I had no idea what I was doing when I bought my first deer hunting rifle at 18 years old, Savage Model 110 7mm RemMag. Still using it today 35 years later. Thanks, Ron for 2 great videos on this cartridge.
Just bought my first deer rifle 2 weeks ago, an old but immaculate Remington 700 in 7mm Rem Mag. Put my first buck down in its tracks at 120 yards last weekend. I have no plan to buy anything else!
Bought my first gun at 18, savage model 116 7mm mag, shoot everything from coyotes, hog, and deer. Been the only rifle I've used for 22yrs, and I don't see myself using anything else.
That's encouraging. I also have no idea what I'm doing, and bought my first rifle a few months ago. Savage 7mm Rem Mag. Nice wood stock, heavy. I had a choice between that and some super lightweight 30-06, and the 7mm Rem Mag just felt so much more comfortable. Got my white tail tags for this November, proud to carry this gun.
Excellent history and data for a youngster. My choice for 35 years was a .30-06 Ruger 77 with a custom 26 inch barrel. At one point I went 7 shots for 7 elk in 7 years straight at ranges from 75 yards to 450 yards using Hornady 180 gr Light Mag ammo. But if I had to choose a different caliber for those years a 7mm Rem Mag would have been it. Back in the early 70s I had a Winchester Model 70 in 7 Rem Mag and the stock just didn't fit me. The recoil was horrendous. I bought a Voere in.300 Win Mag and it kicked less. Then I got the custom barrel on the Ruger and that was it, my magic rifle. The one thing I think you left out is the sectional density of the bullet. It doesn't matter so much with deer, but when you step up to elk you need the high sectional density that you'll get with the heavy-for-caliber bullets to give you the penetration you need. The 175 grain 7mm bullet gives you that in spades. I got old and a couple years ago I built a .270 for a lighter, handier rifle that kicks less using 150 grain Nosler Partitions. But the elk haven't gotten any lighter. I tell my kids and grandkids that why we have children, to help us haul the elk out when we get old.
Most brands come in 24” inches but the Winchester snd Browning come only in 26” inch like all their magnums except the short magnums are 23 1/2”! If your only going to hunt open country then the 26” inch is better but for mixed terrain the 24” inch is better. I have both and prefer the 24” inch but I like a threaded barrel so I can put a break on it which makes it a 26” inch when done! To each his own.
I love to geek out on ballistics charts like this and look at this vs that. But as far as real life results go, I have used a 270 Win, 280 Rem, 7mm Rem mag all on mule deer, and had great results each time. Mule deer at distances of 80-600 yards. The 7mm I have used the most, but all are great calibers, and 30-06 would fit in that assessment also. Never needed more than my 7mm and thats the only reason I haven't ever used a 300 WM. My brother has only used his same 270 Win for over 20 years now, and has no complaints either. All great cartridges. The only one I have had a chance to shoot at elk was a 270 Win and it did the job.
Great discussion. 40 years ago I moved to Montana and before I left a good friend of mine sold me a custom 7mm on a BRNO (Mauser) action. I’d never heard of it, but he assured me that it was the gun I needed. Several years later a bought a 25-06 (Ruger 77R). Both were shooters, but I eventually wanted to upgrade my optics. Another buddy put me on to a deal for a Zeiss Conquest Rapid Z 600, but I could only afford one good scope and it went on the 7mm. I’ve used that rifle exclusively since that time for everything from antelope to moose, and while the 25-06 was a great starter gun for my boys the 7mm is the one that turned into my “one gun.”
I love the .270 Weatherby Magnum as an “ All Around Caliber “, but not in disagreement with your choice as I regularly shoot 7MM with complete satisfaction ❣️Great presentation....👍
I believe if recoil is a factor for you, go with a 270 its a great cartridge, although the 7mm mag isnt that bad, shooting a 160 grain 7mag is similar to 180 grain 30-06 in my opinion, as i own both, the 7mm is just so versatile its hard to beat
Love my Weatherby Vanguard chambered in 7mm Rem Mag. I used it almost exclusively, when I first bought it over twenty years ago. Then I met the new love of my gun and shooting life, the 28 Nosler. Never looked back.
Very informative with some excellent points I hadn’t considered before. However, my favorite part by far is the very end where he reminds us how lucky we are to be Americans, where we still have some basic freedoms such as our 2nd amendment rights. Well said. Thank you.
I love the 7mm Mag. My cousin has a 270 and felt like he needed something with more punch to go after elk. This video actually reinforces what I told him, and then some about the 270 and elk. “An elk at 400 yards can be just as dead with your 270 as my 7mm Mag.”
I like the appreciate the logic used to reach your conclusion and evidence to support your claims. It wasn't "I like this round because it is only one I have shot" or "feels good to me". Informative video.
My first rifle at 16 was a "Bean Field Rifle" on a Rem 700 action 7mm Rem Mag for all the reasons you just outlined in your video! 38 years later...its still picking up the check and bringing home the bacon! I have shot just about everything in North America except a Musk Ox and several of the larger plains game in Africa like Greater Kudu. Not once has it let me down or wavered for even a second when I did my part!
Thanks for doing what you do Ron. This video was a part of my research in choosing my rifle. The 7MM is about as good as it gets all things considered. Yes many calibers will do more times then not but I would rather have the 7MM in almost every big game hunting situation.
A great video Ron! I certainly can't argue about the selection and high BC of 7 millimeter bullets. And that's true for all 7mm cartriges whether it be the 7mm Mauser, 280 Remington, 284 Winchester, or 7mm/08. The 7mm magnum is without a doubt a step above the rest in power but truth be told, out to about 300 yards there's probably no real difference in the field.
I have owned 2 .300wb top ammo. 3550 fps with 150 gr..,sako. Remington classic. want the sako back but the guy had heart attack and died.we shot .125 out ri close to 3900. fps.
