7mm Rem Mag vs 270 Win

[LoonWulf]

Kinda like the guy who has no Internet gun forum presence, and hunts and kills elk every year with an old Rem 788 in 243. He has no idea his gun isn’t good enough to hunt elk…and the dead elk haven’t said anything yet either.

Sure but if that same guys walking around talking up his .243 literally all the time, pretty sure folks are gonna start saying stuff....

I don't really have an issue with O'Connor and his hyping the .270, but ive seen plenty of people whos lack of knowledge allows someone elses enthusiasm to lead them into making a poor choice for themselves.

Touching on match bullets for hunting might be a good example.
Ive shot Amax or some other form of match bullet in all my personal hunting rifles. I got there because they performed exactly the way i wanted.
Now my influence is far less than even your average webpage article writer...but if someone who doesn't know enough to read between the lines sees stuff like this constantly posted, even by no-names like me.
"Expand fantastically!"
"Kills faster than a normal hunting bullet!"
"More accurate than normal hunting bullets because they are MATCH grade!"
i could totally see someone grabbing a box of ANY match bullet and firing it from ANY rifle and expecing fantastic results.

All those statements I could argue, but which come with major caveats or generalizations.

 

[LoonWulf]

@TSchwab25 have you decided on which X Bolt model you are looking at?
@someguy2800 mentioned the 7mag has a 26" barrel compared to a 22" barrel on the 270. If hunting from a stand or open country the 4" of barrel is not a big deal, but still hunting or crashing brush the longer barrel is a limb catcher and a pain...

Great for poking fat spiders out of your way tho

 

[.45Coltguy]

I've had both 7mm RM[Win Mod 70] and a .270 Win[ Sako Finnbear]. The elk mount on the wall was taken with the .270 using a Nosler 160gr Partition and a good dose of IMR 4831.
Hit behind the left shoulder thru both lungs. 6-7 steps and tipped over. the .270 will work.

 

[robin banks]

Mine would blow primers or run out of case capacity before getting to 2700 if I remember correctly. Longer tube would probably have helped. But IMO, if your gonna shoot 200+ then a bigger case is in order.

54.2 gr of 6.5 staball pushes 208 gr at 2660 fps at 59K PSI in the 30-06. 30 cal mags operate at 64k in the same rifles as all the long actions. so I am sure you can get more then the 40 FPS to break 2700 FPS while staying well under 64K PSI. that comes out of the Hodgen 2022 manual. you know that the manuals data are printed to be on the safe side.

 

[JShirley]

I've had both 7mm RM[Win Mod 70] and a .270 Win[ Sako Finnbear]. The elk mount on the wall was taken with the .270 using a Nosler 160gr Partition and a good dose of IMR 4831.
Hit behind the left shoulder thru both lungs. 6-7 steps and tipped over. the .270 will work.

Here we have an example of "doing it right":
1. Heavy bullet;
2. Premium bullet with correct terminal performance;
3. Good shot placement.

If you're "doing it right", a more moderate power level is okay. It's like how I have no problem hunting (deer or hogs) with a 5.56x45mm, but for a novice hunter, I'd suggest something with a bit more power.

John

 

[WisBorn]

Great for poking fat spiders out of your way tho

When I'm carrying the rifle hunting it's cold enough (in Wisconsin) that the spiders and snails are under ground.

 

[.45Coltguy]

Here we have an example of "doing it right":
1. Heavy bullet;
2. Premium bullet with correct terminal performance;
3. Good shot placement.

If you're "doing it right", a more moderate power level is okay. It's like how I have no problem hunting (deer or hogs) with a 5.56x45mm, but for a novice hunter, I'd suggest something with a bit more power.

John

Thank you John.

 

[JShirley]

Thank you John.

It's why it's challenging sometimes to give good answers to questions like "is x caliber enough for y game?" The answer is often, it will do, if you will. Probably the majority of readers here are considerably more skilled than the average hunter- but we also have members who are intensely interested in firearms, but may have had little opportunity for practical experience hunting.

Default answer: when in doubt, use more gun.

