Seeking a 7mmMag barrel to deliver 5 shots without overheat.

[VaniB]

I'm new to large cartridges like the 7mm Mag. From what I've been hearing, it's not uncommon for the 7mm rifle to fire 3 shots into a tight group, and then experience flyers with the 4th and 5th shot caused from barrel heat up. I'm looking to have a custom 700 built to be able to shoot a few varmints out at 500-600 yards, but can be used most of the time to shoot 1/2" MOA 5 shot groups at 100 yards.

What diamater barrel will allow a single tight 5 shot group? Initially I was thinking of having a 26" barrel with a .805" muzzle just like what Remington puts on their HS stocked 22-250 VSSF varmint rifles. But, now I'm wondering if I ought to go with a heavier .830" diameter muzzle like they use on their old Sendero Hunting Rifles. The trick is to build something that is heavy enough for accuracy, but not so heavy that I will dread carrying it across a field or two. (say....not to exceed 11 lbs with scope??)

 

[DCRYDER]

The VSSF and Sendero barrels are an identical .830" at the muzzle at 26".

Like to hear some responses myself.

7mm RM is a big cartridge for varminting!!!!

 

[Nodak7mm]

Okay, I rebarrelled a 7mm RM this past yr with a fluted 27" Brux #5. It is scary accurate, so accurate this particular chambering has been for me I am thinking about building a large, heavy barrelled rig specifically for varmint shooting.

The Brux barrell has been fantastic for me, sure I am taking my time with shots, shooting 5 shot groups then letting it cool down suffeciently to shoot another group. I shoot the 5 shot groups not super fast, but not slow, more duplicating a hunting shooting scenario. It gets warm, but not hot. Sure it would react different in a 80* environment, but what cartridge doesnt.

Sure, this is one of my deer hunting rifles, but I am really serious about building a 1.25 straight tapered rig, with the same SSG brake in a big ol heavy-butt stock. I did some gonculating and figured for me to maintain sight picture, the rig would need to be 42#. I can dig that. An umbrella, cooler full of ice tea, a good book and pleny of shells. That my friend would be a blast out in the killing fields..

Rod

 

[VaniB]

The VSSF and Sendero barrels are an identical .830" at the muzzle at 26".

Like to hear some responses myself.

7mm RM is a big cartridge for varminting!!!!

Ok....if it makes a difference, here we go into semantics over factory model names and measurements. My VSSF .223 and .17 Fireball both measure .803" at the muzzle, and my .270 "Sendero" measures .833 at the muzzle. All three rifles have facory HS varmint style stocks.

As for the remark that a 7mmMag is not the ideal varmint rifle; Agreed. This is why I mentioned that I intend to use it mostly for paper punching when I'm not using it for a limited "few varmints" at 600+ yards.

 

[VaniB]

Nodak,
What size 5 shot groups are you getting?

 

[Nodak7mm]

"7mm RM is a big cartridge for varminting!!!!" Its all relative. If your shooting pds past 500-600+++++ it is a great cartridge. If your walking and stalking, all shots under 300, yeah, its a tish over board

Van, PM sent..

 

[DCRYDER]

A little off subject, and don't want to hijack thread, but I am a big 7mm fan myself and currently have a 280AI. Lots of fun to shoot at 500 yards. But it is not all that easy to reach 3000fps with the 168 vlds. I am interested in both the 7mmRM and 7mm short mags. Only thing that worries me about the RM is the belt.

How many firings can you get out of a 7mmRM case before it is trash???