That is one disgustingly neat reloading bench. How rude!

You cracking on me there Don??? Ha, it gets the job done and has been cleaned since then. Hey, whad ya think about the groups good? bad? or standard?

The groups look good to me, looks like it is shooting around 1 MOA for three shots.

For all of the reasons (good ones) you've given applauding your 243....go with the 243.

Good hunting

Thanks my friend, and yes, I will be toting the 243. The 7 Mag may be put into use next year for an early season bull only elk tag if I can get it.

Cheers

While I've never hunted that kind of game I have done a lot of shooting with the 7mm. Personally I like the round a lot. It really doesnt begin to shine untill after 250 yards or so. It really shoots flat and holds it's velocity at extended ranges and if I were to be taking shots at 300 and beyond I would go with the 7. Having said that my personal skill level with a rifle quickly begins to deteriorate (in the field anyway) at about 2 to 300 yards. I think most people are of similar abilities so unless your a much better than average hunter and marksman you probably won't need it. If you have that much confidence with your 243 I would go with that and have no worries. Those were great groups BTW.

BunnySlayer wrote :
" Having said that my personal skill level with a rifle quickly begins to deteriorate (in the field anyway) at about 2 to 300 yards." end quote

I do hope you mean 200 to 300 yards

Very funny hammer. That IS what I meant although somedays I wonder.

Thanks man! I did use the 243 and ended up with about a 120 yard lung shot that ended it all quickly. Best shot I've made on any game up to this point was a just under 300 yard shot on a small coyote with my 7mm Mag. I was seated with sticks and felt steady as on the bench. A 175 gr Trophy Bonded Bear Claw was a little over kill, but I had a buck and bear tag in my pocket at the time.

I've got to see how the draw works out this coming year as we pretty much try to stick to muzzleloader for deer and elk, but that early season bull only rifle tag here in Co. would be a good time to break out the 7 Mag.

SoCoKHntr:
Thank God you found Sanctuary in the Reloading Bench. I was terribly concerned for your safety in The Political Section