7mm Rem Mag or 300 Win Mag

[BLACKFIN]

Good morning THR.

With 2021 coming up it’s time for me to get a new rifle. I currently own Remington 700 ADL in 223 rem. It’s a great rifle and has served me well as a range/target/hunting/everything else. My wife enjoys shooting it so I’m not getting rid of it. Whoever i want to add another option with more power. Let’s keep the 6.5 Creedmoor, 308 win 270, or 30-06 out of the discussion because I feel that 7mm win mag and 300 win mag are both superior of those mentioned.

this new round needs to fulfill the following Roles
-Hunting (Hogs, Deer, Coyotes...)
-Range/Target up to 1000 yards Silhouette

I reload so ammo is not an big issue for me plus both rounds are fairly available in my area.

thank you for your input.
Blackfin.

 

[troy fairweather]

It's a easy question, 7 rem mag

 

[LoonWulf]

because I feel that 7mm win mag and 300 win mag are both superior of those mentioned.

7mm Remington Magnum, unless you meant the 7mm Winchester SHORT Magnum, which is all but dead commercially.

Of the two I prefer the 7mm, and own both.

Since you don't want to discuss other cartridges, I will only point out that while more powder ALWAYS equals better ballistics (all other variables being the same), it also makes the rounds rougher on equipment and shooter.

 

[silicosys4]

Own both, 7mm rem mag would be my choice as well. The .300 win mag might be arguably slightly better for hunting but the 7mm remington magnum doesn't give up much and is far more comfortable to shoot for range sessions

 

[earlthegoat2]

Of the two, 7mm Mag.

But I would choose a 300 PRC in that class of cartridges.

And I would choose 308/30-06 if I could choose anything given those uses.

 

[Ks5shooter]

I own both as well. Both have good points and applications but with only one to own 7mm is the choice.

 

[jmr40]

I feel that 7mm win mag and 300 win mag are both superior of those mentioned.

Only if hunting game heavier than about 700 lbs at ranges over 500 yards. For what you want to do the short action cartridges 26-30 caliber will do everything you ask and more with 1/2 the powder and recoil. Even if you handload it will cost you twice as much to load the magnums. But the costs will be offset because you simply won't be able to shoot them as much because of the recoil.

Between the 2 like the 7mm magnums better. You get virtually the same trajectory as the 300 with a little less recoil and with bullets heavy enough to handle all of the same game animals. But on the other hand the 7mm magnums seem to have fallen from favor among most shooters. It is less commonly available and not even being offered by some manufacturers anymore while the 300 seems to be seeing a resurgence in popularity. I don't see it that way, but according to the trends I'm seeing it appears many shooters disagree with me.

 

[redneck2]

My only big game rifle is a 7 mag.

That said, Just remember that barrel life is limited for a target round. The 160 range bullets can have fantastic B.C.’s

 

[WisBorn]

When I was making this same decision 20 years ago for my Weatherby I went with the 7mm Rem Mag. I have also owned the 300 wm.
I'm very happy with my 7mm choice.

 

[Ru4real]

7mm Rem Mag with a 26” barrel

175 grain bullets at 3000 fps muzzle velocity with G1 coefficients above 0.650. 1725 fps @ 1000y

Mossberg just added 7mm Mag to their rifle product line which has expanded a lot in 2020. They must see opportunity with the Remington bankruptcy.

 

[Huntolive]

The Real answer is 308 is Perfect for what you want.

Jmr40 exactly correct.

Both 300 and 7mm rem major overkill.

Go with 308, so many more excellent platforms to shoot it, so much more versatile and so much less recoil.

I own 308. And 300 Win Mag and 7mm Rem.
Just look at all the semi auto option s as well as bolt guns in 308.
Much Cheaper Ammo too.

Look I love 300 Win Mag, but for your purpose 308 is ideal.

And between the other 2 300 Win Mag every day and twice on Sunday, but get a muzzle brake.

Get a Bergara HMR or a tikka or Sako and never look back

 

[Bill M.]

Either. Or both.

