I'd like to do a little survey: How many of you are fans of the 7mm Remington Magnum, or just regularly hunt with one? I'd also like to know your age.

Am working on an article involving 7mm big game rounds.

Count me in! 72

I have a 700 adl Remington. I killed my Pa black bear with it in 1997. I was just doing load research for it. Ironic! I'm 49. Bought it when I was 26. I am also interested in other people's experience with it. Loads etc.

First big game rifle and first rifle I hand loaded 75 years old.

JB, I'm 63 years old. Hunted with a 7mm Rem Mag for a number of years and killed a couple of elk with it, but found it didn't do anything better than my 30-06. Actually my favorite general big game hunting rifle is my 7X57 with 160 grain Partitions.

I have owned one or 2 for 30 plus years 65 yo, hunted with it some.

35, use it for alpine hunts and black bears. Easy button.

I'll play. I'm 77 years old. I have owned and used and loaded for the Remington 7mm magnum since the mid-1960s. It is one of my all-time favorites for open country hunting. It is the largest of the magnum family of rounds I could shoot well in a rifle weighing less than 9 pounds or so. I killed my largest bull elk(360 class bull) and my largest mule deer buck with one. Most of my 7RMs have been semi-custom jobs. However, I no longer use one, I went to the .280AI. several years ago because I could no longer handle the recoil of even the 7RM. In fact, I may use my 7x57 this year.

Been using the 7mm WSM since 2004. Does that count? 67 y/o.

Yessir. My immediate family didn’t shoot or hunt growing up, but my grandfather had taken me shooting targets and gophers a bunch from an early age, and had taught me how to reload ammo. I read everything hunting, shooting, and reloading I could get my hands on, and even dreamed about hunting. I got a .22 when I was 11 years old, and wreaked havoc on gophers around the little chicken farm I was raised on. When I was 14 yo my grandfather’s friend passed and his widow had his old Husky H-5000 in 7mmRM. I had been working for family and friends doing yard work and landscaping since the age of 8, so I had some money saved up. I (with my father’s help) bought the Husky from the kind old widow - my first centerfire rifle - and have been shooting and hunting with it ever since. For several years it was my only centerfire rifle, and saw a lot of use. It went everywhere with me, including guiding up north in the NWT, and has killed all sorts of NA game animals. I long ago wore out the factory barrel, but it currently has a fresh JC Custom SS barrel, and the barrel and originally blued metal has been given some Graphite Black Cerakote to restore the original look of the rifle. My grandfather and the widow have both since passed, so while the Husky has been designated my fair-weather big critter rifle, I’ll continue to take it out a couple of times each fall to bring back fond memories of the best grandfather a boy could have, a kind old widow, and some of the best hunting and shooting memories I possess. I have several other 7Mags (including WSMs), but when I hear or see “7mm Rem Mag”, I think of the Husky.

Sorry for the long-winded reply, but it was a nice trip down memory lane. I’m 37.

I’m 69 and you might say I’m a fan. I have six ranging from a 40-XB With a Brown Precision “sporter” stock to a Remington Custom Shop with a very slender stock and barrel. I hunt with all of them, including the 40-XB. I think I bought my first about 14-15 years ago.

60, here.

7mm Rem Mag is a great round. It was the first center fire cartridge I ever bought. Good on antelope, deer, and elk. It comes closer to being a good all-around cartridge than the 30-06, especially with modern bullets. It is so good that it is boring, and I have branched off into other cartridges.

I'm 72. The 7 RM was the first cartridge I hand loaded back in 1973. Over the years I've had five of them. First one was a Winchester 70 A. Pretty poor shooter. Now use an original Browning A Bolt which tends to shoot everything to pretty much the same point, which is why I kept it.

I have and regularly use one of the early Rem 700s with the factory stainless steel barrels. I've had it 30+ years.
It holds a special spot in my gun rack because the Rem 700, the 7mm Rem Mag cartridge and I were all born the same year.

My father bought one of the first Rem 700s in 7mm Mag in the early 1960s. He liked it so much he bought one for my grandfather. When my brother and I got to the age to start hunting both of us got 700s in 7mm Mag. When my father and grandfather passed on their rifles went to my nephews and are still slaying game. So in my family alone you have a total of 4 rifles in 7mm Mag and 2 of them have been in the field for more than 50 years. I got mine in 1976 when I was 13 (I am 56 right now) and my brother who is one year older than me got his in 1975. I have no idea how many heads of game these rifles have accounted for but mine alone has taken more than 70 deer, about 20 elk, about 15 pronghorns, 2 bighorn sheep, a mountain goat, 2 black bear, over 100 hogs and has been to Africa 5 times.

I always handloaded and settled on 160 gr Noslers (both partitions and accubonds) and RL-22 powder. Mine wears an old Leupold 3x9 that has been on it since about 1978 or so. I'm one of those "if it ain't broke don't try to fix it" kind of guys. I play with a lot of other rifles and have a real sweet spot for the 9.3x62 Mauser but when push comes to shove and I am really serious about putting meat in the freezer you'll find me with that old 7mm in my hands. It just plain works for what I need a rifle to do.

I'm 60 years old, bought my first 7mm Rem Mag in 1978 a Rem. 700 BDL and used it pretty religiously into the early 80's when I moved on to something else.
Used lots of Hornady 154 gr. Spire Points,160 gr. Speer Flat Bases and a few 160 gr. NP's with IMR 4350 and H4831 back then.
I've seen it used on game and long range targets since the late 70's.
I'm not a raving fan but understand and respect it's performance in the field and the target range.
That all being said, I have a Sako AV 7mm Rem. Mag. that I bought several years back, here on the 24 HCF. I have not hunted with it in 5 years or so, too many other things in the safe.

StarchedCover

I’m 43. Bought my first one about 4 years ago and haven’t hunted with anything else since. Big fan as I think it fills that sweet spot between the .270 and the .300 mags perfectly but then a .30-06 probably would as well

I load, hunt, shoot, the 7 RM. 62 years old.

It's my all around LR cartridge.

Ruger FTW

Berger 175 Elite Hunter are my bullet of choice.

I'm 61 years old. My first big game hunting rifle was a tanger M-77 7x57; used it for several years but was never happy with the accuracy so I got a .25-06 M77. That one shot great. I "upgraded" to a 7mm Remington Magnum in 1989 and have been primarily using that as my main big game hunting rifle ever since, for everything from deer to moose, elk, black bear, and caribou. My favorite load was 175 grain Nosler partitions. That old Browning A bolt stainless stalker has served me well. Count me as a fan.

I'm 42 and it is my "go-to" rifle/cartridge for elk, mule deer, etc. I hunted with the 280 AI for many years but finally accepted the fact that the 7mm Mag is capable of more, especially with 175-grain bullets.

I am 62, I have seen the round used quite a bit , when I was younger I work for different outfitters as guide here on the west slope..
I don't care for the round, and out of a shorter barrel it doesn't outperform a .280. I like a more compact rifle and a 22" or shorter barrel in a repeater. Just my bias I suppose

66 years old ,will take a Rem.700 - 7 Rem. mag to Alaska on a moose hunt because that`s what my friends up there use,i own 6 - 7 Rem. mag rifles,but i like my 257 Weather Mags. for deer,but have in the past killed deer with a 7 Rem. mag , this cartridge 7 mag. worked well always in my home state and out west too.gave my son-in -law a new Ruger #1 - 7 Rem. mag. , my son got a new custom Rem. 700 - 7 mag from his grandfather - my father. >forgot to mention i ordered a Browning BLR S.S. in a 7 mm Rem .mag. i had planned on taking this Browning BLR 7 Rem. Mag. on the moose hunt in Alaska but the wood and finish is so nice i decided for now its just staying in the gun vault,so the Rem. 700 - 7 Rem. mag is going.

Like another poster the 7RM was the first center fire rifle I bought myself, my fourth center fire rifle at 17, at 65 now, so just shy of 50 years with a 7RM.. At times a 7RM was my only rifle. I read all the gun rags and was heavily influenced by Warren Page's writing among many others, so a 7 magnum had some kind of Juju other cartridges didn't. I still like it and use it but hunt mostly deer and hogs now so any of a number of other cartridges usually get the nod. I have shot more game with a 243 but the 7RM is close behind it in numbers.

My father asked me what rifle I thought was the best made at that time and I said the Dakota looks pretty good, I thought it was for him. He surprised me by buying me a Dakata in 7RM this was the same year Pete Grisel left Dakota. I used that rifle as my primary rifle for 25 years or more eventually shooting the barrel out by hunting and minor load work up.

All the 7RM's I have owned were accurate and easy to get to shoot. They would also usually put a wide range of bullets into the same group at a 100 yds.
I frequently use a 280AI and for general use it is about in the same class as the 7RM maybe 95% until you go to bullets heavier than 160's where the 7RM starts to shine.

So does this make the 7RM a geezer cartridge?

I am..77

My wife and I hunted South Texas for years. Had Kleinguenther set me up with a 7 Mag. My wife shot it and you know the story, she loved it. It was one of best rifles I’ve ever owned. As one of my friends would say it shot a hole in a hole.
I’m 74 she is 69. Hasbeen

Does a 280 Remington count?

57 yo . My second rifle was a well used Browning Safari in 7mm RM. With it and 160grain Nosler Partitions I took my best mule deer as well as a Dall and Grizzly in 1983 (magical year for me in hindsight)! I've strayed a little over the years and played with 6mms, 6.5mms, and a few 30s, but for the last 10-12 years my workhorse/ go to is once again a 7mm RM. This time however it is a "Melvinized" CLR in 7mm RM shooting primarily Berger 168's chasing mostly antelope, muleys, whitetails, and the occasional elk. Recoil even seems less than the old Safari although it could be I just offer a little more "resistance" to that recoil and my head is a little thicker!

34 and the 7 mag is my go-to if I feel the need for anything larger than a 6mm (6 creed or 243).

Purchased my first 7 mag at age 22.

Y E S. I’m 70 yo.

For the majority of my loading & hunting history I used a 270 W the most.
I was enamoured with the 300 WM and still like & use one.
The 06 is among the top on my list for all around use for all N A game.

However, in the past 5 years the 7 RM has climbed to THE top of that same list.
The reason being the HIGH “speed” ( velocity isn’t PC today ) and the velocity, oops,
old habit, yields FLAT trajectory past 400 yards and decreases hold over & there’s no
need for twisting & dialing... for MY use & needs.

I know that OMV but THIS is my mileage.

Jerry

I am a fan. 53.

I'm 54. Never really been a big fan of the 7mm Rem. Mag, but recognized its attributes. My father offered to buy me a new rifle for my high school graduation in 1984 and told me that I couldn't go wrong with either a 30-06 or a 7mm mag. I've always been more Elmer Keith than JOC, so velocity wasn't my deciding factor and I went with the -06. I only acquired a 7mm RM back in 2014 through happenstance. I had a M70 Classic action and needed to put a barrel on it. Redneck happened to have a factory 7mm RM barrel ready and willing, so he screwed it on and I was set. I do think it is definitely a good cartridge, but I haven't shot anything with it since I'd rather carry other rifles and mess around with other cartridges.

By the way, my Dad is 80 years old and he bought a Weatherby Lightweight rifle in 7mm RM back around 2000, his first 7mm RM. He's killed maybe 6 elk, a few deer, and a Mountain goat with it. He loves the rifle and has never said anything bad about the 7mm RM.

Shirley you jest !

The 280 is the 7 RM’s Little Sister.


Not too far behind yet not the equal. ( I know you know )
Your Friend

Jerry

I'm 41,
The 7mmRM was my first big game cartridge, more due to the fact that it was the gun I was offered when I wanted to purchase one (long story there). I did like the cartridge a lot, and all of my BG kills have been with it. Mule deer, whitetails and pronghorns.
I will probably keep hunting with it for a while, thought now I have a few other guns that would be suitable for Texas WT and hogs.

it's the closest thing to a 7 mag that I've ever owned. At least it is the same bullet diameter

I'll be 77 in July. I have a Remington 725 in .280. Great rifle. I've had a 7/08 in Remington varmint, that I sold many years ago (mistake),nothing at all wrong with the 7 mag. I do much more target shooting ,than hunting, so no need for the 7mag.

I will be 72 in June. I bought my first (and only, so far) 7MM RM in about 1989, within one year either way. A tang safety Ruger 77, it was my primary deer rifle for about ten or 12 years. It still wears the 2 1/2 - 8 Vari-XII it's always had. Around 12 years ago, I took it, and a few other guns, out to Missouri for my son and grandsons.

A few observations/memories: When I first got it, I bought a couple of boxes of Remington factory loads to generate some brass for reloading...150 grain Corelokt IIRC. They didn't shoot worth a hoot. I ended up (inertia) pulling the bullets for the brass. I thought the pulled bullets looked funny. The entire portion of the bullet shank that was outside the case mouth in the loaded rounds was undersized by several thousandths. (For the record, I am a journeyman tool and die maker, and if any of my three Starrett 1" micrometers or my Etalon 1" micrometer tells me something is .279 it is probably within .0001 of that.) I can't imagine that, in a rifle with any throat at all, those bullets hit the lands anywhere near straight. In any case, Nosler Ballistic Tips shot much better, as did SGK's.

When the original X bullets came out I had to try them. I could never get consistent accuracy out of them. I'm convinced that there's a lot Barnes didn't know about machining accurate bullets at that time. I wish I'd had the Zeiss CMM available to me then that I have now. Maybe I can find some of those old X bullets. They did kill deer, however, and they didn't make the gawdawful mess those early ballistic tips did.

I recall one deer I shot with it, one of the heaviest bodied whitetails bucks I ever killed. He stopped in front of me at about twenty yards, full broadside with thick brush obscuring everything I really wanted to shoot at. All I had to shoot at was his head and neck. He was a beautiful, big racked buck and I didn't want to head shoot him. I put the ballistic tip about a third of the way up his neck on his right side and he went straight down, landed upright with his antlers pitched forward into the dirt. When I went around the other side to turn him over and gut him, I saw a bead of blood 2/3 of the way back and 1/2 way up his left shoulder. I used my knife to probe under the skin and pulled out what was left of the ballistic tip. Cleaned up, it weighed 70 grains. It was 140 or 150 to start, I don't remember which. The friend I was hunting with that day took him home and ended up cutting him up. I would like to have followed the bullet path but I didn't and my friend was never much for autopsy.

Well, that's more than you asked for and for that I don't apologize. You had a suspicion, going into this, you'd get most of your responses from geezers and we have a way of making a short story long.

These days I much prefer the relative calm of my 6.5X55 or .223 if I'm hunting deer.

-Chuck

This is the OP....

comme, How is your post relevant ? He did NOT ask who did.NOT like/use one.
S M H

Jerry

66, been shooting 7 mags since the late 60's, BAR's, Rem 700's, Browning A bolts, and one savage 116.

175g Nosler long range with R#26, Fed 215's is worth building a rifle around, or just shoot a Remington. Family has killed over 300 deer here in the South over the years with the 160g Sierra btsp, with 61g of IMR 4831 with a cci 250.

We put Gentry muzzle breaks on all our 7 Mags. It is unusual to find a bedded, free floated, Rem 700 with a brake that will not shoot with the bullets touching
at 100 yards with many loads.

I'm a fan, bought my first one in 1976 it seemed more exciting and interesting than my .270. it was my favorite for a long while and then I became a rifle looney and own more rifles than I'm able to use. For the past dozen years I've been using mostly 30-06 and .308 win.

I'm a real young 74.

37 and looking to build one now. Interested due to reduced recoil over the 300 win and flatter than the 30-06 but still not completely sold.

Have a M70 sporter in 7mm RM . Nice rifle but burns too much powder for all you get out of it. Prefer the .308 in eastern Canada. Also I'm 65

I'm a big fan of the 7 RM! I've had two 7RM and a 7 RSAUM. I still have my 1885 Browning High Wall in 7 Mag. I bought one of the Model 70's back when they came back out with the controlled round feed and took it to the NWT for a Dall Sheep. That gun was a tack driver with 162 grain Hornady BTSP hand loads. Killed my Dall at a little over 400 yards with it. I never should have sold the darn gun.

My 1885 High Wall is my baby. I have vowed never to get rid of her. She's primarily a safe queen now, but I take her out and let her run every now and then. It wears a Leupold VX3 3.5-10X40 in Conetrol mounts and shoots the 145 and 160 gr. Speer Grand Slams darn near into the same hole. My father gave me a couple of boxes of old Federal Premium 150 Gr. BT ammunition once that a deceased friends wife had given him. I shot that ammo once and was pleasantly surprised to see that it shot nearly as well as my handloaded Grand Slams and at 3150 FPS. I've been pretty stingy with that ammo and I think I have one box left.

I'm 60 years old, but purchased my first 7 Mag at age 32.

I like the 7mm RM and have had one for 25 years or so. I've used it a good deal but find myself using my .280 Rem more for deer and antelope and my 30-06 more for elk these days partly because these rifles are a bit lighter and handier (my 7 RM has a 25 inch barrel and weighs 8.25 lbs). I'm 72.

I'm 63 I bought my first 7mag in 1994.Other cartridges I hunted deer with prior to that since 9yrs old was a 25-06,30-30 a 222.The 7mag quickly became a favorite.It shoots really flat,hits really hard,easy to load for and very accurate.Recoil was very manageable too.I hunted with it exclusively for 14yrs,killed a bunch of deer and hogs with it.I never felt over-gunned or under-gunned hunting with the 7mag.I would put it as an all around cartridge.Shooting bullets from 120-175gr and now even heavier,you really can use it for hunting a wide variety of game.Then I confess,I became a gun addict.I bought a 7STW,300WSM,270Win,300 Win Mag,30-06,308 Win,338-06...............I guess I became a looney.Let's see,I have multiple rifles in some of those cartridges.(4)-7mags,(4)30-06's,(2)308Win's and (2)300Win Mags.So It looks like I kinda have some favorite's.With four of each in the 7mag and 30-06,I would say,for most hunting,those two cartridges would cover just about anything most people would hunt and performance on game with like weight bullets seem to be close to each other too.I'd be happy with either one if I only had those choices.

In Dec., 1992 I bought a Custom Super Grade Win. 70 in 7mm RM. In July, 1993 I found a longitudinal crack in the receiver and the gun went back to the factory in the States. Up to this time accuracy had been spotty with 1500 rounds through it.
In April, 1994 the rifle was returned, rebuilt with new receiver, barrel and stock but with the original serial number. I assume the latter was to facilitate getting it through customs.
A year or two later I took it hunting and got a moose with it. Since then the round count had gone up to 1500+ by Oct., 2017. It has since remained unfired.

In my opinion it is an adequate cartridge when placed correctly. I have several other cartridges that do the job as well so I don't expect to ever hunt with it again given that I am now coming up on 83 y.o.

Jim

P.S. The current rifle had a slow barrel. A Nosler book max. load of R22 with 160 grain bullets was 450 f.p.s. slower than the book figure. As a result my loadings since then have always been heavier than book suggestions with no apparent affect on cases.

Got a Ruger No.1 in 7mm Mag in 1980 and it has been my primary big game rifle since then. I'm now 74. I have several other rifles but it sees as much time afield as the others combined.

My main rifle since I gave the old 270 to son in law. I'm 61.

I think that the earlier poster that called it a "Geezer cartridge" is onto something. 71 my last birthday and being a geezer and 7mm RM owner since the mid 60's qualifies me. I wasn't flush enough back then to afford a bunch of different rifles and I knew that some day I'd be out hunting an elk or a moose in addition to our Midwest deer. I'd borrowed a .30-30 and it was too little. Then I borrowed a .300 WM and it was too big. The 7mm RM was just right. My elk were on the meat pole right along side my buddy's .300 WM and .338 WM elk, so what's not to like? Then one cold November deer season the recoil of that big 7 compressed the down in my parka and that scope back into my forehead knocking some sense into me. All I was doing was blowing the heck out of the woods behind the deer that I was shooting. I built up a similar 7mm-08 and that 7mm RM hasn't been out hunting since. I'm too old to run those mountains any longer and it's a travesty to let that 7# all up 7 Magnum (tuned, turned, Brown Precision Kevlar, hard chrome, camo, Euro Swarovski) sit in the gun safe, but that's our story.