@Buckshot Roberts I agree with you 100% I’ve taken pronghorn as well as African plaines game such as roan and kudu with my 270 Winchester with 140 gr accubonds. I believe bullet selection is key
I have a 7mm mag, still on its box. My 19 80's Rem. 700 bdl in .270 and the Federal Premium cartridge and a Nosler Partitioned bullet is the only cartridge I use. I'm eastern U.S., if I was out west and after larger game, elk and such, I'd use the Nosler Bonded in Fed. Prem. I agree with the poster who mentioned the bullet as key. I just say no to anything in a green and yellow box!
You forgot to mention the most important aspect! Bullet placement! Yes, placing the projectile in an efficient location "trumps" all of the above. Just sayin...
@Infectious Legume, , I really hope you don’t think you were making solid points with this lmao they already covered proper bullet selection then bullet placement was brought up as being equally important if not more so and they’re correct. You can use shitty core-lokt if you like but know the limitations and adjust weight and bullet construction accordingly like the intelligent individual I hope you are. Leave out the meme shit at the end and talk like a person with good points lmao articulate conversations go further than back handed comments
I have only owned 7mm Rem Mag & 308 wins. Getting another 7mm Rem Mag soon to replace the ones I sold some years ago. Bought my first in 86-87. Amen on America & freedom. It is a great day to be a hunter & shooting enthusiast. Great show. Happy hunting
Brother in law used 7mm Rem Mag for 20 yrs for Wisconsin Whitetail. We thought a little odd. But a few yrs ago I bought one because of what you’re saying . Versatility. And I’ve always used 7x57mm. I like 7mm
I agree. 30 years ago I designed my own rifle. We used a P-14 for the action. Long throw, room in the fixed mag, and a positive extraction with that monster of a bolt face and extractor on the P-14. I chose the 7mm rem mag(over the .300WM) to take any game in North America. Never let me down. I am only upset that you gave away my secret to being a better shot than most: the ballistics ;)
Seems to be a Goldilocks cartridge with good velocity,energy and down range performance manageable recoil and decent barrel life good bullet selection 🙂👍🏻👍🏻
My long time go to has been my 7mm rem mag, first rifle, I've leaned on 300wm more lately for elk and 308 as well. My 7mm browning A bolt is my favorite rifle to shoot. After a couple decades of anecdotal evidence, I've seen more lost game with 7mm than with anything in the 30 caliber realm. Bullet selection and availability has been a driving force behind much of this too
Lee Thomas : I also shoot a browning a bolt from the 90's chambered in 7mm rem mag. I struggle to get 1" groups at 100 but am not sure if I am the problem or what. How well does your a bolt shoot? Will it shoot MOA?
.308 cheap, figured out, low recoil, short and fast action, available everywhere and it will do most of what you will need it to do. I do have a 7mm a .22, .222 and 12gauge. love em al :)
No disagreement here. Been shooting the 7rm my whole adult life and no disappointments. Thank you, Bob Brister, for setting me on the right path early.
The perfect caliber. The 7mm Remington Mag. Mine is a Savage with a 26" bbl. Most accurate rifle I've ever shot, and the most accurate cartridge too. Very little recoil. My thanks for your enjoyable and informative videos. Good job.
Ron, I can not argue with your defense of the 7mmRem Mag. I feel it is at the threshold of most shooters to shoot accurately and handle the recoil of most factory made stocks. The 7mm Magnum is a very good choice for the average or even advanced shooters. It is by today's standards an " old" cartridge but it works extremely well. Keep up the good work Ron, Thanks!
About 10 years ago spend along time on internet trying to decided what the best one rifle cartridge would be...glad to see i came up with the same conclusion as a pro :).
Currently building one. Timney trigger . Mauser. 7mm . This winter I'll put a boyds thumb hole stock on it. I'll glass and bed it. It shoots great now. But always make it better
Ben shooting my 7mm magnum for 35 years. Farthest shot was 362 yrds. So am thinking I don't really need to have a 7mm magnum. Going to step down to a 7mm-08 and see how it does. The 7mm mag drops all big game animals wear they stand with proper shot behind shoulder and with a 175gr bullet or 168gr bullet. 😁👍👍👍👍👍
I just can’t get my head around EXPERIENCED writers and publicly acknowledged hunters making silly negative claims about the belt. Call me nostalgic but the older I get the more I like seeing the belts on those classic rounds. Don’t get me wrong. Rounds like the 300 PRC are just the cat’s meow. But those belts are an historical reminder of our rich, wonderful world cartridge development
@@robertfree1908 huge thumbs up there, Robert! It all started with the .375 H&H Mag. Debuted same time the Titanic sunk and wore a belt. Love it, and the .300 H&H. Thanks! 👍🙋♂️
I've shot a number of magnum calibers over the years and the 7mm Remmie has a certain sweet spot, like you said, the 7RM has easier recoil than the some of the other "magnum calibers". I never shoot anything past the 250-300yd mark so I use the good Ol' 7x57... Milder and just as lethal! I do like the 7mm Remington though and if I ever needed a 500yd gun, it'd be a 7Remmie. Great video!
Jack O'Connor would give you a big, wet, kiss. Until he became a born-again 270 acolyte, the 7x57 was his choice, as he said......with its twist, it just drilled its way in.
Great video.. I recently sold my 30-06 hunting rifle and replaced it with two rifles - a 270 and a 7mmRM for elk. Dont regret it at all. Ballistically, l think the 280AI is the best do-all cartridge though. A 160 from 280AI has more speed, less drop, less drift and less recoil than a 180 from a 30-06. Limited factory ammo is its issue.
A 7mm Remington magnum was my first rifle. I need to get another as I had to sell it. I agree and a 175 grain Nosler Partition has as deep of penetration as a 338 Winchester magnum using a 250 grain Nosler Partition. All around world wide application.
I have the .270, 300wsm, and the 300 Win Mag. All three are great, but prefer the tried and true .270 because it’s fast, flat, And hits hard! Plus, less recoil and the ammunition is cheaper than the magnums!
