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Shooting & Reloading - Mausers, Big Bores and others >> Rifles
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JabaliHunter
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Reged: 16/05/07
Posts: 1958
Loc: England
7mm Rem Mag
      #168798 - 30/09/10 10:33 PM

Does anyone have any experience with this cartridge? Curious to know what kind of velocities I could expect with 160gr bullets from a 26in barrel on a Rem 700 clone or No 1 action?

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Ripp
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Re: 7mm Rem Mag [Re: JabaliHunter]
      #168802 - 30/09/10 11:09 PM

I reloaded several of these for friends of mine--the last load I did was using a 150 gr Swift Scirroco...pressures were very safe and chrono'd the load at 3170 fps...know I could push it faster than that..but with temp extremes he uses if for here in Montana..anywhere from 80F for antelope to possible -20F for elk...so kept the pressures mild..would guess you could safely get 3000fps or more especially with a 26" tube --the velocities I quoted were from 24" barrels..

I also rechambered a lightweight rifle by Lex Webernick (Rifles Inc)..that was in .280 Rem. to a 280 Ackley Improved..wish I had done that sooner..anyway, shooting 140's out of it at 3200+..

Ripp

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

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gryphon
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Re: 7mm Rem Mag [Re: Ripp]
      #168814 - 01/10/10 06:02 AM

Velocities of all sorts can be achieved...try those little 115 (?) grainers for a flat shooter that bucks the wind on those vermin too.

For your everyday hunting 3000 fps with 150 gr`s is easy done.

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apr1775
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Re: 7mm Rem Mag [Re: gryphon]
      #168843 - 01/10/10 10:13 PM

Even with the heavy 160gr, 3000fps can be reached. With 100gr varmit bullets, 3600fps!!!

Excellent round for flat shooting over long distance; popular here for dear hunting over open fields. Lots of load data here too, just ask any of us American reloaders if you have questions, it's in all our load books.

Application for UK firearms certificate. 7mmRemMag. Reason: "my American friends have them and they kick a$$". No, on second thought, don't write that.

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RigbyUser
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Reged: 23/11/08
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Re: 7mm Rem Mag [Re: apr1775]
      #168844 - 01/10/10 10:38 PM

With a 160 grain bullet, 3050 fps - 3100 fps is available, especially with your 26 inch barrel. Look to use the slower powders and work up carefully.

Unfortunately the 7mm Mag has some variation in chamber dimensions and so we need to be careful how to best handload. For this reason you'll note fairly conservative factory loads.

160 grain bullets at 3100 fps need some though, not sure standard bullets will always hold together at those speeds, especially up close. Consider premium bullets (should your application need it) anything over 400 lbs to my mind need premiums. Below that, normal bullets would be more than adequate. A good Speer, Nosler or Sierra BT at that speed shoots flat as and will give you amazing trajectory out to 400 meters.

Whichever way you look at it, that is a long way and probably further our than most of us should ever consider shooting. Pretty versatile the big 7mm.

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szihn
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Re: 7mm Rem Mag [Re: RigbyUser]
      #168845 - 02/10/10 12:09 AM

I am a gunsmith and hunting guide for almost 40 years now. I have made a lot of rifles in 7mm Mag, and loaded a lot of ammo for them too. I have seen many animals killed with them in several states.
If I had one word of advice for the caliber it's this;
Use bullets that are tough enough to hold up to impact at close range, and you will still be ok at longer ranges. As a rule, that means 150 grains and more.

It's an interesting fact, but none the less a fact, that most of the worst failures I have seen from hunting bullets in the many years I have hunted and guided have come from 7mm Mags.

However in all fairness, I must say that the results from the same rifles are extremely good if the correct bullets are used.

The 7mm bullets or 150 grains and lighter made in the USA are nearly all made for 7mm Mauser velocities and perhaps not even that fast. There are a very few 150 grain bullets that will hold together when shot through the 7mm mag (like the Barnes and the Swift) and when we get to the 160 and 175 range, the results start to get impressive. A 175 gr Nosler Partition from a 7mm Mag is a real killer, and VERY reliable.

