Best 7mm Cartridge

[sevenmil]

Hi guys,
I am new to the forum and have recently taken up F Class Standard shooting at my local range. I am really enjoying the experience, having been a self taught hunter for the last 30 or so years, F Class brings a new dimension to shooting. I have to say I am impressed with the high level of skill the members (Target and F Class) have in my club and other clubs in my district. I believe I am going to learn a lot about long range shooting and am really enjoying the comradery.

I have a question on F Class Open shooting. When the time is right, I want to use my 7mm Rem Mag in F Class open and am thinking of a new stainless target barrel. The question is, what is the most popular 7mm cartridge being used by most F Class Open shooters here in OZ - by popular I mean people achieving good scores?

[MCLE]

Hi sevenmill welcome to the forum.l can't help with the info that you are after but someone will.
Michael H

[DaveMc]

Yes, welcome aboard sevenmil.

284 and 284 Shehane are the most popular
7mm RSAUM probably comes in second
280AI and 7mmWSM also have some followers. And there are many possibilities for others as well (e.g. 7-08AI, 7*57 improved etc)

You see the odd 7mm rem mag and similar around but they are a bit harder to get consistent accuracy from the bigger cartridges and burn out barrels quickly.
If you have the mag bolt face then a 7mmRSAUM would be a great option.....

Dave

[AlanF]

I believe RAVEN on this forum has used a 7mm Rem Mag in F-Class, but he changed to 284. He might chime in and explain his reasons - possibly because they only shoot out to 800m at Lower Light....

Alan

[BATattack]

The 7 rem mag has a huge capacity. In my mind much more than is useful using a 7mm bullet.

I can get 3100fps with a 180gr bullet without too much drama in a 7rsaum and I think that is about max before you reach the point of diminishing returns. At 3100fps your looking at about 1000 rounds of barrel life give or take a few 100.

A 7 rem mag you might get 3150-3200fps but I would be surprised if your barrel lasts much more than 7-800 rounds.

Considering it takes 2-300 rounds to run in and tune the very best out of a barrel it doesn't leave a lot if shooting before you have to start over again.

[dave]

as a comparison, my 30"bartlien, bat actioned 7mmBoo Boo (jacko) max is 72/2217/180/3030fps or 75/2217/162/3180fps.

after 180 rounds, significant firecracking is evident for the first 3-4" of throat.

this gun has never fired more than 10 rounds in a string (used for LG 1000yd BR).

allowing for considerable cleaning time and effort (with abrasives) 20 accurate rounds in a day is all it will do.

naturally other big 7mm's may behave differently.

cheers
dave

[AlanF]

Just my opinion based partly on what I hear because I have only had a Shehane in 7mm : I would go for standard 284 running 180s in the 2850 fps area as an economy option, or a SAUM running 180s around 2950 fps for a slight advantage in the wind but some minor inconveniences such as brass quality and availability, and slightly shorter barrel life. Either can be loaded up for more velocity if that is considered advantageous, but that will come at a price (primer pocket expansion, throat erosion, extra recoil etc). If you want to go for something bigger again, and with a bit of X-factor, consider the new 7mm Blaser case from Norma. It produces ballistics as good as the 7mm Rem Mag if you believe them.

Alan

[BATattack]

as a comparison, my 30"bartlien, bat actioned 7mmBoo Boo (jacko) max is 72/2217/180/3030fps or 75/2217/162/3180fps.

after 180 rounds, significant firecracking is evident for the first 3-4" of throat.

this gun has never fired more than 10 rounds in a string (used for LG 1000yd BR).

allowing for considerable cleaning time and effort (with abrasives) 20 accurate rounds in a day is all it will do.

naturally other big 7mm's may behave differently.

cheers
dave

Exactly. 5-10gr more powder than the 7saum for the same velocity.

Maybe I like the saum a little too much? but it's good having a big load Window between 2900 and 3100fps to find a node.

If lapua made 284 brass that didn't have to be expanded and soft fireformed then it would probably be more appealing to me.

[bsouthernau]

I believe RAVEN on this forum has used a 7mm Rem Mag in F-Class, but he changed to 284. He might chime in and explain his reasons - possibly because they only shoot out to 800m at Lower Light....

Alan

Who told you that Alan? There may be some who don't but back to 1100m is regularly on offer there.

[RAVEN]

Alan the reason I change was the 7mm Mag was the rifle I started shooting F-Class with I did use it to shoot silhouette but whit the nightforce scope it was too heavy to qualify for comps.
I did get occasional good group from the rem and built my first FO rifle on a Rem sleeved SA which has and still served me well.

The 284 chambering is far more efficient and delivers the same or better velocity with less powder.
Barrel life was ok with the 7mmRem Mag using 2217 powder and I have achieved a few SA state 500 fly championships and records in light gun with it.

RB

[AlanF]

...back to 1100m is regularly on offer there.

Only to that unruly Match Rifle gang.

[sevenmil]

thanks guys, that is very helpful. I will take a closer look at some of these rounds....

[bruce moulds]

hello sevenmil,
I have used the std 284 for some tome and am most happy with it.
however, my next 7 was to be a 280 Ackley.
why? because it can run 180 bullets in the 2900s comfortably. brass is easy to get with many choices. and it has a long neck.
however a recent minimalization epiphone has got me looking at the 7x57 Ackley.
again multi choice quality brass, and long neck, and can mix it with the std 284 of std 280 rem. and with less recoil than the biggies and more barrel life.
going back to a 6.5 experiment recently has shown me that I can indeed shoot less recoil better.
keep safe,
bruce.

[SENDIT]

Hi sevenmil, thought I might mention 7mm saum took first second and third at tumut 1oooyrd last weekend.
good luck and good shooting

[RAVEN]

284 won the WFC a few more than a local prize meet
SAUM are a great cartridge especially if you intend shoot some match rifle
Also when the heavy 7mm is made available it may tilt the tables toward the short mags.