A number of years ago I inherited a Remington Model 700 BDL in 7mm Magnum from my late brother-in-law. I've hunted deer with it many times and it always works. I did put a Grayboe Outlander stock on it. My brother-in-law had the wood stock shortened and it was way too short for me. I mainly use it for hunting some beanfields near my farm. If I'm in the woods I use a 308. Recoil from the 7 Mag. has never been a problem for me. Great video.
Thanks...my first all around rifle in Alaska was a Ruger M77 .300 win mag. Wanting to step down a tad but still be able to hunt many species. This helped a lot.
@@dylankorpi137- In the last year I got intrigued with the 6.8 Western, but waiting to see if some others besides Winchester and Remington will build them.
I think you are pretty spot on with most your assessments. I do have a 7mm STW on the beefier side. It was a custom barrel done by a gunsmith at Williams Gun Sight just one year before they made the cartridge available off the shelf. But as we can see it didn't make that much of an impact because they certainly did not sell enough of them to make them readily available like the 7mm Rem Mag. In fact, there are little offerings in it today. I had a 7mm Rem Mag that I let my son have because of the availability of ammo. He does not reload like I do. If he did, I would have given him my 7mm STW that he prefers to hunt with when he hunts when visiting. Great choice for one gun. I just like lots of different guns for different purposes. Right tool for the right job.
Great video and agree with your explanation with good all round rifle cartridge. Where I live, in Australia from my experience this cartridge does it all for me. I bought my Ruger M77 MKII 7mm rem mag in 1993 and covers everything very efficiently to this date. Cheers from AU.
Another vote for the 280/AI. I've read your answers to others who has left a comment regarding this, so all good, but the 280 AI seems to be gathering quite a few enthusiasts. Otherwise, great vid. Thanks!
@Buckshot Roberts You are spot on with your 7mm-08 and 120 Barnes. Easy carry and easy shooting. I've used the 7 at around 2,800fps for everything from coyotes to elk. The 139-149 grs. should be darn good, too. Expect to shoot through most game with these.
I feel compelled to share my experience with the 7mm Remington Magnum. I have shot and owned most rifle calibers, 338 Winchester magnum, 300 ultra mag, 300 Winchester, 270 Weatherby, 264 Winchester magnum, 30-06 and 270 Winchester as well as 243 Winchester and 6mm Remington, this information to indicate I am no novice at shooting large rifle calibers. My son-in law gave me a new Remington 700 Sendero in 7mm magnum for Christmas last year. I am now 70 years old and find the recoil of the 7mm magnum to be more than I want. The rifle weighs 10.5 pounds and it kicks the hell out of me! Time to return to the 243 Winchester, I guess!
I had a Savage model 110 chambered in 7mm Remington Mag and in all honesty a very pleasant rifle to shoot with 150 grain Winchester rounds, it had the nice wood stock which I think had a lot to do with how the felt recoil was so tolerable
I absolutely love my 7rm. I bought it almost 30 yrs ago. I really didn't know anything about it,just that it's a tack driver. You have given me some more justification to love it more. Thank you
The history on this is as follows: Les Bowman invented the cartridge then known as a 280-338 magnum. Les Bowman used a necked down 338 Win Mag to create this configuration. Les Bowman guided Mike Walker an engineer for Remington. Mike Walker took the info back to Remington where they decided to produce it and renamed it the 7mm Remington Magnum.
it's alway cheaper to produce and experiment from a parent cartridge . there are many out there that didn't make it . Bowman was a hack and got lucky .
Completely agree, also something to mention if your going into the woods and don't plan on shooting more than a couple hundred yards, using reduced recoil loads are still very effective. And if you can find them or reload them yourself, a reduced recoil with round nose bullet is even better.
I use a leather, slip on buttpad. I have a long LOP, 14.90", so I usually have to either put in spacers or replace buttpads on rifles, which is a real pain. The leather slip on pads solve the LOP issue for me, and make even 300 Win mag sort of pleasant to shoot.
The 7mm Rem Mags most efficient bullet weight is 150 grain. It puts the most energy down range. It's really the best of all worlds. It's over 3100 FPS and over 3200 flbs of energy. You can use this from deer to some of the largest game out there. It shoots further and flatter than all your other popular medium to large game rifles like .308 30-06. It really should be a lot more popular than it is. It's probably the military nature of the 30-06 and .308 that keep them more popular. Surplus ammo is cheap. But if you want the best "do-it-all" rifle you can get, you can't beat the 7mm Rem mag. It also seems to be about the sweet spot for barrel life span vs power.
Hey Ron. Great video I love the tried and true calibers. I would have liked to see the 280. Remington included in your video. Although not very popular today it is still an outstanding cartridge. I inherited a Remington 760 Game Master in the 280/7mm rem express. This pump action rifle shoots as accurately as any of my bolt guns and very quick on follow up shots. Ballistics for the 280. falls somewhere between the 270 and the 7mm rem mag.
I love the 270 win but Ron is spot on with the 7 mag own both and seen how the 7 takes big game I haven’t had to take a second shot shooting 162 grain hand loads
Now in the age of range finders (either lazars or ranging reticles) the importance of the length of point blank range has greatly diminished, but not eliminated due to the greater simplicity of it. Recoil is less of an issue these days with the use of muzzle brakes and suppressors. In modern times the 7mm REM actually has less drawbacks than just a few decades ago with today's availability of carbon fiber barrels and stocks and brakes. But after all said and done, I'm still learning towards the 270 WIN for cost, weight, size, muzzle blast, and recoil. A range finder can make up for the shorter point blank range.
I'm a big fan of the .270. There don't seem to be many occasions when the 7mag's advantages make a difference. I think most comparable loads have about a 20 yd MPBR advantage in the 7mag which is not much when you are reaching out 350 yards. I think 7mag's only real advantage over the .270 is the fat belted case looks badass.
Ron, Thanks for the tutorial, Honorable mention to the 300 H&H, dates back to the 1930's . It is a hand loaders dream 110gn to 220 gn... First 30 cal. to win competitions, suitable for all North American game and larger African plains game...Out performs the 30-06 and the difference in velocity of the 300 win. mag. is nominal, if handloaded.