I bought my 45 year old son (then 30) a Savage 110 beater 7mm Rem Mag 15 years ago for $225 and reblued the metal and shimmed the out of alignment receiver screw threads. He has killed a bunch of deer and elk with it using Federal's old 160 gr TBBC and Speer Mag Tip handloads. It works for him and absolutely won't part with it. Subsequently, I bought a Weatherby Mark V chambered in 7mm Weatherby with intentions to rebarrel to 7mm RM or STW. It shot so well that I decided to leave it as is and now have two. If I had a Rem Mag, I wouldn't bother with the Wby Mag. I'll stick with the Roy just because.... Happy Trails

45 years old

Have three - Out of all my rifles, I've hunted the most in the grand scheme of things with my Ruger Boat Paddle 7mm mag - Taken shots within spitting distance on big game and a couple deer out to 600 yards. Been all over the US and S. Africa.

My uncle who is a wise man and a great hunter used to say that a young guy who is in good shape and has great speed and endurance generally will do very well in a street fight. It is that cruiserweight champ. The 7 Remington is the cruiserweight champion. I have three 7 Remingtons but I have only used two of them to hunt with recently. I am 51 years old.
I know some great hunting guides like Kirk and Cole Ellis out of Devil's Mountain Lodge that use the 7 Remington magnum exclusively. They have never had a problem.

I have used the 7 Rem Magnum to great effect and only had one issue that was due to operator error and a freak September snow storm. When I was 19 years old, I shot a 55 inch bull moose at less than 20 yards with 175 grain partitions and did what I always thought was priority when I was growing up of busting down the shoulder of the moose. The upper should shot had been dynamite on four moose that I had shot earlier. The moose was covered with about 2 inches of frozen ice armor-we were being pounded by freezing rain- and the bullets weren't opening and the weather conditions were so miserable that the shock didn't seem to work as well. I shot the moose four times through the shoulder and then when the moose figured out that I was the cause of the pain and squared up to charge me, I shot him right between the eyes. I was out of ammo and while I was butchering up the moose by myself, I saw a sow grizzly and two grown 2 year old cubs at about 350 yards reading the smells of the wind that was blowing in their direction. I was 1/2 mile from the camp on Tyone Creek and had no more rifle ammo and had left my trusty 44 Rem Mag blackhawk at camp. I thought how I might be stranded in and have to walk the 45 miles out to Eureka and I figured that I better scare off those grizzlies. One of my mentors, Al Taylor, told me that bears don't have the best eyesight and upon occasion will run from what they think is a bigger bear. I saw an 8ft dead spruce tree with a root structure that was near the moose. The bears came closer and closer. Finally, the big straw colored sow was only 45 yards away from the killsite. It was about 3:30PM but the snow squall and freezing rain was continuing to blast everything. I picked up the tree with the roots up in the air about 10ft up and carried it directly at the big sow. I yelled bloody murder and the sow thinking she had ran into a true 10ft monster, popped her jaws once, turned a 180 and started running flat out away from me. She swatted her two cubs who got out ahead of her and I watched them disappear into the snow/sleet covered hills 500 yards away. They never came back.

We ended up trading that 7 Rem Mag for another Ruger blackhawk to Al Taylor who shot a 9 foot brown bear that was trying to kill the chickens in his daughter's chicken coop. Al who had used 30/30s most of his life, commented,"It blew some of the lungs out of that durty booger." He used it to dispatch four more problem bears before Al passed on to his homestead in the sky.

One of the best moose hunters and a genuinely Alaskan sized character used a 7 Remington Mag in a Sako Finnbear to kill probably over 100 moose. Pat Madros Sr., was a giant of a man who took me under his wing when I moved out and taught in Nulato. I will never forget how he could carry a full barrel of gas on his shoulder from his truck to his boat. Pat was a Koyukon Athabaskan was about 6ft 1 and 280lbs and had hands the size of those Costco rotisserie chickens. He was a Navy vet and a big supporter of the local school. Pat kept the village in order. Pat knew every channel on the Yukon, the Koyukuk, the Kaiyuh and most other rivers in the region. He could run those rivers in the dark at night and I went with him. He would use that Sako to take down moose for his entire clan and for folks who might not be good enough to "harvest" moose cleanly. He was dead nuts good with that rifle. He could call them in and he always had so many honey holes that you would see 10-20 big moose per day. You could get very picky hunting with him because he knew the country so well. He would hunt in many different areas of the river. I saw him personally take 7 different bulls with it. His rifle was accurate from 50 yards to 400 yards and would put the moose down right there. Pat often would allow the people he was hunting with to take the shot and then like a guide would provide a quick followup that was finish the moose. Pat knew all of the stories of the river and would talk about hunters, strange creatures, spirits, and legendary stories of the past. I left Nulato and moved into Fairbanks because my son decided that he liked computers and technology and my father and the rest of my family had moved there. Sometimes, when I am alone in the woods. I hear him. He had a big booming voice when in town but would speak softly in the woods showing his great respect to the land.

Just turned 64, and yes I guess I am a fan. I had a Savage several years ago, but traded it off for something else. Recently picked up a Ruger Hawkeye. Nice rifle. Shoots great.
Only killed one elk with the Savage, saving the 7 mag more for pronghorn and mule deer in open country.

I bought a 300 Win Mag Model 700 12 or 14 years ago with the idea of building a custom 300 H&H ( because I'm a Looney). Time went by and I bought a 7 MM Mag new take off barrel for $35.00 and had Capitol Sports square up the action, lap the lugs and screw on the barrel. Glass bedded it in a B&C stock. Arnold returned the rifle in a couple of weeks and it shot consistent three shots touching, around 1/2" with the first load I tried using 160 grain Accu Bonds. Damn! Just out of curiosity, a year or so later I tried it again, just to see if history would repeat itself and sure enough it did. I had two great shooting 7 MM Mags in the safe. I killed an elk and 2 Mulies with those rifles. Both of the rifles had 26" SS barrels and weighed around 8.5 pounds, which didn't handle as well as my Model 70 FWT 270's and I really couldn't tell much difference in the effects on game at the ranges I limit myself to, usually less than 300 yards. My two sons now use these rifles exclusively and really like the 7MM Mag chambering, both have taken a trucks loads of game with them.Nothing That I can find wrong with the big 7MM, just stopped using it because I like lighter and handier rifles at 72 years old. Today I mainly shoot a 308 700 bedded in a McMillain Edge Classic or my 270 Win FWT in a McMillian in a FWT pattern stock, but am really liking my 6.5x55 Fieldcraft. Overall the 7MM Remington Magnum is one of the greats.

By the way I did build the 300 H&H, which has yet to be hunted, really not a lot better than the old 30 06. I like my 7X57 which is just to another over lapping chambering, but they are all fun!

I don't believe the 7mm Rem Mag offers me anything I don't have in a .270 Win or a .30-06...….so I don't have one.....I'm 74

Bought a used Remington 700 BDL 12 years ago with the intention of swapping the barrel to 257 Wby. Made the mistake of shooting the donor and watched it print ragged holes with 3 different bullet weights. So I hunted it and it is one of the ones I will always have. It simply crushes animals. Deer, hogs, coyotes and black bear have fallen to that rifle. I am 50 years of age.
GreggH

Guess I could be considered a fan. I've 2, a Model 70 Classic Sporter and a Browning 1885. I'm 49.
BTW, if you haven't tried IMR 7977 in the 7RM you are missing out. Truly unbelievable accuracy with a 140 Partition.

I am a big fan of the 7RM (and its kissin cousin the .280AI). I both shoot and hunt with one as much as I can. I am 52 years old.

MD, I have had several starting in the early 70's.. My current one is probably close 30 years old.. It became my late wife's favorite big game rifle.. I still try and hunt each fall for mule deer or antelope with it.. One of my favorites..

Not a fan. 61 years aged.

7 Wby dyed in the wool.

For got.. I am 72!!

When I bring a rifle instead of a bow my M77 MKII 7mm RM is my “out west” and Alaska rifle. 56 yoa

67. The 7 RM was my first elk rifle. Back then I hunted a lot more and shot a lot less. I killed 7 bull elk with the first box of 160 Speer mag tips I bought. Rifle was a Mauser Mark X and purchased the Barreled action for $125 and stocked it myself.. 6X Leopold. Elk were killed in NW MT in heavy timber. Worked as expected but a 308 would have done the same
Went on to a 300 Mag and it worked as well but not better. Now I hunt with a 308 Kimber MT. Age, rifle weight, and brass were my considerations. My Palma rifle is a 308 so it was an easy choice.
7 mag is a great elk round. Lacks the great brass of some others..and current hype. So, I'm a fan but have no use for it now.

I was 19 and working on a diary farm when I bought a Pre-Garcia Sako 7mm Mag for my first elk hunt. It was also the
first rifle I loaded for, along with the first use of Partitions.

It was used for several years, but other chamberings caught my eye,
And I haven't shot it since about 1991.

It sits in the safe along with a T3 Hunter and a Model-77 left hand (WTF) that
were picked up cheap. All 7-mags.

I have been hoping to find a deal on a T3 lite cheap, want to try it with
120gr BT's for deer. IT would be the one perfect deer rifle!
Don't want to used the Hunter, it's never been shot.

Yep, rifle insane.

PS. 50 years old.

65, only owned one. A BSA CF2. Took a Caribou on Adak Island with the BSA. Have a scar on my eyebrow when I crawled the stock prone..

40 years old

Just a deer hunter, never been out west for bigger game. The 7mag is my favorite though, they have worked great for me. Cutover, bean fields, hardwood bottoms, or pine thickets it just always works. I hunted with a 30-06 and 308 for years, but the 7mag is easier for me to shoot accurately from 200 to 300 yards. I keep several deer rifles, but I just hunt with one, my Model 700 7mag.

Welcome to the Fire.

DF

I'm 61 and soon to be 62. I own 4 7mm RM's. A Gunwerks Revic, 2 Browning A-Bolts (one BOSS and one non-BOSS), unfortunately, I just inherited the BOSS from my father and a Sako A7S. I shot my first elk in Colorado in 1996 with the Composit A-Bolt shooting Federal Premium ammo with 160 grain Nosler Partitions.

I also own a Winchester Extreme Weather in 7mm WSM, does that count?

59, 7mm saum

58, I own and love the 7mm Remington Magnum. I hunt Georgia and Alabama and the 7mm Rem Mag works great on whitetail in the southeast.

Mine is a Ruger 77 MK/II stainless laminated.

My wife has used her 7 Rem Mag for 25 years. She is 65.

Thank you Dirtfarmer!

Bought my first one in 1985. I am 54 years old. Lots of deer elk and hogs died.

Have several.... one of my favorites. 53.

Had one in a Browning A-bolt synthetic. Worst kicking SOB rifle I've ever owned. Chalked it up to stock design and weight.
A Nosler Partition 160gr completely passed through a standing telephone pole at 60yds. Long story on that one.
I'm 55.

Age 59
6'2" 235lbs
White male

Bought my first 7mag in Lubbock, TX in 1979, a Ruger M77. I left the gun shop that day with the rifle, a Leupold Vari X II, a couple boxes of 160 partitions, and a Lee handloading kit that cost $20. I replaced that rifle in 1998 with a Tikka 695 Whitetail that came with OptiLock mounts for $425. I've lost count of the animals I killed with the great 7mag/partitions/accubonds, and it's followed me to several US states, MX, and Africa. I still use it every year, but not as much as I used to.

HaHa,I had a Browning A-Bolt too,but mine was a 300 Win Mag.I agree it was the worse kicking SOB I've ever owned.It would leave a mark.Changed the pad and that made a huge difference.

John, I haven’t had or much less hunted with the “big” 7mm mag since the eighties, as I sampled about every cartridge I could over over a period of time. I actually had a Rem model 700 BDL that was born a 7 mm RM, became a 300 Win Mag, became a 338 Win Mag, became a 340 Wby Mag. But I dither.

I still have fond memories of the many deer I took in the Dakotas with “the 7” with the 150-gr Nos Part in the ‘80’s, probably as much or more for my nostalgia for those times as much as for the cartridge, which killed deer just fine. I liked it, but too many cartridges, too little time.

I do remember chrono’g some factory ammo at the time that left me non-plussed — they barely shaded some 270 loads. Chronographs are the shooters’ polygraph.

That probably didn’t help much. 😉

Oh, and 70.

8 Pages in just 10 hrs???? This CV-19 has certainly changed a few things.

But just to stay on topic; my all time favorite cartridge is the (orphaned) 7WSM. I've use it to take a truckload of whitetails and a beautiful red stag. Most were one-and-done kills. Currently using the 143 Hammer bullet with very good effect.

I see you’re more of a 7-08 man these days, leaving your big 7 in the safe.

Sorta there myself. My 7-08 kills stuff just as dead, kicks less.

DF

I a weeks away from being 66, a 7mm RM was my first Magnum from age 37 to 55 it was my go to gun for my yearly trips to Colorado until I traded away for a 300 WSM.


Darn this thread has me thinking of getting another but I am trying to scale down. LOL

BTW 20 years back I was having issues getting accurate reloads with my 7mm and after posting a question Mule Deer sent me a PM telling me what I was doing wrong

If I didnt say it before THANKS!

I’m 40. I guess you can say I’m a fan. Bought my first one new in 2004. It was a MKII in stainless. Killed a lot of deer and some hogs in several states with it. Have since owned 3-4 more. Currently own 2. Still shoot and hunt with them from time to time but my WSM’s have kind of put the other rifles on the back burner. No particular reason, guess I just like the short action better.

Forgot to mention my 700 killed 5 animals in S. Africa as well.

John, I'm 65 and the first time I saw the 7mm Rem Mag in use was when I was 13 and my oldest brother-in-law took a little western Washington blacktail with his. That deer probably weight a buck and a quarter alive and it died rather suddenly. It impressed the heck out of a kid.

I never owned a 7 Mag until the mid 90's when I was rebuilding my rifle collection after a divorce and bought a Remington 700. It is one of the most accurate factory rifles I've owned but any game animal is safe when I carry it. Put that rifle in my hands and I don't see game. I generally don't believe in superstitions or luck but that rifle's best role in hunting is to stay at home in the safe. I should probably sell it on consignment or give it away to someone I don't like but just haven't gotten around to it.

Interesting trend here, looks like it isn't too popular with the current generation. Most all the guys shooting it are north of 60. I've never owned one-sorry.

I'll be 70 in a couple of weeks. Bought my first one in '76, a 700ADL. That Monte Carlo stock kicked the pee out of me. Sold it a couple of years later. In '85 I bought a Ruger M77R. Loved that rifle. At some point later I restocked it with an MPI stock and matte blued it. It was my primary big game rifle until I sold it a couple of years ago. Seemed I sold a good friend. I've owned several others over the years, M77 and No. 1. Sold all of them. I'm now currently looking for a replacement for that rifle.

John I’m 57 and got a 7mm Remington Magnum in 1977 a Ruger 77. I still have it and it is extremely accurate with 160 grain Nosler’s and Norma MRP (from back in the day).

PennDog

Yes and some of the ‘new’ ______ isn’t very popular with those who’ve been around, knowwhatImean, vern?

Dennis, you don’t know what you’re missing. grin

Jerry

I'm a fan

47 yrs old

I liken it to the .270 Winchester, which I also like.

Yeah, everyone has one. But despite younger 7mm's trying to overthrow it that are shorter, longer, hotter, milder, blah blah blah, it still hammers game and is generally easy to get to shoot.

It doesn't do it with a lot of fanfare, it just gets the job done,

Bill

I have had 3 over the years
Each one I have sold down the road after using it a bit and coming to the same conclusion
The 270/ 708 does the same thing with a lot less fuss and noise with the advantage of an extra round or 2 in the magazine, I’m 57

That's the way I see it for sure DF. You probably figured it out a little quicker than I did, with my W TX education and all.......

Bought my 1st and only in Canada in 1963 , my son now has it. I am 85 and a gluten for punishment, now putting together a 358 NM. It won't rattle my teeth as most will be out by time it is up and running. Cheers NC

I bought my 700 Adl in July of 1970 I was 15 years old. One of the early ones with the Hart ss barrel . For 7 years it had Weaver bases ,rings, and a 2 x 7 weaver variable .Lost it's gas and after having it fixed I put on a 243, the 7 got Redfield jr 1 piece base and redfield rings for a new Vari X lll 2.5 x 8 with cpc crosshair it's been on there since June of 1978. Only time it needs the zero checked and adjusted is changing to a new load. Whitetails, mule deer , antelope, and a Rocky mtn goat more than a few varmints. After 44 years of shooting that Hart barrel was shot out and I had it rebarreled with a new 700 take off barrel. Still a sweet shooter.120 nbt ,139 gr Horn SP & btsp's. 140-175 gr NPR's as well as many others .Dead reliable killer as long as you do your part right. Like it so well that I had a chance to pick up a 7 RSAUM M 7ss and I did because I was sure it would the same on game in a lighter package. I am 65 so I have had it and used it for 50 years... Magnum_Bob

49 Years old. On my 2nd 7 rem mag. First was a old Savage 110 shot the barrel out of it. My current one is a Beretta Mato, I hunt with it yearly but often carry other rifles. But it seems to be my lucky whitetail rifle as all my bigger bucks have been shot with it. Always shot 150 core lokts and 154 hornady interlocks in the old Savage 110. The Mato loves the 140 TSX and TTSX. IMR 4831 in the Savage and RE22 in the Beretta. Very useful chambering but I am leaning toward lower recoiling rifles nowadays. But I can't seem to not hunt with my 7 Mag a few times a year. Wish it didn't have the belt.

I am 42 this year. Saved and saved all I could from processing firewood to shoveling driveways to buy my first center fire which was a post 64 PF Model 70. Parents had to go do the paperwork. All I used early on was about about 81 grains of H870 and 140 Partitions. Had a bit extra to buy a used 4x Redfield. Rifle came with Burris rings and bases.

Took a few truck loads of deer during hunting season and during the winter over apple orchard cull permits with the 140 Partition. Thought it was the kiss of death to whatever I pointed it at. Got to hunt moose and caribou at 17 and thought the 140 was kinda light so I used the original Barnes X 160 over H870. Not nearly as accurate but worked for a 45” BC moose and a small bou. Used it for my first handful of elk and deer and loved it.

Like a pile of you others, after I joined the Marine Corps decided I needed more rifles and hunted with a 300 Win, 270 WSM, and a bunch of others. Met BobinNH and reamed it to 7 Mashburn. Took some elk and deer with it. Now that rifle is my best hunting buddies rifle with a new stock and still killing elk.

I currently use a Weaver 7 Mashburn Super and 7 WSM for my 7 Rem Fix. Love the cartridge and it’s still my first pick when someone asks for an elk rifle.


Awesome memories fellas. Bob Hagel and BobinNH would be smiling!

You guys are just puppies.

I’m older than Ingwe and he’s no puppy.

DF

I think this begs the question of not how useful the 7RM is but when do you officially become a Geezer?

A gradual thing.

Then one day, you realize.

DF

Never owned one, but my neighbor has.

He's in his mid-60s and travels all over the country to hunt deer, elk and antelope.

The 7RM is the only cartridge he's ever used. He wore out his first Rem 700 with Leupold 3-9 scope, so he bought another. Has always used factory ammo and sees no need to change.

Tikka 7mm rem mag super lite soon to be 58.

I'm 50, and I bought my first 7mm Rem Mag when I was in graduate school. It was a Model 70 with the BOSS. Quite a few different rifles so chambered followed. I haven't hunted with one in several years as I've got a Kimber Montana in 7WSM that I bought when they first came out. But still a "Big 7" fan.

