7mm Rem Mag

[psale63]

I'm looking at buying a 7mm Rem Mag as my go to rifle for deer, moose and elk etc. I was comparing the Nosler load data of the Rem Mag and 30-06 (my current go to rifle) and was surprised to see the bullet velocities were very similar for 150gr to 165gr bullets between the two which now has me reconsidering the Rem Mag.

Are these two cartridges that comparable or have the lawyers gotten their fingers in this and muddied the waters? I do intend to maximize the cartridges capabilities through hand loading.

What's the deal with the Rem Mag?

[buckman]

I get an accurate (on the warm side) 3150 fps with a 160 grain NP bullet.

Not so sure if you would get that in a 30 06 even with a150 grain.

[Dick284]

Having chronographed factory ammo in both the 7RM and the 30-06, I can say the difference between the two is negligible, especially when you compare 24” bbl’d rifles.

No Lawyers with the 7RM data, it’s the better pressure trace capabilities nowadays that showed many old standby loads exhibited severe pressure spikes, and therefore new data respects the new found pressure spikes.

If you were to take the 30-06 towards .270 Win pressures the difference between the 7RM and 30-06 are pretty much non existent.

Sure some hot rodder is gonna chime in with a 26” bbl’d screecher of a load that likely does 75,000Psi, but let’s be real, it’s the 22” 30-06 vs a 24” 7RM and that there is why a difference exists.

Want increased performance from the 30-06, step into a .300 Win Mag.

[Dick284]

Originally Posted by buckman

I get an accurate (on the warm side) 3150 fps with a 160 grain NP bullet.

Not so sure if you would get that in a 30 06 even with a150 grain.

And 75000psi

[outdoorsman12b]

MV is comparable because the 06 has more surface area for the pressure to push on. Your looking at this the wrong way. Between the cartridges the 7 mag stomps the 06 into the ground for downrange velocity. To simplify:

For your intended purposes if your planning on keeping all shots within 300 yards go 06.

If you want to shoot moose size game at 300+ yards go 7 mag.

[elkhunter11]

If you compare bullets of the same style/weight, the 7mm bullets will have a higher B.C. If you compare bullets of similar style/B.C., then the 7mm bullets will have a higher muzzle velocity. Either way, the 7mmremmag has a flatter trajectory at longer ranges, and will have more impact velocity at longer ranges which is an advantage with some bullets.

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

If you compare bullets of the same style/weight, the 7mm bullets will have a higher B.C. If you compare bullets of similar style/B.C., then the 7mm bullets will have a higher muzzle velocity. Either way, the 7mmremmag has a flatter trajectory at longer ranges, and will have more impact velocity at longer ranges which is an advantage with some bullets.

X2

[brewster29]

Originally Posted by psale63

I'm looking at buying a 7mm Rem Mag as my go to rifle for deer, moose and elk etc. I was comparing the Nosler load data of the Rem Mag and 30-06 (my current go to rifle) and was surprised to see the bullet velocities were very similar for 150gr to 165gr bullets between the two which now has me reconsidering the Rem Mag.

Are these two cartridges that comparable or have the lawyers gotten their fingers in this and muddied the waters? I do intend to maximize the cartridges capabilities through hand loading.

What's the deal with the Rem Mag?

Read all about the 7RM here in the Guns and Ammo discussion date 12-01-2019

[Jims83cj5]

Depending on the kind of rifle, I find the 7RM kind of offensive once you pull the trigger

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by Jims83cj5

Depending on the kind of rifle, I find the 7RM kind of offensive once you pull the trigger

In some rifles, the 270win can be offensive, as can the 30-06.

[skidderman]

Had two very nice 7 mags & sold them both. Only due to the fact that my 30-06 could do it just as well without pushing pressure. Nothing wrong with either. Pick what you like and shoot.

[Scottmisfits]

I have had 243, 308, 30-06, 6.5, and a 7RM. I can honestly say that the 7mm is my favorite and I bought it strictly as a donor action to build a long action 6.5 PRC, and now I'm having second thoughts but that.

[6.5 shooter]

Originally Posted by Jims83cj5

Depending on the kind of rifle, I find the 7RM kind of offensive once you pull the trigger

Personally I find the 30-06 harder on me then the 7mm,

[Buckhead]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

In some rifles, the 270win can be offensive, as can the 30-06.

Seriously? My nervous system must have been damaged when I was a child.
Recoil doesn't even begin until I step up to a .338 WM.
Although I must say my first rifle was a .303 British with a steel butt plate so maybe that had something to do with it.

[JD848]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

If you compare bullets of the same style/weight, the 7mm bullets will have a higher B.C. If you compare bullets of similar style/B.C., then the 7mm bullets will have a higher muzzle velocity. Either way, the 7mmremmag has a flatter trajectory at longer ranges, and will have more impact velocity at longer ranges which is an advantage with some bullets.

x3.

