300win VS 7mm mag

[jtruog]

I am planning on having a rifle built while i am in Iraq by GAP. I have a Remington 700 in 7mm magnum already. I bought this rifle for the action. I am going to use this rifle for long range shooting. The question I have is should I leave it in 7mm mag or go up to 300 win mag. I have emailed Zak and George Gardner for their opinions. Any info would be appreciated.

SPC Truog

 

[Maverick223]

Depends...7mm Mag, is flatter and has less recoil, but it more difficult to find ammo for (not a big difference really), barrel life is a bit better, and has more energy at longer ranges. For target shooting I would stay with a 7mm Mag.

Oh, and welcome to THR!

 

[bang_bang]

I have both...and enjoy both equally. The 7mm Mag sees a lighter weight bullet for whitetails than the 300 Win Mag, but both are about as close shooting within my ranges I can practically hold the same for 300-400 yards. Both are very versatile calibers. I can't really tell much of a difference recoil wise, the 7mm Mag is in a Model 70 Winchester while the 300 Win Mag is in a Stevens Model 200.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Definitely the 7mm rem mag if it's a long range rifle.

 

[dakotasin]

define 'long range'.

since you want to re-do a long action gun w/ a magnum bolt face, you might as well disregard all the short action chamberings that will work.

7 rem mag, 7 stw, and 7 rum would be my top 3 for this specific set of circumstances. i would also not disregard the 264 win mag, and 338 win mag... then the 30's...

 

[jtruog]

I define long range as anything past 700m. I plan on using this rifle to compete maybe in F class or similar type competitions. i have read Zak's posts and any info on hand loads for the 7mm magnum round would be appreciated. Thanks for the replies guys.

 

[Maverick223]

I say keep it 7mm Mag., but listen to Zak, he knows his stuff.

 

[SST]

Depends on what you are hunting. A 7mmRem Mag shooting 150gr bullets ands a 300WinMag shooting 180gr bullets have about the same sectional density. You couldn't tell the difference in trajectory at 400 yards, and wind drift is about the same. If you are hunting elk at long range, I would use the 300. If you are shooting mule deer at long range, I would use the 7mm. You can use 175gr bullets in the 7Mag and have an excellent long range big game rifle (not dangerous game) or you can fire 100gr at screaming velocities. The 300 can shoot 125gr or 220gr. The 300 does recoil more than the 7Mag, but neither are big kickers unless you spend all day at the bench. I have both and like both. It really depends on what you hunt and what you like.

I think the 7mmRemMag is more versatile and I shoot it more.

 

[Coyote_Hunter_]

I have a 7mm RM and a .300 WM and would keep yours in 7mm RM.

Handloading will make it shine.

 

[bang_bang]

Handloading will make it shine.

Handloading really brings out the potential in both calibers. I have dies, but no projectiles yet for the 7mm Mag (have enough factory stuff for a couple more hunting seasons) but have reloaded a bit of 300 Win Mag. From itty bitty bullets to big ol' heavy ones, these 2 calibers really come to life.

I know those 110 grain HP's in the 300 Win Mag are a hoot to deplete the groundhog population with.

 

[Maverick223]

and would keep yours in 7mm RM.

I would keep it too...but only if he gave it to me.

have reloaded a bit of 300 Win Mag. From itty bitty bullets to big ol' heavy ones, these 2 calibers really come to life.

We will have to have a "sharing thread" when I get my 300WM and get started reloading.

 

[jtruog]

Will not be hunting with it more than likely. What I want to do with the rifle is see how far I can ring the steel or gong. Hand loading will be new to me in a way. I have read extensively on the subject and will be purchasing the tools and dies while in Iraq. Any load data on the 168-180 grain bergers and the 175 grain SMK would be greatly appreciated. I have hand loaded pistol but never rifle. Any equipment help would be appreciated too. The stock i plan on using is the TAC-MOD stock that the amu team used in the best sniper comp. Again thanks

 

[JimKirk]

Equipment: Forster Co-Ax press and Benchrest Dies! Look before you buy anything else!

Jimmy K

 

[MTMilitiaman]

Any advantage the .300 Win has ballistically over the 7mm Rem Mag evaporates with range. There isn't much you can load in a .300 that is going to compare favorably with the .284 cal 168 and 180 gr VLDs offered by Berger for the 7mm. Long range is about efficiency and the match bullet offerings for the 7mm are simply more efficient.

This isn't even considering things like recoil and barrel life, both of which also favor the 7mm.

If you're looking for an appreciable advantage over the 7mm Rem Mag, you really need to consider the .338 caliber magnums like the RUM, Edge, and Lapua. This holds true in the hunting fields as well as for long range competitive shooting.

 

[jtruog]

What stocks would you guys recommend besides the a5 and the Manners .

 

[jtruog]

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it. Your experience is valued

 

[Nhsport]

The serious target guys I know (real serious, national competitors) pretty much use 308 , and reserve the 300 win mag for when its windy.
Some of them have been trying out some 6.5 wildcats.

Truthfully I have never heard of any of them considering a 7mm.

I don't know if its just tradition, availability of bullets , or if the 308's are just somehow more accurate.

 

[hawmanai]

There is a bigger selection of .30 Match bullets.

 

[hinton03]

Not a target shooter I am a hunter. I choose the 7mm Mag for large game and have never used more that one shot to drop 4 Elk and 2 Moose, of course long rang hunting is 250 yards IMO.

 

[Zak Smith]

The winner of the 2009 Steel Safari practical long-range rifle match used a new 7mm WSM from GAP. These 7mm magnums that can shoot an approx 0.65 BC @ 2950 or an approx 0.62 BC @ 3100 fps have very impressive long-range performance (even compared to .260), but do have some increased costs associated with them.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Thank you for serving.

 

[jtruog]

Thank you for the compliments.