Resist the urge to get higher velocities by using a light bullet. Stick with GOOD bullets at 160 to 175 grains and shoot them at all animals from 10 pounds to 900 pounds.

The 7MM mag is a versatile rifle round, but all it’s handicaps come from using bullets that are too light.
It’s versatility comes into play when you use it with a good long heavy bullet, and have no 2nd thoughts about shooting that bullet at coyotes, dingos, or rabbits. Work up an accurate load with that one bullet and shoot it at all your game up to the limit of the cartridge, and you’ll never be unhappy.

Edited by szihn (02/10/10 12:11 AM)

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Mike_Bailey
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Re: 7mm Rem Mag [Re: szihn]
      #168846 - 02/10/10 12:28 AM

Only one experience Jabali, 160 grain, a gold fallow at 150 yds...sack of spuds



best, Mike

Edited by CptCurl (05/10/10 11:14 AM)

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Homer
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Re: 7mm Rem Mag [Re: Mike_Bailey]
      #168860 - 02/10/10 06:34 AM

G'Day Fella's,

Jabali, sorry I don't have any experience with the heavier bullets in the 7mm Rem Mag.

I usually only shoot 120gr Nosler B/Tips and Barnes X that I have Moly coated. I also Moly treated the barrel with the treatment available from Brownell's in an attempt to squeeze more velocity out of this combination. They chronograph in at 3450fps out of my 24" Win Mod 70 Classic (All-Terrain, stainless). They shoot into sub MOA groups and were what I call "Maximum Safe Working Load" (MSWL), in this rifle.

If I remember correctly, for heavier bullets Reloader 22 and 25 may be "The Powders" to use for this cartridge.

Hope this helps.

HooRoo
From
Hommer

--------------------
"Beware the Lolly Pop of Mediocrity,
Lick it Once and You Will Suck Forever"

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JabaliHunter
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Reged: 16/05/07
Posts: 1958
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Re: 7mm Rem Mag [Re: Homer]
      #168877 - 03/10/10 12:10 AM

Thanks very much for the information everyone. The kind of velocities I have seen talked about in articles were a bit underwhelming - I'm thinking of putting together a long(er) range hunting rifle for highland stags and possibly some mountain hunting in a couple of years time, so it is good to see that somewhere in the 3,000-3,100 should be feasible. I was looking at the Accubond 160gr which has a high BC as possibly being ideal for this purpose (similar BC to a 190-200gr in the .300Win).

Apr1775 - it should indeed kick ass! Unfortunately, P.C. Plod may not see that as a "good reason"!

Mike - I love that fallow. You'll have to let me in on some of your secret Spanish haunts!

I'll keep you all posted!

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mikeh416Rigby
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Re: 7mm Rem Mag [Re: JabaliHunter]
      #182897 - 31/05/11 09:11 AM

I don't have the rifle any more, but I used to get a shade over 3,000 fps with the old Nosler Partition 160 grain pill. I could have gone higher, but it put 3 shots into 1 hole at 100 yards. With the 175 grain Nosler, I got great accuracy at 2900 fps. My favorite bullet for hunting Pronghorn with this rifle was the 150 grain Ballistic Tip at 3200 fps. I also used this bullet to shoot over 200 deer(whitetail and fallow does)for the restaurant trade on a game farm where I used to guide. All shots had to be head shots so there wouldn't be any lost meat on the carcass. I never lost an animal with this rifle. I took a wonderful Dall Sheep in the Yukon at over 500 paces with it...one shot.

Now, with that being said, a friend of mine had an identical Remington 700, only 65 digits away from my serial number, and he couldn't come close to the velocities I got, without his bolt starting to stick, or getting shiney marks on the brass.

