BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

[fuzzybear]

I've had, listened to and read many discussions on hunting cartridges. It's inevitable, every time there is a die hard 7 Rem Mag user. They make it sound like it was the round that God, Himself developed.
It's a great round but, where is it so wonderful?
Just curious.

[Captain_Obvious]

Because for starters, it offers pretty much the same performance on big game as the 300 Winchester Magnum. It shoots faster and flatter than a 30-06, hits harder, and has only a little more recoil. It is by far the most useful of the 7mm Magnum cartridges, and probably the most efficient. Much more efficient than the 7mm Ultra Mag and 7 STW.

It definitely wasn't developed by any supreme beings, just by Remington when they introduced their model 700.

[NONYA]

It is wonderful because it is my favorite! ; )

[fuzzybear]

All rounds had a specific use in mind, when they are developed. If used within the boundaries they were intended. All rounds serve their purpose.
What advantages or disadvantages would the 7 rem mag have over another round that was developed with the same useful intent?
Just curious.

[NONYA]

The 7 mag is not capable of doing anything that several other cartridges are also capable of,I think it is a very popular round because of its relativly light recoil and long range performance.It is my personal favorite because of the light recoil and the fact that I can use it on all the big game that I hunt along with varmits,its great to be able to take my rifle out and shoot a couple dozen prarie dogs without the sore shoulder you get from some of the others like the 300wm.Nothing special,just exactly what i want in a hunting rifle.

[Captain_Obvious]

What I meant by saying it is the most useful of the 7mm Magnums is that it does exactly what all the others i.e. the 7mm Weatherby Magnum, 7mm Ultra Mag, 7mm Short-Action Ultra mag, 7mm WSM, 7mm STW, can do pretty much right down to the letter. The outsized 7mm Mags, the Ultra Mag and STW are not efficient cartridges. They require huge amounts of powder per-increment to get them to perform as advertised. The 7mm Remington Magnum can be loaded to perform nearly identically to the bigger 7 mags with proper loads, giving the reloader the option of using mild loads, loads that equal factory performance, and loads that exceed factory performance by varying degrees.

In the case of the 7mm Magnums, bigger isn't necessarily better, in my opinion.

[fuzzybear]

If a 7 rem mag users hunting was exclusively in the lower 48 and he wanted a good round to use in situations that may not be suitable or ideal for a 7rem mag. What might be a good choice?
The 7 rem mag is a versatile round, with a very good selection of bullets but, not necessarily ideal for all situations??? Curious to here what round could suppliment a 7 rem mag if the need arose.

I guess, an easier way to ask is. If the 7 rem mag was/is lacking in any way. What round could pick up where the 7 rem mag might be lacking. In the lower 48.

[Captain_Obvious]

Here's how I'd play that scenario, as far as rifle selection goes:

Open/pasture/plains/mountains- CXP-2 and CXP-3 game: 30-06, 7mm Remington Magnum. Bullet choices for the 30-06 would be 150, 165, and 180 grain bullets, all with ideal BC's and SD's. 7mm bullets would be ones in the 150 and 160 grain class, again with the most ideal BC and SD.

Clearings/valleys: CXP-2: 243 Winchester, 100 grain bullet. CXP-3: 444 Marlin, heavy bullet.

Woods/creek bottoms/tight cover: lever-action rifle or bolt-action Mannlicher-style carbine. Chamberings of 30-30, 45-70, 444 Marlin, and 308 Winchester.

The first round that comes to mind with regards to picking up where the 7mm Remington Magnum leaves off would be a 338 Winchester Magnum. In the lower 48, I can't totally understand why one would need more cartridge than the 7mm Rem. Mag. However, I could certainly understand the need to have another rifle that is useful where an 8-1/2 lb rifle with a scope and a 24-26 inch barrel isn't. You certainly DO NOT need a 7mm Magnum, or any magnum, in the eastern states.

[fuzzybear]

So, if a hunter in the lower 48 had a 7 rem mag w/ 150's, 160's or 175's and a short iron sighted carbine that threw heavy bullets. He could have all the bases covered.
I won't be selling any of my 30 cals. and covert to the 7 rem mag but, it makes sense to me.
Thanks for your thoughts.

Of course there would have to be a 22 LR and a 12 ga. in there.

What I've done with the 30 cal. could also be done in 7mm.
300 wsm / 7 rem mag - long shooter
308 win / 7-08 rem - close work
30-06 / 280 rem - heavy for caliber bullets

[Captain_Obvious]

Yeah, you need a small game rifle and at least one good shotgun in there. High-powerd rifles just don't work well on turkeys, I found that out the hard way.

I didn't even think of the 280 Remington. Except where elk and big stuff come into play, it can take the 7 Rem mag's place. Not that it won't also work well on big stuff.

I almost bought a 280 instead of a 30-06 as my first rifle. I had originally planned to by a Remington 700 BDL SS in either 30-06 or 7mm Remington Magnum, but they just had the 280, 300 Win Mag, 300 RUM and 338 RUM. I didn't really want a 280, and felt a 300 Win Mag as a first rifle would be pushing it. The 30-06 I bought is pretty mild-mannered, and I am pretty well numbed out to recoil after shooting so many 3-inch magnum 12 gauge shells.

[fuzzybear]

So, was the turkey shot , gutted and feathered all in one fatal swoop from the bullet. There probably wasn't much left to eat.

I can't imagine doing all of the hunting I do with one long rifle that throws medium weight bullets at 3200 fps. If I was back in Neveda, where I cut my teeth on hunting. The 7 mm would suit me just fine. Since having the opportunity to hunt the variety of terrains that are up here. One rifle is usable but, not very practical.

[Captain_Obvious]

I got some breast meat off the turkey, but not much.

I certainly couldn't hunt every location with one rifle, it would be impossible. There are a bunch of spots I'd like to get at with a bow.

[NONYA]

How would it be "impossible" to hunt all those "locations" with one rifle?Couldnt you use detatchable scope mounts for those occasions you insist you need open sights for?I can understand the need for different loads for different species but not the actual need for a different gun,maybe you need to work on your shooting and get more comfortable with one gun so you dont have to own a different rifle for every state and species on the continent.

[Captain_Obvious]

Ummm, no I don't need to work on my shooting. You don't understand what I am talking about when I say the cedars are THICK.

Nobody even said anything about needing a different gun for every animal on the continent. I see you're back to your old tricks again, same crap, different day.

[NONYA]

If "my old tricks" means having a different opinion than you then i guess your right,exsplain to me why you couldnt hunt thick cedars with a rifle that has detatchable scope mounts allowing you to use the open sights,then exsplain to me why you couldnt hunt different terrains with a 7mag,then maybe we can have a discussion rather than slinging insults wich seems to be "your old tricks".