My father bought a 7mm Rem mag in 1970. He had a gunsmith set it up for him, bore sight, hot loads, zero 350 yds, big Leopold scope. He went to Wyoming for a Pronghorn, 500 plus yards, one shot kill. Big black eye from scope contact. Never hit anything else with it for the rest of his life. In 1973 he let me take it out for some range work. I fired three rounds through it and put it up. Recoil from Hell. I thought I was tough. I Had just survived three tours in Nam. 22 years old. Invincible. Trusty old 30-30 ain't bad. I was working for the BN railroad in Wyoming several years later, and every day during hunting season a Game and Fish Biologist would answer questions on the radio. One listener wanted to know if it was necessary to cut the deer's throat. The answer was simple: If you can run fast enough it won't hurt anything, but most people just shoot 'em.
I’ve always been a 300Win Mag and then also a 300WSM fan. But I hear people who can take it or leave it with the 300’s. I have never heard anyone who owns a 7mm Rem Mag give anything but praise for this calibre.
Ive never cared for 7mm Magnums, but Id rather have one of those over the newer 7mm PRC! I might change my mind in 10 years when 7mm PRC ammo AND rifles are more common than the 7mm Magnums. A 7mm Magnum with a longer and tighter throat, practically speaking should be everything the 7mm PRC is. If I were only a long range Target shooter, using a big heavy Target rifle, THEN I might opt for the 7mm PRC. But as a hunter the 7mm Magnum is more practical. Right now, 7mm Magnum ammo is every where and cheaper. An advantage to the average hunter.
I still have my Remington 700 7mmRM left handed bolt gun that I bought back in the mid 80's. I use the 175gr bullets out of mine and it's taken A LOT of deer and elk. I'm going on an Alaskan moose hunt next year and I'm gonna take that very same rifle. It's getting a new Teludyne Technologies straight jacket system and barrel put on it and I can't wait for it to come back.
My favorite cartridge that I currently own. Medium to large game, and very capable at long ranges. Although I have a love for almost all 7mm calibers. I like my 7-08 and my .284 win.
I am a 308 fan personally. Richard Mann got to me first Ha ha. You mentioned the 30-06 as a contender. The 308 is just a little slower velocity wise so my trajectory will be a little different. But I like getting to within 350 yards anyway. I also love my FN made model 70 featherweight (US production not Portugal) chambered in it. All that said my dad loves his Remington 700 in 7mm Mag. And the next rifle on my list is a Model 70 in 270 so I really cant complain with any of these classic cartridges. They all will get the job done as long as you can pit a good bullet where it needs to go. Thank you Ron for the history lesson. I really like your videos I learn a ton from your content!
I like to handload 120 to 140 grain bullets in my 7 Rem Mag to go plinking 200 to 400 yards at the range. The light bullets and low end charges are fairly mild and easy on the shoulder.
I moved to a suite of 7mm's after I found out my Grandfather, a gunsmith, shot a 280 instead of my fathers 30-06. I now have my grandfathers 280 as well as a 7mm-08 and 7mm RM. The bullets available today are certainly higher BC in the 7mm family.
I had no idea what I was doing when I bought my first deer hunting rifle at 18 years old, Savage Model 110 7mm RemMag. Still using it today 35 years later. Thanks, Ron for 2 great videos on this cartridge.
Just bought my first deer rifle 2 weeks ago, an old but immaculate Remington 700 in 7mm Rem Mag. Put my first buck down in its tracks at 120 yards last weekend. I have no plan to buy anything else!
Bought my first gun at 18, savage model 116 7mm mag, shoot everything from coyotes, hog, and deer. Been the only rifle I've used for 22yrs, and I don't see myself using anything else.
That's encouraging. I also have no idea what I'm doing, and bought my first rifle a few months ago. Savage 7mm Rem Mag. Nice wood stock, heavy. I had a choice between that and some super lightweight 30-06, and the 7mm Rem Mag just felt so much more comfortable. Got my white tail tags for this November, proud to carry this gun.
Same. 110 7mm rem mag.
There's just nobody on the planet that explains this stuff as well as Ron. Every video he does is like taking a ballistics college course.
I kinda like the 300 win mag numbers better
I'm sold. Your arguments for the 7mm are very logical and fact based. I appreciate that.
Excellent history and data for a youngster. My choice for 35 years was a .30-06 Ruger 77 with a custom 26 inch barrel. At one point I went 7 shots for 7 elk in 7 years straight at ranges from 75 yards to 450 yards using Hornady 180 gr Light Mag ammo. But if I had to choose a different caliber for those years a 7mm Rem Mag would have been it. Back in the early 70s I had a Winchester Model 70 in 7 Rem Mag and the stock just didn't fit me. The recoil was horrendous. I bought a Voere in.300 Win Mag and it kicked less. Then I got the custom barrel on the Ruger and that was it, my magic rifle. The one thing I think you left out is the sectional density of the bullet. It doesn't matter so much with deer, but when you step up to elk you need the high sectional density that you'll get with the heavy-for-caliber bullets to give you the penetration you need. The 175 grain 7mm bullet gives you that in spades. I got old and a couple years ago I built a .270 for a lighter, handier rifle that kicks less using 150 grain Nosler Partitions. But the elk haven't gotten any lighter. I tell my kids and grandkids that why we have children, to help us haul the elk out when we get old.
@Ez G seems the 22 is favored by poachers and assassin's lol
i love the 7mm rem mag you just can't go wrong with it
I just picked up my first one yesterday and I love the thing.
Just picked up one can’t wait to shoot
Just got my first 7mm rem mag today this is why I’m watching lol
I never did catch a word about optimal barrel length for the 7mm rem mag. Thanks for a great channel!
The more the merrier...26 inches
Most brands come in 24” inches but the Winchester snd Browning come only in 26” inch like all their magnums except the short magnums are 23 1/2”! If your only going to hunt open country then the 26” inch is better but for mixed terrain the 24” inch is better. I have both and prefer the 24” inch but I like a threaded barrel so I can put a break on it which makes it a 26” inch when done! To each his own.