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JabaliHunter
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Re: 7mm Rem Mag [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
      #182925 - 31/05/11 07:41 PM

Thanks Mike. Sounds like ideal performance for what I want... now its a toss up between this and a .280 Ackley

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FATBOY404
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Reged: 14/11/09
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Re: 7mm Rem Mag [Re: JabaliHunter]
      #182929 - 31/05/11 09:45 PM

I know African PH's cringe at the sight of the 7mm mag.Well the two I have been with have.

Think it is a bad case of speed at any cost with bad bullets.

How could you go wrong with a 160 or 175 grainer of stout construction ???.

I used a 280 rem for 8-10 years and found it a great killer.

--------------------
"WHATEVER BLOWS YOUR HAIR BACK"

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mikeh416Rigby
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Re: 7mm Rem Mag [Re: FATBOY404]
      #182930 - 31/05/11 10:35 PM

IMO the 7mm in most configurations is a wonderful choice for any plains game...with the right bullet. In Namibia some years back, one of the clients was using a 7x57 with 175 grain Nosler Partition. He had shot a large Eland bull that didn't drop immediately and ran straight away from him. He fired a 2nd shot that hit several inches to the side of the tail and put the bull down. The bullet penetrated completely, and was recovered in the brisket. That's +- 6 feet of penetration.

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DarylS
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Re: 7mm Rem Mag [Re: JabaliHunter]
      #182932 - 31/05/11 11:50 PM

Quote:

Does anyone have any experience with this cartridge? Curious to know what kind of velocities I could expect with 160gr bullets from a 26in barrel on a Rem 700 clone or No 1 action?



I've loaded for several, one begin my own - years ago, before I dropped the ctg. I had difficulty with 24" bls. of getting much over 3,000fps with 160gr. bullets, with safe loads. A 26" bl. might do another 50fps, which has no tangible value.

If I had another 7mm larger than a 7x57, it would probably be a .280 AckImp. which about duplicates the 7mm Rem Mag and does so with a rimless case, which I prefer.

I would also concentrate on premium 140 to 150gr. bullet and use the rifle as a long range deer round, which it is. For heavy game, there are so many more suitable rounds of greater killing power - even my 9.3x57 is a better moose round.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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Yochanan
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Re: 7mm Rem Mag [Re: DarylS]
      #182956 - 01/06/11 09:14 AM

My several of the 7mm rem delivered 3050-3100fps with 160grain bullets at sane pressures. 160's are great for long range, bucks the wind well and fly plenty flat.

The 150grain bullets at 3200-3250fps wasn't my cup of tea.

--------------------
© "I have never been able to appreciate 'shock' as applied to killing big game. It seems to me that you cannot kill an elephant weighing six tons by ´shock´unless you advocate the use of a field gun." - W.D.M. Bell: Wanderings of an Elephant Hunter.

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Ripp
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Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA
Re: 7mm Rem Mag [Re: DarylS]
      #182971 - 01/06/11 10:19 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Does anyone have any experience with this cartridge? Curious to know what kind of velocities I could expect with 160gr bullets from a 26in barrel on a Rem 700 clone or No 1 action?



I've loaded for several, one begin my own - years ago, before I dropped the ctg. I had difficulty with 24" bls. of getting much over 3,000fps with 160gr. bullets, with safe loads. A 26" bl. might do another 50fps, which has no tangible value.

If I had another 7mm larger than a 7x57, it would probably be a .280 AckImp. which about duplicates the 7mm Rem Mag and does so with a rimless case, which I prefer.

[/quote

this is exactely what I have done--used the 280 Ackley Improved last season on Big Horn sheep, mule deer and elk..had good results in all ..and amazingly accurate to boot..

saw a few days ago, Kimber is actually chambering some of their rifles now in 280AI as well..

