Anybody shooing 7mm LRM?

[carlsbad]

A search tells me this question has been asked before but now for a couple of years. I'm preparing to build a 7mm rifle to take advantage of the new 183 and 197 high bc offerings from Sierra. I was leaning toward a 7 RSAUM, but the 7 LRM looks like a good way to get another 100+ fps.

FYI. Gunwerks has everything you need to build this and I could order it today. You are limited to Hornady brass and hornady dies. But Hornady deserves my business after their recent stand against NY.

--Jerry

 

[rickiesrevenge]

Don't shoot that one but I do shoot several 7mm Dakotas. VERY similar cartridges. What are you looking to do with it?

Aaron

 

[carlsbad]

1000 to 2000 yards.

 

[rickiesrevenge]

If you're doing a long barrel I'd do the SAUM. Throated correctly it should sling the 183's quite well.

 

[carlsbad]

Have a buddy testing it today with 183s and it is certainly still on the table. But looking at options. Always happy to have another 100 fps. thanks, Jerry

 

[dkhunt14]

Have a buddy testing it today with 183s and it is certainly still on the table. But looking at options. Always happy to have another 100 fps. thanks, Jerry

Velocity isn't everything. If you look at the 7WSM verses the 7SAUM, the 7 WSM is 100 feet faster. In 1000 yard BR the 7 WSM doesn't win. The 7 SAUM does. I know lots of guys that tried the 7WSM and it just didn't shoot good enough. To me accuracy is key. Matt

 

[carlsbad]

DK. Agree, at 1000 yards I shoot 6xc. But going beyond 1000, more velocity helps. The WSM doesn't seem to add enough to make it worth the issues. 7 SAUM is having a resurgence fueled by the GAP 6.5 SAUM (aka 4S) which i built and enjoy. 7 SAUM is likely where I will end up.

My SAUM is long action so I can seat long bullets as long as I want. Or I can throw a 7 WRM in it. Haven't found any accuracy reports yet though.

Here is an old thread with some positive thoughts on the 7LRM, especially the next to last paragraph. I have a 33 inch barrel blank which might go well with the LRW.

Just doing some research on options. 28 nosler, 7 RUM, etc.

thanks for your help.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

The 7 LRM is basically a 7mm-375 Ruger with the shoulder set back to give it a longer neck. It's a pretty good design actually.

Problem is Hornady brass is the pain in the ass on 375 Ruger parent widlcats. I have a 338-375 Ruger. It shoots great with excellent speed, but I will never know it's true potential without being able to get quality brass for it. So choose your chambering wisely. I have seen custom 7mm Remington Magnums shoot as good as any other rifles I've ever seen at long range. It will run 180gr bullets up at 3100 fps too. Anyone who says the old belted magnums won't shoot doesn't have much experience with them.

The 7 SAUM would be a good choice as well. Very capable of good accuracy at a mile (1760 yds) and maybe even a bit further with the right barrel length, load, and bullets.

The 28 Nosler has a little bit better brass and is a very fast round. Nosler brass isn't the best, but it's better than Hornady.

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

Not to "bash" anyone or anything - I'd go 28 Nosler with that long barrel, run RE-33 & 180 gr. Bergers and wouldn't look back.

- Ron -

 

[carlsbad]

Ron,
I appreciate your opinion. As you know, I've taken it to heart before and have the reamer to prove it. How do you think the 28 nosler would be for accuracy and barrel life? I may have prematurely discarded it based on the reputation as "too overbore"... thanks for your help.

Ledd,
Thanks for your comments as well.

--Jerry

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Seems like you are looking for maximum velocity in a large cartridge so I wouldn't be too concerned with barrel life because it's gonna suck. Lol.

Lot of factors in getting rounds on target accurately. Can a 28 Nosler be very accurate? Absolutely it can be with a good build, careful hand loading, quality optics, and good shooting practices. Same goes for any other cartridge.