Firm believer in the 7mm rem mag. One of the greatest belted magnum cartridges ever devised. Agreed!
My uncle told me in 1988 that the 7mm Remington Magnum is the best all around rifle cartridge out there. You definitely agree with him.
Me too
Yet no one does cool tests on UA-cam
This is why I watch. Hands on old school experience . Can't beat it.
I could listen to you talk about guns all day. Reminds me of my childhood with my great uncle Paul. He to was a great man.
I love to geek out on ballistics charts like this and look at this vs that. But as far as real life results go, I have used a 270 Win, 280 Rem, 7mm Rem mag all on mule deer, and had great results each time. Mule deer at distances of 80-600 yards. The 7mm I have used the most, but all are great calibers, and 30-06 would fit in that assessment also. Never needed more than my 7mm and thats the only reason I haven't ever used a 300 WM. My brother has only used his same 270 Win for over 20 years now, and has no complaints either. All great cartridges. The only one I have had a chance to shoot at elk was a 270 Win and it did the job.
Love the performance of the 7mm Rem Mag, recoil is easy to manage, accuracy can be a little finicky with different loads
you are so well spoken, Ron, I don't even hunt nor own a firearm and I watch all your videos.
Buy one
Great discussion. 40 years ago I moved to Montana and before I left a good friend of mine sold me a custom 7mm on a BRNO (Mauser) action. I’d never heard of it, but he assured me that it was the gun I needed. Several years later a bought a 25-06 (Ruger 77R). Both were shooters, but I eventually wanted to upgrade my optics. Another buddy put me on to a deal for a Zeiss Conquest Rapid Z 600, but I could only afford one good scope and it went on the 7mm. I’ve used that rifle exclusively since that time for everything from antelope to moose, and while the 25-06 was a great starter gun for my boys the 7mm is the one that turned into my “one gun.”
7mm-08 is a fantastic round! The 7mm Rem Mag is even better! I love them all big and small!
That’s what she said
Totally agree. This is your best, most comprehensive video.
I love the .270 Weatherby Magnum as an “ All Around Caliber “, but not in disagreement with your choice as I regularly shoot 7MM with complete
satisfaction ❣️Great presentation....👍
I believe if recoil is a factor for you, go with a 270 its a great cartridge, although the 7mm mag isnt that bad, shooting a 160 grain 7mag is similar to 180 grain 30-06 in my opinion, as i own both, the 7mm is just so versatile its hard to beat
Love my Weatherby Vanguard chambered in 7mm Rem Mag. I used it almost exclusively, when I first bought it over twenty years ago. Then I met the new love of my gun and shooting life, the 28 Nosler. Never looked back.
Very informative with some excellent points I hadn’t considered before. However, my favorite part by far is the very end where he reminds us how lucky we are to be Americans, where we still have some basic freedoms such as our 2nd amendment rights. Well said. Thank you.
@David Lutz tells you who their governments are run by. Just chaps my hide
I love the 7mm Mag. My cousin has a 270 and felt like he needed something with more punch to go after elk. This video actually reinforces what I told him, and then some about the 270 and elk. “An elk at 400 yards can be just as dead with your 270 as my 7mm Mag.”
Threeooeightisgreatrountto
Love my ruger no1 in 7mm Remington magnum and my browning blr in 7mm08
Great video. I have been between a 300 and 7mm for bear hunting this spring in Montana then something to use for mule deer and elk. 7 mm it is for me.
Great video Ron. I love the "Big 7" simply because it is downright lethal on game.
I like the appreciate the logic used to reach your conclusion and evidence to support your claims. It wasn't "I like this round because it is only one I have shot" or "feels good to me". Informative video.
Thanks Andrew.
My first rifle at 16 was a "Bean Field Rifle" on a Rem 700 action 7mm Rem Mag for all the reasons you just outlined in your video! 38 years later...its still picking up the check and bringing home the bacon! I have shot just about everything in North America except a Musk Ox and several of the larger plains game in Africa like Greater Kudu. Not once has it let me down or wavered for even a second when I did my part!
Awesome Info! Im a 300 Win Mag guy! but hunted for 25 years with my trusty 7 mag and still love it!
Thanks for doing what you do Ron. This video was a part of my research in choosing my rifle. The 7MM is about as good as it gets all things considered. Yes many calibers will do more times then not but I would rather have the 7MM in almost every big game hunting situation.
A great video Ron! I certainly can't argue about the selection and high BC of 7 millimeter bullets. And that's true for all 7mm cartriges whether it be the 7mm Mauser, 280 Remington, 284 Winchester, or 7mm/08. The 7mm magnum is without a doubt a step above the rest in power but truth be told, out to about 300 yards there's probably no real difference in the field.
long live the 7mm Rem Mag!! I love mine.....great video!
No sir. 👎
I have owned 2 .300wb
top ammo. 3550 fps with 150 gr..,sako. Remington classic. want the sako back but the guy had heart attack and died.we shot .125 out ri close to 3900. fps.
My choice is one you used in this video, the .270 Winchester for all the reasons you listed. I just prefer slightly less recoil.
That's why I will stick with my old .270
@Buckshot Roberts I agree with you 100% I’ve taken pronghorn as well as African plaines game such as roan and kudu with my 270 Winchester with 140 gr accubonds. I believe bullet selection is key
I have a 7mm mag, still on its box. My 19 80's Rem. 700 bdl in .270 and the Federal Premium cartridge and a Nosler Partitioned bullet is the only cartridge I use.
I'm eastern U.S., if I was out west and after larger game, elk and such, I'd use the Nosler Bonded in Fed. Prem.
I agree with the poster who mentioned the bullet as key.
I just say no to anything in a green and yellow box!
You forgot to mention the most important aspect! Bullet placement!
Yes, placing the projectile in an efficient location "trumps" all of the above.
Just sayin...
