short action 7mms suggestions

C

Cnight21

New member
I am building a precision target rifle and am going with a 7 mm bore. The goal is sub MOA at 1000 yards. Which 7mm short action chambering would be good without having a bad barrel burner.

The barrel is 28" long and I was hoping to get the 168 grain berger bullets in the 2900 fps range but understand I may have to go with a long action.

I already have a barrel so a different caliber is not an option. I won't be competing just shooting for fun.

I do hand load so factory ammo is not a limiting factor.
 
I'm not sure you can fit a 7mm 168gr bullet into the magazine of a short action without seating the bullet too deeply. To me, the perfect short action 7mm is the 7mm-08.
 
I was originally going to go with 7mm-08 but would like a little more power potential if possible. Also I am using a single shot target action so longer bullets are not going to be an issue.
 
7mm WSM.

You can probably get 3000 fps from a 28" barrel. I have no experience with it, but do have a 300 WSM. Very accurate, moderate recoil, only slightly more than 30-06. The 7mm version is the same just necked down to 7mm.
 
To push a 168 at that velocity you're going to have to get a "barrel burner", there are no free rides in that regard. The 7WSM can easily do it but for a target rifle don't expect much more than 1000 rounds before you'll need to replace the barrel. The 284 Winchester and 7 SAUM are both short action, should get you where you want velocity wise in a 28" barrel and have a little better barrel life.
 
Which would be better- 284 win or the 7mm rem saum? I can find brass for the saum but all 284 brass is seasonal run. I am really leaning toward the 7 mm saum right now. Thanks for the info guys.
 
A friend is shooting the .284 Shehane, moderately improved over .284 WCF, and likes it very much.

Most target shooters loading .284 WCF (or Shehane) are necking up Lapua or Norma 6.5x284 instead of waiting on Winchester to make a few.
 
Does necking up brass require a special die? I was looking to get forster dies of that makes a difference. Or maybe redding bushing dies
 
It depends, if the difference isn't too great probably not. I used to resize 30/06 brass to make 338/06 with standard dies.

I don't see the 284 getting you anywhere near 2900 fps though.

The 7mm WSM, or 7mm rem saum are the only short actions I see doing it. Brass for the WSM is easiest to get, it can be made from 300 WSM which is readily available.
 
without having a bad barrel burner.
Click to expand...

This is the subjective part...what do you consider to be a "bad barrel burner"? What AllenJ said is the bottom line.

No free lunch. Throat erosion is simply a function of amount of powder burned, and bore diameter. More powder for any given bore dia. equals more steel erosion.

Either of the two magnums mentioned are going to be throat burners, but it's all relative. If you really want those extra fps's, go for the magnum. Barrels are like tires, right? They wear out, replace it.

I don't feel the real need for speed with my 7mm. I shoot my 7-08 at 1K, and get just under 2800 fps with the 162 AMax over IMR 4350. I do have to single-load, though- but it's not hunting application so that's irrelevant.
 
What I consider a barrel burner is if it won't go to at least 1000 rounds. 1500-2000 rounds is preferred but may not be possible without going with something like a 7mms-08 which is what I was originally going to use.

Since I'm not shooting competition and am not likely to I may go with a lower power cartridge for a greater challenge. Except I was also hoping to shoot some 180 grain berger hybrids which is the reason for looking for a little more power.
 
With the 28" barrel you say you want to use, 3,000 fps out of a 7mm WSM is easy. 284 might come up short, you are trying to get the largest powder charge you can in a short package, and that points towards the 7mm WSM IMO. There are target rifles in 7mm WSM in use in the long range world, it has the ability to deliver the accuracy you are looking for and the velocity you are looking for. Another advantage is that you could use the heavier Bergers or Amax. Pick an action with the accuracy potential you need and go for it!
 
My only experience with 7mm's is 7x57 Mauser, 280 Remington and 284 Winchester, obviously the 284 is the short one,
but the 280 Rem was the most accurate. Everything is subjective, but IMO the 7-WSM seems to offer what you want,
but I have never shot one of those. Good Luck on your quest !! :D
 
A Vote for 7MM Remington Magnum. It shares a case with the .300 Winchester Magnum but kicks less. Heavy Bullets are not a problem with this round.
 
A Vote for 7MM Remington Magnum. It shares a case with the .300 Winchester Magnum but kicks less. Heavy Bullets are not a problem with this round.
Click to expand...

OP is asking for a short-action choice. 7MM mag is definitely not a short action cartridge.
 
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