I bought my first bolt action rifle, a 7mm RM in 1976, a Bicentennial Ruger 77 with a 4-12x Redfield. Paid $175 for the rifle and $130 for the scope, at Doc's Gun Barn in Pocatello ID. I was 20 years old at the time, now 63.
They let me look through 6 boxes of them to get one with the wood I liked the best. I've taken about 20 bull elk, half a dozen cows, and a heck of a lot of deer with it. The last animal it has taken is a mountain goat in 2006. The gun has been through several scopes thru attrition.
It has lapsed into a graceful retirement as a back-up, replaced for elk by a Savage semi custom 300WM, for deer a Tikka 260 Rem and a Savage semi custom 6.5 x 284.
Lots of memories and will be the last gun I ever part with.

Short version: I am 60 years old. I am a fan of the 7mm RM. I have NOT hunted with it regularly over the last couple decades but hope to change that soon.

Long Version: I grew up in North Carolina. I received a Winchester 94 30-30 for my 14th birthday and that was my only centerfire rifle until I had been in the Air Force for about 6 years after college, when I got an assignment to Nellis AFB, NV. Then I decided to make my dreams of western big game hunting, kindled since childhood, come true.
I had read about Frank Wells (custom riflesmith out of Tucson) in an article in Bugle. I drove down to see him while visiting some friends in Phoenix and placed an order for a rifle; a full custom on a Mark-X Mauser, with all the bells and whistles. I wanted a 280 AI (Kenny Jarrett was just becoming famous for his "beanfield" rifles and he touted the 280 AI as quite the accuracy machine). Frank talked me out of it, saying while he could make me a 280 AI if I was dead set on it, he was more confident he could make a real shooter of a 7mm RM. So that's what I had him make for me. [EDITORIAL: If I was doing it over, knowing what I know now, I'd probably have had him just make me a 30-06.]
It arrived just in time for my first western hunt, a Colorado combo elk/mule deer trip (actually, not quite - the "Black T" finish by Walter Birdsong had not yet been applied, but it was time to go. I had to send it back for that after the hunt) . I did not kill an elk on that hunt but did kill my first mule deer. Next year I also killed a NV mule deer with the Wells rifle but by then I was headlong into a full blown case of budding rifle loonyism. I built myself (doing my own work) a really fine 25-06, and a 35 Whelen AI, between the two of which I killed several deer, pronghorn, and my first elk, and more rifle projects followed. And the Las Vegas pawn shops were absolutely ON FIRE with fantastic classic rifle deals, which I scooped up by the bushels. Bottom line was I got so busy with other builds and hunting other rifles that the Wells 7 Mag kind of got sidelined, through no fault of its own.
So this year, after accumulating 20 bonus points, I have finally drawn an AZ pronghorn tag (they grow real big down here) and am seriously thinking of getting the Wells 7 Mag back in business for that hunt. I have purchased a bunch of SPS blems in some of the choicer long range 7mm flavors and were it not for the stupid Coronavirus shutting down my range, I would be really starting to work them out.

Looking forward to the article, John
Rex

I have two 7mm Rem Mags. A first year release Rem 700 BDL and an early 70's Interarms Zastava mauser. I thoroughly enjoyed hunting with the 7mm RM. I went to a 280 Rem as better overall for Deer as I didn't really need the 7 mag for that. At the time in the 70's and 80's the widest choice of bullets was in the .284 and .308 diameters. I chose .284. If I was going on an Elk hunt next month I would be taking the 7 mag. For all practical purposes it is as versatile as the 30-06 for anything in the continental US. I am in my late 60's. Looking forward to your article.

I'm nearly 62.

When I was 17, my buddy up the road came down with his motorcycle and invited me on for a ride. When we got to the first stop sign, I asked to get off, and have not been on a motorcycle since. I thanked him for the experience and walked home.

That was pretty much my experience with the 7mm Rem Mag. I had a friend who had one. I shot a couple of rounds and thanked him for the experience. That was it. At one point, I had a boss offer me a Rem 700 in the chambering that his wife wanted to get rid of from the back of the closet. No thanks.

I'm somewhat more mellow on the subject, now 30 years on. I just have no particular need for one. At the time, I had not bagged a deer farther than 20 yards from the muzzle. I had pounded my shoulder with a 12 GA slug and a 30-06. I didn't want or need anything more. "Flatter trajectory" doesn't register to someone who fires down on a deer from a treestand. Nowadays, I've broadened my horizons. I actually have a ground blind where a 250-yard shot is possible. However, it's all still whitetail, and what is on the other side of the deer really doesn't care. A 30-06 does the trick just fine.

I'm not going to knock 7mm Rem Mag. I'm not going to knock motorcycles. They're just not for me.

53 yrs young, theres 4 7mags in my safe as well as couple 7x57, last 7 years numerous 1 shot kills with 7mag, 160 accubond , or 175 elite hunter, since i quit my 8mm rem mag 25 years ago, went to a 7stw, then a 300stw, then to a standard 7mag, i dont think any big game animals i have harvested succombed any faster or slower from any of the cartridges

i bougjt a 8mm mag when i was 16 ,,,,layne simpson could of been responsible

45. Bought my first one on here in about 2006 or so. 700ks in a McMillan Fibergrain that was reported to be just an “average shooter”. Hornady Precision Hunter 162eld load says otherwise. I really had no reason to hunt with it and life got in the way of recreational shooting and.....well....I have rifle ADD and have been busy shooting other stuff. Scoped it up this year and carried it afield. Have another being built on a Lone Peak Razor Ti action and a Colt Light Rifle I’ve never shot because it came sans scope mounts and I haven’t called Melvin to order more. Guess I need to get on that.

Left out the two 5 digit Model 70 stainless classics, one of which was shipped to me from a pawn shop in Washington by accident and after some back and forth I was able to keep it AND a 5 digit 30-06 stainless classic Featherweight.

I'm 50 years old. Got my 1st 7 mag eight years ago on a trade.. Tikka T3.

I have several deer stands where shots to 600 yds are an option. The Tikka didn't shoot very well and had fairly stout recoil. 2 years later, I picked up a stainless laminate Ruger 77. The gun shoots 1/2 MOA or better with 150 gr ballistic tips and 160 Accubond. It is my go-to open field gun.

The 7 mag aint for sale

My first centerfire was a Ruger M77 7mm Rem Mag purchased in 1977 in Concord California. I sold it in 1982. I am 58.

I'm 68, and my feelings pretty well mirror this. Shot in a friend's 7 mag over 20 years ago and it was fine, but I don't see the need for the excessive powder usage and muzzle blast. The 7x57 works well to 300+ yards, as does the '06, 257 Roberts, 250 Savage, the various 6.5s, etc. Did shoot a .300WM a few years back. Two shots. Never again. But, I will never dispute someone's choice of cartridge or caliber. As Red Green says, "Remember, keep your stick on the ice. We're all in this together."

I'm 48. Bought a model 70 in 7RM when I was 22. Hunt with it every other year only because other rifles need to get out too. Took a dandy mulie buck with one in 2017.

I'm rather surprised at lots of the guys having multiple rifles in the same chambering. I chose to keep improving the original M700 BDL that I had. My favorite 7mm RM story is when I loaned it to my 85 year old dad. Now dad was the kind of guy who sighted in his 8x57 Mauser on a cardboard box over the hood of the car and minute of box was just fine. Dad was pretty ambivalent about deer hunting and after selling off that Mauser, he and mom wintered in Arizona. Years before when dad did hunt, I made him a blind that he could find and cut him a shooting lane. Well, at 85 he got too old to winter out west anymore, so he said that he and another elderly friend were going up to the cabin to deer hunt and could he borrow a rifle? Fast forward to opening day and dad nails a 10 point buck with that 7 mag. I don't know who was more surprised, the deer or dad or me? Picture those two old timers trying to get a big buck out of the woods. Those two drank scotches celebrating for the rest of the weekend. I sure miss that old coot.

Had one in the stable most of the years since 1987 - first one was a Savage 110, and first "new" rifle I purchased.

Fast forward - two in the safe today, one 700 bdl hunter, and a 700 Long Range that I couldn't pass up for the price.

Hanging in the mid 5-Os now days.

Agree up to > 300 yds. What about 400 plus ?


I have killed deer at 12' (feet) and out to 402 yds lasered with a 7 RM. The mags have more than 1 purpose . To push heavier bullets faster, ergo...flatter and BEFORE monos...with more penetration.
And to push lighter bullets EVEN faster and EVEN flatter.


For anyone who only hunts and shoots 300 yds and under the mags don't offer an advantage.

CERTAINLY and w/o doubt, I have killed many more deer UNDER 300 yds THAN 400 +..
The problem is WHERE I've hunted and hunt today, I never know how close or far away I will have a shot.

With a 7 Mag... it doesn't matter.

Not everyone has the same recoil tolerance. Many here don't believe me but it's true nonetheless. When shooting a 270 W or a 7 Mag.....I can't tell the difference in recoil.

We have some women who participate here and even mentioned IN this discussion that like and shoot the 7 Mag well.

** I kept my stick on the ice ** GRIN

Jerry

Dad gave me my first personal centerfire, a Weatherby vanguard when I was 12. I started killing deer and pigs and exotics right away and killed my first elk with a 175 Partition over MRP that I loaded myself at age 16. Always been a favorite... I'm 54.

And the Question WAS.....



ummmm......ummmm, Where does your post fit ?

Jerry

ps: I have several comments but I'll leave it at that.

Hey, set that one outside the front door - I'll pick it up later this morning.

JB, I’m 46 now. I bought my 7 mag 700BDL when I was a freshman in college for my first elk hunt. It shot amazingly well with 150BT’s and 160partitions. It killed my first rifle deer and elk. I thought it was a laser beam of death until my first chronograph arrived. It had an extremely slow barrel. It missed “book” velocities by 250fps or more... I eventually sent it off to Douglas for a new barrel. That barrel copper fouled terribly and shot no where near as well as any of my other Douglas barrels. When I sent it back to Douglas for them to inspect it was stollen from the USPS sort facility in West Virginia. I now have a 280 ackley but still miss having a 7 mag....I’m sure I will have another when the right one crosses my path. My dad has a 7 mag also and took it on our first trip to Africa for plains game. He’s shot his 300 weatherby every trip back. I’ve usually just taken my 308.

No kidding. Talk about an elk rig.

Lots of LH rifles in many different calibers. None is a 7MM. I have .280. Rem, .284, 7-08 though. Age 69 for another week.

Trying to help here.

I googled "left hand 7 Rem Mag" and found these results

Gun Broker - 700 BDL 7 Mag

T C Dimension 7 Mag

Rem 700 SPS 7 Mag

Win Custom Shop 7 Mag

Tikka T3 X 7 Mag

*My rifles are R H but I have and had 700 BDLs in 7 Mag and NO problems.

I have a T3X 7 RM now and love it.

Maybe one of those in the list will suit you.


Jerry

That's an everything rig.


Okie John

1 in 7 mag a Bansner model 70, my only big game rifle for a few years, have gone through a few since then but still have my 7mag. I’m 51 and had the gun for over 20 years

72

Have a M77 7Mag that dad bought in '73. Nice rifle and good elk cartridge, but more that I need for deer So it doesn't come out of the safe much any more.

I'm 58.

I have a very early 700 that belonged to my West Texas rancher uncle. He used it on untold numbers of whitetails, javelinas, coyotes, and anything else he felt needed to be killed. When my father, brother, and I hunted with him, we had strict instructions that any feral dog we saw on his ranches was to be killed on sight, so I'm sure that he shot a bunch of them with it, too.

It was in a laminated stock with a high-comb rollover cheekpiece when I got it. I put it into factory Tupperware that I got for a $25 donation to my club's youth program. In that stock, it's sub-MOA with cheap 150-grain Federal PowerShok ammo. I've put less than two boxes of factory ammo through it and no handloads. I've taken it as a spare on a couple of elk hunts but I haven't killed anything with it. I'm thinking of putting together an open country deer hunt in memory of my uncle, and it will be the one that I use.

I'd use it more if the load data wasn't so squirrelly.


Okie John

It's a great round, basically a glorified 30-06. So what's not to like ?

I'm a fan when talking long action rifles with 24" barrels. As I live in the southeast, mine gets hunted pretty much only when I go to open areas like clearcuts, pipeline ROWs, or pastures. I'm 41 years old and my rifle is my dad's old M77 Tanger 7mmRM that I refurbished with a Lilja and a Mcmillan some years back. The load for the last 10 years has been the 160gr Accubond at approximately 3,000fps. I can think of nine other 7mm rifles my father, brother, and I have bought in the last 20 years, one was my brother's 7mmRM he bought as a teenager around 2000, with the other eight being various short actions chambered in 7mm-08 or 7mm SAUM.

My rainny day rifle is a 7 RemMag 700LSS, it has killed tons of hogs, deer & 3 elk. A lucky rifle. I'm 75.

My thoughts exactly.

Phil have you seen it used much on brown bear? I carried a 7RM as a fishing rifle when I guided in Alaska and thought the 175 partitions would be a lot better than a rock or fly rod if I ever needed it. But I have no idea on it's effectiveness and would grab a 375 way before I would a 7 mag. to hunt bear.

I posted before, not a 7mm magnum user but I will certainly read JB's article. I seem to learn something from all his writing. Hope it includes some of the newer propellants

I'm not knocking the 7MM Mag, one of the great chamberings and my kids and I have hunted it a lot. I just don't have one at this time. We've had this conversation in the past, and still disagree about how flat the 7MM Mag is compared to say the .270 Win or 30 06. I really think you are kidding your self as there is only about 2"or 3" of difference at 500 yards, Two inches at 500 yards is no difference! Not trying to pick a fight, just my humble opinion. I lost a deer years ago due to long rang poor shooting on a windy day, leaving and animal to die a terrible death. Never again! I still think in horror about my poor judgement 50 years later. I always try to get closer than 250 yards
or less, even with a 7MM Mag. If the buck spots me and bolts, we'll meet another day. Some of my most enjoyable hunts have been with my 300 Savage or .54 round ball, shooing 100 yards or less after a long stalk. It is the hunt not the kill no matter what caliber you choose to use. Keep your stick on the ice Jerry!

I don't own a 7mm magnum, but my father had a 7x61 S&H as his main hunting rifle. He had it made in 1960 on a mauser 98 action and if I remember correctly a Douglas barrel. very nice piece of wood with very fine line checkering. He killed mule deer, antelope and a elk with it, always worked. After my father died my son took it over so it's still being used in the family. It's pretty heavy and shoots very well.
I've never had the need for a magnum and have been using my Ruger #1 in 7x57 since the 70's. It's always worked for me, that and my .30-06. My father was 40 years old when he had it made. I'm well north of 70 now.

51 and purchased my first one about 5 years ago. It shoots 140 accubonds into tiny little groups.

I've got two and never hunted either. I did however use a borrowed 7mm Rem assisting a friend in Texas on a cull hunt. Took a nice whitetail at 250 yds, bang flop! Can't argue with that.

[quote=Switch][quote=jwall]

Within 300 yds the 7 Rem Mag offers no advantage.

CERTAINLY and w/o doubt, I have killed many more deer UNDER 300 yds THAN 400 +..
The problem is WHERE I've hunted and hunt today, I never know how close or far away I will have a shot.

With a 7 Mag... it doesn't matter.
-----------------------------------------------------

Switch said...

... and still disagree about how flat the 7MM Mag is compared to say the .270 Win or 30 06.

I really think you are kidding your self as there is only about 2"or 3" of difference at 500 yards, Two inches at 500 yards is no difference!

*** Not trying to pick a fight, just my humble opinion.*** I lost a deer years ago due to long rang poor shooting on a windy day, leaving and animal to die a terrible death. Never again! I still think in horror about my poor judgement 50 years later. I always try to get closer than 250 yards

Keep your stick on the ice Jerry!
------------------------------------------------------------

I say..

The trajectory diff we are talking about has to do with sighting in. I use MPBR +/- 400 yds..... +3 " at 100 yds.
I chrono all my hunting loads IN my rifles and their barrels. NO factory ammo.

I've used this MPBR since the 80s and am familiar with it. At 400 yds the drop below the cross hair is 7-9" depending on specific velocity AND bullet.

NO I'm not kidding, it is more than 2" at 500 yds.


** I'm not picking a fight either. "Poor shooting AND excess wind" are NOT the fault of the 7 Mag.

XO XO XO

Jerry

I'm 42.

When a trophy deer is on the agenda, a 7mm Rem Mag is what I grab, hands down.

I have a Rem 700 Stainless that with a Timney installed and set at 2.5#, is the most accurate, factory, big game rifle I have owned. That's a big statement but the rifle flat out shoots and I have tremendous confidence in it.

I also have a Mcwhorter Ti with Proof Barrel that does amazing things with 180 gr Bergers that is becoming a favorite.

JRS3

Good to see you here. Glad you chimed in.


Jerry

I'm 56.

I bought my first 7RM in 1982 - a Ruger 77 tanger. I bedded that rifle in the early 90s and discovered it was a tack driver. Of course it weighed north of 9lbs. I've owned 2 others and a couple of brethren (7WSM, 7SAUM, 280, 280 AI, 284 Win) in intervening years but decided a lightweight magnum 7 was a bit much with 160-175 full power loads. I then discovered Re 26 and the 270. Kind of made my 7RM looniness fade away. After my 270 was stolen, I replaced it with a 280 AI. Interestingly, I was looking at Kimber Montana 270s last night.

The 7RM is a great cartridge. After shooting more than a few deer with mine I decided I didnt need a 7RM to kill deer. After killing a few elk with a 270 and 308, I decided a 280 would do as good.

I'll bet I end up with another 270 before hunting season.........

Mule Deer,

Good luck extracting your information for your poll!
Lots of fence-sitters and cover-your-bases guys out there. Probably should have been worded Yes! No! or Depends on the time of the month!

Being a self-described "loonie" any maybe even the one who coined the term, perhaps this is what you were expecting???

I am 70. My first center fire rifle was a .270. Later, I bought a 7mm Rem in Rem 700 ADL, tried it and found it did nothing my .270 did not do for me except use more powder and make more noise, so I sold it to a good friend who was going elk hunting. Have other .284 diameter rifles but no other 7mm Rem Mag.

My biggest take away so far is we're mostly a bunch of old farts. A 45 year-old here is pretty much a punk!

LOL...
Rex

Lighten up, Francis...

Mule Deer: I have owned and used two Remington 700's in 7m/m Remington Magnum over the years and one of them is still my main "go-to" Elk Rifle.
First Rifle in 7m/m Remington Magnum I bought in 1967 (Remington 700 BDL) and then in 1980 I found a beautifully stocked Remington 700 Classic in 7m/m Remington Magnum and I traded the first 700 off.
So I guess I have been a fan/user for 53 years now. And I am 72 years of age.
Good luck with your survey.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

trexf16: Are YOU one of the "foolish" young farts on this site who thinks they will never grow old?
He-he.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

This^^^^^^^^

ummmm......ummmm, Where does your post fit ?

Jerry
-------------------------------------------


Lighten up, Francis...
-----------------------------------------------

Shirley... you can't call me Francis !


Jerry

Welcome to the Campfire.

Odd how, when were younger, we would sell or trade a rifle off it did anything at all we did not approve of. Buy another, etc.

Now we are less quick to do so & will determine the issue & fix it.

Ha! I can, and don't call me Shirley.

68 and never owned a 7mm Remington Mag. Seems like every used gun rack in the sporting goods stores that I've looked at over the last 5 or 6 years has had a used 7mm Remington Mag though. I'm just not interested in one.

Not surprised as the 7RM is usually in the top ten most popular rifle cartridges and it usually ranked first, second or third on the RMEF annual rile polls.

I have had at least two 7mm rem mags, both were model 70 classic stainless sporters. Hunted with one for a few years, shot a few big mule deer with it without much drama and shot it quite a bit. Sold that last one to a nephew, trying to help him get started. Should have hung onto the rifle instead! For me, they are easy to shoot in an 8lb rifle, not sure I would want one at 7lbs. Keeping an eye out for another one so I guess you could call me a fan, at 65! (where did the time go)
My brother used one for a couple decades, on moose/black bear/deer with reliable results. Both of us typically used 154-160 grain bullets, fwiw.
If/when I get another one, I will probably try some 140 grain bullets for the deer I typically shoot, keep the trajectory nice and flat and a bit less kick than the heavier bullets.

