7mm short action cartridge recommendations

[glennwatson]

So I'm planning a rifle build and would appreciate suggestions.

I want a range gun that will sit in an MDT elite chassis with full weights. I would like to go 7mm short action. The main cartridge options I'm looking at include 7SWC, 7wsm and the 7 Sherman Short (probably more hunting). What else would anyone recommend

 

[03machstock]

I don’t shoot either, but 7ss (like you mentioned) and 7 saum. I think there’s a small following of 7ss for f class. Those guys also shoot 7-6.5 prc, which I think wouldn’t do well on a short action. I’m looking to do a 7ss barrel next time I get bored and want to add a caliber.

 

[Ronin22]

A "range gun" piled up with weights is best married to a cartridge that has lighter recoil for spotting splash. You wouldn't want to take that gun on a hunting trip unless you hunt out of a truck. I shoot 162ELDM 2700fps out a 708 to 1000yds with great success. 8.5 mils to 1000yds.

 

[Ronws]

One of the channels I watch is Impact Shooting from South Africa. Pieter Malan does a lot of hunting there and it is usually with a 7 Sherman Short Mag.

But, for your purposes, do you really need a short action? A heavy range gun can afford, I think, the benefits of a long action. Even the standard long action of a 7 PRC.

And, if not adverse to long actions, there is also the 7-300.

 

[Delicatessen]

For 180s most likely a Sherman short, for 160s or less saum, 7-08, 7-6.5 prc. Or I suppose the 7 creed wildcat/swc.

The 180 class tend to push coal outside of ideal for the short action unless the case is shortened ala Sherman design or the creedmoor case in 7mm. If you go medium the. The wsm or 284 are also a good option or the others listed as 160 class. I have quite a few 7mms but most are on medium actions or long.

 

[Wannashootit]

A "range gun" piled up with weights is best married to a cartridge that has lighter recoil for spotting splash. You wouldn't want to take that gun on a hunting trip unless you hunt out of a truck. I shoot 162ELDM 2700fps out a 708 to 1000yds with great success. 8.5 mils to 1000yds.

This.

OP didn't mention expected distance for range shooting (or hunting), nor game. Hard to make a recommendation when there's no criteria to do so.

I have a heavy .300 WSM I used for LR target. That 2,000 yard range closed nearly two years ago, haven't shot it since since the longest distance available is 700 yards. No reason to burn the powder, and the barrel, punching magnums when there's no reason to do so.

I rely on my 7-08, and I'm building a .284 Win now just to get a bit more... Unless you need a magnum for the game you're hunting, why?

 

[Mike Casselton]

This.

OP didn't mention expected distance for range shooting (or hunting), nor game. Hard to make a recommendation when there's no criteria to do so.

I have a heavy .300 WSM I used for LR target. That 2,000 yard range closed nearly two years ago, haven't shot it since since the longest distance available is 700 yards. No reason to burn the powder, and the barrel, punching magnums when there's no reason to do so.

I rely on my 7-08, and I'm building a .284 Win now just to get a bit more... Unless you need a magnum for the game you're hunting, why?

Just so you know, last Wednesday, we opened Bone Valley Range about 7 miles east of there.
We have a ton of run and gun bays, and currently 500yds maximum.
We're working to secure a joining piece of property that will get us back to a mile.

Polk Sporting Clays is also operational in case you like scatter gun stuff.

Lots of stuff still in work, but we're open. Hours are, Wed through Sunday 8-5.
Come on out and see us.

 

[glennwatson]

thanks all. It'll be purely for the range out to maybe 1000 or a mile. No hunting.

My original post was maybe confusing, was trying to say that the 7 SS is probably more for hunting than the range

Love watching piet malan and his build

 

[Rothprec]

I’m also interested in building a 7SS rifle for mostly hunting. Want something with a little more punch than 6.5CM. Planning Berger 180’s and either CRH Hunter or Bartlein 3B 24” barrel.

I haven’t hunted often in the last 5 years, but am planning to get back into it as my boys are getting closer to hunting age. 7SS should offer a nice solution to 500 yards for game such as elk, correct?

Any issues running a short action?

My plan is to convert my 6.5CM to 7SS by swapping the barrel and bolt when needed and stick to short action. Trying not to invest in a full medium or long range action full rig.

Thanks!

 

[Potsy]

FWIW, a friend is building a .284/LA, 28” or 30” (can’t remember which) barrel of fairly heavy contour. He’s not going suppressed on this one, so he added barrel length.
Planning on 180 Bergers around 2,850.
Strictly a tool to hammer range steel way out there. It’ll probably work…..

 

[Wannabeinotc]

Not sure if I can add anything.
But I am shooting 175Eldx from a 26" 7ss at 2955fps suppressed.
About 3mils at 600yds, maybe 3.1
This out of an Evo short action.

I plan(ned) on loading 180Hybrids, have 1200 of them but haven't gotten that far.

 

[Rothprec]

Not sure if I can add anything.
But I am shooting 175Eldx from a 26" 7ss at 2955fps suppressed.
About 3mils at 600yds, maybe 3.1
This out of an Evo short action.

I plan(ned) on loading 180Hybrids, have 1200 of them but haven't gotten that far.

Open to sharing current load data and OAL?

 

[Aftermath]

7mm-08