Author Topic: What happened to the 7MM Remington Mag? (Read 8128 times)

rickt300 · « **Reply #30 on:** September 04, 2006, 05:52:54 AM »

I have had very few bullets fail to penetrate and provide exit holes on deer. The last time was a 80 grain Remington PSP pushed to 3400 fps. The bullet still shattered 5 inches of spine and ended up under the hide on the far side after 12 inches of penetration. I'll test the 150 grain Sierra Gamekings at around 3100 fps on some feral hogs to see how they do along with the 175 grain bullets. I wii also shoot a couple into the mud bank behind the house, dig them out and see whats left.

jro45 · « **Reply #31 on:** September 05, 2006, 03:23:16 AM »

rickt300, How did the bullets make out in the MUD. Did they expand? I have shot pistol bullets thru gallon jugs of water and they expanded but I don't know about MUD with rifle bullets.

rickt300 · « **Reply #32 on:** September 05, 2006, 06:00:16 AM »

Ihaven't had a chance to do it yet, haven't loaded the shells yet either. Soft gray river bank musd works pretty good. You get a lot of picture perfect mushrooms. Fact is though just because a bullet will expand in mud or dirt doesn't mean they will on game. I found this out with the 350 grain Hornady RNSP pushed to 1550 fps out of my 45-70. But if the mud is just the right texture you can easily reciver the bullet.

rickt300 · « **Reply #33 on:** September 08, 2006, 07:40:08 PM »

I bought some Estate ammo loaded with the 160 grain Mag Tip at the gun show so I went to the gun range before work today t o see how they shot. Fired 21 shots in 80 minutes. I got 4 3 shot groups under 3/4ths of an inch after gettin them centered. I have one box left and I may hunt with it. The cartridge holders sure looked like what Federal uses only clear.

rickt300 · « **Reply #34 on:** August 20, 2007, 07:29:39 AM »

Well a year almost has passed and several trips to the range with different loads in the 7MM mag have been worked up. I have settled on RL22, 64.0 grains under both the 175 grain Hornady and the 160 grain Speer spitzer hotcor. Both bullets provide lazer type accuracy and velocity in between 2800-2900fps. I also tested some of the new Federal "Blue Box" 150 grain loads and found them to be very accurate and they hit close enough to my sight in with the above loads that I can use them out to 225 yards if I want. They give milder recoil than the reloads and hit a bit lower on the target. I haven't used a factory rifle for hunting in years but I like this one. By the way the load is max in my rifle with the 175 grain bullets.

beemanbeme · « **Reply #35 on:** August 20, 2007, 11:26:50 AM »

I am a "work up a good load and use it for everything" kinda guy. My go to load for my 7mag is a 160gr Grand Slam in front of a ladle of 4350.

Good advice that I carry over from my bass fishing days: rig to catch the biggest bass you hope to under the worst conditions you might encounter. As posted, S**t happens, be ready for it.

rickt300 · « **Reply #36 on:** August 20, 2007, 03:54:05 PM »

I figure those two bullets will cover just about everything for me. I do have some Nosler 140 gr. Partitions ordered to test in the future.

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #37 on:** August 21, 2007, 05:42:28 PM »

Quote from: beemanbeme on August 20, 2007, 11:26:50 AM

I am a "work up a good load and use it for everything" kinda guy. My go to load for my 7mag is a 160gr Grand Slam in front of a ladle of 4350.
...

The 160g Grand Slam, pushed with IMR4831, worked very well for me for over 20 years. Speer changed the way the bullet was built and although I suspect it would still work fine I switched to North Fork 160's and H1000. A side benefit was tighter groups, the best being 0.266", just about half the best I ever did with any other bullets.

jro45 · « **Reply #38 on:** October 02, 2007, 10:22:27 AM »

I've found that H1000 gives a good 2970 FPS with the 175gr Serria Bullet

Ahab · « **Reply #39 on:** October 02, 2007, 10:49:33 AM »

Quote from: jro45 on August 29, 2006, 02:49:16 AM

For my 160 and 175 gr bullets I use H1000. The 160s go about 3100 fps and the 175 go about 2950 fps.

