Can you put lipstick on the 7mm Rem Mag pig?

V

VaniB

New member
I want the 7mm Rem Mag as a precision large bore target rifle with speed, easy brass, and long barrel life. Can the big case with the ugly belt deliver?

With just the right custom barrel and Pacific reamer, I'm hoping I can expect great accuracy from the hand loaded case in a custom smithed Remington. I'd like to try using the 139-140 grain bullets at 3,200-3,300fps to try for 5 shot sub 1/2" groups at 100 yards. (preferably 3/8" MOA)The gun will also double for a 500-700 yard varmint gun.

The 7mm Rem Mag case is faster then the 280AI and about 1/3 the price of a Nosler 280AI case. New or once-fired cases are cheap enough that who cares if you toss them after the primer pockets swell.

But, can I expect that kind of accuracy from it?
 
Definitely...

I would of course make sure you're sizing the cases to headspace on the shoulder.

There are many overlooked cartridges out there that can do an excellent job. Just because the BR glitterarti aren't using them that doesn't mean they won't deliver.

There is a mentality in BR circles that says "If it's too common, it's no good." This explains why folks want to move to esoteric chamberings. Gunsmiths that cater to the BR circles add to the hub-ub.

I noticed some time back... either on this forum or another like it, that someone was building a 7mm/284. Not the 6.5/284, or the 6mm/284, but yes, a SEVEN millimeter dash 284. This was presumably to take advantage of the 7mm long range bullets now available.

I didn't bother reading the explanation as to just why it was one iota different from the original 284 Winchester (the parent cartridge of the 6.5/284). But the guy actually had such an explanation. Something about the shoulder angle being slightly different and of course better and all. :rolleyes:

Funny bunch these! :D

But again, I think you can wrest plenty of accuracy from the 7mm Mag.

Dan
 
7mm rem

I JUST GOT my 7mm rem back. kreiger barrel on a sendero . all of my loads that i shot with a 168 berger were 1/2" or less. nosler brass, re-19; rem. 9 1/2 m prmer
 
VaniB said:
I want the 7mm Rem Mag as a precision large bore target rifle with speed, easy brass, and long barrel life. Can the big case with the ugly belt deliver?

With just the right custom barrel and Pacific reamer, I'm hoping I can expect great accuracy from the hand loaded case in a custom smithed Remington. I'd like to try using the 139-140 grain bullets at 3,200-3,300fps to try for 5 shot sub 1/2" groups at 100 yards. (preferably 3/8" MOA)The gun will also double for a 500-700 yard varmint gun.

The 7mm Rem Mag case is faster then the 280AI and about 1/3 the price of a Nosler 280AI case. New or once-fired cases are cheap enough that who cares if you toss them after the primer pockets swell.

But, can I expect that kind of accuracy from it?
Click to expand...

I dont think barrel life is on the same page. ed
 
VaniB,
I do custom loads for (8-10) 7mm Rem Mag's, most with the 24 in barrel run 2900-3050 ft/sec, most with the 26 in barrel run 3025-3200 ft/sec all with 140 gr bullets, and there loaded to the upper end, if our dead set on 3300+ stick with the longer tube,(29-30 in). IMHO you don't have to run the 140gr bullets that fast and yes, the 7 mag will shoot 1/2 in or less @ 100 yards when you find the sweet setup/load,,,,,,, try (work up to) 65 grs of H4831SC,140 gr sierra or nosler BT, nosler Accu-bond or Speer they all seem to shoot good or better than good, retumbo and RL19 and RL22 work good too

the wind is my friend,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

DD
 
tunered said:
I dont think barrel life is on the same page. ed
Click to expand...

Hope you're wrong about that. Studied some archives and purposely picked a 284 cal over the smaller flame torching .264 just for that reason. I also chose this case over a 7mm Weatherby or the STW so as to attain good speed but also not get too carried away.

Dave,

I was posting this the same time you were posting.

Thanks for the encouragement. I really want to use the standard black flecked Remington HS Varmint Stock loaded up with some lead weight. I will also likely muzzle brake the rifle to reduce recoil. Therefore, I will probably have to keep the barrel length to about 27", as it starts getting real long with a muzzle brake added to that . I'll probaly want to keep the scoped rifle to about 11 lbs.

I had contemplated building the rifle around 120 grain Vmax so I could use it for a few prarie dog shots. Do you have any experience with these light bullets too? But, if the higher BC rated 140 grain bullets will hit small squirrel sized animals with devestation, then I'll be satisfied with that weight bullet.

No matter what though....accuracy and good trajectory is the foremost priority though.....and is why I think the 140 should likely be chosen over the 120.
 
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VaniB,
I've got a old Browning BBR in 7 mag, magna ported 24 in barrel, it shoots 100 gr sierra hollow points #1895 over 73.0 grs of AA3100 @ 3440 ft/sec, shot a few doe's with this combo,,, SMASHING SUCCESS (but) remember these where 80-120 lb doe's, for buck hunting I stick with 140 or 150 gr GameKings

the wind is my friend,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

DD
 
I've never had a 7mm RM that impressed me, still have one but need to rebarrel it. My experience is that to gain over a 280AI the 7mag needs 160 grain and heavier bullets and then with a lot of extra powder. I'd do a 7WSM (or Remmie version) if more volume is needed try a shortened Ruger to avoid the belted case, even headspaced on the shoulder a standard die won't resize below the belt. The 7mag is fine for big game hunting, few shots needed but for varmint/target volume I'd try another.
 
