Plain old 7mm mag for comps?

[backyardsniper]

I'm looking to build a rifle and I'm still in the preliminary planning stages. I have done a lot of reading on here trying to get a general Idea of what is working for people. I understand the benefits of the 6.5s and the 284 and 7/08 are getting a lot of votes. Does anybody run heavy bullets in a plain old 7mm mag. What would be the downside to this round besides the obvious. I would assume a fairly short barrel life, and of course a bit more recoil making it hard to spot your own shot. Just wondering if anybody was running one and how it was working out for you.

 

[swampbuck]

Re: Plain old 7mm mag for comps?

There are no reasons other than the obvious.

1. Recoil. Very few shooters can shoot a 7 mag as good as they can a 260. Remember tactical matches can have steep angled shots. Go out there with a mag and you are crusin for a eye patch. The increased fatique will put you at a disadvantage as the day wears on.

2. Weight, length, mag capacity. Long actions do weigh more and add length.

3. Cost. Barrel,Brass, and powder are significant when you shoot on a competition level.

4. Noise.

5. Rules. Most off the tactical matches are limiting the velocity on your comp load. If you have to moderate your load you are better off with a 7mm-08.

 

[backyardsniper]

Re: Plain old 7mm mag for comps?

Swampbuck thanks I had been looking a the 7/08 I had not considered the angles shots that is a good point. I'm going to look into the 7/08 a little deeper

 

[Garvey]

Re: Plain old 7mm mag for comps?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Swampbuck</div><div class="ubbcode-body">There are no reasons other than the obvious.

1. Recoil. Very few shooters can shoot a 7 mag as good as they can a 260. Remember tactical matches can have steep angled shots. Go out there with a mag and you are crusin for a eye patch. The increased fatique will put you at a disadvantage as the day wears on.

2. Weight, length, mag capacity. Long actions do weigh more and add length.


3. Cost. Barrel,Brass, and powder are significant when you shoot on a competition level.

4. Noise.

5. Rules. Most off the tactical matches are limiting the velocity on your comp load. If you have to moderate your load you are better off with a 7mm-08.</div></div>

^^this^^ plus

Unless you'll be shooting only F-class you'll have to shoot positional supported and unsupported. Just you and the rifle and/or from barricades that will make you get your body in some "uncomfortable" positions. I see a big magnum as a hinderance rather than a benefit in a tactical match. Sure you'll shine on the prone, long range stages, (IF the fundamentals are strong within you) but that's usually only a fraction of the entire match.

Watched a guy shoot a 280 in Louisiana in June and he did very, very well for two days. He is an accomplished shooter, but I saw the rifle recoil him completely out of position, off the shooting sticks we were forced to use at a stage. And that was just a long action, not even a belted magnum.

 

[redbullitt]

Re: Plain old 7mm mag for comps?

I have hunted with one... But that is entirely different lol. For me, the recoil adding up would be the biggest factor. I can toss 260 and 7mm/08 ALL day and not be feeling trampled, which means I will shoot better.

The 7/08 is a nice round. I would probably lean that way if I were you. The heavier bullets won't be as viable, but I don't see why you would really have to use them. I usually shoot 260 rem with 140s (the lighter ones are great too), and they just plain out destroy my 308 load in windage and elevation AND recoils less, and uses less powder. Good barrel life too. WIN WIN for me.

You're burning almost twice the powder charge for the 7mag, which does add up if cost is a factor. Never shot out a 7mag, so I am not sure about barrel life.

You mentioned spotting your own shots, definitely easier with the 260 or similar round.

243 may be worth a look too, but it will burn barrels faster, not that it isn't worth it in a competition for what you get in return.

 

[backyardsniper]

Re: Plain old 7mm mag for comps?

I suspected that was the case and that the positional shooting is where the problems would arise. You all have confirmed my suspicions. I just had to ask and see if anybody was doing it. If you were going 7/08 what would be the optimal bullet weight. Would the 168/175 be too heavy or would you be able to get enough velocity for it to be viable or is the 260 with the 140's simply the way to go

 

[264Charlie]

Re: Plain old 7mm mag for comps?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: backyardsniper</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I suspected that was the case and that the positional shooting is where the problems would arise. You all have confirmed my suspicions. I just had to ask and see if anybody was doing it. If you were going 7/08 what would be the optimal bullet weight. Would the 168/175 be too heavy or would you be able to get enough velocity for it to be viable or is the 260 with the 140's simply the way to go </div></div>

Match results would tell you that the 6mms is the way to go. More people winning big matches with the 6mms (243/6x47/6CM) than anything. That said, the 168 7mm has the same BC as the 140 6.5mm. Don't see how a round with same capacity could will that fight. The 140 will always be going faster than the 168.

 

[260shtr]

Re: Plain old 7mm mag for comps?

I shoot a 7 Rem Mag in a Sendero set up mine has a Broughton barrel and a brake. I shoot 175 SMK's at 3000fps and I can spot my hits on steel at 300 and beyond. But as a comp round the only place I could see it having an edge is if there alot of shots past 700 yards or you have to deal with heavy wind.

 

[swampbuck]

Re: Plain old 7mm mag for comps?

I say try the 6.5 creedmoore. Great cartridge with 140 Amax. Load data on the Hornady box. Good barrel life, whats no to like?

Of course 260 is great.

260 AI if you want somthing special.

 

[steve123]

Re: Plain old 7mm mag for comps?

I tried mine. It weighs 14.5 lbs and is braked. You knew when you hit the steel

, kinda fun actually but spotting misses wasn't very easy because of the sight picture upset.