@Infectious Legume, , I really hope you don’t think you were making solid points with this lmao they already covered proper bullet selection then bullet placement was brought up as being equally important if not more so and they’re correct. You can use shitty core-lokt if you like but know the limitations and adjust weight and bullet construction accordingly like the intelligent individual I hope you are. Leave out the meme shit at the end and talk like a person with good points lmao articulate conversations go further than back handed comments
I have only owned 7mm Rem Mag & 308 wins. Getting another 7mm Rem Mag soon to replace the ones I sold some years ago. Bought my first in 86-87. Amen on America & freedom.
It is a great day to be a hunter & shooting enthusiast. Great show. Happy hunting
Brother in law used 7mm Rem Mag for 20 yrs for Wisconsin Whitetail. We thought a little odd. But a few yrs ago I bought one because of what you’re saying . Versatility. And I’ve always used 7x57mm. I like 7mm
I agree. 30 years ago I designed my own rifle. We used a P-14 for the action. Long throw, room in the fixed mag, and a positive extraction with that monster of a bolt face and extractor on the P-14. I chose the 7mm rem mag(over the .300WM) to take any game in North America. Never let me down. I am only upset that you gave away my secret to being a better shot than most: the ballistics ;)
Been a fan of the 7mm Rem mag for a long time. Opted for a 7mm-08 though, for deer.
I Have a Model 70 win 7 mag 26 inch barrel it loves 150 gr. Nosler Bt Bullets .it is my Favorite Rifle and I Have many. Thank you Ron.
7mm Rem Mag, if it ain't broke don't fix it.
Seems to be a Goldilocks cartridge with good velocity,energy and down range performance manageable recoil and decent barrel life good bullet selection 🙂👍🏻👍🏻
My long time go to has been my 7mm rem mag, first rifle, I've leaned on 300wm more lately for elk and 308 as well. My 7mm browning A bolt is my favorite rifle to shoot. After a couple decades of anecdotal evidence, I've seen more lost game with 7mm than with anything in the 30 caliber realm. Bullet selection and availability has been a driving force behind much of this too
Lee Thomas : I also shoot a browning a bolt from the 90's chambered in 7mm rem mag. I struggle to get 1" groups at 100 but am not sure if I am the problem or what. How well does your a bolt shoot? Will it shoot MOA?
@@elkhuntr2816 it's my most accurate rifle and when I do my part I am capable of moa or smaller groups
Thank you for the parting thoughts at 25:45 - important to remember how good we have it in the US.
7mm mag runs in my blood. Grandpa had an FN High Power and I have an A-Bolt stainless. No complaints in three generations.
.308 cheap, figured out, low recoil, short and fast action, available everywhere and it will do most of what you will need it to do. I do have a 7mm a .22, .222 and 12gauge. love em al :)
You nailed it. BLR in 308.
Jack of all trades, master of none.
The hell you mean cheap? You can barely find .308 anywhere
@@skeltonslay8er781 here in Sweden, 308 and 30-06 is evrywhere. If your gunchop does not have it, its not a gunchop.
@@skeltonslay8er781 There’s just no ammo period.
No disagreement here. Been shooting the 7rm my whole adult life and no disappointments. Thank you, Bob Brister, for setting me on the right path early.
His last statement about being in America, Is what many need to hear, remember !
The perfect caliber. The 7mm Remington Mag.
Mine is a Savage with a 26" bbl.
Most accurate rifle I've ever shot, and the most accurate cartridge too.
Very little recoil.
My thanks for your enjoyable and informative videos.
Good job.
Swwwweeet..
Ron, I can not argue with your defense of the 7mmRem Mag.
I feel it is at the threshold of most shooters to shoot accurately and handle the recoil of most factory made stocks.
The 7mm Magnum is a very good choice for the average or even advanced shooters.
It is by today's standards an " old" cartridge but it works extremely well.
Keep up the good work Ron, Thanks!
7mm Remington magnum...top 3 choice of mil snipers and swat teams ...50BMG, 338 lapua
About 10 years ago spend along time on internet trying to decided what the best one rifle cartridge would be...glad to see i came up with the same conclusion as a pro :).
I have been using a 7mm mag for over 40 years and it is a great cartridge !!!
Currently building one. Timney trigger . Mauser. 7mm . This winter I'll put a boyds thumb hole stock on it. I'll glass and bed it. It shoots great now. But always make it better
Ben shooting my 7mm magnum for 35 years. Farthest shot was 362 yrds.
So am thinking I don't really need to have a 7mm magnum. Going to step down to a 7mm-08 and see how it does.
The 7mm mag drops all big game animals wear they stand with proper shot behind shoulder and with a 175gr bullet or 168gr bullet. 😁👍👍👍👍👍
Great information relayed there, Ron. Thanks for explaining the reason for the belt and how it is a non-issue for today's TALENTED handloaders.
I just can’t get my head around EXPERIENCED writers and publicly acknowledged hunters making silly negative claims about the belt. Call me nostalgic but the older I get the more I like seeing the belts on those classic rounds. Don’t get me wrong. Rounds like the 300 PRC are just the cat’s meow. But those belts are an historical reminder of our rich, wonderful world cartridge development
@@robertfree1908 huge thumbs up there, Robert! It all started with the .375 H&H Mag. Debuted same time the Titanic sunk and wore a belt. Love it, and the .300 H&H. Thanks! 👍🙋♂️
I've shot a number of magnum calibers over the years and the 7mm Remmie has a certain sweet spot, like you said, the 7RM has easier recoil than the some of the other "magnum calibers".
I never shoot anything past the 250-300yd mark so I use the good Ol' 7x57... Milder and just as lethal!
I do like the 7mm Remington though and if I ever needed a 500yd gun, it'd be a 7Remmie. Great video!
Jack O'Connor would give you a big, wet, kiss. Until he became a born-again 270 acolyte, the 7x57 was his choice, as he said......with its twist, it just drilled its way in.
I never broke it down why I always liked that 7mmmag. Just always have. Thanks.
Have a 7stw love it! Sako
Load my buddy 280...
Great 7's
Thanks for sharing!
