Hey guys im in the planning stages of building a new bolt gun for ELR paper punching and varminting. My mind is set on a 7mm. Barrel life isnt a huge concern. I want maximum performance plus accuracy of course. Wildcats are just fine as well. I want something that will get me out well past a mile. I have a 338 lapua that I love but I just want to add another to the arsenal. I like the bc of the 7mm heavies and wonder what kind of speed I can get and still be accurate. Any ideas no matter how far outside the box are welcome here!
What 7mm?
- Thread starter Its only light
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I have parts ordered for a "big" 7mm build.......................I am thinking hard about the 7STW
Those are a couple ive had in mind. Definitely on the list. Im the kind of guy that likes to be a little different. But I guess if nothing out there can do it better I may as well not waste my time and money trying.
This may sound ridiculous mostly cuz it is but anyone ever make a 7mm-338 lapua? Or would my barrel be gone from load testing lol? These are the kind of "outside the box" ideas I mean.
Otherwise im just going with 7rum over the stw soley because im not a belted case fan. Waste of capacity in my opinion.
This may sound ridiculous mostly cuz it is but anyone ever make a 7mm-338 lapua? Or would my barrel be gone from load testing lol? These are the kind of "outside the box" ideas I mean.
Otherwise im just going with 7rum over the stw soley because im not a belted case fan. Waste of capacity in my opinion.
Pre RUM I used the 404 Jefferies case and got 3400 FPS w/180's and 30+ inch barrels and RWS brass. Bad Ass flat and accurate in a 1K BR style rifle. I shot it out past 2K chasing rockchucks around. The issue will be seeing bullet impacts. Taking into consideration reloading dies you might consider a 7-338 Lapua or 7-338 Norma if you have an action that can handle that case. If you don't then the RUM but mag length will come into play with that round. A 7-375 Ruger would be a moderate capacity well balanced round that will get to 2K with no problems. I've shot the 30 cal. version to 2K and didn't feel under gunned.
I am a HUGE 7SAUM fan but even with a long barrel I don't see you being consistently happy with the performance past a mile. For that I would think the 7mm Allen or some wildcat of that type would need to be in order.
Im liking what im hearing here! Alot more choices than I expected. Im definitely going to read up and the 7 allen and 7-375ruger. I really want a custom action but for some reason I have a love affair for the cz 550 safari action which can be had in many of those big bore cartridge boltfaces. Anyone ever try anything with a .460wby case? I know it contradicts my beltless statement but hey im still somewhat open to alot of options right now.
I guess im not really sure on that one. Im liking the sound of the 404 Jeffreys case running 180s around 3400. Thats in the ballpark I was hoping to achieve performance wise. Do you recall the barrel life you had? Barrels are expendable but just curious.
If you havent figured this out already im not looking for something practical. I have plenty of practical guns. Im at the point now where I want unique and high performance to have fun trying to extend my own capabilities as well.
If you havent figured this out already im not looking for something practical. I have plenty of practical guns. Im at the point now where I want unique and high performance to have fun trying to extend my own capabilities as well.
Maybe Im wrong, but the 300RUM is based on the 404 Jeffery's and the 7RUM and the 300RUM are the same case. (the 338RUM being the baby of the 3 case wise)
so a 7/404 would be basically a 7RUM. and Yes you can get that kind of speed with one with a longer barrel and the right powder combo.
Just go 7 RUM. No difference in capacity and dies are readily available. BTW there is no more RWS 404 brass. Only Norma and probably a few others. I have the last stash I know of.
If you have to ask about barrel life it may not be the case for you. 700-900 rounds
If you have to ask about barrel life it may not be the case for you. 700-900 rounds
I don't live in an area that lends itself to regular 1 mile shooting. Wish I did. Closest I have been to that utopia was prairie dog shooting in TX. I made a hit at 1635(+/- a yd or two) yards with the 7STW. Not a FRH (first round hit). It is a great cartridge and I would say it gets my vote.
Now, on a side note, wouldn't it be more satisfying to make regular 1 mile hits with, oh say, a 7MM-08?
Now, on a side note, wouldn't it be more satisfying to make regular 1 mile hits with, oh say, a 7MM-08?
I didnt realize the rum was based on the 404 case. So kinda back where we started. Not worried about barrel life one bit. Still nice to have some kind of idea thats all.