I see a fair amount of used ones for sale in my area, mostly Remington 700s and Savage 110s. Growing up in PENN a lot of my friends used them for white tail deer, but most of them slowly went back to lighter calibers as most of our deer hunting was short range wooded areas.

John, I've posted variations of the following more than once:

[snip]I graduated college in 1982, and being an anal engineering type spent the entire span of my senior year communicating with the top riflesmiths, gunwriters, ballisticians, bullet makers, powder suppliers of the time. The question was: What chambering should I adopt to hunt the world, based on effectiveness, accuracy, availability, etc...

Funny thing...the 7mm Rem Mag came out on top by a landslide...including recommendations by some gunwriters that would totally surprise a bunch of readers here.

The main recommendation was based on the claim that MANY loads/bullet weights, handloads and factory, shot to the same POI in close,, and I have found that to be true.

The second was that it was an extremely popular round, and ammo could be found pretty much anywhere worldwide. Also true.

I bought a pair of Sako Lightweight A5's and over the next 30 years proceeded to take 47 species with the round in my work travels.

Upon selling my company and retiring I also used a Jarrett .280AI, a John Lewis .280, several 7mm-08's, and was successful with all simply by asking myself "how would this shot compare if I was using my 7 Mag?"

Made it easy.

They all work to the limits of their ability to expand a good bullet.

BUT...if you are traveling, the 7 Rem Mag is available in a wider range of good bullets over the counter, that DO tend to shoot to a common point of impact, and is the logical choice.[snip]

Great topic and enjoying it all. BobinNH was a huge Rem Mag fan as well. I’d bet he’d get a kick out of this thread.

Journeyman,

Excellent post. What's your age? Can approximately guess from when you graduated from college, but since I was also a science major would like to know!

So far the average age of 7mm RM fans is around 57 years, which is interesting since that means they were born in 1963--a year after the round was introduced....

Probably because so many articles in every hunting magazine raved about the 7 mag. back in the '70's. I read a lot of those articles and wanted one for a time myself. One that I read by JOC where he said "try as I might, I never could detect any difference in the field between the .270 and the 7mm mag " {or something close} stuck in my head and I never did get one.

My first BG rifle was a M77 in 7mm RM purchased new in 1985. I bought it because my uncles used 7mms.
Kept it a few years and enjoyed good success with it using 175g Hornadys elk hunting. I soon realized that a 30-06 would do everything I needed. I sold the 7mm and bought a then new M70 Classic Sporter with the control round feed in 30-06 and haven't missed the 7mm since. I currently don't own a 7mm anything but I would buy another M77 7mm RM in a heartbeat for nostalgia and the right price. FWIW, im 54.

I will add to that average. Born in 1962. Age 57. HS science teacher. I have owned a Ruger #1 in 7mm RM for 20 years. Haven't used it for hunting every year, but it has accounted for a number of deer over the years with hand-loaded ammo using 160 gr. Sierra bullets. More than is needed for most of the deer hunting we do, but always felt it was a classic that I should own and get some experience with. It has always done the job when I have taken it hunting.

Hunted with a 7 Rem Mag this past season. It likes 160 ABs and RL26.

58

I think I'm going to put this into my signature line.


Okie John

Let's make a deal d!ckface...I won't presume to be a welfare drawing, inbred child of incest from the JRR Tolkienest 'dacks of liberal anti-gun New York like YOU...and you won't presume to answer for ME, who Fv(king SA!D why I chose the 7Mag...by actually COMMUNICATING with writers, gunmakers, Weatherby award winners and others...NOT "quote" from an inbred that cant READ " "Probably because so many articles in every hunting magazine raved about the 7 mag. back in the '70's."

And by the way, dumbfvck: Jack lived 1-1/2 hours from me, as did Elmer, and I knew and discussed this with both...

Azzhoie...

Thanks, John... 59 is in my windshield...and 60 if I put on the high beams...

John,

Bought a Remington 700KS in 7mm Rem. Mag. in the first year or two after Big Green introduced that model. Shot (shoots) like a house afire. Whitetail, hog, pronghorn, elk, Dall sheep, coyote. 140 gr. Partition, 160 gr. Partition, 175 gr. Partition. I could happily hunt the rest of my days exclusively with that rifle but I can also say that about half a dozen other rifles/chamberings.

In six trips to Namibia (involving animals in the triple digits) I've never taken the 7mm Mag. preferring a .300 Win. Mag. Again, whitetail hunting (involving triple digit animals) the majority have fallen to a .25-06 or a like-powered chambering. To me, the 7mm Mag. will do pretty much what the great majority of hunters will ever ask a rifle to do if it's the only rifle someone owns. But I don't know anybody who owns only one rifle. To me the chambering is a "tweener": more than I want/need for deer, less than I need/want for elk, plains game, etc. I have no interest in seeing how far I can kill an animal but for long range work on deer the 7mm Mag. in a suitable rifle would be good place to start.

What I have learned in a little over sixty years is that, in this time and place, there are many, many excellent choices and not just in rifle chamberings. Aren't we the lucky ones!

Cheers, RS

Journeyman,

Thanks!

At my age ( a little older than you) I automatically tend to think of myself as a year older within a few days of my birthday--apparently because I feel luck to have lived this long--and in pretty good health!.

Just watched THE WIZARD OF OZ for maybe the 20th time, and among other things recognized, once again, that we should pay no attention to the man behind the curtain....

[quote=Journeyman][quote=Blackheart]

Probably because so many articles in every hunting magazine raved about the 7 mag. back in the '70's. I read a lot of those articles and wanted one for a time myself. One that I read by JOC where he said "try as I might, I never could detect any difference in the field between the .270 and the 7mm mag " {or something close} stuck in my head and I never did get one.
—————————————-

Let's make a deal d!ckface...I won't presume to be a welfare drawing, inbred child of incest from the JRR Tolkienest 'dacks of liberal anti-gun New York like YOU...and you won't presume to answer for ME, who Fv(king SA!D why I chose the 7Mag...by actually COMMUNICATING with writers, gunmakers, Weatherby award winners and others...NOT "quote" from an inbred that cant READ " "Probably because so many articles in every hunting magazine raved about the 7 mag. back in the '70's."

And by the way, dumbfvck: Jack lived 1-1/2 hours from me, as did Elmer, and I knew and discussed this with both...

Azzhoie...
——————————————-

hum..... you noticed that, did you. Spot on !!

Jerry

I wasn't responding to your post, you ignorant f.uck and I don't make deals with fa.ggots..

Try again...

Why don't you go suck some more black cock, you wrinkled old butt pirate. You and I both know you aren't good for anything else.

And yes...I admit....I'm the "ignorant f.uck." who has taken 47 species.....read that again moron..."species" with the 7 rem mag....nearly 400 individual animals....

How many of those have you killed in the mighty "dacks"?

Errrrrr....1? Dink whitetail?

Wow...

Wanna meet my wrinkled old butt, queerbait?
Sorry, not into that...

Sorry John,
Am bowing out now....
Was overcome by testosterone, brain power, and sheer MANLINESS from the liberal paradise where the mouthy geniuses can't control their electorate...my bad...
I'm going out for a 20 km ski here where we are conservatives....
MY BAD

Despite your very high opinion of yourself you aren't very bright as my original post to this thread had NOTHING to do with you. It was simply a response to Mule Deers post as to why so many people your age might have bought so many 7mm's.

I don't care how manly you think you are,with 9 million socialists in NYC voting Democrat you couldn't control them either.

Nice rationalization, pussy...
I give thousands of hours and 10's of thousands of dollars in the three states I have homes/farms/ranches...and.... YES ...and I would hope for a "thank you" from broke d!ck" failures such as you...WE are keeping America safe from YOUR liberal paradises....

Again:

I'll humbly accept your "thank you's"...

If that's not enough...I'll proffer some of the Conservative causes I support to anticipate your contribution...

It seems like there is a second pandemic of A-holeness going around. Are we all getting a little edgy?

Bob Briscoe said the 7RM was the best long range cartridge for the average shooter. I agree. Les Bowman thought it perfection for elk. Bob Hagel said it was a classic with the 160 Nosler and hard to improve upon. These writers were like crack to me in my formative years and my experiences have proved them right over and over again. Like Phil said the 7 RM is like the 30-06 what's not to like? I think of it as an improved 30-06 the advantages may not be discernible in the field but I do believe they are more than just paper advantages.

MD what happened to the 7&7 crowd in Montana? Did they give up on the 7RM or succumb to liver failure?

It's not MY liberal paradise dickhead. I was born here and won't be driven from my home by them and their policies. The area I live in is very conservative.

That went well........................

I've apologized to John per PM...

I should have acknowledged up front that magazine articles, rhetoric, pipe dreams, masturbatory fantasies....and most of all, liberal apologetics, trump 36 years of experience on 5 continents! MY BAD!!

You should have just kept your big mouth shut in matters that don't involve you you mouthy f.uckin moron.

You're 100% correct!

Me: 400+ game animals, 47 species, over 36 years...

You: 0 animals, 0 species, over a lifetime...

My bad!!!

Me...OUT!!!

Sorry, John. Good luck with the article...

[quote=Tejano]

Bob Briscoe said the 7RM was the best long range cartridge for the average shooter. I agree. Les Bowman thought it perfection for elk. Bob Hagel said it was a classic with the 160 Nosler and hard to improve upon. These writers were like crack to me in my formative years and my experiences have proved them right over and over again. Like Phil said the 7 RM is like the 30-06 what's not to like? I think of it as an improved 30-06 the advantages may not be discernible in the field but I do believe they are more than just paper advantages.
—————————————

Very Good Tejano.
I AM a 30-06 fan and user AND I can guarantee the 7 RM IS flatter shooting
past 300 yds.

Thnx

Jerry

It was 36 years just a couple minutes ago. You impress yourself far more than you impress me. My brother has a rich friend who's hunted all over the world and has a house full of trophy mounts. Doesn't mean shyt really other than he's got the money to do it. I've hunted with him here many times and his knowledge and skills are not exceptional. He would have the smarts to not blow off at the mouth and throw a childish temper tantrum over a post that wasn't even directed to him however.

Geez, John. Way to go.

I’ve hunted with the 7mm Rem Mag off and on since I was 22. I’ve never been without one in the safe. I have owned several M70s and M700s chambered in it. I have a real nice M70 Westerner chambered in it. If I had to pick one cartridge to hunt with for the rest of my life, it would be on a short list along with the 30-06. From mule deer in the snake river breaks to elk in the cascades, it does well. I guess the only real drawback is capacity compared to the 06. Recoil seems to be about the same and it does shoot a bit flatter.

I’m 37.

Don't know much about the A-holeness pandemic, except it seems to be fueled by those who create and quote it...

Bob Hagel and Les Bowman were friends of my Grandpa...both hunted on our ranch.
Who the heck is "Bob Briscoe"?
If you mean Bob Brister...he did too...and we shot Sporting Clays together more than once...

What was that again about A-holes popping in with their heads up their azzes?

Laird, I love this Board!

Please don’t pm me anymore regarding your mad masturbatory skills again. Thanks
-Consuela

Really? Are people just waiting for a reason to get up in arms? I love the 7 mag. I also love the 280. Cant tell much difference between the two on meat. I'm 49 and have used a 7 mag off and on since the late 80's.
Patrick

I have one in a Ruger Hawkeye, factory action and barrel. I am 62.
My son has one in a M70 Classic, factory action and barrel. He is 36.

I have owned one other, That I traded off about 25 years prior to acquiring this one. Personally, I consider the cartridge slightly more than a 270 Winchester. I like the .284 caliber.
This rifle may or may not get hunted with. If so it will be with 150 grain Tipped mono bullets.

I also have a 7mm WSM. I have yet to fire this 7mm Rem or WSM. Hopefully, once things normal up, I will get them sighted in. I have fired my son's at the range and it seemed to group very well.

My hunting consists of moose hunting. I prefer larger bores.

I have seen it used on big bears and it works very well !

John, 67 in July.

I'm 53, my first rifle was a 30-06 but I caught the magnum bug and bought my first 7mm 30 years ago. Could never tell any difference in the 270, 06, or 7mm on game, peas in a pod. My hunting partner is 60 and the 7mm has always been his favorite.

+1

Dogshooter’s 67 gr load works great, as I posted earlier.

What’s your best load, RL-26 and 160 NAB’s?

DF

Thanks to all who responded specifically to my question! Due to them, I have more than enough information for my article.

Turns out the average age of its fans who responded is just about the same as the 7mm Remington Magnum itself, 58 years! Which means they weren't attracted to it by the first burst of publicity, but by its enduring usefulness.

The age distribution of its fans is also remarkably similar to American hunters in general. A 2019 analysis of Americans who bought hunting licenses found the largest age-group was 45-54 (23%), and the next largest 55-64 (21%).

It also turned out that my old friend Dennis, who first suggested it was a "geezer round," is 58 years old. He's more of a .300 magnum fan, and one of the .300s he's used a lot is the H&H--which some of us would definitely consider a geezer round.

I also guessed the thread would eventually devolve into a typical Campfire/Internet shouting match, because that's just about inevitable with any thread that continues for more than a few pages.

Good hunting!
John

Applied to the 6,5 Creedmoore would mean their fans are barely teenagers attracted by its publicity.

Now, that will make for another 20 pages!

+ / + / + / cross & shield ! lol

Can't get away from the Queermoor anywhere. ...... .......


Jerry

Thanks MD for this thread. I'm glad to see 'more' than I thot using and liking the 7 RM, even tho I know it's standing in
sales of factory ammo, dies, etc.

Refreshing.


Jerry

That's NOT faint praise from someone living in Alaska and hunting Dangerous Game in NA. !!

We ALL know the 7 RM works well on Elk and Moose >> Now it's a VERIFIED dependable cartridge for Brown Bear!

ALL that is why the 7 RM is 'MY' all around cartridge...again for N A.

I have NO expectation of ever hunting Alaska for Brown Bear but the 7 RM is suitable.

THANKS 458 W ...aka Mr. Phil


Jerry

I'm 67, got my first 7mm Rem Mag in 1973 ( a Browning BAR) have owned/used several through the years. I remember an article by Col Askins who took one of the first ones Brown Bear hunting. He used the 175 factory load. He said he wondered why Remington hadn't offered it with a 160 "as everyone knows the 7mm caliber balances better with the 160 grain". Something like that. Anyhow, there were lots of great articles when it came out, wonderful for a poor 'rifle Looney in the Making", ha.

59 have used one since I was 16

Mule Deer , i enjoyed reading most of the replies about the Rem. 7 mag. very interesting ! here`s another thought ,not sure if this would be a good ideal or not, myself and many others are 25 caliber fans ? another chapter ? just a thought. thanks for this great post ! Pete53

I have bought and sold several 7mm mags over the years and still have one. I can’t recall a time that I didn’t own at least one. I’ve killed 2 elk, one antelope and a black bear with 7mms. It’s usually not the first cartridge I grab, but between my uncle and my Dad I have seen more elk killed with a 7mm Rem than any other cartridge.

Thanks John. It was interesting........................... to say the least!

And guess what my old friend and absolutely top-drawer gunmaker Jerry Fisher hunts with? An old 7mm Remington Magnum he built for himself decades ago.

This thread rekindles my interest in the 7MM Mag, think I'll order a new Mod 70 Monday. Or maybe an older 700 with the safety that locks the trigger and bolt. Or maybe a nice #1. I have the dies, brass and bullets, so way not. Never had a Tikka so maybe I'll take a look at one, resisting them but they seem to be loved on the Fire. I'll take one of each!

I like the way you roll!

"attaboy Dave" ! That's the only way to really scratch an itch! Feels soooo good.

Jerry

52 years old

7mm Remington Magnum since 1993

My current “7mm Rem Mag” is the “7mm RST” (Red-headed Step Sister) aka the 284 Win. 🤔😉

This thread rekindles my interest in the 7MM Mag, think I'll order a new Mod 70 Monday. Or maybe an older 700 with the safety that locks the trigger and bolt. Or maybe a nice #1. I have the dies, brass and bullets, so way not. Never had a Tikka so maybe I'll take a look at one, resisting them but they seem to be loved on the Fire. I'll take one of each!

70, I got my first one in 1979, a Winchester Model 777. My next was a Ruger 77 that I've passed on to my son. Still a favorite with both of us, 7 seems to be a great number for us.

I’m 56. I bought a Tikka 7mm Rem Mag about 5 years ago, but only because my brother (3 years my senior) bought one. He bought his new, changed the stock, added a brake, changed the trigger, and then shot it for the first time.

I bought mine used, ran a boresnake through it, installed a spare Leupold, and it shot better than his. So yeah, just to make a point. I used it on my last two elk hunts, one shot each.

69 grains Reloader 26, 162 Eldx.



P

64 years old , used a sako and a remington in 7mmmag , but these days my tikka .270 is my go to rifle.

Nobody mentioned Kirt Darner on this thread.I’m 58 and am sure he sold a few 7mags for Remington back then.Being young and from the East,I had both Kirt and the round on a pedestal thinking I needed one to reach out for that 30” Mulie I would kill “Out West” like Kirt.

I have had many and still hunt with the 7mm Rem. Taking quite a few deer and my only elk with 160 accubonds @ 3,000 FPS.One shot kill on the bull but it didn’t punch through both shoulders @300 yards.

Today I use the 270 Winchester mostly because it’s a little lighter to carry for deer.

Turned out Kirt was an outlaw in the end.

77 years old. I have had several 7mm Remington Mags over the years, but none of them were ever my "favorite". I often took one to elk camp, but only as a backup. I have taken at least two elk with a 7 mag, as well as a couple of Colorado mule deer, a very large Nebraska sandhills whitetail and a Coues whitetail-- all of them just because that was what I happened to be carrying that day.

I'm 46, there's one in the safe and it is used regularly, so I guess I'm a fan.
It also has 7-08,7X57and7X65R friends in the safe so I guess I am really a fan of that bullet diameter.

I'm 60 and got my first 7RM in 1977. It was a Sako Finnbear and I regret selling it. I've killed over 200 head of big game with this cartridge including elk, mule deer, white tail, shiras moose, pronghorn, bighorn, black bear. I've used a couple dozen other cartridges and have been happy with all as long as the bullet matches the cartridge and game. I consider the 7RM to have a high ratio of good performance to the recoil given. I believe I've had four rifles thus chambered through the years and feel they have been well balanced in performance and practicality. I could say the same about a few other chamberings too.

A friend got a Tikka T3 light in 300 WSM and the recoil was too much for him and he went through Marine sniper training. He got it ported but I didn't care for it either way. The 7RM might have just enough of a reduction in recoil it might be alright. Might want to try one first if you can.

I am new to the 7mm Reminton Magnum.....less than a year.

It is an OLD blued Savage 110 with a wood stock that was an old truck gun. The blue is worn on the high spots all over it and the anodizing on the scope was worn from front to back. I got it for $250 at a pawnshop with the intention to change the barrel to another caliber. The handloader in me said "try it".........I am glad I did. It is the most accurate high intensity cartridge I load for at the bench. It was also the easiest to find an accurate load for from the first moment I fired it.

I have never shot a cartridge at 300 yards, with a witness, that grouped 2 inches. When we were done I wondered how or why I avoided it for so long. I answered my own question, I was happy with the .243 and know what it and I could do. I know I do not have the hunting experience nor the marksmanship skills as others, but this "IS'" a cartridge that lends itself to helping a shooter realize accurate shooting without a lot of fuss. I have only accomplished the same accuracy with a .243 Winchester. I never expected the same from a belted magnum and me behind the bolt. I have seen others shoot it and they always did very well and I felt it was because they had used it for many years and knew how to "handle" its strength. I am now a part of that group and could not be happier.

