Noticing that interest in 7MM's seems on the decline

[rickt300]

I have three, a 280AI, 7x57 and a 7-08. Bullet selection isn't nearly as good as what the 6.5's and 30's have either anymore.

 

[Fuj]

I do most of my wildcatting in 7mm. You really have to pick and
choose. For BR work, there is virtually none. There is a very good
assortment overall for the 180 class bullets and up. I just recently
started to play with the Hornady A-Tips with better then expected
results. I had great groups with the 171 gr. Barnes Match Burners, but
the sort is on the ugly side.

 

[rickt300]

If I didn't already have a pretty good selection of hunting bullets in 7MM I would be looking at getting into 30 caliber. My one paper gun is in 260 Remington and there seems to be plenty of different bullets to play with currently.

 

[FeMan]

Bullet makers are certainly developing bullets in 6.5 and 30 cal that open up new doors and people are responding. I think though that the 7mm bullet development and options were just ahead of the neighbors. The 180 and 190 class 7mm bullets line up well with the 150 class 6.5s and the 230+ 30 cals. The bigger the caliber the higher the BC potential, but they all scale pretty well and the smaller calibers have less recoil and are easier to shoot in long strings. I have one of every caliber and the 7mm with the 180 and 184s is still my favorite.

 

[std7mag]

Alas, all my rifles are hunting rifles.
But for those, i like 2 different calibers. 25 & 7mm.
I have 5 different 25 caliber rifles now. 250 Savage, 257 Roberts, 257 Roberts AI, 25 WSSM &25-06.
My 7mms are 7mm-08AI, 280 Rem, 284 Win & 7mm Rem Mag.

For my hunting in PA. the faster 25s & any of the 7mm get the job done on ant game i want to go after.

Recently picked up some 100gr Sierra Varminters in 7mm to try out.

I'd still like to do an ELR build in 7mm based around the 197gr MatchKing.
Mostly because nobody else is, and i was advised against it.

 

[XTR]

There is also the possibility that the 7mm bullet development kind of finished. At least for most targets and hunting. We have a lot of good bullets. Outside of BR and PRS it’s been the go to for a lot of yrs.

as for 30s, what’s new out there?

In the 6.5s there has been lots of room that hadn’t been explored, and the marketing for the caliber has made it the flavor of the season.


personally my 7-08 does everything I need with 140 class bullets for hunting.

 

[Fuj]

I'd still like to do an ELR build in 7mm based around the 197gr MatchKing.
Mostly because nobody else is, and i was advised against it.

I'll tell ya" the same thing !! The Hornady 190 A-Tips will out
perform it, and at a much lower twist rate.

Try those 151 Warners, I give ya', yet ??

 

[hogpatrol]

One data point here, I'm phasing out my 28 Nosler setup and have moved on to a 30-28 shooting 210 VLDs for hunting.

 

[nakneker]

Lots of good Bullets for 7mm between Berger and Hornady. Still lots of people shooting 7mm, the popular bullets sell out fast, I was watching for 180 target hybrids and they landed at several online outlet’s this last week. I was too slow every time. I’m shooting a couple Saum, 7mm-08, 280 AI With a variety of bullets.

 

[The Marshall]

The wide range of bullet weight for 7mm cartridges is only limited by the twist rate of the barrel. Realistically you don’t need a 190 grain bullet for a 7x57 Mauser. If you need a heavier bullet you probably need a larger caliber bullet. The 139-175gn range of bullets is fine for the three cartridges I reload. Overall, the 150, 154 and 162 grain bullets seems to be the favorites for my rifles.
It will be no surprise to see new 7mm cartridges designed with dual purpose hunting / target abilities, close to 1:8 twist rates and 8-9lb (unscoped) range.

 

[wboggs]

How about a response from the F/O shooters? Are the various 7mms still winning?

 

[uncle fester]

I think the lack of selection issues in 7mm are related to the fact companies are making as many 6.5's and 308 bullets as they can make. Once the supply issues get sorted out, I am sure 7mm will be back.

In particular, I think the 7mm PRC will be a big seller and drive demand.

 

[Adam in WI]

Shhhh..... .257" and .277" just walked in

 

[Hammer101st]

I love the 7mm bullet 90% of my rifles are a 7mm of some sort. 7mm will never die to good of a bullet range and types. 7mm falls in ther with 6.5 and .338 calibers just the right diameter that the weight allways makes it a longer bullet.

I hope that came out right i know what i ment doesnt mean i explained right


Never really was a fan of 30 cal it allways seemed like the weight to size ratio was allways off. Like a 168 grn bullet in 7mm is dam sleek bullet

 

[std7mag]

I'll tell ya" the same thing !! The Hornady 190 A-Tips will out
perform it, and at a much lower twist rate.

Try those 151 Warners, I give ya', yet ??

I was meaning a 7mm for ELR/ULR.
Not just the bullet.

A 30-34" tube with the 197 Sierra, or 195 Bergers.

Video's are out there with 7mm Rem Mag at 3,000 yards on a 24X24 plate.
Smaller target than KO2M.

 

[Fuj]

I was meaning a 7mm for ELR/ULR.
Not just the bullet.

A 30-34" tube with the 197 Sierra, or 195 Bergers.

Video's are out there with 7mm Rem Mag at 3,000 yards on a 24X24 plate.
Smaller target than KO2M.

I think a 28 Nosler is in your future.

 

[std7mag]

I think a 28 Nosler is in your future.

Naaa....

I like oddball stuff.

Leaning more towards the 7.21 Lazzeroni Firebird.
Or maybe a 7mm-378 Weatherby.

 

[Terry]

How about a response from the F/O shooters? Are the various 7mms still winning?

Yes! .284 and .284 Shehane are huge in F Open.

 

[Ray123]

Used to own a 7mm mag for quite some years for hunting...traded it for a 222. Never bought another 7mm. Even have some 180gr Berger VLDs but never used them. Modified the FL reloading die for another project ...turned the brass into 350 Rem Mag.
So I'm not doing 7 mm anything...haven't been for years. For me the 6.5 is fading also.... I have two but they stay in the safe.
Shooting alot of 30 caliber and 6 mm caliber, (plus 224 plinkers ) they just fit all my needs. So I'm personally done with 7mm ...and now 6.5mm is on my chopping block.

 

[Orr89rocz]

Seems like the 6.5 stuff killed the smaller 7mm stuff. 120-150 grain in 7mm-08 type cases. Guess there wasnt a lot of options in that range. 6.5 prc might put a hurt on 7 saum and wsm? Maybe even the rem mag? I can see it being better than 280 ai too. Only the big 7’s seem popular to push those big 175-195 grain pills. 28 nosler, 7/300 prc and 7 practical. Do lesser 7mm cases using 150-168give any advantage over a 6.5 140-150 gr bullets now?
Then theres the 6.8 western 270 win and wsm.