Ripp

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

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FATBOY404
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Reged: 14/11/09
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Re: 7mm Rem Mag [Re: Ripp]
      #182972 - 01/06/11 11:10 PM

So is Cooper arms. (280AI)

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"WHATEVER BLOWS YOUR HAIR BACK"

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Ripp
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Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
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Re: 7mm Rem Mag [Re: FATBOY404]
      #182978 - 02/06/11 12:59 AM

Quote:

So is Cooper arms. (280AI)



You are correct--hve several coopers and they are great guns..the one thing i like better about the Montana version of Kimber is its light weight for packing around the mtns...have lots of guns and have to say I personaly much rather pack a 6lb rifle versus a 8lb after 10 miles or more per day of hiking..

Ripp

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

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longrifle
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Loc: New Mexico
Re: 7mm Rem Mag [Re: Ripp]
      #183188 - 07/06/11 09:08 AM

I'd have to agree along similar lines with FB404 on this. Growing up in the Rocky Mountains, most every elk hunter I ever saw with a 7mm mag was a shoot one box a year, let's go hunting type who felt they were holding God in their hands. That experience left a very bad taste in my mouth. The serious hunters typically carried the .30 or .338 calibers. I would surmise 7mm mag is a good round for deer and antelope at further range. For the heavier stuff, like bear and elk, I think it runs out of cross section real quick.

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Ripp
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Re: 7mm Rem Mag [Re: longrifle]
      #183196 - 07/06/11 11:24 AM

Quote:

The serious hunters typically carried the .30 or .338 calibers. I would surmise 7mm mag is a good round for deer and antelope at further range. For the heavier stuff, like bear and elk, I think it runs out of cross section real quick.



Let me start off by stating I dont currenlty own a 7m Remington..I do have a .280 or two--one as I stated in the Ackley..which I really enjoy packing around the mtns with its total weight including scope at 6lbs..

having said that, several of my closest friends do have the 7MM --and have seen many, yes many,elk, bear, up to and including grizzly's..shot and dropped effectively..and many times with one shot..e shot..IMHO, theory is one thing, actually performance in the field is another..

Again, I don't have a dog in this fight really, and I do use one of my .300's or .338 --preferrably Ultra-mags typically for elk..or my bow...but again, based on what I have seen, the 7MM is plenty for anything in N America..period..

think a key as stated in an ealier post by Steve..and is wise in any caliber we choose...bullet selection is critical..and the 7mm or 300 mags are no different..

thx

Ripp

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

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gmsemel
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Re: 7mm Rem Mag [Re: Ripp]
      #187941 - 15/08/11 05:04 AM

Well in my current 7mm Remington Mag, the barrel likes 150 gr bullets. So that is what I shoot, Mostly Nosler Partitions and Federal Fusions (Factory Load), In my other rifle, an old 700 BDL, it even had holes drilled in it for Lyman Peep sight. I shot a lot of 175 gr Nosler Partitions and killed a lot of game with it. There is no real magic to it, just stick a good bullet in the right spot and then get out a sharp knife. You should be able to get 3000 fps with 160's out of your barrel with some of the slow powders that are around now, try Reloader 22 or 25. My current 7mm RM I am getting around 3200 fps with a 150 gr bullet, plenty flat shooting too. Work up carefully since chambers vary some what.

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eagle27
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Re: 7mm Rem Mag [Re: gmsemel]
      #187960 - 15/08/11 04:41 PM

I used the 7x61 S&H cartridge ( belted 7mm Magnum only slightly smaller in capacity than the Rem 7mm Mag) in a 26" barreled Schultz and Larsen rifle for many many years shooting red, fallow, whitetail deer, goats, chamois and tahr from 20yds to 400yds (hundreds of them). I settled on one load and one load only, a 160gr Sierra Gameking Boat-tail in front of 59.0grs IMR4831 for a consistent chronographed 3000fps at the muzzle. This super accurate load never failed on big or small, close or far animals. Never once saw the need for any so called "premium" bullet in this cartridge

Did try lighter bullets of various makes and styles (restricted these to goats) but even the 154gr Hornady did not always fully penetrate goats on shoulder shots. Didn't get the accuracy from Noslers that I wanted.

