Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters 7 Rem mag as good as it gets

I have a 7MM RM and use it sparingly. It is set up like a target rifle and does weigh 9.5 pounds. Last time I used it I took an elk east of LaBarge Wyoming using 175 gr Hornady spire points. Recoil is not much at that weight and the good trigger and scope make this a fine long range rifle. Trouble is for all my other hunting a 300 Savage could do it all.

I've dragged my Tikka 695 7mm Rem Magnificent across several states, Mexico, and Africa. The140-160 AB and Partition simply crush game.

+1

For deer-sized game, I agree with the above. But I still love my 7 Mags for certain applications and critters larger than deer.

My 7 Wby is my favorite magnum.

Properly handloaded (pressures equivalent to modern cartridges), with bullets designed for the task at hand.....the 7 mm Rem. has little to nothing on the 30-06 Springfield! memtb

Yeah, a 7mm08...

Me too:

I also sent 2 perfectly good 7mm rem mag's down the road. Just couldn't warm up to them.

If it’s got 4 hooves and bound for the freezer, a 7mm Magnum is all that and a bag of chips. If I make it to full geezer status, I’ll downsize to 7x57 Mauser! Happy Trails

Never could warm up to 7's....

I have a problem with the 7 mag. That darned belt. I have barrels for a savage including 25-06, 270 win, 7 mag, 30-06. I have used 7 mag on deer and it certainly does the job. However, for deer here in PA a 25-06 or 270 is certainly good enough in terms of range accuracy, and power. But when I set up for the 7 mag I have to fiddle with the die to get the head space set up of the shoulder instead of the belt. That is my $0.02.

I resisted the 7mm mag for many years, believing that I was getting all that I needed from the 280 AI. This was, of course, true for deer but when I started hunting elk more often the 7mm’s ability to push the 175s became a clear advantage. To me, the 7mm mag is right at the recoil threshold that allows me to still shoot with precision. I don’t love the belt but I handload to headspace off the shoulder so it’s just an annoyance. I use 162 SSTs for deer/antelope (and 1 Colorado bull in a pinch) but prefer the 175 Partition for everything else. I’ve yet to feel undergunned with this combo.

I haven't owned a magnum now in five years but I was actually going to buy a .300 Win mag on Friday. LGS had a Mossberg Patriot for $299. Then I picked it up and noticed the 22" barrel. I don't see the sense in a 300 mag "carbine".

I don't think I've ever held a 444 that was over 8 pounds?

CDNN has Ruger Hawkeye .300 RCMs for sale really cheap. These are very nice blue & walnut rifles. That round was designed to perform in the shorter barrel, though it's probably pretty loud doing it.

IF I had a use for such a beast, I'd go for it. Hornady supports their offspring pretty well, unlike some others, so I wouldn't sweat the availability of ammo and brass.

I've owned three Hawkeyes so far; still have two that have made the keeper list, and I regret the one I let get away. Never a single issue with any of them. They are solid.

Two weeks ago I had to make a final decision between a 7mm RM and a 280ai in a Cooper M92 Backcountry at 5 pounds 12 ounces.

I chose the 280ai and I think I made the right choice. Time will tell with elk and mule deer hunts on the agenda.

donsm70

I agree. As much as I love my 7 Wby, my 280 AI is 2.25 lbs lighter. With 140’s a 3200, there’s not much it won’t do.

I think ol Bobby would’ve fainted....

I’m a solid 7mm Rem Mag/WSM and Mashburn Super fan. Besides the 338, it’s my favorite caliber and as a whole there isn’t anything I wouldn’t tackle with a good one of any of them.

The 7mm and 30 caliber magnum rounds can push the same bullets faster than the 30-06 case.....that is undeniable. Whether that difference has ever changed the outcome of a hunt is likely a matter of faith. I've got a good friend who believes it (the 7RM) kills deer better but I can't see it.

I really like the 7mag.It's a great,hard hitting,flat shooting round.There are many bullets available for the 7mm and that makes it a very versatile round.Recoil is not bad.If you can handle a hotly loaded 270 or a 30-06,you should have no problem with the 7mag.I never felt over gunned or under gunned hunting with the 7mag.I found it to be a very good all around hunting cartridge in the 7mm class.When I've compared it to the 300 magnums,they can definitely walk away from it in every bullet weight class.The one 30 cal cartridge that comes really close in bullet weight velocity per caliber is the 30-06.The 7mag has a slight edge in velocity and bullet B.C. for the same weight and like bullet,but not really that much.When it comes to shooting game,the larger dia. bullet,though it may be traveling just a little slower,may be equal or greater in energy than the smaller,faster dia. bullet.All those factors depends how hot each cartridge is loaded,but in moderate shooting ranges,I'm very happy and confident hunting with either one.So comparing the 7mag to the 30-06 really is a compliment in the world of hunting cartridges.