 

[Sav .250]

The 7mm mag is no .223 Rem.
Great round. You best be able to handle it.
My son has one. Good luck.

 

[Hog huntin Harry]

7mm Rem mag without a doubt.

 

[wombat13]

I have a .300wm for my only big game rifle. If I were to do it over again I’d go .30-06 because I have a Garand. If not for that I’d go .308.

Of your choices, 7mmRM will have a little less recoil but ammo will be a little more difficult to find.

If I were going to go the magnum route now, I’d look really hard at the 6.5PRC. Also better for your stated purposes.

One final consideration, 6.5 creedmoor will use the same powders as your .223 rem. The magnums will uses slower powders so you will need to stick more powders.

 

[Captcurt]

But on the other hand the 7mm magnums seem to have fallen from favor among most shooters. It is less commonly available and not even being offered by some manufacturers anymore while the 300 seems to be seeing a resurgence in popularity. I don't see it that way, but according to the trends I'm seeing it appears many shooters disagree with me.

Just from my internet sales I can see that the magnums have lost a lot of their following. I have trouble selling both 7mm and 30 cal in the magnum offerings. Even the old faithful 30-06 has has seen a decline. This is ironic when you see the new hot offerings like the 26 Nosler and 6.5 PRC. I hate to tell you but this niche was filled a long time ago with the 264 WM and the 6.5 RM. Not really nothing new when it comes to downrange performance. 90% of my shooting, either hunting or target, can be covered by 6.5 CM, 7mm08 or 308.

 

[IdaD]

I own a 300 Wby but as a one gun solution I think the 7mm Mag is probably better, and upsizing from a 223 is pretty much a one gun outfit from a big game standpoint. I see it as basically a slightly flatter shooting 30-06, albeit with more expensive ammo. The 300 Mag is going to hit with a little more recoil but in a hunting rig it isn't objectionable, imo. You really can't go wrong with either. The Creedmoor is all the rage these days but both of these mags have some big upsides and in the field offer some significant advantages.

 

[Milt1]

7mm Mag for me!

 

[George P]

Another vote for the 7mag (I own a LH 700BDL). That said, if you plan on a lot of target shooting, you might find yourself going through barrels on a regular basis.

 

[Chuck R.]

Since you reload, I'd go .300W.

It "can" be a .308, or a 30-06 with some simple load development. It can also launch a 220 grain at just shy of 2750 FPS, or a 180 grn at over 3000. It really is a versatile cartridge if you load for it. It was used as a long range match cartridge and it's still used as a sniper cartridge, so the accuracy potential is there.

 

[Hog huntin Harry]

I don't mean to be that guy who recommends a cartridge you specifically ruled out, but I really suggest you take a second look at the .270 WCF.

 

[Legionnaire]

7mm Mag. But since you reload, you might take a look at the .280 Ackley Improved.

 

[Aletheia]

I think I would have to agree that, of the two, the 7mm makes more sense. But I say that because both your choices are "over the top" for the uses you describe, and the .300 WM is more over the top than the 7mm. I agree with the idea that you don't really need either, and might be better off with a bit less.

 

[WVRJ]

Between the 300 Win and the 7MM Mag,I would go with the 7MM.I have a 280 Ackley Improved,and it's a little less horsepower than the 7 Mag,but not too far behind.160 to 175 grain 7MM bullets have some incredible ballistic coefficients and will reach way out there without being too hard on the shoulder.The 300 would have to shoot bullets in the 190-220 grain range to do as well,and those in an 8 pound hunting rifle like my 700FS that is what I have in 300 Win Mag is quite unpleasant to shoot.I could put a brake on it,but they're not something I like to use.Well constructed bullets in either caliber will handle just about any big game situation in the lower 48.If you reload,you could load either one down a bit and shoot lighter bullets to save barrel and recoil pad wear.

 

[valnar]

The OP mentioned 1000 yards. Yeah, coyotes don't Magnum firepower, but with that range requirement, I'm surprised at all the slower recommendations.

7mm Mag will do it, but 300 Win Mag will do it easier at the expense of your shoulder. I vote 7mm