[brass410]

I have both in my arsennal, they both have killed moose and deer at reasonable ranges. Why I have both, because I can, I/m old and I like shiney toys (maybe I'm a magpie). The 7mm does a number on a whitetail if poorly placed as does the 06, but I handload so I can use the huge selection of availible projectiles for the 06, and although there is a good variety of 7mm availible its not near to the 06. Boils down to what kind of hunting you plan to do the most if its flatland moose 400 yards 7mm or 300 win works well, not many 200yard shots in the bush around here though. The versatility of 06 is 110 grain for P dogs 130 for coyote/wolf 150 whitetails ,mulies and goats, 180-220 moose bear and rabid squirrels. Either one will probably do what you want if you become profiecent with your choice, the way it was put for me at our camp was, 06 old school 7mm mag new school

[Dean2]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

If you compare bullets of the same style/weight, the 7mm bullets will have a higher B.C. If you compare bullets of similar style/B.C., then the 7mm bullets will have a higher muzzle velocity. Either way, the 7mmremmag has a flatter trajectory at longer ranges, and will have more impact velocity at longer ranges which is an advantage with some bullets.

x4.

I hunted for years with a Remington 700 BDL in Left Hand. That gun punched a lot of paper at long distance and killed a ton of game. At ranges over 300 yards take the 7 Rem mag. I have shot but never owned an 06 or a 270, thought at one time or another I have owned the vast majority of every other commercial cartridge made for hunting. I find the 7 Rem mag kicks about the same as the same rifle in 30-06 and quite a bit less than a 300 WM on the same rifle.

For hunting elk moose and deer, it would be very hard to beat the 7 Rem Mag as an all round choice. For dedicated bear hunting I prefer a bore size of 375 or greater, but that is the only exception.

[psale63]

Thanks for all the info, lots to chew on here.

I've been really happy with the 30-06 over the years and have taken a lot of game with it up to ~400 yds with 165gr Interlocks (I really like that bullet but that's a post for another day!). 400 yds is my max I'm comfortable shooting for hunting purposes. Sounds like I should expect the 7mm to out perform the 30-06 beyond 300 yds with a similarly weighted bullet.

What are your pet loads in 7mm? I have lots of published data available I'm just curious what hunters are finding effective in the field?

[270person]

Never mind pet loads. Your options are a 1906 Ford Model K or a 1962 Corvette. Do the right thing.

[Twisted Canuck]

If huntinstuff sees this thread you're gonna get an earful, just saying....(he claims God still hunts with a .30-06....)

Anyway. I like my 7mm RM, and I seem to get very good results with a 150 gr TTSX. It's getting pushed fast enough to get good expansion, and tough enough that I haven't ever recovered a bullet, as they are passing through. Everything was dead in a hurry that I shot with it.

Do you need to change from your -06? No. Should you? Well....do you want to? The only edge your -06 has is pushing a heavier bullet if you want to go that route. Realistically, they will both put game in your freezer, and inside that 400 yards you are shooting, I doubt anything you hit will be able to tell the difference.

[DiabeticKripple]

I shoot a 7mm with 120gr TTSX bullets and 72.0gr of H4831sc at 3300fps. It’s accurate and carries 2000fps to 500yds which is as far as I would take game.

[stob]

This is what I have been using in my 7mm rem mag ... these are full throttle hot hunting loads only ... for paper I reduce quite a bit ... tried Retumbo, with the 175's with only one sub moa group and a slower speed... have not tried RL33

175gr NP.......3100fps ...IMR 7828ssc ... I have some room to grow here ... I think this is the powder they used when the 7rem first came out and factory loads were hitting 3100ish before they dialed them back

160grNP.........3200 fps ... RL22 ... maxed out for my rifle

140gr ttsx......3325fps ...IMR 4350 / RL22

139gr lrx.........3325fps ... IMR 4350 / RL22

all these loads shoot very close to half moa +/- .3 depending upon me for 5 shot groups

[Twisted Canuck]

Those look pretty spicy Dalton! I'm only at 3150ish, and that was over a chrony on a warm day....with 150 gr TTSX.....

[stob]

Originally Posted by Twisted Canuck

Those look pretty spicy Dalton! I'm only at 3150ish, and that was over a chrony on a warm day....with 150 gr TTSX.....

That is why I carry a rubber mallet to open the bolt for me... all kidding aside... as I said these are full throttle loads for my rifle (hs precision 24" tube) and for hunting only... I gave the powders but not the Gr's ... pretty easy to hit 3100ish with the 175's and IMR 7828ssc... to use these loads to punch paper and practice would cream the barrel very quickly ...however ... I cannot find it again but hs in a test put 10000 hot loads down a 243win barrel and it still held 1moa or less ... the 175NP is more accurate than the 160NP so far, but more testing to do ... the 7mm weatherby would hit 3400 - 3450fps with IMR 4350 and 140gr ttsx and .5moa or under 26"tube Sako75

[Ray Ray]

I am in total agreement with both great out to 300 yards. After that it's the 7mm outshining the .06

[sns2]

Originally Posted by Ray Ray

I am in total agreement with both great out to 300 yards. After that it's the 7mm outshining the .06

This ^^^^ Not much more to say really.

[no-regard]

Similar to the post by Stob above, my Tikka 7RM (old M65) really likes 140TTSX with RL22, 3340 fps.

[sns2]

Everyone is on their own when it comes to reloading safety. However, there are a number of velocities listed here that I would never try replicating for safety reasons. Each to his own.

[Pathfinder76]

A good write up.

http://echolsrifles.blogspot.com/201...ngton.html?m=1

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by sns2

Everyone is on their own when it comes to reloading safety. However, there are a number of velocities listed here that I would never try replicating for safety reasons. Each to his own.

Some of those loads would be producing well over 70,000psi, probably close to 80,000psi , especially if out of a 24" barrel.