Author Topic: More than 7 mag? (Read 3049 times)

Handwerk · « **on:** April 18, 2005, 11:35:28 PM »

If I don't plan on hunting the big bears ,I just can't see getting anything bigger than my 7 mag. I've got several rifles in smaller calibers and I often get that itch for a new rifle but I believe the 7 mag will take care of all my current/future needs, i.e. whitetails,mulies,elk,moose,caribou,pronghorn and blackbear.I will never go to Africa and I don't think I'll ever have the $ for a sheep hunt but the 7 mag would do well there too. Why put up with more recoil if the 7 mag will take care of business, am I being too practical?

Mikey · « **Reply #1 on:** April 19, 2005, 03:24:26 AM »

Nope, not at all. This is just my opinion but, the 7mm mag is capable of doing whatever you need done in the hunting field in North America and there is neither good reason or good sense in having to tolerate heavier recoil when ya'll don't need to. Although you may be able to tolerate heavier recoil now, that may not be so easy in the future and recooil will take its toll on your shoulder. HTH. Mikey.

Jimi · « **Reply #2 on:** April 19, 2005, 09:15:46 AM »

You make it sound like the 7mm Mag. doesn't have much recoil. But to answer your question, there is no doubt that this cartridge will do everything you want it to. For the sake of conversation, however, I'll suggest that there are cartridges that will do every bit as good a job with less recoil.

Lawdog · « **Reply #3 on:** April 19, 2005, 10:37:21 AM »

After having killed three Alaskan Brown Bears and a couple of Inland Grizzly Bears I have to disagree with the idea of using a 7mm magnum(donÂ’t care if itÂ’s a WSM, RSAUM, Rem. Mag., RUM, Weatherby or whatever wildcat version you have) is a good choice. Oh sure they will kill one, but so will a .22 lr under the right conditions. Those big bruins can/do take a lot of punishment before packing it in. If you are not going to hunt the big/dangerous game then of course you donÂ’t NEED anything bigger. But them Â“Big BoresÂ” sure are fun to shoot. Lawdog

Handwerk · « **Reply #4 on:** April 19, 2005, 11:28:28 AM »

Lawdog, I said that I don't ever plan on hunting the big bears.It'sjust that it seems to be getting hard to justify another rifle.

longwinters · « **Reply #5 on:** April 19, 2005, 11:46:56 AM »

I think for a person like you, or me, and in regards to the species we would (and would not hunt) the 7mm will do anything you need. With todays bullets etc... you would have no problems.

Long

Don Fischer · « **Reply #6 on:** April 19, 2005, 02:49:15 PM »

Under these guidlines, tell me what the 7mm Mag will do that the 7x57 or 7mm-08 won't? And the 7x57, 7mm-08 and 280 Rem will do it with a lot less recoil! Been there, done that!

Handwerk · « **Reply #7 on:** April 19, 2005, 03:03:10 PM »

Don, First off thanks for your input. Although under some conditions the calibers you mentioned are close but if you look at the charts you will see the 7 mag wins out. I have a 7mm-08 too but down range it lags behind. But the main reason for my love of the 7 mag is it was my 1st big-game rifle, and I still use that gun for Mn. deer every year. I did add a tikka ss/syn in 7mag for good reasons. I also have a .270. At one time I had a remy 300um but came to realize it was not needed for my type of hunting. I just don't see the need to get anything bigger than my 7 mag. but thats just for "my"needs.

aulrich · « **Reply #8 on:** April 19, 2005, 04:38:48 PM »

If we are honest with ourselfs is anything past any of the 30-06 based cartridges really required (for non-dangerous game). Now I consider this for normal guy normal hunting, if you are on a once in a lifetime hunt I would not want to be under gunned. Not so much trajectory but if I was looking at the south end of northbound alaska yukon moose or a big bull elk I would want to be able to pull the trigger and know it will make it through the vitals.

But if we all shot 30-06 what fun would that be, we would have to talk about work or God forbid our "Feelings" :-D

jro45 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 21, 2005, 03:03:42 AM »

I think the 7 mag is a fine rifle and will do what ever you want to do in the good old USA. If it can't you'll just have to get another rifle that can. I own a 7mm mag and killed my boar with it.
I agree with Lawdog also that big boars are fun.

azmike · « **Reply #10 on:** April 21, 2005, 09:02:14 AM »

The 7mag is currently my only centerfire rifle. Mine has been plenty accurate for my needs (it will shoot better than I am capable). I have hunted mule deer and blacktails, whitetails, black bear and cougar with it. IMO, this cartridge is overpowered for all of these except perhaps a large (over 400 pound) black bear, or shots over 400 yards, which I will probably never take. That said, I am keeping it, and will continue to hunt with it, as it has worked for me, and I would rather be overgunned than undergunned for what I'm am hunting.

buffalobob · « **Reply #11 on:** April 22, 2005, 02:56:30 PM »

I have shot a 7 mm Mag (wby) for 35 years. Crow to buffalo, it'll do the job.