The load it likes is:
IMR 4831...61.7 GRAINS
Speer 145 BTSP
Federal brass with Winchester Large Rifle primers. I tried Federal 215's it made no difference only a 13 fps change.
Choronoed: 3080 fps
This load produced the group at 300 yds on that day.

Forgive my rambling JB (Mule Deer), I just enjoy shooting it. When I sat down and compared it to other cartridges and especially their bullets its rather difficult to "not like it".
It offers alot and then some. It will be the cartridge I use this hunting season.
Do I like it? Yes I do, very much so.


I am 50 years old.

Best

Heavy

I kinda forgot about it but you're right, I bought a couple of Kirt's books during the 80s before his reputation went down the tubes, and his praise of the 7mm Remington Magnum was a major influence on my decision to purchase one.

My first rifle was a 7RM, strictly b/c I could not find a 270, it was in the 80s, a well used 700 ADL, but the old SS OEM barrel, coated black. It had the trigger tuned as I recall, and had been floated and bedded in the recoil lug. My first loads were a 145 BTSP on deer, a large 8pt at 30 whopping yds, destroyed the on shoulder, wrecked the lungs, never exited, bullet exploded, nothing but shrapnel. My load was SUPPOSED to mimic 280 speeds, but the Speer manual was revised, as it had been I believe a Savage and later a new test gun which showed the pressures were much higher and speeds, in normal rifles.

Had fun shooting a few 115 HPs at 3375 chrono'd - heavy recoil so later dropped down around 3 - 3,100, dumped a coyote - saw the feet all 4 straight up as he went upside down the instant I pulled the trigger, yes via a 3-9 Leupold...he stopped going away, and turned his head, shoulder/neck shot. Later went on a diet of 160 Sierra and 162 Hornady BTSP as I recall, 4831, about 2850 as I recall. They shot much better than the lighter 145 above and 140 BT. Loaned it to someone who dumped plenty deer. I sold it to enjoy a milder 243 ADL.

Years later bought a 700 BDL SS on sale, NIB, it doted on 150 BTs, 1/2" was common at 100 yds for 3, using a 3-9x40 4200. Sold it, just never felt I needed it. Did shoot a Sako wood stock once, in 7RM, recoil was bad, something about that stock angle....

Later, I went to 7/08s and now many 6.5s and even 6BR and 243s. I did a 7 MIDGET for quite some time.......a Model 7 in 7BR, a Pac-Nor job, very accurate, mild, and deadly. Finn Aaggard did a write up on the BR in a few mags like American Rifleman/Hunter and maybe Guns and Ammo or Shooting Times.

I still view the 7RM as a no non-sense round that when fed 150-162s has a lot of utility for someone needing reach. It is not that much more in practicality over say a 270, 280, or '06, IMHO, but the slight edge in trajectory and ammo that performs if one buys it, seems to be there. I prefer a belt-less round for headspacing, less recoil, and an extra round in the same rifle / mag capacity.

For me, it's more recoil than I want at this point of my life. I was 21 when I bought that first one....nowadays I'd just as soon use a mild 6.5 or perhaps try that PRC.

IME, the 150 BT and 160-162s seemed to GEL better than the 140 class.......those 115s were not stellar, but did drop some critters - some way out there, and that MV made it flat to 250-300 yds that I was shooting.

Looking forward to your article and results.

My earlier couple of comments were not to make light of Rem’s 7 but I primarily took deer with it in the ‘80’s. It’s interesting because I had R BDLs in both the 270 and the 7 Mag and while the Mag had a 24” barrel and the 270, a 22”, and the Mag was bit heavier, there were no differences down range on antelope or deer that I could tell of.

I was using 130’s of various flavors in the 270 and 150’s in the Mag so mv’s might have been very close.

I don’t even remember noticing a difference in recoil. It’s a very good cartridge. We’re I thirty again, I’d build one.

i should mention this my good friend who was a sniper in the army for Desert Storm and was one of the 1st over there in that mess , his age early 50 `s i think ? 7 Rem. mag. is his favorite cartridge and just purchased from me a new Long Range Remington and a new Ruger #1 both in a 7 Rem.mag. and he is still a Schmidt & Bender ,mil dot scope man.

Yes, I was very disappointed and sad to find that about him. Too bad.

Jerry

I'm soon to be 58, got my first Big 7 at around 42. Bought to flip through the gun shop but took it to deer camp. Killed a deer with it and decided I wouldn't be without one. Don't really know why, just an above average doe at less than 100 yds, but something clicked I guess. I'm on my 4th 7 Mag, a Tikka super light, just got it last year. I had a Tikka Hunter for over 10 years. Funny thing, I took 7's to Colorado, Wisconsin even Africa (well the ammo made it there even though the airline saw fit to not include my rifle case and rifles), I've only killed 4-5 deer with a 7 in those 15 years.

I am a fan, although I can't say why. Of course, maybe it's because we were both born in the same year.

KC

Switch - As I mentioned I have a T3 X in 7mm RM and it is pleasant to shoot....to me.

Don't know where you live but I'd be glad to donate some rounds for you to shoot mine. For real.
The T3 X Lite 7 RM weighs just 3 oz more than my T3 Lite 270 Both carrying the same scope.

I live in SW Ark. PM if you're interested.


Jerry

67. I have 5. Bought first in 73, owned at least a dozen

3 - Sakos
1-Kleinguenther
1- 798 Mauser

73, I still use -my go to gun- I got in 1962. Remington 700 ADL. About 30 years ago I put a BDL Bell and Carlson stock on it and made it clip fed instead of a blind magazine. Some guy in Ohio made them in his garage long before Remington offered them. It is one of the original stainless steel barrels and still shoots minute of deer for me. I use 63 gr of IMR 4350 and 150 gr NBTs. Long case life and good accuracy. About 15 years ago I realized I didn't need 3000fps mv to kill a deer. I haven't shot my 7mmSTW since lol.

Mike

54 yrs old.
I bought my 7MM RM in mid 80's. It's my hunting partner every fall.
150gr Nosler Partition Federal Premiums were my go to round until they became very difficult to find over the counter so I have been using 160gr Nosler Partition Federal Premiums for at least the last ten to fifteen years.
Early on it would have been chit house luck to find 7MM ammo in a small town in Montana. They seem to be more readily available now though.
The 7MM will be in the breaks again this year and with a little luck I hope to be dragging/packing more home to the dinner table.

After having rifles in 6 mm Rem and 7x57, I came into some money in 1988 and had Brown Precision build me a rifle in 7 mm Rem. I shot it for a couple of years and then had it reamed to 7 Mashburn. I like it more as a Mashburn and have since had a another rifle made in Mashburn. I had the second rifle stocked with a Brown pound'r and shoot 175 gr Sierras and Noslers in it. Finshed weight is 7 3/4 lbs. 73 gr H1000 gives me 3075 fps and avg groups of 5 shots at about .75". The Mashburn is what the Remington was supposed to be from the factory before the unexpected pressure excursions reared their ugly head.

Using 162 gr. Hornady interlocks in the original gun after Mashburn conversion I have killed deer out to about 475 yds with some regularity using a 2.5x10 Swavorski Prohunter.

I have a light weight Rem 700 30-06 for guests who come to hunt. I load 150 gr. Barnes bullets in the 06. I'm 69 and think some version of big 7 at 7.5 to 8 lbs of weight is a really great combination of sectional density, velocity, portability, and recoil.

YMMV.

I was wondering if anyone would bring up the pressure excursion issue.

If you knew.... I don't know how many hundred rounds of 7 RM I've CHRONOGRAPHED... they're all recorded.....

I've seen NO spikes in velocities that would catch your attention. The 'fastest' burning powder I EVER put in a 7 mag
case is IMR 4350 > then IMR 4831 > then Surplus 4831 > Now Rl 26.

I have NO idea of 'what' powders gave the pressure spikes..... I did not find one.


Jerry

ps: M D, I'm listening, seriously.

nice post Jordan.... not long winded at all...

48 years old.

Longest kill to date on a whitetail was with my buddy's 7Mag at 635yds. I currently own 2, an M77 Express and an M77 MarkII boat paddle. Never taken a deer with either of them, but the boat paddle is one of the most accurate rifles in my safe. Great round but mine rarely get used since I got my 7mm-08.

Got a Ruger in the early 70s, killed lots of deer with it. I'm headed toward 71 fast. Didn't hunt it last year but will this year..

I believe as I’d last heard, ol Chuck Mawhinney used a 7 Rem Mag and a Nightforce to keep them Oregon elk and deer at bay.. MD may have better details but I thought he was a Ruger man and just hammered with factory ammo as well.

Fella did a lot of serious work in the 60’s.

beretz,

You got it right, except the scope. When I interviewed him, Chuck was using a Vortex. His wife had bought him the Ruger 77 as a gift quite a while before, and he did use factory ammo. As I recall he was using a 175-grain factory load that he found shot very well, so bought a bunch. May have to look it up the story to refresh my memory....

Mule Deer,
What about polling a thread on age for the 'fire in general? Might be interesting to see how it stacks up against the 7mm RM age stats? Wonder if we are not all well above the millenials as a whole, on average?

There are 2 in the safe. 38

I have 1 in my safe. Will use it, depending on what I draw.
59 !

I'm 74. I bought my first 7 mm RM about 20 years ago. It was my first magnum rifle and is my smallest magnum rifle (behind my .300 Wby and .375 RUM). I've taken it on two African hunts and three Canadian caribou hunts. It's stainless in a plastic stock and is my primary foul weather rifle.

I mostly hunt the thick, NorthEastern USA woods, so a Savage 99 in .250-3000, ,300 Sav, or 358 Win, are my go to cartridges. That said, IF i'm hunting a gas line, power line, or large field, my Browning A-bolt in 7mm Rem Mag is my go to firearm. I'm 52 btw. -TomT

Blair,
Dunno if Jerry ever told you this, but he told it when Melvin Forbes and I visited Jerry's shop a long time ago.

His Model 70 was originally a 7x57, but when the 7mm RM came out (along with all the hoopla) Jerry decided to rechamber and otherwise convert his rifle. He said he kind of regretted it, because "all it did was kick harder, but didn't kill any better." That said, I don't believe Jerry is a long-range hunter.

He also told a story about how he took the rifle to New Zealand on a red stag hunt. The outfitter assured Jerry that he had plenty of 7mm RM ammo on hand, so not to bother bringing any--and Jerry didn't. However, when he got to the lodge (like many in NZ, pretty remote) the outfitter looked in his ammo stash and found exactly ONE round of 7mm Remington Magnum ammo. As Jerry said, "So much for the scope-checking shot."

Jerry didn't know what the bullet was, and I can't remember if he even told me the brand. They decided to go hunting anyway, due to the nearest ammo shop being a day's drive away--and Jerry wouldn't shoot unless the shot was 200 yards or less. He killed the stag neatly, then headed home to Montana.

Maybe someone already mentioned this, but a guy who was middle aged when the initial hype was happening (maybe the most likely buyers) is likely to be dead by now.

A 7RM was the first new big game rifle I purchased, and I've had a number of them since.

I like most any 7, and I think the 7RM is a great round.

I'm 66 now.

I am 63, and have mostly hunted in my home province of Saskatchewan. I know the 7mm Rem. magnum is a popular round in Western Canada, but oddly, not among my family and friends. I regularly hunted with only one companion who used one, and that was only for a period of 5 years or so back in the 80's. None of my family shoots a 7mm Mag. I have a few casual friends who hunt with 7mm rifles, and a very few of them have joined me on hunts. In my circle of close friends and family, the .300 Win mag. is also rare. My family and friends shoot a lot of .270's, .308's, 30-06, and 7mm08 rifles. Or jump up to .35 Whelen, 9.3x62, and .375. If I want to shoot a 7mm bullet faster than my 7x57 or 7mm08 rifles can produce, I use one of my 7x64s.

Thanks John, he did not tell this one; I’ll hit him up about it. I have no trouble believing it though.

Blair

Switch - As I mentioned I have a T3 X in 7mm RM and it is pleasant to shoot....to me.

Don't know where you live but I'd be glad to donate some rounds for you to shoot mine. For real.
The T3 X Lite 7 RM weighs just 3 oz more than my T3 Lite 270 Both carrying the same scope.

I live in SW Ark. PM if you're interested.
--------------------------------------------------------------


Thanks Jerry, wish I lived closer, but I live in Nevada. I think I can handle the recoil, but we'll see. Pretty much decide to go that way Monday when I con order though a local dealer.I've got a bad left shoulder so light weight is important.


**I think I've seen pictures of your rifles.

**Do you the Light Weight Talley mounts? If so what height? I've used the Talley steel mounts on my Mod 70's in the low height, but I got a set of the low light Talley's and they seem to be too low on a 700 Rem
-----------------------------------------------

I went back and my rifle isn't in this thread but in another.






Don't have any Talleys. These are Warne bases and Weaver Med. rings.

I like Med or Hi rings and I don't have to lean my head over too much.
On heavy kickers, I prefer HI rings. My head is more upright and recoil is more natural. Here's my 300 WM w/ Hi rings.



I know, I know, breaking the PC rules... Works for me.

Good Luck, btw I have a T3 Lite SS in 270 also. I like em.

Jerry

Jerry, other than being a pain in the ass to get scope leveled, I really like Weaver mounts, stong and really light. They've work for manu people for many years.

John, I'll be 59 in June.

When my older brother and I were kids, we drooled through the pages of the the yearly Remington catalog. Using the ballistic charts in the back, we were both convinced the 7-em-em Rem Mag was the answer to all hunting questions.

Having (hopefully) moved past childhood I can say I've only owned one 7mm RM... and I never shot it! I bought the M70 for its action. The way I see it, it's a harder kicking 270/30-06. If I want something more than either of those two, I'll get something substantially more.

And I can't fathom using the 7mm RM on Midwestern deer from a treestand...

Thanks, Brad.

Actually, it doesn't kick noticeably more than a .30-06--and just about identically, when .30-06 handloads are heated up a little, as many handloading hunters do.

John,

I am 68 and own only one 7mm Magnum. I purchased a Remington BDL Stainless Synthetic around 2002 to take on my first elk hunt in 2003. My only other centerfire rifle at that time was a .270 and I thought I needed more, now with more experience I would have hunted with the .270. I hunted northwest Colorado below Graig in the White River National Forest with four other guys, they each carried 300 mags of some type. I was the only one to get a elk, a 5x5 bull that I shot at approximately 75 yards.

I still own that rifle and have since put it in a Mcmillan Hunter stock with edge fill and replaced the Leupold scope with a Schmidt and Bender. It has sit in the gun safe unhunted to this day, so I guess I would be [u]classified as an owner that is a non-user,[/u] if you have such a classification in your survey.

My next elk hunt I took and Weatherby 338-06, that I found a great deal on, and since we would be hunting Wyoming grizzly country I thought it a better option than the 7mag.

I would take a 30-06 over the 7mm mag today if elk were the prey.

[quote=Mule Deer]Thanks, Brad.

Actually, it doesn't kick noticeably more than a .30-06--and just about identically, when .30-06 handloads are heated up a little, as many handloading hunters do.
-----------------------------------------

That's my perception as well.
I have been surprised that some complain of recoil with the 7 RM.

Jerry

Re: recoil, never liked the recoil of either the '06 or 7RM...the 270 was fine running handloads with 150s. I ran 160/162s or faster 150s in the 7 and typically 165s in one '06 I used long enough to free float it, do a trigger job and do some range testing. Latter a 77 Laminate SS, the former 2 were the 700 ADL and BDL SS I spoke about.

Synthetic stocks dampen recoil I can tell you. Also, recoil pads matter......now about the comment Brad - YES, I agree if I want more than standard 270, 280, or 06, I too want more rifle....as in a 338 or 9.3, but the 338/06 is preferred over the WM, again, recoil and they will fly MUCH Flatter than many know. A 200 BT at 2900+ or a 225 at 2670 is plenty reach and power for much hunting, No doubt a 180 or 200 in an '06 has a lot of potential to offer, but not my cup of tea.

But back to recoil - many variables as many of you know that affects the perceived recoil....

Now back to the 270, another Fine round, Ed Matunas did an extensive write up long ago. He found MANY 270s he tested fell far short of expected speeds, whether due to weak loaded factory ammo, but even in reloads. He said it may have been chamber specs, bore tolerances, etc. So for that reason he liked the 06 which tended to be more consistently close to published speeds. Odds are now, modern rifles and ammo, are perhaps more to 'Spec' in quality guns and ammo. I must say I have had some 'Fast' 7/08s that nip on the heels of 270s.........using 21" - as in 2960 with 139/140s and reloads safe in my guns. Accurate too. So like a poster above, I found the 7/08 better for my use......now that round is likely getting less play with the 6.5 CM out, and common 308.

I don't need anymore verification than those.

He has the experience many don't.....including myself.


Jerry

John,
I have never owned a 7mm Rem Mag. but considered it many times over the years. Never thought I needed the extra velocity where I hunt in the eastern states. When I started hunting in the west I purchased a 300 win mag. because I wanted the ability to use heavier bullets than available in a 7mm. It’s nice to have so many good choices. I’m 50 yrs old.

We averaged the member age here a while back. It was 63, seems a lot of us that age have 7 mags.

Some midwestern deer are shot at very long range and there is not always time to play with a turret.. Flat traj. is very important in some of this hunting..

Ive had a 7mm Rem mag off and on since the mid 70s. Current one plus a 7mm Mashburn have been hunted with on 2 elk hunts the past 4 years, but nothing taken. I have multiple 06s and find the recoil about the same but much prefer the flatter trajectory of the 7s. I'm beginning to prefer shooting them a bit more than my 300s, but still have no recoil problems shooting anything from my 416s on down. 65yrs old.

52 years old. Inherited Rem. 700 ADL in 7mm mag., hunted with it 1993-2005, 11 or 12 elk and 3-4 deer, all but one elk with 175 grain Hornady spire points, which that rifle likes. Not a particular fan of the round. Switched to 30-06, although I still have 7mm. Seemed to me to recoil more than an '06 and that rifle has a poor trigger. As well, I don't love the 26" barrel.

I'm guessing the average age of 7mmRM users has more to do with the average age of users of this site than users of the cartridge itself. I'm wondering what the average age would be if the same question was asked on a site with a younger user base like SH or LRH.

14 pages; not bad! When I stopped chasing mulies and elk in 2012, a lot of my bolt rifles got traded or sold for field shotguns and lever action rifles. Always liked my Mod 70 in 7RM, but it went. It was/is a fantastic round to be sure. John, I'm 69 now and just shoot the levers, but, that Mod70 was pretty slick. Gonna be a good article to read. Thanks.

Interesting question. Those younger guys may be more into trendy, boutique rounds, than an old fogey hunting round. But your question definitly has merit.

You're asking if the data will be skewed to the Fire, that we Loony types may not be mainstream, may not be a valid population for unbiased statistical sampling...

Hmmm...

DF

I had a Ruger No 1 B in 7 RM for about ten years. Worked great hunting over bean fields and logging operations in NC from permanant stands. I eventally realized it didn't do anything that a 30-06 wouldn't do and sold it for a much trimmer and lighter No 1 A. I'm 67 now and mostly shoot levers also, but still have the No 1 A.

jonesmd4, yep, enjoy the levers. A lot. But, I did keep my Ruger#1B in 30-06. Just can' t seem to part with that one. I mean, it is sort of a lever! Do like the #1's.

Yep, can't argue with that. I have a #1 '06 RSI red pad that shoots factory 150's around MOA. I've not worked up loads, but think it should do better than that. Trigger is excellent, has some grain pattern in the wood. I like my scope set back a bit, so used a rail to position the rear ring over the action. Not as pretty as conventional rings, but works well with low Weavers.

DF

While this a tangent to a tangent, Ruger does male extension rings that work well and look a little better:

https://shopruger.com/basket.asp

On a #1, I use the extension ring in the rear, normal one on the front.

Well, as long as we're highjacking this thread...

I wonder if the offset Med is as low as this rail with low Weavers (.9")

DF

7mm RM was "my" first rifle. Dad let use his rifles to work up to heavier recoilers through our first few years of hunting. I found my 700ADL at the local, small-town shop - $300 in pristine condition in 1993. I only had $150 cash - dad fronted the rest, and I worked for him all summer to pay my debt.