Shoot for fun
Indeed it would I have a 7mm shehane that I can pretty consistently hit at 1200yds with. Up till this spring that was my longest spot but my buddy whose land it is and I worked hard last fall and this spring to clear a bunch of brush and dead trees plus fill in some swamp land. We ended up with just over 2400yds said and done. Im sure any of the cartridges listed would serve me well. Just want to see whats out there for me. After these replies im leaning heavily to the rum.
Indeed it would I have a 7mm shehane that I can pretty consistently hit at 1200yds with. Up till this spring that was my longest spot but my buddy whose land it is and I worked hard last fall and this spring to clear a bunch of brush and dead trees plus fill in some swamp land. We ended up with just over 2400yds said and done. Im sure any of the cartridges listed would serve me well. Just want to see whats out there for me. After these replies im leaning heavily to the rum.
Lots of way overbore mag 7mms out there, especially if you want to be "different," grind your own reamers and don't mind lots of re-barreling.
7-20×102mm Überkurz
7-12.7×99mm NATO Kurz?
Lazzeroni 7,21 Firebird
7mm Dakota
7mm Practical (7mm/300Winmag)
7RUM
7mm Remmag
7WSM
7rsaum
Pick your poison.
7-20×102mm Überkurz
7-12.7×99mm NATO Kurz?
Lazzeroni 7,21 Firebird
7mm Dakota
7mm Practical (7mm/300Winmag)
7RUM
7mm Remmag
7WSM
7rsaum
Pick your poison.
7-338 Lapua is definitely unique....borderline ridiculous, but that's what I would build if I was stepping outside the box of practicality.
I've been thinking about a long range 7mm build also and the 7LRM /7-375 has peaked my interest . I'm not crazy about frequent barrel replacement however !
Does anybody have a round count on their rifles with this cartridge ? . I'd be happy with 2,000 if that's realistic .
The 7RUM is also intriguing and I wonder about barrel life expectancy for it also ! I have a Sako AV action that may need a re-barrel sooner or later and the RUM just might be the way to go with a little smith work .
Does anybody have a round count on their rifles with this cartridge ? . I'd be happy with 2,000 if that's realistic .
The 7RUM is also intriguing and I wonder about barrel life expectancy for it also ! I have a Sako AV action that may need a re-barrel sooner or later and the RUM just might be the way to go with a little smith work .
In a "fast 7" anything over say 3000fps with a 180 grainer you gonna start really loosing the throat and loosing accuracy after 1000 rounds or so. the faster you push them the faster it gets. but it's subjective IMHO. If you demand bench rest quality accuracy then start looking for barrels between 700-800 rounds out of a big 7, but if 1/2" @ 100 is ok with you then 1500 maybe possible.
Its only light to your question about a 7-338 lapua yes Tom Sarver at TVP has been building them for a while getting very good performance. Also Kirby Allen at Allen precision has a large offering of wildcat combinations available you may want to check them out and see if anything is what you are seeking. Here is a link to Allen's website Allen Magnum Wildcats does 7mm 180gr 3400fps sound fast. Mike
I just looked at that. I like the sounds of that. Plus ive accumulated a decent amount of 338 lapua brass so works for me. Think I may just try it.
Tom Sarver's got 2 offerings; the 7 Hulk and the 7 Thunder Hulk.
7mm Hulk is similar to what you might call a 7-300 Norma Mag
7 Thunder Hulk is a shortened/improved 7-408 Cheytac . Dunno how fast it can launch a 180, but I suspect bullet integrity would be the limiting factor.
I've seen these guns and cartridges, and they're fuggin wild. Tom currently holds the 1000 yard bench rest record, set by his 30 cal variant of the hulk. These cartridges are squared away and sorted out. Toms a good guy, but you'll need patience in getting ahold of him to discuss it.
7mm Hulk is similar to what you might call a 7-300 Norma Mag
7 Thunder Hulk is a shortened/improved 7-408 Cheytac . Dunno how fast it can launch a 180, but I suspect bullet integrity would be the limiting factor.
I've seen these guns and cartridges, and they're fuggin wild. Tom currently holds the 1000 yard bench rest record, set by his 30 cal variant of the hulk. These cartridges are squared away and sorted out. Toms a good guy, but you'll need patience in getting ahold of him to discuss it.