John

 

[LoonWulf]

54.2 gr of 6.5 staball pushes 208 gr at 2660 fps at 59K PSI in the 30-06. 30 cal mags operate at 64k in the same rifles as all the long actions. so I am sure you can get more then the 40 FPS to break 2700 FPS while staying well under 64K PSI. that comes out of the Hodgen 2022 manual. you know that the manuals data are printed to be on the safe side.

Staball wasn't available when I was playing with The 208's in my 30-06, But from what I've seen it do and some of the other cartridges that's very possible.

Superformance, rl-17, rl-19, 7828ssc, and 4831s couldn't get me there though..... Not without literally blowing primers out of the casings.


I would also suggest some care with the hodgons data and the endurons, of which staball is not one I don't think.....
I've had very obvious pressure signs with those at or just below hodgdons maximums.

 

[LoonWulf]

When I'm carrying the rifle hunting it's cold enough (in Wisconsin) that the spiders and snails are under ground.

........ Next time I'm in the middle of them, I'll send you a picture of the spider forest that pop up from time to time.

 

[troy fairweather]

You ever see a tick ball I'll take spiders anyday.

 

[WisBorn]

You ever see a tick ball I'll take spiders anyday.

The bugs are still very much out when archery season opens. The worst time for ticks is spring turkey season.

 

[TSchwab25]

I’m wondering what’s wrong with the 6.5 you have? Just looking for another cartridge or is it specifically a target rifle?

Because 6.5 seems to get a lot of grief as a hunting cartridge but I suspect most of that is the shooter selecting a match bullet rather than a hunting specific bullet.

6.5 caliber cartridges been killing large game including moose for a long time…6.5 Sweed comes to mind…

That said, I like the 6.8 Western from what I’ve read on it. I owned a 7MM Rem Mag M70 and finally sold it…I’ll never own another belted magnum. Too many better calibers with less recoil.

That said, mine was an effective hunting tool. I killed many deer and antelope out to 375ish yards with single shots to the heart/lungs in Montana while living there. But friends with 25-06 and another with a .270 did fine too.

I’m saving my remaining testosterone, which is fine BTW, for other things than shooting hard kicking rifles.

I like the idea of downloading to .280 levels in the 7MM and would do that if I still had mine, but I would not go out today and buy one.

The 6.5 I have works, but i want something for specifically hunting, when i bought it was a do all rifle, but now I just want something better for hunting, and might as well try to get the "perfect cartridge" imo.

 

[robin banks]

Staball wasn't available when I was playing with The 208's in my 30-06, But from what I've seen it do and some of the other cartridges that's very possibl
Superformance, rl-17, rl-19, 7828ssc, and 4831s couldn't get me there though..... Not without literally blowing primers out of the casings.


I would also suggest some care with the hodgons data and the endurons, of which staball is not one I don't think.....
I've had very obvious pressure signs with those at or just below hodgdons maximums.

hunter powder is also very close to Staball for velocity. I dont see no reloading manuals that would dare get even close to max loads for any round. I remember hearing for decades from reloaders saying the max loads is where I start load development. the 30-06 was always loaded down cause of the older rifles and remingtons pumps and autos and those 2 rifles led to the almost demise of the excellent Rem 280 being downloade. they have to knock off the king of the hill to keep introducing new rounds.

 

[sarduy]

I should mention im coming from a 6.5 creedmoor so i have no experience with either, but ive never had a problem with recoil on other guns like 12 ga turkey loads or a 338 lapua.

imagine the 7mm is the 6.5 Creedmoor and the 300WM is the .308. That’s how they scale in terms of recoil, the 270 is about the same as a 30-06. If you ask me I’d say 7mm all the way.

 

[js8588]

Nosler 150 at 2900fps is going to do everything I'd need short of duty best done by 338/375 (375 Ruger in a Guide Gun, please).

So, make mine a 270.

 

[BushMaster-15]

Mr. 7mmRM at your disposal . I own more than a couple ,I own NO 270's so can't comment on recoil . After all a .270 is just a necked down 30-06 . The recoil comes from the projectiles weight more than it's powder charge . 7mm- 120-180 gr. pills pretty good selection ,I'd say

I would say your choice depends upon WHAT YOU intend on hunting and at what practical range ?. What's wrong with your CM ,I assume it's 6.5 ?.

I've only had to pull the trigger more than once ,Twice , since 1965 and on #5 Continents that's Not a bad track record .

