Anyone loading for 7mm Winchester Short Magnum?

[Cody Custer]

I was looking in the latest Hornady Handbook at the data for 7mm-08 and just a few pages further is the 7mm Winchester Short Magnum. Looks like it would function through a short action and give close to 7mm Rem Mag performance. Anyone have any experience with this cartridge?

Cody
semper fi
USMC Not currently on active duty

 

[SavageStag]

Had one and loved it! 63.8 grains of 4831sc was the load I used. It was really mild at 2900 with 162 AMAX, but it was really accurate and saved my barrel life.

 

[McCrazy]

I have a 7WSM and it is great. Very accurate, high BC projectiles, high velocity, and yes it does run out of a short action. May be the most bad a$$ short action caliber although some will surely disagree.

Some will also say short action for this caliber isn't ideal since you lose powder capacity because you can't seat the bullets as far out as in a long action. I say it is no big deal since the case has too much powder capacity if anything.

Just let your gunsmith know you want to run whichever projectiles you choose from mag length and you want to be able to chase the lands. The smith will do the rest.

 

[Trevor300wsm]

I loved my 7wsm and it was built on a short action. Never had any issues with it.

Win Brass
62.9gr of H4831SC
Berger 168VLD
Avg: 3,049
SD: 5fps/
ES: 14fps

 

[Wild_Bill]

Look at the 7mm Rem SAUM it has 2" case like the 7mm 08 and is better suited to a short action you call use 300 Rem SAUM cases and just neck them down aswell. It's performance equals the WSM with less powder and a longer neck.

 

[IanB]

I'm using a short action as well.

63 grains of RL22 is giving me 3000 fps in a 24 inch barrel with 162 gr Amax.

 

[Prairie Wolf]

I was looking in the latest Hornady Handbook at the data for 7mm-08 and just a few pages further is the 7mm Winchester Short Magnum. Looks like it would function through a short action and give close to 7mm Rem Mag performance. Anyone have any experience with this cartridge?

Cody
semper fi
USMC Not currently on active duty

It pretty much does what you said.

I think it is a round that only shines at long range. As an example, a 162 Amax is getting 2900 fps or so. You can get about the same with a .30-06 and a 165. You get much better BC with the 7 wsm. BC does little for you unless you are getting out there a ways.

I thought it was kind of funny that I could get exactly the same theoretical trajectory with my 7 WSM that my brother would get with his 300 RUM. I would use a lot less powder and less recoil. He'd get more energy.

Anyway. As I said, a 7 wsm really only makes sense to me as a long range rifle. Comparing bullet weights and velocities, they are comparable to a .30-06, with better BC.

 

[Scimitar]

I love it. I have a 7WSM built by APA. It does what I need it to do. I load it at 2950 with a 162. I can get 3100 in my barrel with RL22 but I load it at 2950. Milder and
seems to match the flight path of my brothers 260 when he shoots a 130 JLK at 2950 with RL17.

 

[Willyz_54]

I am pushing 3000fps with my 180 berger vld's and 67gr of H1000.

 

[VKC]

180gr Bergers @2950fps from 28" melonited barrel with 64.5gr H1000 in Surgeon short action with Alpha mags.

 

[lanwickum]

I load my DTA with 180 bergers and 70grn of retumbo. About .010 into the lands. It is a hot load. I get 3080fps out of it. It shoots great. I shoot it out to just over 2000 yards at times. Most of the longer range stuff is steel at 750 yards. Like cheating compared to a 308. I have an older APA rifle. Started as an FNH SPR in 300WSM. I pushed it hard for a bit with 72 grn of retumbo and loaded long. That chamber had lots of throat from the start. I loaded them over 3". Was getting close to 3200fps with 180 bergers. Don't ever do this at home! That barrel is trashed now. Awsome caliber for long range shooting and somewhat affordable. You do have to reload to make it worth it.

 

[McCrazy]

You do have to reload to make it worth it.

This is very true. Either roll your own or have a custom reload shop do it for you.