Jim n Iowa · « **Reply #12 on:** April 26, 2005, 02:07:31 PM »

I have been shooting the big seven for almost 30 yrs, at varmints to muleys. Like to get a elk hunt some time. I hand load so I am trying out different coyote loads for the winter hunting around here. As was previously stated it can be hard on your shoulder at the bench. I put a brake on it and never looked back. I also shoot a 338 in the same manor, its fun to shoot too, and it wears a brake also, which in the summer will blow all the flying little critters away.
Jim

MickinColo · « **Reply #13 on:** May 04, 2005, 03:48:42 PM »

I donÂ’t go out of my way to shoot bears, I donÂ’t eat bear meat if I can help it. In the lower 48 the 7mm rounds are more than enough, with the 7mm Rem Mag as the best. The 7mm STW is more recoil than needed, the short magnums are not necessary, the smaller older 7mmÂ’s (7 Mauser, 7mm-08) are good but not up to the snuff of the 7mm Rem at long range. The Weatherby is not worth the added expense.

Savage .250 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 31, 2005, 04:49:57 AM »

The 7 m/m is one mean puppy. My son has one and come range-day everbody gets to shoot it. Not that the recoil is "strong" but one and done
is the norm. Good thing it`s got a really smooth trigger as this helps the
process. :sniper:
One other thing learned years ago , don`t "crowd" the scope. LOL.

" The best part of the hunt is not the harvest but in the experience".

cal sibley · « **Reply #15 on:** July 13, 2005, 12:14:02 PM »

My 7mm Rem. Mag. takes all the game that I'm apt to hunt, and it does so without turning me into a spastic cripple. Accurate with manageable recoil, what more could I want? Just one mans opinion. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #16 on:** July 13, 2005, 03:59:27 PM »

Handwerk –

The 7mm Mag is an eminently practical rifle for North America, at least for game up to the size of elk – as I’ve been proving to myself for the last 24 years. If I was going after big bears or even moose I would probably take the opportunity as an excuse to purchase a .338 or .375, or simply leave the bolt guns at home and take my Marlin .45-70.

My choice for bullets has been the 160g Speer Grand Slams until last year, and it has performed perfectly. Last year I switched to the 160g North Fork but did not get a shot. Other bullets I would consider are the 160g Swift A-Frame and 160g Speer Trophy bonded, which is loaded by Federal.

1911crazy · « **Reply #17 on:** July 18, 2005, 01:10:57 PM »

I chose the 338win.mag. over the 7mm rem mag and 300win.mag mainly because of its power with 4,000ft.lbs at the muzzle and 2,800ft.lbs. at 200yds thats the muzzle energy of a 30-06 at 200yds. its capable of handling everything in North America plus thinned skinned game in africa. Some guys don't like the stopping power of the 7mm rem mag I have heard talk on other sites. I chose the 338 because of the ft.lbs. and stopping power. Right out of the box with the remington 700 in 338win.mag she'll put two bullets thru the same hole at 100yds using winchester ammo with no muzzle brake of course i'm 300lbs+++ too. Ya it might kick a tad more than my '06 but she turns up the numbers on the ft.lbs. I mainly use the 338win mag for blackbear hunting, i hunt blackbear on the ground I'm not in a treestand like most hunters hunt. There's nothing wrong with tree stand hunting i'm just too big for tree stands. BigBill

I have plenty of 7mm mausers and what the hell they shot elephants with those right?? I'm thinking of getting a 280rem next mainly because i just got two sets of dies and many empty cases for it too for free and they just can't sit here doing nothing.

Savage .250 · « **Reply #18 on:** July 20, 2005, 07:57:20 AM »

7 M/M is a good choice for the stuff you said your going to hunt.
Will get-um up close and down the road.
Don`t discount the recoil. It`s there. Life is good

" The best part of the hunt is not the harvest but in the experience".

Mr. Joe · « **Reply #19 on:** January 29, 2007, 08:16:33 AM »

7 mag not enough for bears!!! Give me a break! A bear has never been born that is too big for the 7 mag. The .30-06 is still used regularly for big bears and the Big 7 is all over that, esp. when handloaded. Is it the best...nope, but i wouldnt hesitate to use one on a brownie. My grandfather put three big coastal browns 6 feet under in his day...all with one shot each. What did he use...you guessed it, the .30-06. Granted that was in the 1940s and he lived in Kodiak Alaska, but he always said...get the bullet where they live and they will surley die! Sure, bigger guns may be more suited, but not more needed. Unless of course you are a poor shot i guess. Ask Warren Page if a big 7 can put a bear down.

beemanbeme · « **Reply #20 on:** January 29, 2007, 11:26:10 AM »

Handwerk, I'm confused. Are we supposed to be talking you INTO buying another rifle or are we supposed to be talking you OUT OF buying another rifle???

Keep your 7Mag, and get a 7-08 (I assume you hand load). After a couple of trips, you'll find yourself leaving the big 7 at home more and more. I like my 7mag and I like to shoot it. Mine also happens to be uncommonly accurate. But that 1.5-1.75# feels like 50 at the end of the day.