It was my one and only from 1993 through 2002, and HIGHLY effective on our Texas WTs and hogs. In 2002, I picked up a M7 7mm-08 that took the lead role in my hunting, then others to follow. I have resurrected the 7mm RM since 2002. Once on a West Texas WT hunt in 2006. I finished off a big, old buck at around 280 yards that my wife had hit a little low/back. The second time was a Rolling Plains hunt in 2014.

For most, I have probably not taken full advantage of the 7mm RM. I don't recall ever shooting anything other than the 140gr NBTs in front of a book max of IMR4350. The last time I chronoed them, I believe they were around 3250 FPS out of the 24" barrel. The flat-shooting combo (at normal hunting distances) gave a bit of a cheat factor in the pre-rangefinder days. The other positive for the combo was the relatively mild recoil.

Even though it stays in the back corner of the safe these days, it would be my last gun to go.

39 YO, here...

I'm 39 and a big fan of the 7RM. I own 2, and have been using the round for around 10 years. My first was a Ruger Hawkeye All-Weather. Accuracy is just so-so, around 1.5 MOA, but the rifle clearly doesn't fit me well as perceived recoil feels worse than my 300 Win Mag and about the same as my 300 Weatherby. It's still in the safe, but rarely comes out.

My second 7RM, which I purchased about 2 years ago, is a Tikka T3X Lite SS. This is the rifle that helped me to fall in love with the cartridge. Recoil feels about the same as or less than my 30-06, and the rifle shoots like a typical Tikka. 160 Accubonds and 175 Partitions will both shoot into .5"-.6" groups when loaded over the appropriate amount of R22. I feel that this Tikka is a great all-rounder, especially with those two bullets. I like to pick one good bullet and load and use it for everything out of a given rifle. The 7RM is more rifle than needed for most whitetail deer hunts, but its great for longer shots or larger game, and is capable as far as I'm capable of shooting.

Seems like I'm on the younger side of the 7RM's fan base. Of the guys around my age that I know that hunt, the .308 is far and away the most popular round. There are also few that load their own ammo. Nothing against the .308, but I've never been very interested in it.

Not a fan. I'm 51.

Well I can't resist any longer. Personally have never used the 7mmRM but for around 30+ yrs. hunted with 2 brothers who did.
One bought a box of Remington factory ammo (150 gr.) every year, shot 10-15 rnds./yr.
The other guy bought whatever was cheapest that year and shot about as much.
Between the 2 of them there is likely 2-3 life times of factory ammo sitting!
They were 2 of the deadliest "meat shooters" I have ever known!!
I used a Schultz & Larsen 7x61S&H for a few years. It worked.
I have an Interarms 7mmRM I may get around to trying out this fall or not.
The 275 Rigby has always been more than ample for me!

66 in May

Those Mashburns sound darned we’ll set up!

I'm 70. Ben shooting a 7RM since high school in the sixties. Not every year but occasionally. I have a 40XB in 7RM for accuracy testing and several hunting rifles of several makes so chambered. When IMR 7828 came out I used it to good effect on a lot of Colorado Big Game. As soon as this Colorado winter goes away I want to work up loads with 8133. Seems like a 175 at 2900 would make a long range hammer. I have also noticed that used 7RM don't sell well here in Colorado anymore along with 270, but 30-06 and 300 Win Mags leave quickly and for more money,

hmmm, sounds familiar.


Jerry

There are more than 2 of us.

Jerry

"Seems like I'm on the younger side of the 7RM's fan base. Of the guys around my age that I know that hunt, the .308 is far and away the most popular round. There are also few that load their own ammo. Nothing against the .308, but I've never been very interested in it."

I had one. Meh.


Jerry

You sound like someone I know.

Jerry

Here's one I missed:

I'm not a 7 mag guy. Nothing against it, everything I do can be done with a lot less powder. I'm 45.

j, my best use for a .308 was take off the barrel and make something worthwhile!! Mackay and Pat like them, but the are in a class by themselves...

Well..... I didn't do that because when I had a 308 W I was hunting mature hardwood in SW Miss. and 'almost' any cal/cartridge would have sufficed. After I moved.... I moved the 308 to flatter shooting cartridges. NEVER missed the 308.

Jerry

I was a little off on velocity. 3205 FPS out of the 24” tube.

If I’m not mistaken, we have the same rifle. 👍

Ahh huh, yes sir.

Jerry

Before moving to Colorado 25 years ago I bought a SS Savage in 7 Mag and put a 3X9 leupold on it, thinking elk were bullet proof. If spent a lot of time and money (I don't reload) trying to find a load that it liked. I finally found the sweet spot and wouldn't you know it I sold it to one of my students who really liked it. I never hunted that gun once although he put together a pretty god string of mule deer and elk kills with it. I am 60 years old and like many folks have already stated I am ok with hunting with rifles that recoil a whole lot less. Alas, back to my 6.5 roots.

I am 40 y o and I am a fan of the 7mm Rem mag. My 700 sps in 7 mag with Leupold 6x42 is my primary big game hunting rifle but I do also have some other rifles a 243, 30-30, 30-06 and a 340 Weatherby.

I love the balance of bullet weight, diameter, recoil and trajectory that Remingtons 7mm magnum provides.

Edited to add: The load I shoot in my Big Seven is the 162 gr Hornady SST with 70 gr Retumbo behind it. Shoots consistently sub MOA with chrono verified velocity 3045 fps avg. As an extra bonus, Woodleigh's 160 gr weldcore with the same load shoots to the same point of impact and the trajectory is as close as I can tell out to at least 250 yards, as far as I have tracked it, and the velocity averages a bit higher too at about 3060 fps. I doubt if I could ever build a better load for general purpose big game hunting out here in BC. Well, at least until I run out of Retumbo...

I shot my first deer in 1963. My dad was a 30-06 guy. I started with a 30-30 and graduated to a 30-06 in about 1968. Looked at 7RM for a couple of builds but never saw that it did anything a 30-06 wouldn't do. Also 30 caliber always offered greater bullet selection. Nothing against it, just never saw the need for anything more than 180's @2800fps.

I’m 62, bought my 1st in 1977 $205 Remington 700 BDL.

At 64 I've never owned a 7Mag. Circa 1982 I fell in love with a tanger 77 in 280 ( actually the barrel was stamped 7mm Exp Rem) and later became enamored of the 7x57.

My dad hunted with a 7mm Remington Magnum exclusively for 35 years. He was laughing with me the other day remembering that when he bought it everyone tried to talk him out of it. Lack of ammunition availability was the reason. But he has hand loaded for it since day 1. He killed the gamut with it.

I’m 43 and haven’t hunted as much as him with it, I like to cartridge experiment too much. However, I have done a bunch of hunting with it and currently with the 7mm Mashburn. I will likely wear it’s current barrel out before hunting with much else.

pathfinder,

One of my early hunting mentors, my first wife's grandfather, told me I was nuts in 1974 when I purchased a Remington 700 ADL .270 Winchester--because he'd bought a .270 Winchester when it was young, and "couldn't find ammo."

To add to my original post, while I like the 7 mm RM a lot, these days I'd rather use either my 6.5x55, or 270 Win. As I got older I liked recoil a lot less, even though the 7 RM is reasonable enough.

Seems a good bullet in the same place with any of the three has the same result.

John, you need to get photos of all these Mashburns and in conjunction with Dobrenski do an article on it.

Now that would be cool as heck! I'd buy some extras!

Heck, most all of them look the same except for Dobers and yours.. Dobers as a 700 and yours with the bolt on the wrong darned side!

Laughing! True!

Mule Deer
In your travels what has been the availability you have seen for the 7mm Rem Mag around the globe?
GreggH

I’m 45 and own a sako fiberclass and a semi custom 700. 160 accu bonds in the sako used to be my main squeeze. Worked good for lots of deer, coyotes and elk.

GreggH,

7mm has been very available everywhere I've traveled, except perhaps not quite so much in Europe. Oh, it's available in gun shops, but not like it is in Africa or Canada.

John

Any chance we would ever see an article on whether long throating the 7mm rem mag or the .30-06 actually works? Some of the older articles like dog zappers in the .30-06 and Wootters made it seem almost magical. Lot of respect for those two guys but I always wondered if it wasn’t like the extra velocity in an AI coming from higher pressures

Kellywk,

That's been my experience.

While longer throats do allow more velocity, it's not as much as many people believe, mostly because they've never performed their experiments while actually testing pressures at the same time. This is true whether the longer throat is used to seat bullets further out, or simply to serve as "freebore," as in the Weatherby rounds.

The basic rule of thumb is the 4-to-1 Rule I developed by crunching the numbers from a bunch of pressure-tested loading data: Any increase in powder capacity results in about 1/4 as much increase in potential velocity--at the SAME pressure. This was confirmed in a different way by the late Don Miller, the guy who developed the rifling twist formula used almost universally these days.

Let's say somebody lengthens the throat on a .30-06 by 1/4 inch. This results in .0186 of a cubic inch of extra powder space--.25 inch times the cross-sectional area of a .30 caliber bullet, .0745 inch. This amounts to about 5 grains of extra powder space, which sounds like a lot until you consider the .30-06 case holds about 60 grains of powder with a 180-grain bullet seated. The longer throat thus results in about an 8% increase in powder room--and 1/4 of 8% is 2%.

If the .30-06 is capable of 2800 fps with a 180 (and it is, even at SAAMI pressures, with some powders), then the extra 2% will up the potential velocity to about 2850--again, at the SAME pressure.

But if we increase the pressure from the SAAMI maximum average pressure (MAP) of 60,000 PSI to 70,000 PSI (about where many "pressure signs" used by handloaders typically start appearing) the velocity can rise to around 3000 fps--or even a little more, depending on the powder.

Is this safe? Absolutely--in those conditions, in that rifle. But pressures are never constant, even with today's far less temperature-sensitive powders, the reason SAAMI (a collection of ammo and firearms manufacturers) has yet to approve a MAP of over 65,000 PSI: There are too many variables to expect 70,000 PSI to work safely in every rifle, under all conditions.

Which is exactly why I conducted the experiments with the .223 Remington, loading it up until "pressure signs" appeared, then backing down to the last load that didn't results in any such signs. Obviously that load was safe in the pair of .223s I tested it in, but the velocities were so close to those quote by fans if the .223 Ackley Improved there was no practical difference. Which indicates the velocities achieved by .223 AI fans are almost entirely due to more pressure, not the little bit of extra powder room.

And a little bit extra powder room, whether in freebore or seating bullets out farther, is what throat lengthening is all about.

Staying under SAAMI the 65K in the 7mm Rem Mag, it took a 26 inch barrel and R26 before I could ever reach 3100fps with a 160gr. ( I used the Sierra 160 HPBT) I "chased" that 3100 several times throughout the past 40 'with 24" barrels and older powders. I realized If I wanted that ( or more!) I had to use a 26" barrel and went to , first, the 7mm STW. Even then, 3100 "with great accuracy" was 50/50. Then I was gifted a 25" 7mm RUM. Now we're cooking! ha. However, I actually settled on the 140 TTSX and its best accuracy ( 3400). I've had a few rifles that shot faster, but for the most part, their best accuracy was at a bit slower speeds. For "sure fire speed results though", get a bigger round, ha.

I just finished up the 7mm RM article Wednesday, and sent it off. In the 24.4" barrel of a Mauser M18, 67.0 grains of RL-26 got a little under 3000 fps with more than one 160-grain bullet. The maximum charge of RL-26 listed in the latest Speer manual for 160s is 66.3 grains, which is also listed at a little under 3000.

But as I also point out in the article (which is about new powders and bullets) most new bullets these days have higher BCs than the typical softpoint flat-bases used for years in the cartridge. Today's bullets don't need to be started as fast to obtain "magnum" downrange ballistics.

“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.”
John Steinbeck


Except in the case of Montana - it's true!

Any mention of the “new 7mm mag” in the form of the .270 Winchester, 150 grain bullets and RL26?

I'm 50 1/2 and never used a 7 mm Rem mag but am a fan of the slower and more nostalgic 7mm. I haven't been checking the fire as much since I am working from home and doing a little more domestic work. Can't read the fire during lunch like I used to. Any way missed this poll until today.

Spent a few minutes last night looking at the latest Nosler data for LR Accubonds in 30-06. I'm interested in high BC 180-200ish gr loads for the 30-06. A Creedmoor for old guys. For some reason, went to look at the 7 mm Rem Mag data too, and was impressed with the possibilities. Impressed enough that I started to search for my first 7 mm Rem mag...

JB, what publication will the article appear and about when...want to make sure I have good reference material.

It will be in Handloader in a couple months.

The .30-06 also works a lot better than many 21st-century handloaders can apparently imagine with new bullets and powders!

I got my first 7mmRM in 2005, a used 1977 Ruger #1, I am 69 years old. I killed (3) mule deer in 2011

I had been hunting with a pre 64 M70 Win 270, but the 7mmRM could hit the 10" circle every time at 500 yards and the 270 was only sure in my hands to 400 yards.

I built a 7mmRM with a VZ24 Mauser. I got (1) mule deer and (1) antelope in 2012

I built a 7mmRM with a 1963 Rem700 action. I got (1) mule deer in 2014

I bought a 1994 factory Browning 1885 7mmRM I got (1) mule deer and (1) antelope in 2015

I built another Rem700 7mmRM. I got (3) mule deer and (1) white tail deer in 2017... that little WT doe was a 630 yards [tiny target]

I have also built a Mosin Nagant 7mmRM and never shot anything but targets with it.
I have also built (2) 1908 Braz Mausers 7mmRM and never shot anything but targets with them.

I also have Winchester, Savage, and Remington 7mmRM factory rifles I have not shot, but might rebarrel.

I have(2) 7mmRM reamers and (1) 7mm throater.
I have (11) 7mmRM dies. You know you are a nerd when you have all dies on a spreadsheet.


My brother is 62 and has shot deer, antelope, and elk with his factory stock Rem 700 7mmRM.

My current 23" barrel 30-06 does 2825 with Re16 and 180 Accubonds. A 0.507 BC makes this combo a flat shooter and wind bucket - with a big game bullet. At a shade over 7lbs it is also delivers tolerable recoil. I did a bunch if gacking a few years back on 7RM and various cartridges in that class to evaluate ballistics. At 500 yard or less there ain't much difference in a 270, 280, 30-06, 7RM, etc.... using some type of heavier Accubond. If you can shoot over 500 yards accurately, you can find differences and certain cartridge/bullet combos started to pull away.

For me, I dont shoot past 500 yards so I'm cool with the 'standard' cartridges. I aim, pun intended, for lighter, shorter rifles that deliver a big game capable bullet on target at a level of recoil acceptable to me. Which falls in the 270/280/30-06 category.

I'm 72 years old. I own one 7 Remington Mag. I bought it off a Gun Broker auction for $205.00. The only reason I bought it was for a donor action for a proposed .308 Norma Build. But right before I began that project I had the opportunity to buy a Mark V .300 WBY. for a good price. Since this was one of my grail guns I snapped it up and decided to keep the 7 RM as is.

I've since discovered this is one of my most accurate rifles. I've tried several loads in it. I've tried 140 grain both Nosler and Combined Technology Ballistic Tips, 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips, and 160 grain Sierra Game King Hollow Points. All three shot well in my rifle. I've used IMR and Hodgdon 4831 and RL-22 with all three of those bullets. I've found the 7RM very easy to load for.

However, my go to hunting rifle is my 54 year old Winchester Model 70 .270 Winchester I bought brand new in 1966.

[quote=GF1]Any mention of the “new 7mm mag” in the form of the .270 Winchester, 150 grain bullets and RL26?[/quote

Now you've got my curiosity up. Since ,my old .270 has virtually in the last 54 years become an extension of my arms I've got to try that with a 150 grain Nosler Partition. Not that I really need it because I've got the magnum territory pretty well covered with both a 7 RM and a Mark V .300 WBY, but I think it would be cool to take an elk or a Nilgai with a .270 Winchester.

I'm running 60.5gr of RL26 under a Sierra 160gr SPBT in my 22 inch barrel 280 Rem Ruger M77 MarkII at 2975fps. Accuracy isn't outstanding, but it will print an inch or slightly less at 100yds.

I gotta get me some of that RL-26
I gotta get me some a that RL-26. I've got a .280 Remington too so I want some. That's 7 Mag velocities right there. And my .280 is built on a ratty old 98 action and it has a 26" E.R. Shaw Heavy sporter barrel on it. It only has a 1:10 twist, but that will stabilize 160 grain bullets all day long.

RL26 with a 150 Partition in a 270 is pretty amazing. Right up there with 7 mag numbers. I've come to think of them as close to interchangeable. My SIL really wanted a 270 so I sent him mine knowing I had a 7 mag available. (Thanks Brother!)

I am 62 years old. I bought a Rem 700 7mm Mag about 15 years ago. It was a used ADL model. The guy I bought it from said he had it for a long time and no longer hunts. I hunted with it for about 10 years. I like the 7mm Mag. I killed my share of Deer and Hogs with it. needless to say it drops em like a rock. But I could not get that rifle to shoot less than 1" @ 100 yds. Factory ammo or handloads. And I shot many different load and bullets. A few years ago I had the action trued, trigger tech special trigger installed, re-barreled it with a SS Bartlein barrel chambered in 280AI. It now shoots bugholes @100yds.

jc189, I knew a standard 700 Rem. bolt face could be opened up to accommodate a magnum round, but I didn't know you could go the other way. Interesting.

ha, right.

An inch, inch and a half isn't bad for a hunting rifle, especially a magnum. That's minute of deer in my book.

Wooosh !

Right over his head. !!

My .280 Remington will get just under 3000 FPS with a 150 Nosler partition and 56 grains of IMR 4831. But that's through my Chrony which I think runs about 100 FPS hi. But it will put 5 shots in just a hair over 1".

I owned one for about 2 days then traded it.

I do have a 7x61S&H that does what i wanted a mag seven for.

It shoots the 168 bullets to less than an inch and it is not to shabby with other weights.

Only drawback is it weights a ton and is a bench rifle,,of sorts.

And not everyone has one.

This might sound like a cliche, but I trust Chronys about as far as I can throw them--which is much less than 100 yards.

My first .280 was a custom rifle by David Gentry, which I used throughout the 1990s on big game throughout North America, including my biggest mule deer and one of my two biggest caribou, out of a dozen. Used several different bullets and powders, but eventually settled on enough H4831 to get just under 3000 fps with the 150 Partition.

Whether any of that makes any difference is debatable. Have found that caliber, cartridge, powder and velocity make far less difference than the bullet and where it lands.

Ain't none of them magic without those two factors. Yet most hunters keep quoting muzzle velocities, bullet weight, etc. as if there's some consistently detectable difference in "killing power."

Put a longer slow twisted barrel on one and shoot some of the sleeker new bullets and it gives the magnum a run for the money. Same with the 280 & AI.

I’m 46 and a 7RM was my first centerfire rifle 25yrs ago. Still have it and rarely hunt with it anymore. I’ll never sell it. Plopped it in a Ti stock and it’s a pretty damn nice setup. It hasn’t killed a deer any more dead than my 223s.

I’ve owned one 7mm Rem Mag, in the 1980s IIRC, when I was in my 30s. It was a Rem 700 Sendero. My first really accurate rifle. I developed some very accurate loads for it and shot several thousand rounds through it, all from the bench at the range. Never used it to hunt. I eventually used the action to have a 300 H&H built, which I still have.

I am not a fan of the 7mm Rem Mag and have moved to 300 mags for heavier cartridges in this class, and to the 6.5s for lighter cartridges. I find that 7mm Rem Mag rifles are usually as heavy as 300 mags, but IMO don’t offer any advantage. My 300 mags (short, standard, ultra) all propel heavier bullets at least as fast as the 7mm Rem Mag which I believe make them more effective for larger game, without markedly increased recoil. I don’t anticipate owning another 7mm Rem Mag.

