Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 7mm Rem Mag barrel length?

Is 22" too short for this caliber?

Not really, but I'd prefer 24".

I'm sure it would be fine. Especially if it fits your needs.
I wondered the same with my 338, so I went 23". Plus odd numbers seem to fit here

Probably won't loose enough that the critters will care, but it will be louder.

Min 24" preferably 26"

26" will get the most out of the cartridge. I heard somehwere that you lose approx. 25-30 fps for every inch reduced below 26". Don't know it that's true or not, as I have never chono'd one with a shorter Bbl. than 26".

Best,

JM

+1

Mine is 26". Shoots great, handles nicely. It is a Win Classic M70.

Fastest 7 Rem mag I have ever owned was a 1995 Mod 70 SS Classic with a 26" barrel. It shot Federal Premium 160 grain(factory load) partitions over 3100 fps. The conditions the day of the reading were temps in the high 90's and 100 % humidity(central Florida) . Since that time I have had 24" tubes on all my 7 rem mags.

The 24" tubes with the correct 160 gr loads are in the mid 2900 range. I was getting 2850 wh 7828 160 gr partition out of a remington 700 KS chambered in 280 Rem. All will work.

Mine is 23" and at times I wish that it was 24 or 25". When I put together a 280AI I left the barrel at 25" and it is much more pleasant to shoot and the velocity between the two is very similar. If not sure start long and cut back after you have used it for awhile and are sure you want it shorter.

I've had 'em in 24" and 26" lengths. Current 7mm mag is a Ruger Number One with the 26" tube - I really like that rifle... Preferred load over the years is a 160 gr bullet at 3000 - 3100 fps, although I've used heavier and lighter as well.

With a high-velocity smallish bore magnum, a 24" barrel, or longer, just seems to make sense.

Regards, Guy

Well you just end up with a 280 with a lot of noise and recoil. Do it if you want to, the game is not going to care all that much. If I was going to do that, I would just shoot a 7 x 57 that I have. The 7mm RM is best with a 24 to 26 inch barrel in my opinion.

I would agree 7mm Rem is at it's best with a 24" to 26" inch tube. However it's your rifle, do what floats your boat. When building my 7mm Rem I went middle of the road at 25"....

I'll agree with the others. 22" will be louder and velocity will be less but not noticeable on game. I prefer 26" barrels on magnums and don't find them cumbersome but my current 7mm mag has a 24" barrel. It shoots itty bitty groups and my load matches my ballistic reticle perfectly out to 600 yards so I am happy as the proverbial clam.

Another vote for 26 inch tube on belted magnums.

cooperfan,

If you want more noise than a normal 7 Mag and the same performance as a .280 Remington go for it. A 22" barrel will still have the "impress factor" when you tell folks, "I have a 7 Mag." And the game wont know any difference.

But the barrel will know the difference and will wear out faster than a .280 going the same velocity.

Yes - too short. Diminishing returns are realized below 24" in velocity. I'd sooner have a lighter .280 or .270.

I have had 7 mags in 26", 24" barrels and my current 7mag is 23", If I were to build another one today it would be 23". As far as noise, when I'm at the range I use ear plugs, when shooting game I never notice the noise. And I can assure you it is faster then any 280 remington, which I have owned in 22", 24", and 26" barrels.

Yes--especially if you want to keep your hearing semi-intact.....

Plus, at 22 inches not much diff than a 280Rem.



Casey

I have a 22" & 24" 7mm. 22" is a belted 280