I measured 140 gr loads from the top of the tables at around 2,900. To get 3,300 you need to go to extra lengths. I get 3,480 fps from the 120 gr with top charted load, in a 24 inch tube. The 120 out performs the 140 all the way out to 600 (velocity and trajectory). For light deer and anything smaller I'm going to use it.
 
The 7mag can be pretty good. A friend has had several Rem. 700's and one 4350 load would shoot 130's at about 3200 with the holes touching. I worked on another friend's 700 and IIR with that same 130gr. load it was also doing about 3200 and nice 3/8" cloverleafs. My own 700 isn't quite as accurate but still shoots that 130gr load at pretty much the same speed into about 1/2MOA or a bit less. These rifles have factory sporter barrels. They're heavy foulers and it's work to get them clean. With a longer custom barrel the 7mag ought to be real impressive.
 
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I'm hearing a mostly positive consensus about the possibilities with this ugly belted 7mm case.

Guys, I don't know how I overlooked the Hornady 162 Amax with a ballistic coefficient of .625. I had originally checked the 162 gr bullet velocity out of a .280 case at 2, 800 FPS and was not impressed. But, with a 7mm Rem Mag case, the velocity is easilly boosted another 200 FPS and really starts to kick ass! I figure too, if the barrel doesn't like this Hornady bullet, then I can always try the Berger 168 grain hunting bullet with a .617 BC still at 3,000fps. (this is out of the Hornady book with a short 24" barrel) One of these two bullets ought to be target accurate in a carefully hand loaded cartridge, and very useable on woodchuck.

The BC and down range trajectory of the 162gr-168gr pales the 139 grain bullets. At 300 yards, the velocities of the 139 and 168's are the same, but the heavier bullet is delivering devestating energy and superior wind bucking numbers.

I'm getting these superior ballistics at a very obtainable and realistic muzzle velocity of 3,000 fps. And, I get to use a 162 gr Amax bullet which is both a great target and varmint bullet. (if the rifle likes it)

I am planning on applying a muzzle brake to bring recoil down to that of a 243.....aprox 14 Ftlbs of recoil. (down from aprox 23 ft.lbs)

Yet, I believe with care, (not overheat barrel) I can still expect good barrel life.

I confess that some how, in my mind a real "varmint" round should be at least 3,400FPS, and I had contemplated the 7mm STW cartridge. But I don't think the extra recoil and barrel wear is worth it. Some how I think that at 500 yards, a 168 gr bullet with about 2,000 lbs of energy at 2,300 fps ought to be all I need to really impress a rodent.

Do you guys agree with this plan?
 
I think it will work just fine

I shoot a 7 Mag and have also shot a 7mm STW. Both are good calibers and the 7 Mag is a little bit more efficient.

I don't think your expectations will be all that hard to meet given the criteria you have set forth.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out. I have found RL22 to be very good in several 7 Mags and also the STW.

Mike.
 
I will mention that I have found the hornady book to be a bit optimistic in its velocities. I had a 24" 7mag a few years ago, and I never could get the 3000fps out of it with 160gr+ weight bullets. More in the range of 2850-2900. And my hottest loads were seldom my most accurate.
 
Jackson~in~GA said:
I will mention that I have found the hornady book to be a bit optimistic in its velocities. I had a 24" 7mag a few years ago, and I never could get the 3000fps out of it with 160gr+ weight bullets. More in the range of 2850-2900. And my hottest loads were seldom my most accurate.
Click to expand...

Granted.

I took this into consideration when quoting Hornady's "3,000 FPS" number based on their 24" barrel. I'm hoping that by the time I have tested different loads out of my 27" barrel, I can attain those velocities or close, give or take a few FPS.
 
7mm mag

my 1/2 in group was a ladder from 59 to 63 of re-19. get a break. adjust the trigger .( mine has a shilen trigger) put a krieger or equivalent barrel . you will love it. my rifle has a 26 inch fluted barrel which lightens it for hunting. i don't think i would do that again. very lethal . you don't have to drive a 168 that fast. it does pretty good at 2900 which i got with no pressure.
 
roninflag,

Thanks for this info as well as your PM. Unlike the experiences you relayed to me about elk and antelope, I do not hunt and never plan to. Some day, I MIGHT try my hand at PD or woodchuck. That is why I always choose a rifle and bullet that can double for that purpose. But my rifles thus far are used mainly for 100 yard paper shooting, where I get great pleasure in seeing tight 5 shot chusters.

But, I've always wanted just one mean long distance long action rifle. I currently don't own one. My satisfaction with this 7mm will be in knowing that I have built a rifle that is deadly accurate with my handloads for my 100 yard shooting, but also capable and up to the challnge of devestating rodents way out to 700 yards. I also don't mind owning a rifle that in my mind is one bad-ass tactical/sniper rifle.

I think a braked 11 lb, 7mm Rem Mag rifle with an 8x-32x scope, shooting 162-168 gr bullets will do all this handilly.

Appreciate your help.....as well as the input of the others here as too. :)

(minus the post of that one 11 year old)
 
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