I'm wanting a 7MM REM. MAG.
I want to spend around $1,000 for the rifle and match it with a scope that will work in woods, cutovers, and gaslines. Scope can be $1,000 also.
What do you guys recommend?

I'd take a look at the Bergara B14 while your shopping.

If $2000 is the total budget for both rifle and scope I would go with a stainless M700 or a M70 EW either in an McMillian classic Edge , Talley LW's and. Leupold VX 3 3.5-10x40/50.
Not too original of a suggestion but would be a pretty solid set up.

Where do you hunt, tree stand, high mountains packing in 10 miles, distance you plan on shooting?

If I had that budget , I would look at Sako, Weatherby, Tikka, and Whinchester. Those Remington triggers suck, the one I got last year did.

A $2,000 budget? That's easy. Considering how satisfactory my first and only Tikka, I'd go with a Tikka and a Leupold Mark 4 scope and come in way under budget.

The 7mm Remington Magnum I have, an Encore with a Leupold Mark 4 scope, has also been very satisfactory and would run about the same price. Some are put off by single shot rifles though.

Assuming with a 7 mag you will want to reach out a little the suggestion on the Leupold might include CDS. I love my model 77 in 7 mag it is 40 years old this year and has killed truck loads of deer and elk. Starting fresh I'd probably buy a stainless Tikka with a Zeiss HD 5 and Z600 reticle or a vx6 in my favorite magnification.

I'd suggest you try to handle several rifles and look through a bunch of scopes to see what feels best to you then research them before you buy. My hunting rifles are tools and have been well cared for but seen lots of brush and trees and other ding causing stuff so I'd probably go synthetic but wood is certainly more attractive.

A nice Sako might squeeze your optics budget but they are nice rifles that hold their value.

Good luck there are so many good choices available within your budget it is a little challenging unless you have your preferences identified and prioritized.

Weight, barrel length, action type, steel preference, safety type and location, stock fit and material. Magnification, reticle, illuminated, twist turrets in the field or range adjust in the reticle. Is used an option corridor or scope. Lots of ways to narrow your choices to fit your needs.

When I see posts like this I always wonder if the goal is to spend the money and get what for me would be a safe queen or get an accurate, reliable rifle/scope setup.

Nothing wrong with either goal, by the way. I love safe queens except when they are in MY safe. Beautiful rifles are eye pleasers. My problem is a lack of space in the safe and an attitude that, with the exception of the .22 and possibly the .24 calibers, all my rifles are ‘elk’ rifles and I’ve found elk hunts can be hard on a rifle’s good looks. Hence the majority of my recent purchases have had synthetic stocks, not things of beauty but very functional.

Good choice on the 7mm RM, by the way. My first centerfire (1982) was a Ruger M77 in 7mm RM and I’ve never needed anything else. (So why are all those other rifles in my safe? Because I enjoy them. Best reason for getting what you want rather than something that will just suffice.)

A couple months ago I got Leupold to install a MOA elevation knob on my Vari-X III 3.5-10xAO. After playing with it a couple times I second the suggestion posted above to invest in a scope with knobs.

Half the fun of getting a new rifle and scope is the anticipation and enjoyment spent doing the research on what to get. Don’t be in too big a hurry, enjoy the journey!

One of the new Stainless Tikka rifles and a Bushnell 6500 2.5-16X42.
http://www.samplelist.com/-P96964.aspx

Yup, assuming the OP doesn't have any particular notions about action types like us oldsters. A Winchester wouldn't stink either.

I'd suggest a Leupold VX-6 2-12 though, illuminated. Should be able to squeeze that in with the total price beng 2K.

Lumping everything into a $2000 budget...

Stainless 700 in 7 mag (stainless fluted) ~ $950
McMillan Classic w/Edge fill ~ $600
SS 6x ~ $300
Seekins low 30mm rings ~ $125
Pic rail ~ $75

...puts you about $50 over budget. Could pick some of those up cheaper if used and could sell the factory 700 stock to stay well under budget.

How about a CLR with a Forbes stock upgrade for $1100 and whatever $900 scope moves you?

A Winchester M 70 Sporter and a Leupold 3.5-10x.

On $2000, I'd put $500-550 in the scope and use the rest for the gun or other accessories.

My last two fit that description

SS Tikka
McMillan stock
Leupold VX-3i 4.5-14 30mm
Warne Tikka rings.

Still money left over for loading components or ammo

For $2Grand go custom. Why buy somebody else's rifle?

