Balanced 7mm battle to take on the 300's

[300SALRH]

I'm thinking of settling on a single 7mm rifle instead of a two rifles in 6.5 PRC and 300 NM/PRC. The question is just what 7mm. I'm planning on a canyon type rifle that will mostly be used for target and steel shooting as well as the odd mountain hunts, but would be willing to push the barrel length to 28". The balance that I'm trying to achieve (given that it isn't realistic to achieve both) is something between closely approaches the ballistics of 300 PRC with 230gr bullets while shooting a load that isn't too abrasive on the components like brass and the barrel.

With regards to ballistics, I assume one will be looking at the heavier 7mm bullets close to or exceeding 3000fps? I would also like to run lower pressure loads with a colder burning powder, whiles not ignoring case design. Would also prefer something with good brass and something without a belted case.

Is the 28 Nolser (ADG and Peterson brass) the logical option and what about the 7mm Blaser (Norma brass)? Any news or insight on the long awaited 7mm PRC? Also had a look at the 7mm LRC (RCC brass) but there isn't any load data. Any other 7mm's that you would like to through into the mix or some experience (accuracy and consistency with rounds etc.) that could add value to subject.

 

[rardoin]

7 Sherman Short mag could be on that list. I’m building one for LR F-class. You should be able to push a Berger 195 VLD hunting bullet above 2900 and still not harm the brass and get about 1000rds or a little better barrel life.

 

[300SALRH]

7 Sherman Short mag could be on that list. I’m building one for LR F-class. You should be able to push a Berger 195 VLD hunting bullet above 2900 and still not harm the brass and get about 1000rds or a little better barrel life.

Thanks Rardoin. What load are you planning to run and barrel length?

Anyone with some 7mm Blaser experience?

 

[ben_g]

7-300WSM will get 180’s up around 3100fps

7mm SAUM 180’s around 2950 up to 3000fps is more realistic.
I use the SAUM for F-open shooting.

For string fire like in F-class the SAUM is the better option.
For your application I would give the 7-300WSM a go.

 

[Sniper338]

Why are you thinking of splitting the difference in 6.5 and 30 cal? Just go 30 cal. It will do everything the 6.5 would do and more.

 

[rardoin]

I’ll be testing 190 Berger LR hybrids and Hornady 190 A-tips first. I’ll also test the 184 hybrids that I am running in a straight .284. I am looking for a cartridge/bullet with a broad tune window and precision that will better my .284/184 hybrid load.

30” barrel

 

[Cmrem700]

280 ackley

 

[SPQR70AD]

Why are you thinking of splitting the difference in 6.5 and 30 cal? Just go 30 cal. It will do everything the 6.5 would do and more.

as far as I see it 7MM has the best bullets for BC among all the calibers and can be pushed faster then most with the same BC. you would have to go to a 300gr 338 bullet with over 100 grains of powder pushing it to squeak by a 7MM 180 gr

 

[std7mag]

I'm assuming by "mountain hunts" your talking out west.
Big difference between mountains of PA and mountains in CO.

Your mentioned cartridges should get you towards the velocities your looking for.
Another option might be the 7mm LRM, consisting of the 375 Ruger necked to 7mm.

 

[rhovee]

It wouldn’t be hard to neck down 300 PRC and change a bushing out in a die. Alex Wheeler ordered a reamers for this and the 180’s. Good balance. It’s like a 7-300 win mag without the belt. I have a 28 Nosler I am running the 184’s in with H1000. It likes them hot. Still finalizing load development, but looks like 3100-3125 in a 24” barrel.

 

[INTJ]

I've always been a 30 cal guy and in my experience 30 cals usually beat 7mms both in competition and hunting.

However, and more accurately, there are sweet spots for each caliber. That said, don't try to make one rifle do it all. A hunting rifle has a lot different requirements than a target rifle, even an informal target rifle. Keep two
rifles even if there is some overlap.

 

[300SALRH]

I've always been a 30 cal guy and in my experience 30 cals usually beat 7mms both in competition and hunting.

However, and more accurately, there are sweet spots for each caliber. That said, don't try to make one rifle do it all. A hunting rifle has a lot different requirements than a target rifle, even an informal target rifle. Keep two
rifles even if there is some overlap.

Why are you thinking of splitting the difference in 6.5 and 30 cal? Just go 30 cal. It will do everything the 6.5 would do and more.

I'm also a 30 cal guy and if budget wasn't a option would have gone straight for 300 Norma 35* Imp, but unfortunately need to be realistic about my requirements. We recently immigrated to New Zealand and I have to reline my entire safe, from scratch. I also fully agree with your statement that one rifle isn't able to do everything, but the idea is to start with something that best fits my current needs and work from there.