Keep you 7mag for elk and if you're assured of an 800# blackie, use the mag for that. But if its only gonna be a mere 750# bear, use the 7-08.

I have never hunted the great bears (nor blackies for that matter) but if I did, I'd want something that would make a hole big enough to drop a grapefruit in. No doubt the 7mag has the energy to kill a big bear, it just may take the bear a while to realize it.

kyelkhunter3006 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 29, 2007, 11:48:12 AM »

The 7 mag (whichever one you like) will do for anything you want to hunt in the U.S.

Yeah, a .338 or .375 would b great for bears, but I'll bet that if you showed up in camp with both, and the guide saw the nice groups you shoot with the Seven and the nice patterns you shoot with the .375 (because you didn't like to practice with it), he'd tell you to take the Seven.

Besides, lots of bears are killed with the .300's all the time, and there really isn't that much difference between a 175 gr 7mm and a 180gr .308 slug. I don't care what the manual says.

That being said, you should really buy as many rifles as you want. That way, we ensure the continued development of better arms, the Free Enterprise system of the U.S. will flourish for many years to come, in turn keeping us in trouble with our wives, and teaching the ways of the gun lover to the next generation to come!

kudzu · « **Reply #22 on:** January 29, 2007, 05:28:41 PM »

kyelkhunter3006, I knew if I keep strolling around I would find something that we would agree on.LOL
Have a 300rum I used for elk hunting this year and will most liklly continue to use it for elk. Have everything from .22 to 338wm except a 7mag. However a 7mag is on it's way for my encore prohunter. While I have never owned a 7mag (do have a 7mmrum), I have a lot of hunting and shooting friends that do and have been around them for years. While there are plenty of great rounds out there like the 30-06 or even the 270wsm( which is balisticlly better than the 7mag with 140gr bullets) which I have. If I had to choose only one with all things concidered (bullet selections, availibiliy, etc.) it would most likely be the 7mag. IMHO it's a great "down the middle " cal.

DM

jasonprox700 · « **Reply #23 on:** January 30, 2007, 04:25:45 AM »

The 7 Mag is a good caliber. My dad has one and I have a .280. I like my .280 better though. I handload, so I can make that thing shoot about the same as the 7mm with some hot loads. My .280 is a lighter gun and it is cheaper to shoot. The recoil is a bit less with the "normal" loads. My dad is looking at getting rid of his 7mm and getting a .280. We mainly hunt whitetails.

My dad figured that a .280 would be able to do about everything he needed it to do. If was to hunt something bigger, he would probably borrow or buy a bigger caliber rifle.

NONYA · « **Reply #24 on:** January 30, 2007, 02:54:52 PM »

You will never look back if you go with the 7mag,been shooting one for 15 years,I have taken many elk,deer,antelope and bear with it,it kills as quickly as any of the bigger calibers like the 300 or 338.As for big bears there have been MANY killed with a 30-06 and quite a few killed with the 7 mag,loaded with one of the quality expanders like the barnes triple shock in a 170 or heavier it will do th job,they are killed every year with a compound bow,I think the 7mag can do it from much farther away.

Mr. Joe · « **Reply #25 on:** January 31, 2007, 09:55:36 AM »

Lol, you cant compare factory loads to handloads. Compare your hot .280s to somones hot 7mags! I do like the .280, but in the case of the 7mag i see no reason to go for less recoil, 7mags are as gentle as a pussy cat!

fatercat · « **Reply #26 on:** January 31, 2007, 12:57:07 PM »

i hunt with a 7 mag. and a 35 whelen. how you gonna beat that combo on this earth. you ain't.

Sourdough · « **Reply #27 on:** February 01, 2007, 06:54:38 PM »

My 7 Mag kicks just as bad as my .338 Win Mag. Unlike other folks who are comparing differant guns I am not. I am using the same gun for the comparison. Barrels are the same weight and length, with the same model scope. If I was going to have one gun for North Americia, and not going after the big bears it would be a 30-06. Why take the abuse of the reciol of the 7 Mag or .338 when not needed. I also know several people that use a 7 Mag for Coastal Browns.

NONYA · « **Reply #28 on:** February 01, 2007, 08:12:02 PM »

my -o6 with factort buttpad kicks more than my 7mag with a limbsaver pad on it.Sourdough do you know what loads they are using on those browneys?

Mr. Joe · « **Reply #29 on:** February 02, 2007, 02:58:28 AM »

Recoil is a funny thing. I had a 700BDl in 7mag that kicked like a mule. It was the terrible stock design on those guns though. I sold it, but later got a ruger 77MKII in 7mag that is a pussy cat. I know its because the stock fits me better as the ruger weighs slightly less. As for the 7mag on the bears, my old neighbor aced a big costal brown in like '89. One shot, took out a shoulder and a lung, one shot, one dead BIG brownie and he used a 7mag with 175 partitions. Good round that 7mag. Now my grandfather lived in Alaska for over 25 years and in his day he took out three big bears, all with the '06. He never had a problem either! Another great round. They are both on my top five list wich inludes the 8x57, .308, .30-06, 7 mag, and the great 7x57, in no particular order.