Winchester 70 XTR

[Firepower!]

I am planning on buying a 7mm Remington Magnum. I have seen one slightly used with telescope a Winchester 70 XTR.

Does anyone have any comments on this gun?

 

[RickH]

I just recently bought a used one, after shooting it a friend bought one too. I have only used it at the range so far but I like it. Very accurate when the barrel isn't hot. I bought it because it could be used for both deer and elk. This is my first non milsurp rifle so I can't really compare and contrast much. The shop had a used Ruger, Browning (FN?) and the Winchester all in the same price range. The Winchester seemed to be the nicest of the three and the research I did before buying was all positive. I'd start with 150 grain bullets to get a feel for it. The 175 grain bullets whomp you pretty good after 5 or so.

 

[Firepower!]

Do you know anything about the range of this rifle, and up to what size of game can it bring down?

 

[RickH]

Here is a link with a lot of info on the 7mm:
http://www.gunnersden.com/index.htm.7mm-remington-magnum.html
If you do a search on "7mm remington magnum" you will also get tons of hits.
When I bought the rifle I was after something that would work for deer and elk. When buying ammo I noticed Federal puts animals on the boxes so you know roughly what game the bullet is good for. 150 grain has a deer on it, 175 grain has an elk, and 200 grain has a water buffalo. I think with proper bullets there isn't much you can't hunt with this caliber. There may be better choices if you are off to Africa. But I think you can cover most North American game.

 

[RickH]

Forgot about range. To be honest I don't know-reading online I see that people have shot deer out to 300 yards. Probably better at long range with lighter bullets. I am in Western Washington and all hunting on this side of the Cascades is pretty much hills and forest so long range isn't too much of an issue here. I think if you go to some ammo manufacturers websites you should be able to find some of those charts that show bullet drop with various loads. That may give you a basic idea of range. I hope someone with a little more knowledge and experience will step in and give you some better info. Good luck.