Do I need a 7mm?

[ngnrd]

First... A big thank you to everybody that helped me decide which clearance-rack rifle I just couldn't live without. After putting a few boxes of various ammunition down range the Tikka T3 Lite in 270win I bought seems to be a good choice. I have just installed a Burris Fullfield E1 3-9x50mm scope that it will wear during the load development process. Once I settle on a load or two, I'll put the Leupold back on for final sight in and field carry (the 50mm objective lens of the E1 just seems too big for such a lightweight, compact rifle).

Anyway, since you guys were so instrumental in my selection of the Tikka, I have another question for you. Do I need to add a 7mm Rem Mag to my stable?

To help you help me, here's some more info. Right now, I have the following rifles:

223 Ruger Mini-14
270 Tikka T3 Lite [new - not going anywhere]
270 Remington 700 Mtn [my go-to rifle forever]
270 Winchester 70 [pre-war]
30-06 03-A3 Sporter [heavy, short barrel, peep sight - basically a brush gun]
300WM Remington 700 [scoped, but also has irons - hard to come by these days]

So... keeping the above list in mind, another rifle has caught my eye on the same clearance rack from which I selected the Tikka. It's a Savage 116 in 7mm Mag. Although it's stainless, it is yet another "modern" rifle with an ugly black plastic stock. But, unlike the Tikka, I can easily swap the tupperware for a nice Pepper colored laminate stock from Boyd's for about $100. I could also sell the cheap scope that comes as part of the package to help offset the cost of the new stock, and install the Burris E1. I think it would actually look pretty good with stainless action/barrel sandwiched between the black 50mm Burris and a grey laminated stock.

The Savage is only $400, which seems like a pretty good deal for a stainless rifle, even when I factor in a little extra for a new stock. But, would the 7mm do anything that I can't do with one of my 270's, the '06, or the 300WM? In other words... do I need a 7mm Mag? And if you had to get rid of one of the other rifles to make a home for the new hotness, which one would it be?

 

[ColtPythonElite]

No.....

 

[RPRNY]

No. You need a 6.5x55. You will then understand the meaning of life and enjoy eternal serenity.

 

[Archangel14]

No. And that's final.........

 

[nastynatesfish]

I'd buy the 7 mag and sell the 30 cals. They won't do the same thing as well as the 7mm. You get no more range and more recoil with the 300 win mag. Better ballistics and flatter shot with the 7mm. I'd sell one 270 also because you can keep your 130gr to shoot out of it but if you load you don't need it either. A 7mag loaded with 120 Barnes is a deer/antelope liking machine. I'd even take an elk with it. 120gr of solid copper death running close to 3400fps won't be beat. I'm biased I guess. I've got a rem mag and a 7-08 I'm building now

 

[Jaxondog]

With those other calibers you don't really need a 7mm, but like you said; a stainless rifle for 400 bucks. Get it. Why not.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Well, seeing as how you don't currently have one, I'm gonna say yes.

That's the answer you were looking for isn't it?

 

[MtnCreek]

Get rid of the mini 14, skip the 7mm and buy a good AR.

 

[tc54]

no, you do not need a 7mm rem mag.

 

[Dups]

Take 400 dollars, buy lots of ammo... put lots of ammo down range, be more confident with the .270, and whatever CCW handgun you use.

 

[Brian Williams]

NO.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

I don't feel like a 7mm mag is a necessary or useful addition to what you already have, so I voted for buying ammo. However, it IS true that you can never have too many. I'd probably go for something to fill another niche... 22LR, 22WMR, 22HORNET... or .357/.44 lever, or .45-70... Something like that. But since I don't know if those interest you, I said save your money/buy ammo.

 

[wlewisiii]

I doubt anyone _needs_ a Magnum. OTOH, given your list, a 7x57 would show you what the 7mm can be.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Well, you certainly don't need it, but if you want it and you can afford it, then why not?

would the 7mm do anything that I can't do with one of my 270's, the '06, or the 300WM?

No, not really. A little more oomph with a flatter trajectory than the .270 or .30-06, a little less recoil than the .300 WM.

If you were trying to decide between those four rounds, I'd say the 7mm would be an excellent choice. But the animal on the other end of the barrel really isn't going to know the difference between them. They're all very capable big game cartridges, as evidenced by their being four of the five most popular big game rounds in many areas for some time (.308 being the 5th).

 

[Dr T]

You have three different cartridges in your ensemble that are all in the same class (270, 30-06, and 300 Win Mag), so you don't need it.

On the other hand, you do not have a 7 mm anything (-08, x 57, Rem Mag, Weatherby Mag), so it makes an attractive addition, and you can never have too many rifles. But then, you will need to add a 6 mm, a .25, a 6.5 mm, a .338, a .35, a .375....