Yup, works for me too! Re25 is another option.

rickt300 · « **Reply #40 on:** October 02, 2007, 12:27:35 PM »

I loaded up some 140 rain partitions on top of 68.0 grains of RL22 and took them and the rifle to the range. Well they shot a lot higher than the other loads but were very accurate. I sighted them in 3 inches high at 100 yards and will test this load out on a hog or at least one deer this year. In fact I may take this rifle instead of my 35 Whelen to the lease weekend after next. Deer season hasn't started yet but there are still hogs to work with.

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #41 on:** October 03, 2007, 05:35:47 PM »

Just loaded up 30 160g North Forks for my 7mm RM. This weekend I'll take them to the range and check the zero. Hunting season is nearly here!

NONYA · « **Reply #42 on:** October 03, 2007, 08:28:45 PM »

Well today the 7 mag shot a sub 1" group off the bipod in a HEAVY wind and then proceeded to take a badger and a small yote while scouting out antelope bucks for Sundays opener.After a mountain of deer,antelope,elk,yotes and various other critters taken with mine I dont foresee ever needing another caliber as my go to game gitter.

bajabill · « **Reply #43 on:** October 04, 2007, 08:03:03 PM »

Im sitting her trying to decide if I should sell or trade my 3006 for a new one, or keep it and buy a 7mm mag

I will always be an '06 guy, I just cant decide to slide in something between that and my 270wsm.

old06 · « **Reply #44 on:** October 05, 2007, 05:46:34 PM »

Well there boring this year one of my long range gun's is a Savage 110e and with the right charge of IMR 7828 a Win case and a 215 federal primer with a 154 grain Hornady interlock (old fashion) bullet it has the audacity to place 5 rounds in a group of .85 at a 100 yards like it has done numerous times before how can any one enjoy that. Then the they way they kill with one well placed shot and you have your game who would wand to keep a lousy gun of that type any one with such a 7 Remington mag rifle e mail me and I'll see if I or one of my friends could rid you of it and leave you open to get one of them good RUMS RUM WSSM or the such you dont have to worry about paying shipping of reimburse us for Fuel or our time I hate to see a fellow hunter stuck

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #45 on:** October 06, 2007, 03:08:38 AM »

Quote from: bajabill on October 04, 2007, 08:03:03 PM

Im sitting her trying to decide if I should sell or trade my 3006 for a new one, or keep it and buy a 7mm mag

I will always be an '06 guy, I just cant decide to slide in something between that and my 270wsm.

Depending on what else you have I'd ask "Why?"

Do you have a leveraction in .30-30? Or .45-70? Or a pistol cartridge? WAY more fun than a bolt gun! How about a varmint cartridge like a .223 or .22-250? Or a dual purpose cartridge like a .257 Roberts (if a handloader, else a .25-06)? Instead of filling in the box with a 7mm RM, how about going outside with a .300 Win Mag?

Don't get me wrong, my 7mm Rem Mag has a special place in my safe. But there isn't much it can do that you can't do with the .270WSM or .30-06 you already own.

rickt300 · « **Reply #46 on:** October 06, 2007, 04:38:33 AM »

There is nothing the 7MM RM can't do that the 30-06, 300 WSM, 7MMWSM or 270WSM can do as well. In fact if one reloads you don't need two or three rifles in this group of chamberings as any one will suffice for the majority of N.American hunting. It would be better to get a 358 or 35 Whelen for the thick cover hunting and one of the above chamberings.

NONYA · « **Reply #47 on:** October 06, 2007, 08:13:57 AM »

Show me how to make my -06 shoot as flat as my 7 mag with the same weight bullets......WAITING

Papaman · « **Reply #48 on:** October 06, 2007, 04:41:26 PM »

Hey Guys, I just thought I would put in my 2 cents. A couple years ago I bought used Sako Finnbear 7mm Mag. , the load I use is from the Nosler Reloading Manual, IMR 4350 , 65grs. for a listed 3,280efps with a 140 gr. Sierra Spitzer Boattail #1905 . Its fast and flat and accurate,the recoil isn't bad either, you might want to try it out and see if your rifle likes it as well as mine. It will work on anything from Coyotes to Deer to Elk, its a fact! I like the 7mm Mag so well I just this week ordered a used Ruger M77 , 7mm Mag. just cause. The 7mm Mag is a great all around cartridge I think, as do many others, it isn't going anywhere. I also have a Tikka 300 Win. Mag. in case I ever think I might need it! Shoot safe and straight and have fun. There is a lot of good info listed on this forum. Thanks, Papaman

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #49 on:** October 07, 2007, 06:46:10 AM »

Here's the results of my trip to the range yesterday.