My Lappy .338 doesn't just bark ,it BITES on recoil . Hands down a 7mm any day of the week . IMO

 

[SwampWolf]

For those who might want something different, using 7mm/.284 size bullets and having ballistics and a case configuration almost identical to the .280 Remington, consider the 7x64 Brenneke. My Ruger Model 77 RS MKII, chambered in said cartridge is one of the most accurate rifles I own.

 

[LoonWulf]

hunter powder is also very close to Staball for velocity. I dont see no reloading manuals that would dare get even close to max loads for any round. I remember hearing for decades from reloaders saying the max loads is where I start load development. the 30-06 was always loaded down cause of the older rifles and remingtons pumps and autos and those 2 rifles led to the almost demise of the excellent Rem 280 being downloade. they have to knock off the king of the hill to keep introducing new rounds.

Hunters never been available so i haven't tried it yet.

I've often started a grain or two under max, and found the edges of safe more than once.
I will in GENERAL agree usually manuals are conservative, BUT they arnt written custom for each piece of equipment or cartridge.

Having loaded both the 06 and 06AI, 280AI and others to the edge, I disagree that ALL current load data is WAY under, except possibly in specific cartridge which i dont feel any of the 06 family are part of anymore.

 

[BushMaster-15]

Hunters never been available so i haven't tried it yet.

I've often started a grain or two under max, and found the edges of safe more than once.
I will in GENERAL agree usually manuals are conservative, BUT they arnt written custom for each piece of equipment or cartridge.

Having loaded both the 06 and 06AI, 280AI and others to the edge, I disagree that ALL current load data is WAY under, except possibly in specific cartridge which i dont feel any of the 06 family are part of anymore.

Here's a real good indicator of cartridge Manuals Powder Charges ,regarding Minimum and Maximum charges .

Having more than a casual knowledge of powder production , thus knowing acceptable variations % wise these are the velocity pressure Deviation and WHY NO one can make perfect ammunition . Close YES Perfect NO !.
Powder 5% variation , primers just within a particular manufactures tolerances ,2-3% variance is allowable .

Now use an older powder manual Minimum loading data in many manuals ,is today's Maximum load .

The development of powder manuals came about as a result of untold hours of manufactures ,TESTING and recording those results so as to ensure they'd have REPEAT CUSTOMERS . Someone detonating a small ring Mauser with an overload ISN'T good for Business .

The ONLY actual way to KNOW with certainty if a load is over pressured ,is with Measuring equipment ,such as a piezoelectric .

 

[robin banks]

imagine the 7mm is the 6.5 Creedmoor and the 300WM is the .308. That’s how they scale in terms of recoil, the 270 is about the same as a 30-06. If you ask me I’d say 7mm all the way.

 

[Mike J]

View attachment 1090099

Never owned one but thats funny.

I've honestly never shot a .270 although that was what my old hunting partner used & he always got his deer. When I hunted with my neighbor that had a 7mm mag he always got his deer. I did shoot my neighbors 7mm magnum synthetic stocked model 70. It had just a little more recoil than my older wooden stocked .30-06 model 70. I can't say which you would like better. Different people perceive recoil differently.

 

[Jerry M]

A lot of cartridges have been suggested in the discussion here. Whatever the op chooses, I hope he peace until he becomes an expert shooter with that rifle.

Good Luck

 

[Goosey]

I should mention im coming from a 6.5 creedmoor so i have no experience with either, but ive never had a problem with recoil on other guns like 12 ga turkey loads or a 338 lapua.

If you already own a 6.5CM, I would say the 7mm. It is a bigger step from what you already have. If you don't own a suitable rifle, then I would say the .270, because sometimes less is more. And if you weren't limited to the .270 and the 7mm Rem Mag, I would say either a 6.5 CM or a .308 instead of the .270. I am assuming it is a hunting rifle.

 

[Scout21]

I should mention im coming from a 6.5 creedmoor so i have no experience with either, but ive never had a problem with recoil on other guns like 12 ga turkey loads or a 338 lapua.

Assuming you own the thing, I'd just stick with the Creed. With handloads it can be hopped up to respectably compete with the others. In factory loads there isn't a massive difference in ballistics between all three cartridges.