 

[carlsbad]

As for barrel life, I don't expect a lot. But don't want it to be 200 rounds either. 1000 would be a goal.

 

[STOMP442]

I stay away from Hornady brass and dies whenever possible. That being said I would lean towards the 28 Nosler. Performance between the two is very similar with the edge going to the 28. The 28 also has better components available and more aftermarket support for it. I believe its only a matter of time before other companies start making brass for the Nosler magnums and providing a few more options for reloaders. I don't see that happening with the 7LRM. I have developed loads for both cartridges and both are very accurate and very capable. I don't think you can go wrong either way but the 28 has a few key benefits the LRM doesn't have.

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

Ron,
I appreciate your opinion. As you know, I've taken it to heart before and have the reamer to prove it. How do you think the 28 nosler would be for accuracy and barrel life? I may have prematurely discarded it based on the reputation as "too overbore"... thanks for your help.

Ledd,
Thanks for your comments as well.

--Jerry

Jerry - As far as Barrel life I'm going to say 1000 - 1200 if it isn't pushed full throttle all the time. - Here's the one I shoot, I have 2 barrels for the 180's & 2 for the 195 & 197's - She shot very accurate with a medium load of RE-33 right out of the blocks.

Reference: http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/official-gun-pix-pride-joy-thread.2990828/page-25









- Ron -

 

[dkhunt14]

As for barrel life, I don't expect a lot. But don't want it to be 200 rounds either. 1000 would be a goal.

Barrel life has alot to do with rate of fire. Fire em fast and barrel goes quicker. Also pushing to the upper limits of powder charge hurts. Shoulder angle, length of neck and TP point, factor in as well. I would expect close to 800 rounds of accuracy with the 28. Matt

 

[carlsbad]

Sold.

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

Jerry, - I have a reamer that is for a neck-turn (0.014 necks) and the throat is set for 180 gr. Berger VLD's or Hybrids (The 183 Sierra works as well). - For the 195's & 197 I just had my gunsmith lengthen the throat to 0.280 for those. - P.M. me if you want the drawing or maybe we can work something out & I could barrow you my reamer if you decide to go this route. - With RE-33 this cartridge is very impressive. And you don't need to push it to get good velocity either.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Hornady brass killed the lrm. I can reach higher velocities in a 7saum than I could in the LRM. While the 28 Nosler is accurate, it is a throat killer. Expect .010" movement per 100 rounds. I think it makes a super hunting round, but its just a bit hot for target IMO. The saum is hard to beat and is as big as I would go for group shooting.

 

[hoz53]

Hornady brass killed the lrm. I can reach higher velocities in a 7saum than I could in the LRM. While the 28 Nosler is accurate, it is a throat killer. Expect .010" movement per 100 rounds. I think it makes a super hunting round, but its just a bit hot for target IMO. The saum is hard to beat and is as big as I would go for group shooting.

well i agree with this but i dont like it.(the lrm part) I thought the 7LRM or mabie 7/375 ruger was going to be the answer to my 7mm dreams until i started looking into the brass situation, then i found out otherwise.

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

Hornady brass killed the lrm. I can reach higher velocities in a 7saum than I could in the LRM. While the 28 Nosler is accurate, it is a throat killer. Expect .010" movement per 100 rounds. I think it makes a super hunting round, but its just a bit hot for target IMO. The saum is hard to beat and is as big as I would go for group shooting.

Alex, - I think that some of the throat wear depends on who's barrels are being used and of course the powder & charge of the loads shot.
The 5 groove Benchmark that I'm running has had over 100 rounds through it and I measured 0.003 growth and I used the same batch of sorted 180 Berger VLD's when I checked it several times using the Hornady OAL length gauge. 75% of the loads were with RE-33 and 25% were with Retumbo. - I agree the SAUM is a better "balanced for bore size" cartridge as the 28 Nosler case is over-bore for the 7mm. And accuracy potential comes down to several factors in the overall rifle build and the shooter of course.

My .02

- Ron -