It was blowing around 45mph (hard enough to blow over the chrono once (we weighed it down after that) and two of the target stands with heavy steel bases (we also weighted them down, first time we ever had to do that).

This is essentially 5 different loads, 2 each at 0.5g increments of IMR7828SSC with North Fork 140g bullets.

Cheesehead · « **Reply #50 on:** October 07, 2007, 07:05:34 AM »

I have owned a 7mm Remington Magnum in an A-Bolt, Topped with A VariX-3 for almost 20 years and this caliber/rifle combination still amazes me. It almost seems like cheating after a long bow season.

Cheese

jro45 · « **Reply #51 on:** October 07, 2007, 01:23:54 PM »

I have owned a 7MM Rem. Mag witch I have shot my boar with about 8 years ago. Its a great rifle! It now has a 26" barrel and I shoot it at 600 yds range.

Swampman · « **Reply #52 on:** October 07, 2007, 01:37:19 PM »

It's better than any of the short mags but it's still not as good as the .30-06.

jdt48653 · « **Reply #53 on:** October 07, 2007, 05:29:00 PM »

i guess most folks know that the only difference between the 264 win mag and the 7mm rem mag,
is the 1/2 mm, the brass is the same!

bajabill · « **Reply #54 on:** October 08, 2007, 06:44:30 AM »

Quote from: Coyote Hunter on October 06, 2007, 03:08:38 AM

Depending on what else you have I'd ask "Why?"

Don't get me wrong, my 7mm Rem Mag has a special place in my safe. But there isn't much it can do that you can't do with the .270WSM or .30-06 you already own.

I know that, but there is one thing it can do, fill the empty space between the 2 in the safe

I got it, Im a lefty, and its a lefty. The 06 is a lefty, so its still mine too. For the most part, I hunt with the 30-06 and 12ga, everything else is a toy. I had a whelen

, it is one I have wanted for a while, and since I dont have a whelen now, I may want one again. That drama can be found in the handirifle forum of GBO.

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #55 on:** October 08, 2007, 11:57:32 AM »

Quote from: Swampman on October 07, 2007, 01:37:19 PM

It's better than any of the short mags but it's still not as good as the .30-06.

That would depend on how "good" is being defined, i.e. what the requirements are. Many folks would contend the 7mm Rem Mag is BETTER than the .30-06 based on THEIR requirements. And they have so voted with their dollars.

I wouldn't trade my 7mm Rem Mag for a .30-06 even if I didn't already have one.

NONYA · « **Reply #56 on:** October 08, 2007, 12:02:50 PM »

Mine ran into a weary antelope buck yesterday and put him down at 392 yards in a HEAVY wind,wouldn't trade it for ANY other rifle,unless of course it was chambered in 7 MAG.

Swampman · « **Reply #57 on:** October 08, 2007, 01:19:35 PM »

"And they have so voted with their dollars."

There's no question in my mind that there are at least 10 times more .30-06 rifles out there (as there should be)than there are 7mmRemMags. I guess they have voted with their dollars.

burntmuch · « **Reply #58 on:** October 08, 2007, 01:27:14 PM »

Hey nonya ,little off topic, but hows your 7mag shoot with a bipod. Ive used a bipod with smaller calibers but never with my 7mag, never eveen thought about it. May be elk hunting with it next year. was thinking about shooting sticks , but Ive got a harris 13 to 26 inch bipod on my 243.

NONYA · « **Reply #59 on:** October 08, 2007, 02:08:57 PM »

I shoot sub MOA groups off my shorter harris bipod,dont get much better than that.Of course there are more 30-06s out there they have been in production for 60+ years longer...DUH...