with it this year. Was using 150 TTSX.

Best wishes whichever way you go!
 
I would look at a 280AI rifle. U have an action. Maybe rebarrel it to a 1@8 280AI. U could shoot 280 rem in it if u had too. Browning xbolt 2 one model has a 7mm mag with a 1@8 26 inch barrel. I am a big 28 caliber fan. I have 280 rem 280AI and a 7mm mag.
 

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