7-300WSM will get 180’s up around 3100fps

7mm SAUM 180’s around 2950 up to 3000fps is more realistic.
I use the SAUM for F-open shooting.

For string fire like in F-class the SAUM is the better option.
For your application I would give the 7-300WSM a go.

Thank you, have been playing around with the 7-300WSM or 7-270WSM today and the only con at this point is not having correctly head stamped brass. Also looked at the 7 WSM but like the longer neck of the other two and would also prefer something with good brass.

Just wondering if a 7mm Blaser will allow me to run a lower pressure load with colder burning powder while still delivering the some velocities as the WSM route and I have Norma brass. Just a little concerned why F class guys hasn't gone that route which raises the question about the inherent accuracy and consistency of the round or that cartridge/bullet with a broad tune window that rardoin referred to. This could also be the case with a 28 Nolser , but there seems to be something about the shorter powder fatter column cartridges.

I'm assuming by "mountain hunts" your talking out west.
Big difference between mountains of PA and mountains in CO.

Your mentioned cartridges should get you towards the velocities your looking for.
Another option might be the 7mm LRM, consisting of the 375 Ruger necked to 7mm.

std7mag - referring to the mountains here in the New Zealand south island. My understanding is that the 7mm LRM is basically a 7-300 PRC?

The 7mm LRC that Pro Martusheff aka Swamplord developed also sound like something very interesting. A 300 Norma that he shortened and necked down to a 7mm. They have tested the 300 LRC but the 7mm LRC is still only a reamer print. Using a scaling factor 1.24 (rim dia of 300 Norma/6mm br) you get something that looks pretty close to it. But as Einstein noted

"In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are not."

 

[Intheshop]

I like that Einstein quote.

 

[D-mon]

If you want to know a bit more about the 7 mm blaser, contact Greg Cooper at terminator products in Nelson. He has rebarreled a few rifles in that caliber and done some load development with the heavy pills.
https://terminatorproducts.co.nz/

 

[std7mag]

30salrh,
This old dog keeps forgetting what the first "w" in www means.
In essence you are correct on the 7-300PRC.
If memory serves me correctly, Gunwerks came out with their LRM just before the PRC line came about. Hornady did work with them on the design. The 7mm LRM is not SAAMI approved to my knowledge. (It may be by now, i just haven't heard)
Gunwerks claiming 3,075-3,100 fps with 26" barrel using 180gr Berger.

There is also the 7mm Practical. Although that one has a belt.

 

[2thdk]

If Hornady gives us a sammi 7 prc cartridge based off the 300 prc case, with a slightly longer neck, that would be my ideal 7 mag. Schwing! Wouldn’t take long for Peterson and adg to jump aboard.

In the mean time I would go 300 prc.
I wouldn’t bother with the 7 lrm.

 

[rhovee]

I spoke with ADG today about 7/300 PRC. Sounds like there is already quite a few requests and it wouldn't be hard for them to create a 7mm version. In the mean time i am getting a few pieces of brass from them to neck down and take some measurements. I wouldn't be surprised if the 300 PRC necked down to 7mm still has a longer neck than a 7 rem mag...

 

[300SALRH]

That is good news! Even if they only produce 300PRC brass with the right headstamp.

Let them claim it as the 7mm ADG and send it to sammi.

 

[284winner]

I think absolutely that the 28 Nosler would do anything the 300 PRC would do in a little wind with the 195s vs 230s. You'd get 3100 easily with the 195s from the 28. Realistically 2900 in the 300 with 230s. The 195 carries a .75+ average BC. The 230s carry a .7 average BC. Pushing the 195 around 250 fps faster keeps that bullet as good in some wind as the 230 in theory. I believe it's more fickle in bigger wind than the heavier 230 therefore keeping it inferior. Provided the wind is reasonable, I think the 195s are easily equal to the 230s at long range ( under 1500 yards ). The Sierra s
230s may be a better option for the PRC as my numbers are based on the Berger's.

 

[normmatzen]

Interesting. I'm seriously thinking I will shorten and thin a shot out Heavy Gun BR rifle that is a straight 284.
My dad always said, "Beware the man that only needs one shot!" And I have a sporter stock the action will fit right in.
My benchrest/F Open rifle normally shoots 180 gr ELD-M but for hunting, I will use 162 gr ELD-X. That load will go at ~2945 fps from 28". That will put down any North American game out to 1000 yd. I would be happy with a 24" barrel as my current rifle is a VZ24 action with a WWII 7X57 that shoots 162 A-MAX at 2850 fps and shoots 1 MOA at 100 yd.
I don't understand the need for a magnum anything