Great video.. I recently sold my 30-06 hunting rifle and replaced it with two rifles - a 270 and a 7mmRM for elk. Dont regret it at all. Ballistically, l think the 280AI is the best do-all cartridge though. A 160 from 280AI has more speed, less drop, less drift and less recoil than a 180 from a 30-06. Limited factory ammo is its issue.
A 7mm Remington magnum was my first rifle. I need to get another as I had to sell it. I agree and a 175 grain Nosler Partition has as deep of penetration as a 338 Winchester magnum using a 250 grain Nosler Partition. All around world wide application.
I have the .270, 300wsm, and the 300 Win Mag. All three are great, but prefer the tried and true .270 because it’s fast, flat,
And hits hard! Plus, less recoil and the ammunition is cheaper than the magnums!
A number of years ago I inherited a Remington Model 700 BDL in 7mm Magnum from my late brother-in-law. I've hunted deer with it many times and it always works. I did put a Grayboe Outlander stock on it. My brother-in-law had the wood stock shortened and it was way too short for me. I mainly use it for hunting some beanfields near my farm. If I'm in the woods I use a 308. Recoil from the 7 Mag. has never been a problem for me. Great video.
Thanks...my first all around rifle in Alaska was a Ruger M77 .300 win mag. Wanting to step down a tad but still be able to hunt many species. This helped a lot.
do you use a 7mm rem mag now?
@@dylankorpi137- In the last year I got intrigued with the 6.8 Western, but waiting to see if some others besides Winchester and Remington will build them.
I think you are pretty spot on with most your assessments. I do have a 7mm STW on the beefier side. It was a custom barrel done by a gunsmith at Williams Gun Sight just one year before they made the cartridge available off the shelf. But as we can see it didn't make that much of an impact because they certainly did not sell enough of them to make them readily available like the 7mm Rem Mag. In fact, there are little offerings in it today. I had a 7mm Rem Mag that I let my son have because of the availability of ammo. He does not reload like I do. If he did, I would have given him my 7mm STW that he prefers to hunt with when he hunts when visiting. Great choice for one gun. I just like lots of different guns for different purposes. Right tool for the right job.
Great video and agree with your explanation with good all round rifle cartridge.
Where I live, in Australia from my experience this cartridge does it all for me.
I bought my Ruger M77 MKII 7mm rem mag in 1993 and covers everything very efficiently to this date.
Cheers from AU.
Love the 7mm mag it's a beast
Another vote for the 280/AI. I've read your answers to others who has left a comment regarding this, so all good, but the 280 AI seems to be gathering quite a few enthusiasts.
Otherwise, great vid. Thanks!
Yes, the old 280 AI is coming into its own. I've been hunting with one since 1991.
@Buckshot Roberts You are spot on with your 7mm-08 and 120 Barnes. Easy carry and easy shooting. I've used the 7 at around 2,800fps for everything from coyotes to elk. The 139-149 grs. should be darn good, too. Expect to shoot through most game with these.
I feel compelled to share my experience with the 7mm Remington Magnum. I have shot and owned most rifle calibers, 338 Winchester magnum, 300 ultra mag, 300 Winchester, 270 Weatherby, 264 Winchester magnum, 30-06 and 270 Winchester as well as 243 Winchester and 6mm Remington, this information to indicate I am no novice at shooting large rifle calibers. My son-in law gave me a new Remington 700 Sendero in 7mm magnum for Christmas last year. I am now 70 years old and find the recoil of the 7mm magnum to be more than I want. The rifle weighs 10.5 pounds and it kicks the hell out of me! Time to return to the 243 Winchester, I guess!
I had a Savage model 110 chambered in 7mm Remington Mag and in all honesty a very pleasant rifle to shoot with 150 grain Winchester rounds, it had the nice wood stock which I think had a lot to do with how the felt recoil was so tolerable
I absolutely love my 7rm. I bought it almost 30 yrs ago. I really didn't know anything about it,just that it's a tack driver. You have given me some more justification to love it more. Thank you
I really enjoyed this video and learned a lot from it. 7Mag is a really good cartridge.
Good job on this video Mr Spomer.👍
The history on this is as follows:
Les Bowman invented the cartridge then known as a 280-338 magnum. Les Bowman used a necked down 338 Win Mag to create this configuration. Les Bowman guided Mike Walker an engineer for Remington. Mike Walker took the info back to Remington where they decided to produce it and renamed it the 7mm Remington Magnum.
Yessir
it's alway cheaper to produce and experiment from a parent cartridge . there are many out there that didn't make it . Bowman was a hack and got lucky .
I am genuinely impressed with the cartridge, may actually buy one of those
Great job! I have customized 700, heavy! Love my Kimber Montana 280 AI
Completely agree, also something to mention if your going into the woods and don't plan on shooting more than a couple hundred yards, using reduced recoil loads are still very effective. And if you can find them or reload them yourself, a reduced recoil with round nose bullet is even better.
Hello Ron, I would love to see a presentation showing stock designs that are better for recoil.
I use a leather, slip on buttpad. I have a long LOP, 14.90", so I usually have to either put in spacers or replace buttpads on rifles, which is a real pain. The leather slip on pads solve the LOP issue for me, and make even 300 Win mag sort of pleasant to shoot.
Great cartridge and bullet. There are so many good choices out there and I love'em all. That's why I'll never have only one favorite but several.
The 7mm Rem Mags most efficient bullet weight is 150 grain. It puts the most energy down range. It's really the best of all worlds. It's over 3100 FPS and over 3200 flbs of energy. You can use this from deer to some of the largest game out there. It shoots further and flatter than all your other popular medium to large game rifles like .308 30-06. It really should be a lot more popular than it is. It's probably the military nature of the 30-06 and .308 that keep them more popular. Surplus ammo is cheap. But if you want the best "do-it-all" rifle you can get, you can't beat the 7mm Rem mag. It also seems to be about the sweet spot for barrel life span vs power.
