Making a throat last with 7mm WSM

[Steve Blair]

Mike,
Is there some reason that binds you to a magnum? Do you already have the action or the bolt body?
Running it at 284 speeds doesn't get you the advantage of the magnum.
The F-Open team had a ruling that required team members to use a magnum case driving a 180 Berger at 2950 (I think that was the rule). Most of them had to buy new actions or new bolts. Brass had to be prepared, new powders tried, new primers, new dies. All for a slight increase in speed. It was a challenge (still is to some) to get the short mags to shoot as accurate as the 284s.
Some get 2500 rounds out of a 284 at 2850 (180 grain bullet) but only 700 with either of the short mags at 2950.
Run the numbers. At 2800 the wind drift is about 6.2 inches per mile per hour. The same bullet at 3000 has a drift of 5.6" We are talking about [normal]worst to [normal] best speed only being 3/4" drift difference. The question being is that 0.8" worth the barrel life?
If it is to you - build the magnum that you want.

[br]
I think that Shiraz wanted the velocities between 2950 and 3050. Otherwise, I agree with you, Richard. My .284 Shehane runs around 2940-2950 and, therefore, doesn't get 2500 round barrel life. My first barrel went 1650 rounds and shot very well the last time I used it. That was when we both shot 1409 at the 2012 Berger. A .284 (Win or Shehane) does not give up much to a magnum but I believe that it is easier to develop a forgiving load and hold vertical than it is with a 7mm magnum.

 

[mlcasmey]

Thanks to those of you whom actually gave some advise. Not decided on a caliber for my next project. Maybe I'll look at the 7-08. Sounds like 7 WSM and longevity don't go well together.

 

[Savage99]

Don't worry about a 7mm WSM throat.

Just sight in the rifle for the "long or medium" range and use it.

Clean the barrel normally.

When it wears out sell it or have a new barrel put on.

That's all there is to it!

I have been handloading since 1953 and have a 7mm WSM.

My 270 WSM, which is similar, has a lot of rounds through it and it shoots fine.

 

[Kings X]

Mike,
All this depends on what you think happens when your throat goes away.
If "minute of deer" at 600 yards after 2000 rounds is your limit - the short magnum will fit the ticket.
I think most f-class shooters want their guns under 1/2 MOA.
My F-open short mag was on a winchester case. I ran the reamer in .100" short and cut .100" off the bottom of the dies. Running the case in the die gave me a long neck case. Shot lights out for 800 rounds and then wouldn't hold 9 rings. It failed me at the Nationals in Lodi and Texas State match the same year. I just couldn't believe that my longer neck did not protect to throat.
I only have 400 roounds through this 284 barrel. I plan on using it all year. A couple others have the same chamber and are getting 2500+ accurate rounds out of their tubes.
Steve - I tried to keep it open. Barrel life is dependent on the owners criteria. With some it is pure "round count", wild shots, lost of vertical zeros, etc.
I have seen some major 1K matches won with a modifed 284 that had 2200 rounds down the tube. In 6 matches that weekend, he had a clean and a 199. His load is at 2950 fps.