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Author Topic: 7mm Mag vs. 308  (Read 443 times)

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Offline Heavy C

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7mm Mag vs. 308
« on: December 03, 2005, 02:15:17 PM »
I'm looking to add a new barrel to my collection and I've narrowed it down to these two calibers.  Any opinions on which is better?  This would certainly be used for deer and hopefully elk in the future.  Both have plenty of options on the variety of bullet weights.  I know both are up to the task, but is one a clear-cut winner and why?  

Thankis for your help.
Chuck :D
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Offline Redhawk1

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7mm Mag vs. 308
« Reply #1 on: December 03, 2005, 05:49:38 PM »
I think I would go for the 7mm Mag. I like the extra punch for Elk. Have you considered the 300 Win Mag?
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Offline Gregory

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7mm Mag vs. 308
« Reply #2 on: December 04, 2005, 03:25:47 AM »
Out of a 15" handgun barrel does anyone know what muzzle velocities you would get for the same weight bullets out of:

308 Win
30/06
300 Win Mag?

I wouldn't expect that you could gain very much by going to the magnum in so short a barrel.
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Offline jamie

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7mm Mag vs. 308
« Reply #3 on: December 04, 2005, 04:50:03 AM »
If you were talking rifles then the 7 Mag is the easy choice but since this is in the handgun section the .308 would be better.  Velocity is not going to be much different and with the 308 you will be using alot less powder and recieving alot less muzzle blast.
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Offline Gavinator

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300 Win Mag
« Reply #4 on: December 04, 2005, 07:40:02 AM »
Mike ***** had sent this out in a newsletter 6/11/2003,

"Meanwhile...... here is a report on the progress of the .300 Win. Mag. 15"
Encore barrels with factory Muzzle Tamer brakes:

Hi Mike,
 
The barrels are doing great. Work has slowed me down on doing as much reloading
and testing as I would like but have done a little. All 3 barrels showed a
definite preference for H4895 with the lighter bullets.Tested a couple of
additional factory loads just for information.
 
Hornady Custom 150g BTSP
#1-2584  #2-2646  #3-2657
 
PMC 150g SPBT
#1-2708  #2-2781  #3- 2807
 
Handloading 150g bullets puts us into the mid 2900s on 2 of the 3 barrels and
high 2800s on the third barrel. I think 3000 is possible with a little more
tweaking. These loads are from listed sources and are showing no pressure signs
in these barrels.
 
The 165g bullets avg in the low 2800s in 2 of the barrels and mid 2700s in the
3rd barrel. This is with book max but showing no pressure signs in these
barrels.
 
Loads that shoot into 1" or less have already been found and would probably be
better with a steadier shooter."
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Offline Heavy C

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7mm Mag vs. 308
« Reply #5 on: December 04, 2005, 01:57:48 PM »
Interesting stuff.  I didn't consider the 300 Win. Mag - somehow the thought of that much recoil and muzzle blast did not appeal to me.  I'll probably go with a 308 for now.  Christmas is just around the corner and there's always room for one more barrel! :lol:

Thanks for your help!
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Offline Rog

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7mm Mag vs. 308
« Reply #6 on: December 05, 2005, 07:46:58 AM »
If were up to me (and it's not....), I'd probably pick the 308 Win.

I have had both the 7mm Rem Mag and a 308 Win in 15" unbraked barrels.  The 308 later became a 30-06 JDJ and I still have a 15" 7 mag barrel.

I've been rather disappointed so far in the 7 mag velocity.  I think a 7-08 or similar would do nearly as good.  However, it's been accurate with some loads.

The 7 mag recoil is probably my personal upper limit for a non-braked gun.  It recoils more than the 30-06 JDJ does, and certainly much more than the 308 Win.

The 308 can be rechamber to several different calibers if you so choose to in the future, if you want more (30-06 AI, 30-06 JDJ, 30-284, 30-338, etc.), while the 7 mag doesn't give you any options, really.

In my own 308 barrel, I've gotten the ballistics listed below

150's @ just under 2600 fps
165's @ right at 2500 fps (165 BT's at 2484 fps)
180gr Remington factory ammo was clocked at 2422 fps (only 180's ever fired in it)

My 30-06 JDJ would do the following
150's @ 2850 fps
168's @ 2715 fps
180's @ 2550 fps (I didn't push them any faster - recoil was quite stout)

I have not really had the chance to ring out the 7 mag barrel as yet, but preliminary testing has shown only ~2600-2700 fps with 139-145 grain bullets, depending on powder choice.

Regards,
Rog
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