This rifle has served the Military and Public better than any other. Love mine
shot 7mm mag today with 175GR bullet, was much softer shooting then I expected!
The gun shops say 7mm rem mag has lost it's popularity for some reason. I had one when I was younger and liked it.
Hey Ron. Great video I love the tried and true calibers. I would have liked to see the 280. Remington included in your video. Although not very popular today it is still an outstanding cartridge. I inherited a Remington 760 Game Master in the 280/7mm rem express. This pump action rifle shoots as accurately as any of my bolt guns and very quick on follow up shots. Ballistics for the 280. falls somewhere between the 270 and the 7mm rem mag.
I love the 270 win but Ron is spot on with the 7 mag own both and seen how the 7 takes big game I haven’t had to take a second shot shooting 162 grain hand loads
Love my 7mag with Core-Lokt 150gr.
Great content Ron...would love to know just what you've forgotten. Thanks for sharing your love of this sport!
Now in the age of range finders (either lazars or ranging reticles) the importance of the length of point blank range has greatly diminished, but not eliminated due to the greater simplicity of it. Recoil is less of an issue these days with the use of muzzle brakes and suppressors. In modern times the 7mm REM actually has less drawbacks than just a few decades ago with today's availability of carbon fiber barrels and stocks and brakes. But after all said and done, I'm still learning towards the 270 WIN for cost, weight, size, muzzle blast, and recoil. A range finder can make up for the shorter point blank range.
I'm a big fan of the .270. There don't seem to be many occasions when the 7mag's advantages make a difference. I think most comparable loads have about a 20 yd MPBR advantage in the 7mag which is not much when you are reaching out 350 yards. I think 7mag's only real advantage over the .270 is the fat belted case looks badass.
@@5000rgb I'd have to agree!
Love my Remington 700 with the 7mm Mag. Great for elk.
7mm RM great for all applications. Love it!
Ron, Thanks for the tutorial, Honorable mention to the 300 H&H, dates back to the 1930's . It is a hand loaders dream 110gn to 220 gn... First 30 cal. to win competitions, suitable for all North American game and larger African plains game...Out performs the 30-06 and the difference in velocity of the 300 win. mag. is nominal, if handloaded.
Thumbs up, Dave
The best kept secret and likely always will be. Id love a 300 H&H one day
Ron, I have Browning X-bolts in 7rm and 30-06. Hand load for both, and they are tack drivers. Hate to say it, but the 7rm is my fav. Great video!
My father bought a 7mm Rem mag in 1970. He had a gunsmith set it up for him, bore sight, hot loads, zero 350 yds, big Leopold scope. He went to Wyoming for a Pronghorn, 500 plus yards, one shot kill. Big black eye from scope contact. Never hit anything else with it for the rest of his life. In 1973 he let me take it out for some range work. I fired three rounds through it and put it up. Recoil from Hell. I thought I was tough. I Had just survived three tours in Nam. 22 years old. Invincible. Trusty old 30-30 ain't bad.
I was working for the BN railroad in Wyoming several years later, and every day during hunting season a Game and Fish Biologist would answer questions on the radio. One listener wanted to know if it was necessary to cut the deer's throat. The answer was simple: If you can run fast enough it won't hurt anything, but most people just shoot 'em.
Oh boy, Ron has his glasses on for this one. This looks serious.
I’ve always been a 300Win Mag and then also a 300WSM fan. But I hear people who can take it or leave it with the 300’s. I have never heard anyone who owns a 7mm Rem Mag give anything but praise for this calibre.
Ron, enjoy your information so much. Thank you
Ive never cared for 7mm Magnums, but Id rather have one of those over the newer 7mm PRC!
I might change my mind in 10 years when 7mm PRC ammo AND rifles are more common than the 7mm Magnums.
A 7mm Magnum with a longer and tighter throat, practically speaking should be everything the 7mm PRC is.
If I were only a long range Target shooter, using a big heavy Target rifle, THEN I might opt for the 7mm PRC.
But as a hunter the 7mm Magnum is more practical.
Right now, 7mm Magnum ammo is every where and cheaper. An advantage to the average hunter.
I wold like to see the 7mm WSM start making a come back. Love a short action rifle.
I still have my Remington 700 7mmRM left handed bolt gun that I bought back in the mid 80's. I use the 175gr bullets out of mine and it's taken A LOT of deer and elk. I'm going on an Alaskan moose hunt next year and I'm gonna take that very same rifle. It's getting a new Teludyne Technologies straight jacket system and barrel put on it and I can't wait for it to come back.
Right now .30 caliber is hard to find, 7 rem mag however is still on the shelf.
My favorite cartridge that I currently own. Medium to large game, and very capable at long ranges. Although I have a love for almost all 7mm calibers. I like my 7-08 and my .284 win.
Thank you kindly sir for sharing your knowledge with us.
Just bought my first 7mm today. Sako 85 finnlight topped with a leupold 3-15x44 VX5-HD can’t wait to test it out
I am a 308 fan personally. Richard Mann got to me first Ha ha. You mentioned the 30-06 as a contender. The 308 is just a little slower velocity wise so my trajectory will be a little different. But I like getting to within 350 yards anyway. I also love my FN made model 70 featherweight (US production not Portugal) chambered in it. All that said my dad loves his Remington 700 in 7mm Mag. And the next rifle on my list is a Model 70 in 270 so I really cant complain with any of these classic cartridges. They all will get the job done as long as you can pit a good bullet where it needs to go. Thank you Ron for the history lesson. I really like your videos I learn a ton from your content!
I like to handload 120 to 140 grain bullets in my 7 Rem Mag to go plinking 200 to 400 yards at the range. The light bullets and low end charges are fairly mild and easy on the shoulder.
I moved to a suite of 7mm's after I found out my Grandfather, a gunsmith, shot a 280 instead of my fathers 30-06. I now have my grandfathers 280 as well as a 7mm-08 and 7mm RM. The bullets available today are certainly higher BC in the 7mm family.
Totally agree with that.
If you do some wildcatting and such, 7-300 win mag is pretty great.