The only 7mm I currently own is a 7x57, which I intend to keep because of its classic history and good performance from a relatively small case with reasonable recoil and light rifle weight.

Big fan of the 7 Rem. I haven’t used it a ton the last few years as I like to tinker with other stuff.

I believe it was 458win that said the more big bores he shoots the more he appreciates the 458 Winchester.

I have the same feeling about the 7 rem, the more .284 diameter cartridges I shoot the more I appreciate Remingtons version. The 7 weatherby is my favorite, but it comes with more hassle than the Remington.

I’m 40.

A good point (And well taken) I have been guilty of chasing velocity in both handguns and rifles in the past. I do not own a Chrony anymore. Just don't need it to be successful.

I do not own one, but would like to get one soon. Main reason for needing one is I love guns and like trying out every cartridge I can. The 7mm rem mag is just about the only cartridge that is very popular that I have not tried.

My favorite cartridge for deer is the .243 Winchester and. 250 savage. So I know it's not needed at all, but I've always wanted one.

Also I am 24 years old, but have been into firearms for as long as I can remember.

Jack

7mm Remington Magnum is SAAMI registered at:

maximum average pressure 61,000 psi
Overall length between 3.15" 3.29"
Headspace between 0.220" and 0.227"

=====================================

I run:

75,000 psi
3.34" OAL
Build rifles at 0.215" headspace

67 gr RL-26 seemed to be the sweet spot out of my bud’s 26” Sendero with160 NAB’s. Pushing them around 3K, animals couldn’t tell it wasn’t 3,100 fps. They died.

DF

I tried 67.0 in the test rifle, my Mauser M18. It did all right, but accuracy wasn't great--but wasn't poor either. The big star with the 160 ABond was IMR8133. In fact, in general (and again I must emphasize in this particular rifle) 8133 was the best all-around powder.

My 24" Ruger LH 77 in 7 Rem Mag really did well with RL 26 and Hornady 180 GR

Before best accuracy and velocity were the old and dirty H870 with 160 to 175 gr bullets, most other powders speed was slow.


CCI 250 primer RP case (3 @ .56" at 200 yards) RL 26 180 GR Horn ELD (3 @ 1.2" 2 @ .2" at 100 yards} 2938 FPS

I have one, and have hunted it. But it’s too much for deer @nd antelope which I normally hunt.
I haven’t used it in years. In fact my rifle is for sale!

Good info, as always.

Don’t think my bud will swap, but in my 8 twist Brux, may try it

DF

I had a custom 7mm Rem made off a Rem700 action and a 27(ish) inch Proof Research barrel. It's light enough to carry, but not punishing at the bench. I love the 7mm Rem for that reason. It's admittedly the biggest cartridge that I can shoot without a brake without developing a flinch.

I'm 38.

68 years old and genuinely dislike the 7mm mag. The worst part is I have no good reason why, just don’t even though it’s a great cartridge. Maybe I was just spoiled bu my old 7x61 sharp and hart,. I like rounds with longer necks

I'm 76 and like my 7mm Rem Mag.

Creeping up on 68. Many years back Dan Lilja built me a 7mm mag on an older Rem 700 action using one of his stainless, #3 26" barrels. MPI stock and Leupold 2.5 - 8 scope. Most accurate rifle I own - cloverleaf groups are the norm. Reloads on brass previously fired in this rifle produce extremely concentric ammo ... less than .002" is the norm. Like many on this site I own far more rifles than needed. Years from now when I thin the herd this fine rifle will be among the last to go.

I'm 68 and I like it. My son must like it better than me; he borrowed it a few years ago and still has it.

%8, Love it, it's my "go to " gun.
Looking at a Carmen Mountain Hunt this winter, yup 7 mag it is,
Bought mine when I got orders to AK, Wanted a 300 but got a great deal on a 7mm.

Alaska, Africa, Arizona, of course Georgia and Texas.. Does it all...

55, a fan of the 7RM and regularly hunt/ target shoot with this chambering.



SD

I had one for a few months a few years ago, a Model 70 Sporter I bought off gunbroker, but Redneck took it and made it into a .300 H&H. I’m 40, and that’s the only magnum I’ll ever have.

I'd expect most folks answering a poll like this would be fans. Just to be different, thought I'd help the stats. Not a fan. Nothing against it. Just not on the bandwagon. Course, if anyone wants to send me one, I'll try to like it just fine. I'm 52 in a week or so.

Browning 1885 in 7RM and 145 grain Speer Grand Slam still gettin' it done!

[img]https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/galleries/14825790/wehavethemeats[/img]

I've tried a couple of them, but they really didn't do anything my .30/06 didn't do, so they went away. I'm 62. I couldn't warm up to them. My stepbrother (a lefty) bought a LH BDL Remington as soon as he got a good job on the railroad, and it's still his only deer rifle, but no one else I know even has one in this day and age.

I DO know that my stepbrother has watched me kill enough deer with the .270s I've owned that he bought his kids .270s and NOT 7mm RMs, so it has impressed him over the years.

In the farmground where we hunt, it's just not necessary.

I have one and have used it on my biggest black bear, my first cougar, at least one deer and an elk. It is a pre-64 Winchester Model 70 with a Shilen barrel. Quite accurate but I ended up moving on to the 300 Win Mag for most of my big game hunting. I am 55.

In the fall of 1966 I purchased my Tradewinds Husky Mod. 5000 7mm Rem. Mag.at the Coast-to-Coast store in Whitefish, MT for $129.95. i was working for the U.S. Forest Service and bought the rifle with overtime money I received for burning dozer piles of logging debris that fall. The rifle purchase was on a three month payment plan. I also bought two boxes of ammo, a box of 175 gr. and 150 gr. Rem. Core-Lokt for $6.15/box.

In 1966 I couldn't afford a scope for the rifle so I shot it with the iron sights that it came with. When I shot it at 100 yds. it shot 6 in. high. It was in line with the bulleye vertically so I didn't have to worry about the windage. The rear sight was fixed so it couldn't be adjusted for elevation. I decided to write to Tradewinds, Inc.Tacoma, WA., the importer, and asked what the rifle was supposed to be sighted for at the factory. My reply was that it should be on at 100 yds. with 180 gr. ammo. That answer blew their credibility with me since 175 gr. bullets were the heaviest available at the time.

With the iron sights I took three elk and a black bear. When money permitted I put a Leupold 4X scope on the rifle and it still wears that same 4 X. With it I have taken fifteen elk, several deer and pronghorn antelope, a black bear and a caribou. While I do have others it remains my favorite go-to rifle.

My age is 80.

I'm 62. I've had a couple over the years. Liked them well enough until I bought a chronograph.

What did you find out with the chronogragh?

I love the cartridge, cannot be without one or more.

I'm 56
have a 7mmRemMag Winchester M-70..... stainless steel with a fiberglass stock and the metal wears flat black spray paint (it's a real tool). Killed a lot of big deer with this rifle using 160gr Nosler Accubond. Don't hunt it much now, unless conditions are wet. Primarily use pretty custom wood stocked guns in 300HH, 30/06 or 338WM.

I use a couple different 7mmRM. 44yrs old

I have a 7mm mashburn super mag-my fourth one and I'm 74. I also currently have a 7x57 AI, 284, 280 AI, and 7mm-08. I just wanted something different from the 7mmRem mag, which is a great cartridge.

I have a couple of 7mm RM's. My 700 is one of the most accurate rifles I own with less than 1/2MOA accuracy with many hunting loads. I get under 1 MOA with ABLR bullets - I've only tried a couple of loads with those, but they show promise. The 700's favorite loads include 150 grain Nosler Partitions and 162 grain Hornady BTSP's.

The Ruger 77 I have is accurate, but not as accurate as the 700. Certainly accurate enough for deer and larger game.

If I had to have only one rifle that 700 would be one of my choices.

Age let's be kind - I'm in my 70's.

I’m 61. Never had anything against the cartridge but it never appealed to me. For Texas hunting I also believe it’s overkill with the exception of Nilgai. I used a .270 for everything from 1972 until around 10 years ago when I bought a 6.5x55. Took my one elk in the 80’s with the .270. If I lived in elk/moose country or hunted them regularly I’ve no doubt my opinion would be different.

I'm 53, bought one at 18 to be the only rifle I'd ever need, then got another for my first trip to Alaska, went rifle lonny. sold them both, now have many other rifles /cartridges and no interest in getting another 7 rem mag. It's a great one no doubt, I just enjoy others more.

Apparently almost nobody has noticed my previous post on this thread, where I mentioned that the article had already been submitted on April 15th. As a result any response beyond that date cannot be included in the info--including any response stating you did NOT like the 7mm Remington Magnum.

If those who posted their dislike actually read my original post, then you'd know that I didn't ask that question. Instead I asked who was a fan of the 7mm RM, and their age. Don't care who doesn't like it.

But apparently any post on the Campfire is still only read as far as the header, in this instance "7mm Remington Magnum?" So they provided a "dislike" vote, usually without any details--often because they've never owned or used one. Which provides what I might call less than zero info

Will be reposting this every day or two until this thread dies, as it's taking up Rick's bandwidth for no reason except the usual cyberspace "vote."

Randy,

On the other hand, always enjoy your well thought-out posts!

John you know they don't read much.

Well heck, I guess I do get to say I don't care for the 7mm Remington Magnum as well as some others.

What a relief. And of course I fit right in there as someone who never owned one. I have shot and loaded for a few.

I found they were difficult to get published velocities out of. The rifles usually weighed more than my '06. They seemed to kick harder than, for instance, my .338.

I do like other 7 mms more. The 7 mm Weatherby Magnum, 7mm WSM, 7x61 Super and .280 AI. are each superior in my uninformed mind to the Remington, often for chancy reasons.

I always disliked the 7 mm Remington magnum as it likely reduced sales of the 7x61 Sharp and Hart Super (which I own. It is complete with the looney-esque 26 in barrel I need to get close to the 7mm Remington mags velocities).

I do think it humorous tha the .280 AI is now a competitor to the 7 mm Rem mag. It comes extremely close to matching the 7x61 in velocities from 24 in barrels. Some things go around in circles.

First rifle I bought after college in 1976. Remington 700 in 7MAG. Also own same caliber in a Browning BAR, Ruger, and Tikka T3 Superlight. Love the round and have taken bear, elk, hog, mule deer, and loads of whitetails with them. It is a perfect caliber for me. Age 67...............

I’m a huge fan. I own a dozen or more rifles in the chambering. I’ve hunted them extensively with great success. I’m 59 years old.

It's my go to rifle. Built with pre'64 M70 action, Douglas barrel, and Brown Precision stock. Used it from Mexico to Alaska and Africa with great success. 67 years young.

Apparently not!

Now I'm curious about how long this thread will continue, despite having outlived it's usefulness by almost a month. My article, as I've mentioned twice here, was sent to the magazine on April 15th.

But apparently LOTS of Campfire members have such strong opinions on the 7mm Remington Magnum that they feel compelled to post 'em.

I’m guessing it’ll carry on for a while because I think for lots of people the usefulness of this and other threads involves more than fulfilling survey requirements, and includes being a venue for simple discussion and a means for them to send their opinions out into cyberspace.

Well as happens now that I'm past 70 I lost my way, LOL! I got to talking about my .280 and forgot about my 7Mag. It's a ratty old cheapo Savage Model 110 with a plain hardwood (Not Walnut) stock. But it will shoot when I'm up to snuff. I put a Rifle Basix trigger on it, because it was pre accutrigger and I needed Vice Grips to pull the trigger. Now it shoots real good and will put five shots in around an Inch when I'm having a good day, which isn't everyday anymore. I like Nosler and Combined Technology bullets in it. Had good luck with Combined Technology Ballistic Tips. I've also shot Sierra Game King 160 Hollowpoints, However, for white tail deer and hogs I prefer plain old Sierra Game King 150 Grainers. I don't need a tough bullet for deer and hogs. Save those for bigger animals with tough hides and thick bones. Anyway, I'm 72 and I love the 7 Mags whether Remington or Weatherby. But my true love is the .270 Winchester.

I now look at this thread as a "One Stop" for enlightened discourse on the 7mm Remington Magnum. Future searchers will appreciate the knowledge posted here.

Plus China Flu 2020 productive web browsing.

It seems there are many 7 mag fans

yep i knew and read all,> my question is now what is the numbers and percentage of haters to lovers of this great cartridge the 7 mm Rem.Mag. ? Mule Deer what`s next to love and hate ? another cartridge,rifle ,knife, game animal,state ,almost forgot scope? i need to go to grocery store for more popcorn and soda pop with my mask on too ! GRIN

Hanco,

Yep! Which is the reason it's a standard chambering with just about every centerfire rifle company on earth.

But the response from lots fans also isn't surprising, because my initial question only asked for responses from fans, along with their age, to see if 7mm RM fans are older than most hunters.

This was partly because somebody here suggested the 7mm RM was a "geezer" cartridge, preferred primarily by hunters who are behind the times. (By the way, I know the guy who suggested that, and he's about a year older than the average fan who responded. And he's not a fan of the 7mm RM because he prefers the .300 Winchester Magnum and, get this, the .300 H&H. Talk about a geezer cartridge!)

Probably the major reason any non-fans responded is they never read the original post, instead just the header, "7mm Remington Magnum?" Whereupon they jumped right in with their opinion, because the Internet allows anybody to vote, even without photo ID.

I load mine with a Geezer powder IMR 4350. There are powders that will get a little more velocity, but 64 grains with a Ballistic tip does plenty good on Whitetail deer, Aoudads, and pigs. I’m gonna try Reloader 22, cause it does so well in a 270 Weatherby mag.

I enjoy your articles very much. I read them first when my magazines arrive. I hope you never really retire.

No one reads, they’re too busy typing.

Like the old adage, no one listens, they just wait for their turn to talk.



P

It may be no longer of use to MD, but it's been an interesting read...and everyone has remained civil...

Which is usually one of the virtues of the "Ask The Gunwriters" forum.

John I own a 7mm Rem Mag and love it. But have only shot one deer with it. I've used .270's all my life and cannot see any difference in the two as most of my buddies from East Tennessee own the 7mm Rem and .270s. The deer just go down with either one. Many years ago you pointed out to the gun world that the .270 is a 7.035 mm bullet size. I killed a Eland in Africa with a 140 grain .270. I was surprised by the performance. I really wonder if any of the big game can tell the difference netween the two.

roanmtn

I have 7 mags and 270’s. The deer and pigs I shoot have never complained.

Thanks!

I have cut down on my work the past year or so--but for some reason a couple of magazines other than my regulars have recently asked me to write for them. And the money was too good to turn down! So am gonna be whacking away both with rifles and on the computer for a while....

I'm not, I dont, and I'm 46.

I had a 7STW for a few years, but hated feeding it so much powder and expensive Barnes X-bullets, just to shoot TX whitetails that were 80 yards away!

I would use my old .22-250 for that!!!!

I'm a geezer and not a hater. I know full well why you started this thread. I also can't figure out why anybody would not be a fan of a cartridge that's as popular and capable as the 7RM. And I, like many who posted here, am not going to let the chance of commenting on it go to waste. I get pissed at negativity over an inanimate object, and one that is so proven. I don't hate any cartridge, especially one that has done as much as a 7 Rem. Mag. through the years, It's like the .270 Winchester on another forum I have been a member of for 13 years. It gets a lot of negativity from just plain hate and a lot from many who think it's funny to agitate its fans. Until I came here I didn't realize there were so many 7RM haters. It's just too fantastic of a cartridge to hate. Now true, I said I preferred the .270, but that's because of what I hunt and where I hunt. Most of the time I just don't need it. If I hunted larger game or even deer at longer ranges I would use it more often. I love mine and on occasion I use it. It fills a niche and it does it with aplumb or an apple or whatever you like, LOL!.

Just got the August issue of Handloader yesterday. I went right to Mule deer's article on the 7RM. Great job as usual. I usually read his articles first

What the heck … I haven't received mine yet ? … You can’t talk about it until I’ve received mine .

Bought my first and only 7mm Rem Mag when I was 30 … I’m 50 now . It was my first centerfire rifle .

Brand new Winchester model 70 ( still have it ) . Harvested a few deer with it .

Not quite an old geezer yet ..won't hit 70 for a few more months. I've been using a 7 rem mag since '64 and, at first thought it was truly the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Then as real world experience started to set in I found that there was precious little difference between the 7 mag, 270 win, 284 win, 308 win, or 30-06 etc. .especially if Nosler Partitions (more recently TTSX) were used. Hit-em right and stuff just (quickly) dies .
Today, my 270 using 62 gr of RL 26 and a 150 NP is about all I use.
So far haven't found a deer or elk that could tell the difference.

A long-time hunting partner of mine used one for many years. When I hunted with him I carried my 7x57. These hunts were for Kaibab Mule Deer, Coues Whitetail and Javelina. There was zero difference in success between the two rounds. His Remington BDL kicked, roared and was heavy. He had a 3x9 Redfield scope I had a 4x Leupold, if we had hunted Elk, Moose or big bear his would probably have been preferred, but for Arizona critters it had no practical advantage I could see. I’m close to 76.

I liked your article on the 7mm RM.
( I can’t see any flies on that cartridge. )

JB, you can’t retire until all of us “geezers” have gone to the happy hunting grounds. 😀

Good article JB.
When the 7RM came along I already had an -06. Never saw enough difference in the 2 to get a 7. A long time friend had one and extolled the virtues of how much more it had on the -06 at 350 yards. He ended up giving it to his son and now shoots an -06. Between 270 and 308 there isn't that much difference in any of them. Some go 200fps faster and burn more powder and make more noise but they all work just about the same.

Love mine, 37 years old, have 12 years under my belt with it.

Remington 700's in good stocks, bedded, good trigger and glass will shoot 3" at 600 yards that we have, 140g to 168g bullets. We run Gentry muzzle breaks on all rifles.

In Missouri 7mm-08 gets everything done for me. I think 7mm RM is a great round but with todays bullets I dont need it. Im 45....

77 here.I bought a Winchester Model 70 in the late 60's and used it and a Weatherby 7mag for about ten years I'd guess. I went thru a stage of using different rifles and different chamberings for about 5 years. I finally decided that the 7mag didn't kill anything deader than a .308 or .06 , but burned more powder and thumped my shoulder harder.I sent them both down the road

II am 83, Reading all of the posts I realized that the 7 Mag came out at the wrong time to tempt me. I started with a 30-06 and went to a 300 Win mag.

I compared ballistics many times but just could not see any advantage in switching. In those days I could not afford the stable that I have now.

John,
Thanks for the article and for the opportunity to be a part of your sample. I got to the range this morning with (along with a bunch of other loads for other rifles) a little velocity ladder to try your 175 ABLR/Magnum load. I just loaded 2 rounds each of 69, 70, and 71 grains, just to check velocity in my rifle (Mk-X Mauser with 1:9 Hart Stainless barrel built in the early 90's). I had some issues with positioning the old 35P that kept me from getting velocity readings on 69 and only one at 70 (2916 fps, with no reading on the proof channel, which I suspected might be an anomaly), but I was able to reposition the screens and was surprised to get two solid readings just under 3,000 fps with your 71 grain load!
So even though there were no other pressure signs than the extra 100 fps over your results, I'll be backing this load back to probably the 70 grain level. Those two rounds landed a half inch apart.
I also have a couple pounds of IMR-8133 in the mail to try out with the 160 AB.

Thanks again for the load data - I just wanted to pass on my experience with getting what is obviously a little more pressure than you did with the 175 ABLR 71/Magnum load.

Cheers,
Rex

P.S. This is the first time I have gotten good results on the first try with ABLR in any caliber, so thanks for that too. When I load to the max length for my magazine that gives me about .075" off the lands, which I have learned from your other writings can be a good thing for these high BC bullets.

40,. 700 BDL (new manufacture). Shoots 140 partitions into 3/4 inch 5 shot groups. Just a classy rifle. Love to take it hunting

It's a bit ironic, I suppose, but I'm about to write a blog article on bear and moose rifles, comparing them in a variety of terrain here in N. Ontario. The 7 Rem Mag, .30-06 and .300 Win Mag will be compared in the first of several presentations. Then we'll move on up from there.

