Bob and I have been fooling around with the 7 RM since the early 80's.
I had an Echols Legend and several others. I tried longer throats.
All had very good custom barrels. The best you are going to get, on average, is 3200-140, 3125-150, 3050-160, and 2950-175. If you get much more it is because of higher than normal pressures.
I have had so many custom 270's that I can't count them. The longest were 25". I have never gotten over 2900 with a 150 without very high pressures. I am going to try R26 and 7977...perhaps they will deliver more.
Is the 7 more? Well yes the numbers are bigger, no question. Does it translate into a decisive in the field difference? I can't see any difference until you get to the 175's and then the big 7's are more like the big 30's. Me, I can't tell the difference in recoil between a 175 or a 180 at 3000+. Both have more recoil than I want to deal with so I use a 270.
The 7 RM is what it is...very good but neither magical nor mystical. Actually, I don't think anything is.
Here is the link to the .270 Win RL26 data. I am running about 1.5 grains below their listed max and getting 2985 out of a 150 NPT, which seems in line with the data. 1/2" accuracy with this load. It is a 24" Shilen, I believe.
http://www.alliantpowder.com/reload...ight=150&shellid=63&bulletid=367