Deer rifle? Marlin 336 or a simple 30-06. So many flavors of scopes that keep it well under a grand for a package. Spend the rest on ammo and some nice Rain gear.....and practice practice practice. You will still have money to take your wife out to dinner.

Cabelas has VX6 scopes with CDS on sale now 2-12 under $800 the 3-18 under $1100. Those would go nicely with whatever rifle you choose. I'd be tempted to pick up a Weatherby S2 with Talley lightweights and come in under budget enough to buy an elk tag too. They aren't light and most won't win a beauty contest but they real point and shoot well..... back to that rifle as a tool idea.

Tikka and a 2-12VX6

Browning 1885 high wall and good glass

My thoughts exactly, I'd throttle back the glass budget to $500 and have a top notch barrel screwed onto a trued donor action with a jewel trigger in a nice stock.

Another vote for a Tikka. No muss, no fuss right out of the box. Should leave easily over $1000 for a scope. Many top recommendations for that in this thread.

Been screwing barrels on actions for years, but having seen and handled what my son-in-law's elk hunting buds bought him for a wedding present, would echo the recommendation for the Tikka & Lupe VX-6 2-12 CDS

That would pretty much cover it all.

I'd check out all the rifles mentioned and buy a Montana topped with a SS 6x or 3-9 and spend the rest on primers powder bullets, etc...

But then I reload.

For me, not in 7mag, but inside 600yds caliber doesn't matter to me...the more important choice is the bullet...

But then I reload.

Hint...

I definitely see a trend here: Tikka + VX6 and I would probably agree with that. I would add that I can't stand the tikka synthetic stock so I would go wood or look at upgrading to an aftermarket stock, funds permitting.

I'd buy one of the new Remington Wilderness rifles and top it w/a new VX6 2-12x42 w/illuminated reticle. powdr

A 7mm RM... does Alabama suddenly have 600 lb whitetails?

100 or so fps faster than a 280. Magnum is just a name

I'd do the same, but skip the flutes, go gelcoat and Leupold DDs. It'd be enough money saved to buy a Timney and still come under budget.

Think I'd do a Savage 114 American Classic, and a Leupold VX3 3.5-10x40 and call it good...then I'd take the $700 I had left put new tires on my truck.

Well, we could all just kill everything with a 30/30 including Elk.

Tikka T3
McMillan Sako Hunter pattern stock w/ Edge fill
Talley lightweight rings

3-10x42 Nighforce SHV

Done.

Not at 500 Yards... but a 260, 7-08 or 308 will do whatever a 7 Mag will do on whitetail and be more fun warming up for the big event.

But I get the itch thing...

Thanks for making me believe I didn't miss something. I'd do the same.

lol...
I was thinking WTH kinda deer y'all got in 'bama?

But the OP said 'wanted', not 'needed'.

I must have missed the rule where a 7mm rem mag won't kill a deer.

Think brad is saying that the 7mm Rem mag is too big for Alabama whitetail and that the 260,7/08 and .308 are as good or better.

Personally,the 7mm Rem mag will work on Alabama whitetail. Despite what the experts say.

I would go 25-06.

No, what I'm saying is the lesser rounds will be more fun to shoot, therefore he'll shoot more, therefore he'll be a better shot, and that Alabama deer won't know the difference between being hit by a 7mm RM or 7-08, but the shooter sure will feel the difference.

I hate to be one of those guys who recommend something other than what was asked. And if your mind is already made up, then so be it.

But:
If it indeed it is for Alabama whitetail and/or hogs, I'd buy a 7mm-08.

I killed a large Michigan deer at 625 yds. with one of my 7-08s. One shot, DRT. That is about as far as I personally care to shoot at a deer, but it would work a good ways further out than that. Put a 162 Amax in a 7-08 and it will reach out and touch someone. Have killed many more at spitting distance.

Unless you plan on REALLY airing it out, I just don't see the need for the magnum. JMO........

I would buy a Kimber 84L action rifle, I prefer the Classic.
Use Talley one piece rings, low.
Leupold 6x42 FXIII.

A very simple combo that should last you a lifetime.

I am over on the price of the rifle, but a fixed power scope with be noticeably less than a similar glassed variable. I find the fixed six power to be ideal for a hunting rifle.

There is no need for a magnum in Alabama or in 99% of other hunting situations outside Alabama. All of our discussion all the time isn't based on need though. I just assumed the OP knew what he wanted,but of coarse this is the 24 hour campfire.

