I am going to build a rifle in the next few months and have narrowed it to the three choices above.
I already have 2 7mm-08s for 90 % of my shooting and 2 300wms, for heavy hitting
I want a rifle to reach out with more power from 300-500 yards without the recoil of the 300wm.
I plan on using heavier 7mm bullets and seating them way out to maximize powder capabilities in the 2 shorter cases, hence the long action
I have a savage long action that I am using for the build that already has a magnum bolt face that is not really a problem to change to a smaller bolt face.
is there any real advantage in performance between these three out to 500 yards? I will not be shooting past that, and in reality will not be hunting past 400 yards unless the setup is perfect.
I plan on a lighter weight 24 inch barrel, the 280ai could be hampered by mag length were as the shorter rounds would not.
I reload all my centerfire so no problem and although I know brass can be hard to find for a couple of these once I find a couple hundred quality pieces I will be set for some time.
Good question,, I think that the wsm line is a little more powder than I want to run, also I'm not real sure about building a wsm with a small shank action,,, all the savage wsm's I've seen have been on the larger shank action
I just built a 280AI, really the goldilocks of the bunch. The 7saum and 280AI are basically ballistic twins; but you can find 280 brass anywhere to fireform or just buy nosler 280AI brass up-front.
7saum brass is unicorn status right now
I would start by looking at what bullets you want to use, then go to what velocity you want to push em' at. Combine that with the practicalities of each cartridge and the answer will be clear to you.
I went 280AI. Magnum performance, more or less, without the hassle, noise, recoil, extra powder, and I can easily full length resize. Plus an extra one in the belly, so I can shoot one more critter Also it is one level deeper on the tinkering stage to keep me occupied. FWIW
The factory of the future will have only two employees, a man and a dog. The man will be there to feed the dog. The dog will be there to keep the man from touching the equipment. � WARREN G. BENNIS
The factory of the future will have only two employees, a man and a dog. The man will be there to feed the dog. The dog will be there to keep the man from touching the equipment. � WARREN G. BENNIS
All good choices but if going on a long action, I would go 280 ai. The 284, you will gain some but still have more action then you can use. The saum or wsm would also be contenders but would keep action length where they belong.
is there any real advantage in performance between these three out to 500 yards? I will not be shooting past that, and in reality will not be hunting past 400 yards unless the setup is perfect.
At 500 yards, no REAL advantage between any of the three and your 7mm-08's.
I want a rifle to reach out with more power from 300-500 yards without the recoil of the 300wm.
I plan on using heavier 7mm bullets and I have a savage long action that I am using for the build that already has a magnum bolt face
Sounds like you need a plain vanilla 7mm Rem Mag.................
"after the bullet leaves the barrel it doesn't care what headstamp was on the case" "The 221 Fireball is what the Hornet could have been had it stayed in school"
I think highly of the 7mm-08 and feel like the others if I was going to get another 7 it'd be a 280AI. I do think the 7saum is one of the best "bigger" 7s because of how efficient it is. You may have already read it, but I think this is an interesting read by guys who run a lot of bullets: http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/7mm/
Really isn't much of a choice... The Ackley wins hands down. Not mag recoil. Very good brass you can buy tomorrow. No micky mouse mag fiddling to feed. Good way past 500. Honestly any 270 shooting heavies would fly north for you very well...
w
"I would build one again, if it were not for my 350RM (grin)."
Really isn't much of a choice... The Ackley wins hands down. Not mag recoil. Very good brass you can buy tomorrow. No micky mouse mag fiddling to feed. Good way past 500. Honestly any 270 shooting heavies would fly north for you very well...
w
"I would build one again, if it were not for my 350RM (grin)."
Your really splitting hairs with what you already own.
Randy
Due to a messed up shoulder, "As good as it's going to get" I hardly ever shoot the 300wms these days and may in fact convert one of them to whatever round I choose, I want a flatter trajectory with more distance than the 7mm-08 can give me with heavier bullets and without the magnum recoil so I will be able to shoot from field positions. I can shoot the 300wms all day from the leadsled but that's not alot of fun. I do want to keep the gun fairly light though as it will be a hunting gun involving lotsa walking,,,, thinking elk, mule deer, possible caribou/moose. 24 inch sporter barrel,
Would the 280ai be hindered by shooting longer bullets IE loosing powder capacity compared to a shorter round in a long action with the bullet set out to not hinder powder capacity.?