It gets to be an addiction. So either buy the thing or get into a 12-step program.

 

[.333 Nitro Express]

If you want to really see what a 7mm can do, get a non-magnum--7x57 or 280 Rem. Efficiency at its best without the pyrotechnics.

 

[MachIVshooter]

But then, you will need to add a 6 mm, a .25, a 6.5 mm, a .338, a .35, a .375....

It gets to be an addiction.

Yes, it does.

I still need a .144", .204", .277", .338", .400" & .416" to round things out where I like it.

Covered centerfire rifles calibers are:

.172" (1x .17 Rem)
.223" (1x .22 Hornet)
.224" (6 x .223 Rem, 1x .220 Swift)
.244" (1x 6mm Rem)
.257" (1x .25-06 Rem)
.264" (1x 6.5x50 Jap, 1x 6.5x55 Swede)
.268" (3x 6.5x52 Carcano)
.284" (2x 7x57 Mauser)
.298" (1x 7.35x51 Carcano)
.308" (2x .308 Win, 3x .30-06 Sprg, 2x 7.5x55 Swiss, 1x 7.5x54 MAS, 1x .30-30 Win)
.311" (1x 7.62x39, 2x 7.62x54R, 1x 7.7x58 Jap, 1x .303 British)
.323" (1x .32 rem, 1x 8x57 Mauser, 1x 8mm Rem Mag)
.358" (1x .350 Rem Mag)
.375" (1x .375 Ultra Mag)
.458" (1x .45-70)
.510" (1x .50 BMG)

I had .221" squared away, but never could warm up to the AK. Maybe a so-chambered AR upper. I dunno.

 

[d2wing]

You have a truly accurate long range heavy hitter in the 300 Win Mag. My 7 mm is my go to for long accurate shots with a effective payload. I'd buy it and see how you like it. At that price you be easily be able to resell if need be. Let us know how it goes.

 

[cal74]

Not saying the Savages won't shoot, but personally I just can't warm up to them.

BUT... everyone needs a 7mm of some flavor, I have my 4th on it's way sometime soon. (Kimber Montana .280ai), already in the safe are two 7mm-08's and a 7mm Rem Mag

Certainly don't need another one, but still searching for that perfect rifle.

 

[MCgunner]

I love 7mm bullets for the BCs combined with weight. I was considering another rifle back in the early 90s, wanted a 280, but thought, heck, I could load down a 7 mag, but couldn't load UP a 280, so I got the 7 mag and never loaded it down. Instead, I got a .308, LOL!

Anyway, mine's a 20 year old Savage 110, accurate rifle and has taken a half dozen west Texas whitetail and a New Mexico Rocky Mountain Mulie. I mostly hunt brush and cover now days, so it doesn't get out too often. Heck, lately I've been hunting with my .50 cal CVA wolf (took a 5 point last year with it) and this year I've been using my Rossi 92 in .357 magnum. Fine rifle, though. It ain't for sale. I might hunt something big like a Nilgai with it, someday.

 

[Kachok]

No. You need a 6.5x55. You will then understand the meaning of life and enjoy eternal serenity.

+1
I do enjoy my 7mm as well though.

 

[oneounceload]

If you like your 270s, get rid of the rest; otherwise, get the 7mm and get rid of the rest....

I used to own a 6.5x55 carbine from 1907 -nice gun, but I also have a 7-08 and 7mag - makes life simpler

I see no need for a 300 mag when you have 30-06 and 270 - if you are going after something the 270 and '06 aren't capable of handling, then you're more likely into the 338 or 375 range

 

[Snag]

No.

 

[ngnrd]

Well, this really has been a tough one for me. I was looking at buying the 7mm because $400 for a brand new stainless rifle is a pretty darn good deal - even if I add a few bucks to swap out the stock. And, it has an advantage of being a slightly better round for longer shots on caribou on the open tundra than my 270.

I do like the idea of having at least one stainless hunting rifle (all my others are blued, except for the Mini). But I'm just not sure it's worth spending the money on something with only marginally better performance that what I already have, just to get a rifle that's a little more weather resistant.

Honestly, I've never found myself in a situation where an animal presented itself just outside the effective range of the 270, but clearly within the effective range of a 7mm, without allowing me to get just a little closer (Does that situation even exist?).

So, I think I have the answer to my original question. Considering what I already own... no, I don't need a 7mm mag. Now, there are other questions I need to answer. Like...

Do I want a 7mm mag?
Is a new stainless Savage in 7mm for $400 too good of a deal to pass up?
Would it still be a good deal if I have to give up something I already have to get it?
And, if did have to give something up, what would I be willing to part with?

Of course, you guys can't really help me answer those questions. They're things that I'll have to wrestle with over the next few days. Whatever I decide, I'll let you know.

Thanks for all the input.