I've owned several 7 Rem Mags and one 7 Wby Mag. I slightly preferred the Weatherby. But more than those, the .300 Win Mag was my choice for whatever I might want to hunt under my conditions with a rifle of that class.

I'm halfway between 84 and 85, and for the past 20 years or so, I've preferred Big Bores and mediums to anything in .30-cal or less. Heavier and larger bullets are more efficient in killing power. That's been proven to me many times over. And there I'm speaking NOT of CNS hits but fast loss of blood pressure hits. A bigger hole does that.

Bob

www.bigbores.ca

A little late to the party, but I'll give my input. I am 43 years old and am a big fan of the 7mm Rem Mag. It gives me the most efficient big game general purpose round for hunting everything, possibly short of the big bear. However, Phil Shoemaker said he has seen good results on brown bear using the 7mm Rem Mag and would allow his hunter to use it. Remington's big 7 gives me plenty of velocity, with adequate bullet weight of 160-175gr for large animals like elk or moose, and those heavy 7mms are obviously high BC and SD values, penetrate well, and do so with less recoil than their 30cal counterparts, which to me is a huge factor. The 7mm Rem Mag isn't brutal yet, but the 300 Win Mag, to me, is getting unpleasant. My 160 Accubonds with 65gr RL23 at 3100fps or 175gr Partitions with 63.5gr RL23 at 2950fps will do well for anything non dangerous out to 600 yards with authority, which is farther than I'd like to shoot, but under the right conditions, am able to do so. I think it is one of the greatest hunting rounds ever developed.

Also, as a side note, I found 74gr IMR 8133 with the 160 Accubond at 3150fps in a 26" Remington 700 to be very accurate also. IMR 8133 is just difficult to find. I know my response is after the report, but thought I'd offer it as additional information on the subject. Great article John, as always!

A question for Muledeer, what did you learn from our posts and how did we help you with the article?
I've learned that there are a fair number of our members that are closer to sunset than sunrise. I've learned that many of us have answers to questions we haven't been asked. And I've learned that many of us get caught up in the wonderful minutia of our hobby.
Bflt

I ended up with a 26" Encore barrel in 7mm RMag as part of a trade. I really don't have any use for it here in Ohio, but my Encore with it installed is likely the most accurate gun I have ever shot. So definitely count me a fan.

P.S. I'm 61.

Blackfly1,

I learned the 7mm Remington Magnum isn't popular only among "geezers," who remember all the popularity (and hype) after its introduction in 1962. The average age of the 24hour fans of the round who responded to my question was 56.8 years--which means they were born just about when the 7mm RM appeared. (This is also a little younger than the guy who called it a geezer round, who also admitted to me that the two belted magnum rounds he tends to use have been the .300 Winchester Magnum--which appeared one year after the 7mm Remington Magnum--and the .300 H&H.)

I also learned--or rather, had it re-emphasized--that many Campfire members are eager to respond to any post that allows them to "vote" their opinion, even if their opinion is irrelevant to the post. I wanted to know the age, etc. of fans of the 7mm RM. Instead quite a few expounded on why they didn't like the 7mm RM, and which big game cartridges they preferred. But that's common on Internet forums, apparently because not enough humans get to express their opinions to other people who never asked for 'em. Though I have known some shooters who do spontaneously start lecturing other shooters as soon as they're introduced, about subjects only important to the lecturer.

I was thinking about buying one back around ‘85, but the Baptist preacher that managed a lease I hunted told me that my Model 94 was inadequate for hunting deer in Georgia bottom country. I was younger then and hard headed. My folks raised me in Methodist country.

I hear you MD. I'm a volunteer Line Safety Officer at our county range and I see and hear this often myself. The more I hear stuff like that, the more I value keeping my own mouth shut. I help folks when asked or they are obviously very inexperienced, but I just try to avoid those "smart" fellas.

Cheers,
Rex

Rex,

Ah yes! Have experienced range geniuses a few times as well.

One complained, loudly, on his first visit to a local 100-yard range, that wasn't precisely level--implying that his groups would be smaller if it was....

I've heard it said that a one-eyed man would be king in the land of the blind.

Looks like the 7 Mag is not going to die anytime soon.

John, et. al.
Here's another data point on the apparent difference between your barrel and mine, that some others may benefit from.
Since my rifle almost always develops significantly less velocity than Nosler's published loads, I get kind of sucked into thinking I can start pretty close to max when testing new loads.
BUT, my order of IMR 8133 arrived yesterday and I did some loading to try your excellent load from the recent Handloader article. You used the 160 NAB over 73.5 grains of IMR 8133 with a Fed 215 primer, and got 2954 fps and .58" average groups.
I checked Hodgdon/IMR and they list 75.0 gr as max with the 160 Partition at 3035 fps.
So since I "always" get lower velocities than published, I felt pretty comfortable with loading up three test batches of 72.5, 73.5, and 74.5 of IMR 8133 with the 160 NAB, Fed 215, and a 3.375" OAL, which I tested at the range this morning.
WOW, the 72.5 grain charge gave me 3042 fps! That's 90 fps more than yours with a grain less powder, and a greater speed than Hodgdon's max with 2.5 grains LESS powder. I did not shoot the 73.5 gr or 74.5 gr loads - I'll pull 'em.
Given that I tend to get a fair bit less velocity than Nosler shows in their data with the same loads, I'm going to guess you get a LOT less speed than Nosler in your Mauser M18.
Is that so? So far I've tried two of your loads and my rifle is clearly generating a lot more pressure (or that Hart barrel has some crazy mojo to it).

Cheers, and heads up to others, start low, work up!

Rex

Hi Rex,

Know there are least two differences in your test than my results. First would be OAL: I used 3.365 and you used 3.375, which isn't much, but longer seating results in more pressure.

Second would be your batch of 8133. Despite the generally good job powder manufacturers do of keeping canister powders (the ones they sell to handloaders) within about 2-3% of previous lots, they can vary more--especially newer powders, where previous batches of slower or faster-burning powder aren't as common to mix with new lots, to "adjust" burn-rate.

Would also suspect that your Hart barrel has a tighter bore than the factory barrel on my Mauser M18. The head guy at a major pressure lab once told me that he's found .0001 inch of bore diameter, in most modern bolt-action cartridges, results in around 1000 PSI difference in pressure, give or take a little.

Also dunno what kind of shape your rifle's chamber throat is in, but after almost 30 years it may have some rough "gator-skin" erosion--which tends to increase pressure--until the erosion lengthens the throat considerably. It might also have a tighter chamber.

Dunno if you used the same brass and primer I did, but even if you also used F215s, they can vary some from lot to lot.

All of which is why I advise loading to velocity, not the powder charge.

John,
Thanks so much for your reply.
So, does your rifle produced a lot less velocity for the specified powder charge than Nosler shows in their latest guide, #8? Mine sure does.
Nosler got 3046 fps with the 160 grain and 61.5 RE-19. (Nosler case, Fed 215). Mine gives 2893 fps with the same load (WW Case, Fed 215).
Nosler got 3058 fps with the 160 grain and 63 RE-22 - mine got 3003 with the same (much closer to their spec)
I tend to think your idea of powder lot variations may be the main reason for the differences I've seen between your Handloader #327 loads and the two of them I've tried. Since I got much higher velocity than you with two different bullet/powders (160 AB/IMR 8133 and 175 ABLR/Magnum), when my "paradigm" is getting less than published, I figured maybe there were other factors involved. At least three things I would guess should be expected to get me LESS velocity than you, if everything else was equal. These are "noise level" differences but all finite and cumulative.
1) your barrel is 0.4" longer than mine.
2) you're measuring at the muzzle with your Lab Radar. I'm measuring 5 yards downrange with a 35P.
3) I am seated the same distance off the lands as you were (.025") but that results in my ammo being .010" longer than yours, which makes me think I have a throat that much longer and thus equal "jump" between our loads would indicate a little more case volume in mine.

We're using the same primers, Fed 215, but my brass is older but once fired Winchester (W-W Super headstamp). I prepped 50 rounds and found them very consistent. they averaged 229.5 +/- 1.0 grains. If your Hornady brass was a lot lighter than that, there could be another of the factors. Do you have the weight of those cases?

Despite being almost 30 years old, I've actually shot this 7 Mag very little. I killed a couple mule deer with it soon after getting it, but then got a bad case of Rifle Loonyism and started acquiring other rifles, and the 7Mag sat semi-retired until this year. Its throat is in great shape - no erosion there.

And your final statement above makes me want to get a confirmation from you:
"All of which is why I advise loading to velocity, not the powder charge."
RE: Nosler's top load with the 160 AB and 61.5 gr/RE-19 at 3046 fps.
I am up to 63 gr/RE-19 and still only getting 2979 fps. I reckon you'd say keep going to that velocity? If I was getting the accuracy I wanted at 2979 I'd be happy, but would like to see what it does closer to the same pressure Nosler used, since their fastest load with RE-19 was the most accurate.

Thanks again for your advice and time.
Rex

Interesting. At 64, I've re-started my use of the 7mm Rem Mag, after a ten year layoff from that cartridge.

Why? Simply because I found a rifle that I really liked (a 20 year old Ruger Number One S), and it happened to be chambered for a cartridge that I find very acceptable.

Regards, Guy

Rex,

"And your final statement above makes me want to get a confirmation from you:
"All of which is why I advise loading to velocity, not the powder charge."
RE: Nosler's top load with the 160 AB and 61.5 gr/RE-19 at 3046 fps.
I am up to 63 gr/RE-19 and still only getting 2979 fps. I reckon you'd say keep going to that velocity? If I was getting the accuracy I wanted at 2979 I'd be happy, but would like to see what it does closer to the same pressure Nosler used, since their fastest load with RE-19 was the most accurate."

You statement assumes that a few more fps are always better--though that can vary some with RL-19 in different temperatures (which can also affect accuracy).I have yet to see any notieceable difference in "killing power" from a 160-grain 7mm bullet started 100 fps faster--or slower.

If you want to work up a load that's (at least theoretically) the same pressure as Nosler's data suggests,then fine, work up to 3046 fps (or whatever the equivalent is with your chronograph). But even for a rifle loony you're being pretty finicky.

Ruger No.1B, 63

Ha! Thanks John. Do I get a prize or something ;o)?
Actually my main purpose in this (and my previous post re: 175 ABLR/Magnum) was to let folks know to be sure to do the standard wise thing and start low to work up with the loads you provided in your latest, since I found (for once!) that my M98 hits your velocities at significantly less powder than your M18 did.
I'm looking forward to getting back to the range with the 160 Accubond and something more down around 72 grains of 8133, which in mine I expect will do about 3000 fps (your magic number from "Handloads That Work").

One last try: Does your M18 get a lot less velocity with the loads in the Nosler #8 manual than Nosler's test rifle got?

Cheers,
Rex

I thought that was obvious. The velocities also varied some from the data in other manuals as well.

I have had a couple 7Rem Mags.Then I got religion and had a 280AI made.76 years young.

LOL! I dint have a religious revelation, but jumped into the deep end of the pool years ago with a 7mm Weatherby. 3,228 fps with 150 TTSX has never failed. A hunt buddy of mine shoots an A-Bolt 7mm Rem Mag and used Hornady factory ammo until it didn’t shoot well. He thought the ammo changed and went to Ballistic Tips and wasn’t happy with those. (I suspect throat erosion as MD has explained previously) He had a friend of his load some 150 TTSX after witnessing the performance of mine. Very accurate in his rifle and deadly on deer and elk. I asked him how fast they were going and he has no idea except they shoot great in his rifle. His friend told him they were not a max load, so I suspect 2,900 fps or so. Happy Trails

A lot of handoading hunters believe 3000 fps is magic--and anything less ain't. (As my late friend Stuart Carty in Idaho once said, "There's something about all those zeros!")

My experience is there ain't anything magic about all those zeroes.... :-)

I remember Bob talking about Stuart a little. Sometimes it is fun to go fast though JB!

I load for my nephews Tikka Hunter that my brother purchased from Keith/BoltActionMan. (great guy to do business or bullschit with)
Nephew is 15, brother is 50, I'm 51. Started him off with 120TTSX and 4350. Shoots about like a hot 7/08 or mild 270. As he grows, so will the bullet weight and powder charge.

I haven't read all 43 pages, and I would guess the article has went to press; but I will give my input anyway. I started hunting with a .30-06, bought a 7RM because I wanted a gun that shot flatter, hit just as hard, and didn't kick a lot. Mission accomplished, although I am not sure it hits any harder than the .30-06 which never left me wanting. Really, the smart play would've been to put a better BDC reticle scope on the '06.

I've used it to kill Pronghorn, Whitetail, Mule Deer, and Elk. Mostly used 140-150 grain bullets with one 162 ELD-X at ranges from 30 yards to 400 and change. I'm 38. If I was to do it again, I would buy a .300 and shoot 180's. The performance would (probably) be the same, except for getting kicked more. Reason being, I wouldn't have to stand on the .300 to get the velocity I'm shooting for (no pun intended), and I would only have to buy .30 caliber bullets. Edit: //As an aside, I have used a .300 Win on Deer and it was the same performance as my 7, using a 150 TSX. //

I use the 7 for everything except varmints and Coyotes, but have shot them with it too.

I too have contemplated a 300 Win Mag, particularly for big heavy game, like moose of the larger African plains game. I dream of hunting Alaska or British Columbia, and think of how a 300 Win Mag with 200gr Partitions at 2850fps would be better for grizzly or brown bear. This seems to be getting more into a specialized role though as opposed to a general use big game rifle, and for the very few times I would go on these hunts (probably once if I am so blessed), my 7mm Rem Mag could do the job. I think of Les Bowman, who was heavily involved in the development of the 7mm Rem Mag, said his clients, on the whole, shot noticeably better with 7mm mags than with 300s. John Sundra is a huge proponent of the 7mms, and has said they will do nicely for any non dangerous game.
"The 7 mm magnum, I feel is close to perfect as the caliber for all the lesser African game, including, I might say, the leopard and possibly the lion, for all our North American species that live in mountains, and for all the Asiatic types of both high and low terrain that weigh under a ton or generally don't eat people. ..the sum total of experience is to lead me into the statement that for game from seventy-five to a thousand pounds, especially at ranges beyond rock-throwing yardage this category of cartridge is the most useful we have. It hurts you little, hurts the game a great deal." -Warren Page
Of course, Mr. Page was shooting his rifle, Old Betsy#1 in 7mm Mashburn Super Magnum which is similar to the 7mm Rem Mag
If I do get a 300 Win Mag, it would be simply because I want one, not because I need one.
According to Dave Petzal, The present Shooting Editor for Field & Stream, "Page was essentially a one-gun hunter. He used lots of different stuff, but the majority of his big-game trophies were killed with a single rifle-a 7mm Mashburn Super Magnum. Page got this rifle very early in his career-1949 or so. He called it "Old Betsy," and used only one handload for everything, a 175 Nosler semi-spitzer bullet at 3,050 fps. Throughout her career, Old Betsey wore only one scope, a 4x Redfield with a medium crosshairs.
Statements like this remind me that my 7mm Rem Mag is truly capable of everything I need in a big game rifle, and does so with relatively mild recoil. To me, that is, as Larry Potterfield would say, the nearly perfect hunting cartridge.
If I do get a 300 Win Mag, it would only be because I WANT one, not because I need one. There's nothing wrong with appreciating that cartridge's merit , that makes it a nearly perfect hunting round in it's own right.

A lot of people mention moose to justify larger caliber magnums but a 7mm RM worked just fine for me. Although I only have a sample of one it was a one shot, center of chest from the front, drt. The 175 gr Speer Grand Slam cut the liver in half and he dropped in place.

Elk on the other hand seem to be tougher to take without a run with the 7 RM. Never have had a drop right there experience with the 7 Rem Mag. Switched to the .338 Win Mag back in 1999 and that has worked much better. It's 338 caliber minimum now when elk hunting for me.

If this is still a going thing, I'm 65 & have only ever owned one 7mm Rem Mag. for about 2 years or so. It was an old Mauser action 1000 yd gun in a monster of a laminated stock. It weighed at least 15 lbs, likely more so it never got hunted with. Most of the hunting I did was in semi-mountainous deep woods so no reason to reach out much beyond 150 to 200 yards. I wasn't impressed with its performance out to 300 yds. & just couldn't grow to like the monstrosity so it went DTFR. Never bothered with another. Never felt the need for another. Most of my other belted magnums went DTFR as well. Still have a few in 2 calibers other than 7mm, but they're just for fun.

I guess just saying "I'm 51 and I use a like 7mm RM" would have been too easy.

All I know about a 7 mag is when they ask what you hunt with at a deer camp and you say 7 mag, they all nod their heads in approval. Same with a 30-06.

I've never been to deer camp. Mostly just shoot them a few yards off the jeep trail and load them in the back. Maybe have to try it someday and tell them boys "I don't always shoot a 7 mag but when I do..."

Well put....

I have owned a couple of 7MM Remington magnums. The last one I took only a couple game animals with before trading it off. It was a 1974 BDL and the two animals were a Utah Mulie and a Wyoming Elk. The Elk at around 90 yards and the Mule deer at just under 400. Worked just fine but it was mostly a safe queen.

I like mine to 1/2 Km or so on sheep and caribou and then with 175 Nosler Partitions Moose and Bear capable as well. Pretty good rig!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHEYfGy0w0w&t=102s

I have a 7 Rem. Mag. that I bought off a Gun Broker Auction for $ I 205.00 and have no idea how many rounds have gone down the tube. I've shot everythng from 140 grain Ballistic Tips to 168 grain Bergers and all in between. It really shoots 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips the best. I love the Noslers and will soon try some Partitions. About 7 years back it went full tilt Bozo on me. It had always been one of my most accurate rifles. Then it opened up all of a sudden to 5 inch groups. I mean one day it's shooting MOA and the next 5 inch groups. WTH!!! I immediately suspected my barrel was burned. I always jump to stupid conclusions and have to sit back and make myself think. I went back to the range with a different load that had always shot good. Same thing, 5 inch groups. I put it back in the safe and forgot about it for awhile. Then I was reading something about some guy that had the same thing happen. And he pointed out that if it's the barrel it's not going to do that from one day to another. BINGO! My brain kicked in. His problem was his scope mount. So I started checking things out in detail. I looked over the mounts and scope. All looked fine. Then I got my screw driver out. This had Weaver style claw mounts on the rings. When I tried to tighten one of the claw mounts to the base it wouldn't tighten up. I thought it was stripped. But on further examination I found it was Broke. It completely fooled me. Everything looked normal until I put a screw driver in it. I bought another set of rings and re-zeroed it and everything reset. It was back to shooting sub MOA. This is something i knew, always check for loose or broken mounting bolts. But in the heat of the moment I suspected the worst and forgot to check things out thoroughly. I suspected the worst Instead of looking for the most obvious.

Some gun writer once compared assuming the worst with ANY rifle that quits shooting is something like assuming a pickup that won't start needs a new battery or starter motor--when the problem might very well be the cable connections to the battery need cleaning....

Of course, he made that comparison because he sometimes assumed the worst, instead of checking the simple stuff first.

I like Talley bases and rings. My rifles hold zero better than the Leupold windage adjustable bases and rings I used before I switched. I have one set of the Leupold dual turn in rings on a Kleinguenther K-15 seven mag. The duals have been good, rarely have to adjust when checking rifle.

I assume the big caliber rifles are hell on mounts. They probably don’t use variable scopes on them.

Oh yes. And you have to look carefully too. But I went into that wiith my head in that warm dark place. I knew better than to think the barrel went south over night. But sometimes its easy to get off on a wild tangent when you know a rifle shoots better than that and all of a sudden it goes to hell in a hand basket. Sometimes it leaves your head behind. I was so proud of that rifle. I got it cheap and it shot so good, then whammo! Everything goes south.