What's the best 7mm cartridge?

[jeffpg]

I have a safe full of 7mm Rem Mag's, so I obviously like them a lot!

I am however toying with the idea of building a "ultralight" long range rifle for hunting the high country mule deer and elk out west and I'm considering the Nosler 28 and 195 Berger combo Jake mentions above. I want the rifle as compact as possible, but will have to stay with a 26" barrel length to justify the chambering, other wise the additional powder and recoil are wasted. With the 7mm Rem Mag a 24" barrel is good.

Are you also looking to go the lightweight route? Just another consideration...

[Smokeater]

If I wanted to shoot a lot I'd have to run with the good ol 7mag. All the money saved on that as well as ammo (unless you reload) would be put towards better mounts/optics.

[kcmarullo]

I am shooting the 7 STW at 3050 fps love that gun have shot it out to 1800 yrds it does great ! using the 168 gr Berger hunting VLD's

[ltsheets]

I'm not looking for lightweight. I'm looking for a weight that will help with recoil and yet not be so heavy that I don't consider taking it hunting. I have a 7.3lb 270wsm that goes on the backpacking hunts or an even lighter hill country harvester in .270win. I want this to be my best all-arounder and it will likely see much more hunting than steel shooting though I will practice enough with it to be proficient out to 600 or so yds if needed.

I do reload guys...

[Winman]

7STW is a wonderful flat shooting long range cartridge. But,don't sell the 280SO short. It's a great cartridge as well....and more economical to shoot.

Should read.....280 AI.......autocorrect got me....

[Slick8]

I've played around the the 7STW and now shoot a 7RM that I love.

All of the above are great rounds, I'd look at the 7Nos/7RM as 1a and b followed closely by the 280AI.

One more thought, the 7Nos will take an Ultra-mag action or extensive machine work by your smith. It would be awesome with the 180's or that new 195 from Berger.

[ltsheets]

What velocities are you guys who shoot the 280AI getting with 168 and 180 grain bullets?

[J.B.]

define the word "best".....

[Artos]

I'm not looking for lightweight. I'm looking for a weight that will help with recoil and yet not be so heavy that I don't consider taking it hunting. I have a 7.3lb 270wsm that goes on the backpacking hunts or an even lighter hill country harvester in .270win. I want this to be my best all-arounder and it will likely see much more hunting than steel shooting though I will practice enough with it to be proficient out to 600 or so yds if needed.

I do reload guys...

The 280Ai is getting closer to your recoil needs...the straight taper case reduces recoil tremendously. It's right there with the 7mm mag with about 25% less recoil.

I shoot light bullets (120gr Barnes)...has way less recoil than any 270 I have shot. My build is along the lines of sendero model +/-, Good luck.

[7m STW]

STW all the way no question

[chewy]

280AI and nosler makes some decent ammo if you don't reload.


5 shot group with the nosler ammo. 1st low shot was a clean/cold bore shot during barrel break in. I was going reload but the nosler ammo surprised me so found some on sale and bought more.

[ltsheets]

impressive for factory ammo. custom build?

[muzzlebrake]

Lazzeroni Firebird if you can afford one.

http://www.lazzeroni.com/ct_lacart.htm

All Lazzeroni rifles are guaranteed to shoot minute of angle or less to 600+ yards with proper bullet/scope selection.

[postman]

7 STW, I love mine.....would never get rid of it.

[chewy]

impressive for factory ammo. custom build?

yes custom build. built off a rem 700 action and Krieger barrel. just completed it but I don't have any good pic's on my phone to post.