Wasn't afraid to stoke up the loads as the one listed above was in this strong cartridge and S&L action, here is a pic of what a fired 160 gr factory load looked like, my reloads were not quite there but close in appearance.

It should be easy to repeat this sort of performance in any 7MM Rem Mag with a 26" barrel which all Magnums should have.



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DarylS
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Re: 7mm Rem Mag [Re: eagle27]
      #187974 - 16/08/11 01:02 AM

While I've never liked the 7mm Mag, I do like the .280 with decent handloads. The 7mm mag will exceed the 280 by about 100fps, so that puts it in the same group.

I'd not feel undergunned with the standard .280, so the 7mm mag. should be a modicum better - still don't like the round, though. Damn belted cases - short or long - we hates 'em. I have a couple, but still hates 'em.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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eagle27
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Re: 7mm Rem Mag [Re: DarylS]
      #188005 - 16/08/11 04:46 PM

Quote:

While I've never liked the 7mm Mag, I do like the .280 with decent handloads. The 7mm mag will exceed the 280 by about 100fps, so that puts it in the same group.

I'd not feel undergunned with the standard .280, so the 7mm mag. should be a modicum better - still don't like the round, though. Damn belted cases - short or long - we hates 'em. I have a couple, but still hates 'em.



At least you've said this with a smile. What didn't you like about the 7mm Mag or was it just the belted case? I've never had any problems with belted, always re-sized to chamber on the shoulder same as I do for non-belted for longer case life in any gun.
I never really follow the logic behind statements such as your first sentence because you can always go the other way and say the 7x57 or 7mm-08 is only 100fps behind the 280 so they are in the same group as the 280 which of course using your argument, puts them in with the 7mm Mag. Not so, each of these are in their own group and I view them as the smaller cartridges handle the 140grs best, the 280 the 150 grains best and the 7mm Mag the 160 grains best.

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DarylS
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Re: 7mm Rem Mag [Re: eagle27]
      #188027 - 17/08/11 05:09 AM

I set up the brass for the chamber the same way as you, eagle, with belted or rimless - you have to if you want it to last - just don't like them. The belt is not needed - it's superfluous, redundent.

The 7mm Rem. Mag, is one I've never really liked - even though I've had a couple - have one right now but I'm thinking of pitching the tube.

The case capacity is too much larger than a .280 or the 280IMP which matches it, ballistically. It's the efficiency I don't like - and the belt, did I mention that?

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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gryphon
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Re: 7mm Rem Mag [Re: DarylS]
      #188033 - 17/08/11 08:57 AM

I love my 30 year old 7mm mag..it puts big deer away with no fuss.

--------------------
Get off the chair away from the desk and get out in the bush and enjoy life.

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eagle27
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Re: 7mm Rem Mag [Re: DarylS]
      #188045 - 17/08/11 04:19 PM

Quote:

I set up the brass for the chamber the same way as you, eagle, with belted or rimless - you have to if you want it to last - just don't like them. The belt is not needed - it's superfluous, redundent.

The 7mm Rem. Mag, is one I've never really liked - even though I've had a couple - have one right now but I'm thinking of pitching the tube.

The case capacity is too much larger than a .280 or the 280IMP which matches it, ballstically. It's the efficiency I don't like - and the belt, did I meantion that?



Then it's the 7x61 S&H you should have had all along belt and all. The belt helps to hold your trousers up as you gasp over the efficient performance you get from this cartridge.

Actually I just remembered the other night that I re-barreled my mates 7x61 Schultz and Larsen when he wore the barrel out (through misuse more than anything). As he did not reload and factory ammo and cases were hard to get I got a 26" barrel for it, same contour, put the original open sights back on and chambered in 7mmRM . Would have been good to chrony it to see how it performed compared to the original cartridge in the same action but I never thought about it at the time and he was not into worrying about what he got out of the cartridge other than it just kept on knocking deer over everytime he pulled trigger.

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