I'd nab a Model 700 CDL (stainless or blued) and put a Leopold VX 3 on it.
You'd have a good-looking, good-shooting rifle with a dependable scope that will still work fine when your grandchildren are retirement age.

The first 150 big game animals I shot were predominately shot with a 7mmRemMagnificent, then as I got older I started disliking recoil. Out of the last 75 or so I've shot, the 7mm08 has been the weapon of choice.

That being said, if a guy wants a 7RM then by all means he should get one.

I LOVE 7mm magnums.


They work great on deer !

Interesting,never noticed recoil while shooting at animals. Also been using a .375 RUM on jackrabbits for an upcoming hunt.



Practice,practice,practice,no matter the cartridge. If there's more recoil,start slow and work up to more rounds per session. Don't shoot more than you can take i.e. if 10 rounds is all,start at 5 and work up to more. Get away from the bench,shoot at varmints,water jugs,watermelons,cantaloupe etc.. make it fun.

Used mine on deer,antelope and elk. All with a 160 gr NP.

The OP never stated that he wanted to use the rifle in Alabama, necessarily. Out-of-state hunts can be fun.

Last time I checked, Alabama had roads with at least two lanes, so he can leave the state as well as enter it.

I'd second the Tikka/Leupold 3.5x10, or 4x12, whichever one looks best when he puts his eyeball to it.

Spend the rest of the budget for ammo and gas, and go kill stuff. He stated he wanted a 7mm Mag, so anything suggestion other than that doesn't matter.

Not my choice, but if that's what he wants.........

Hey Elk, all those pics you have shared over the years of bunnies and Big Berthas, were they killed from concussion and shell shock? LOL

Thanks guys!
I have a couple of 7mm-08s a 280, 25-06, 308, and 300 Win Mag.
I'm probably going to have another 7mm Rem Mag built. I gave my custom 7mm Rem Mag to my son a couple of weeks ago.
I'm wanting a 270 also.
Alabama deer are finicky so you can't just shoot them with the same caliber all the time!

Actually,I tell the rabbits what I'm using,cartridge,bullet,BC,SD,COAL etc... and they just keel over.

I'd go the campfire elite route...

$1650 Nightforce with a $349 Ruger American Underneath it.

That's what all the campfire elite would highly approve of.

now we're talking some sense. of course i beat that, i bought my RAR at clearance prices.. just trying to even the odds, and keep meat-hunting an economical enterprise.

but the cost of killing animals does seem to be increasing on an annual basis.

Tikka T3 stainless lite in 308.

SWFA SS 6x MQ in Sako Optilok rings.

All done for just over a grand.

Use the remaining $1,000 for three cases of Hornady 168 AMAX match.


Which you'll find shoots three shots into one hole with that rifle.

Done and done.

+1

As far as I'm concerned you have to spend over $3000 if you want to top this setup.



Shod

Contrary to popular opinion a 7mm rem mag isn't "too big" for whitetails and a 7mm-08 isn't "better". A few hundred mississippi whitetails dead at my hands with a 7mm rem mag will attest to that. It works just fine. So does the .375 H&H magnum, 45-70, 35 Whelen, 338 win mag, etc. all of which I've killed whitetails with and are supposedly "too big" according to the experts here.

What people are really saying when they recommend against a larger round for whitetails is that I don't like shooting them because they kick them too much, which has nothing to do with what the OP asked. He's not you, and assuming he's an adult means that he's entitled to make his own decision regarding how big of a rifle he wants to shoot. Imagine the howls of protest on here if half the members were greenies and every time some asked a question about diesel pickups someone chimed in and said you need to be driving a prius, that diesel pickup is too big. Same theory and it really boils down to someone wanting to project their own biases and desires onto the questioner. If someone says they want a 7mm rem mag for deer hunting then I take them at their word that they are OK with shooting it. I can assure you that it works just fine on deer, as well as any 7mm-08 ever invented. Maybe not better, but certainly no worse.

I'm a rifle loonie and my current deer rifle is a 6.5x47 Lapua. I might use it a few times this year then pull out the 7mm rem mag. I might also pull out the 7mm-08, 375 H&H, or a half dozen others. It's all good, they all shoot well and any of them will kill a deer. Use what you want and have confidence in.

I'd scrounge up some extra cash and get a Nosler custom, or maybe a Hill Country Rifles.

I'd top it with Swarovski.




Dave

Missed anyone posting that 7RM is "too big".

why not a Ruger no. 1 they can be had in blue or stanless wood or lamated you can go new or used