Need some help choosing a rifle in 7mm Rem Mag

PvillePredator

PvillePredator

New member
I'm looking at getting a new rifle for long range shooting & big game like elk, moose, etc. I've heard a lot of good things in the 7mm rem mag, I've also been thinking .300 WSM. Maybe you all can shed some light there as well. I've mainly been looking for a rifle in the 7lbs. range, I'd rather have it a bit heavy to lessen the recoil then a lightweight carry. I've been looking at the Savage American Classic, the Savage Weather Warrior, the Remington SPS DM, & the Tikka T3 Hunter. I'm wanting to stay in the $750 or less range. I'm worried about the Remingtons' trigger, so if anyone has a review of there's I'd appreciate it. I'm open to any suggestions, these models are what I've found based on limited info. Thanks in advance!

Rod Hart
 
What's the cost of converting one of theses rifles to the .280 Ackley Improved? I doubt there's anything built in .280 Ackley Improved that would fit my budget. There's talk of it become an established wildcat soon though. I appreciate the input & I'll consider this as it does seem like an outstanding cartridge. Thanks!
 
I have an old Savage 110 Sierra light in 7mm Rem Mag. 7.25lb w/ mounts, rings and scope. Great rifle w/ suprisingly light recoil. You should look at used guns. I know of a Savage 7mmRM That is new W/ iron sights, 15 years old new, that has a tag of $275.00. It needs a front blade as it never had one. $15.00 at midway. I load mine from 120 to 175gr bullets and you can find ammo anywhere. I would stay away from the short mag and go w/ a .300WM if you want to go .30. I like the 7mmRM. If I had to do it again I might choose a different caliber based on published data, but It has never failed me and I trust it.
 
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My thoughts:

I would take a 7WSM over a 300WSM

Tikkas suck

Rem SPS is way too heavy for carrying around elk country

No problems with Rem triggers, new or old. If you don't like the new, an old can be purchased/installed at a low cost

Nothing against Savages, just not my favorite

AI sounds out of the budget right now

 
I think you should consider the New Savage with Accutrigger and Accustock synthetic & stainless in 338 Rem Mag - same price as the other calibers but if you look closely at how much energy the 338 Rem Mag retains out at 400, 500, 600 yds it is truely impressive and very close to what a 375 H&H retains at those distances. The 338 Rem Mag is much more popular in Alaska that in the lower 48. Truth is many an elk has been taken with a 270 or even a .243 and guns like 7mm08 and 280 also in the 7mm family are probably adequate, but if a bear wants your elk - no rifle is quite large enough for those few seconds.
 
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Pville,

For your intentions the 7Mag will fill the bill 100%.

The Tikka is a great gun. Dont let the naysayers discourage you. They are smooth and accurate. Also new, modern, affordable, etc. That scares a lot of people. Nothing wrong with your other thoughts on guns.

If tending toward a Rem, I would go with a non DM style. Personal pref. SPS is a good hunting gun. No frills, but good design, accuracy and function. Triggers are great. Learn to adjust yours CORRECTLY, or have someone GOOD do it for you. Or, get one with a newer adjustable trigger.

B
 
I would get a non dm 700 they can really rattle after time.

I would probably lean towrds the 300 wsm because my 7mm mag in a 700 bdl kicks my butt! And that is saying something because I shoot a 700 sps 300ultra with no break. Plus with the 300 you have some more versatility incase you go after the big stuff.

Please dont buy a tikka they are a good rifle with a cult like following but it isnt built here and I have had many 700s and none have not been shooters
 
Originally Posted By: nitis...my 7mm mag in a 700 bdl kicks my butt! And that is saying something because I shoot a 700 sps 300ultra with no break. Plus with the 300 you have some more versatility incase you go after the big stuff...

Well there you have it. Get a 7 mag in a 700 SPS with no brake and it should be soft as good cake.

Not sure where the same volume case will get you more versatility in a one caliber larger round but...

B
 
Earlier this fall, I lugged an older Sako AIII in a custom fiberglass stock around in elk hunting country that I know for a fact weights in at 7 pounds-9 ounces bare rifle and stock.

I realize that is a little bit lighter than a sporter weight 700 SPS in 7MM Mag which weighs 7 5/8 pounds (7 pounds-10 ounces) according to Remington. I'm now 61 years old and I did just fine with the rifle, even when it was loaded with 4 rounds of 7MM Rem Mag ammo, and with a Leupold 3X9 scope and mounts/rings on it....Oh, and with a sling, too...!

I'm not sure, and I can't really say because of a lack of experience with a 700 SPS what that extra ounce of rifle weight might have done to me if I'd have been carrying a 700 SPS in 7MM Rem Mag. But I doubt it would have killed me in a real life experience, and not in fantasy land either....

As for recommending a Sako, I'm reluctant to do so since its not made here either. And its made by the same folks who make the Tikka rifles, so I'm not sure a Sako would be a good recommendation. As for a Tikka....everyone knows that only cult followers buy Tikkas in spite of the fact that they shoot very well, and besides, "Tikkas suck".

Bottom line: Any good sporter weight rifle in 7 Mag will likely shoot very well for you....if you can carry it around with all its comparable weight. LOL...!!

Find the rifle that feels best in your hands and you'll likely do just fine with our choice.

-BCB
 
PvillePredator, Don't let anyone talk you out of Tikka.
There's a reason for "a cult like following". I'm sure you can't go wrong with any of the above suggestions. I'll bet if we took a pole, a majority of us have/had foreign autos. If you're like most, you work hard for your money and if you're like myself, you want the best return for your investment (regardless of where it's made). Tikka is a great gun but as stated earlier, so are most of the others that have been mentioned.
Good Luck
 
See Above...

A lot of text with no Specific recommendations. Oh yeah, Tikka shoots "VERY WELL"...but "Tikkas Suck". I guess I might be a little bitter if I spent all that money for a Sako and I could by a Tikka T3 Light for a around $500 and shoot the exact same groups. But then again, it's a "Sako".

Sorry if my responses sound like I'm annoyed: We'll stock our house with foreign appliances, sit and peck away at our foreign made computer, wake up and put on our foreign made clothes, talk on our foreign made cell phones, while we watch reruns of leave it to beaver on our foreign made TV but God forbid we buy foreign made Rifles that "shoot very good".


If you like to buy American where you can, do it. If you want the best ROI, go for it. And yes, you can buy American and get the best bang for your buck.

All of the recommended rifles will most likely be exactly what you are looking for. Just don't be afraid to step outside the box. I did and the Elk I've been eating on all year didn't mind that a Tikka T3 Light Stainless in .300WSM was my gun of "choice".
 
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I've had my Savage WW 116 7mm rem mag for 10+ years (pre accutrigger), it is still the most accurate rifle I have. I've taken mulies, elk, bear, big and small cats, and a few unlucky yotes. The only thing I've changed was the el chepo simmons scope that came with it, and to be honest that doesnt even fog up yet, and I only changed that this year (just because).

I was going to say it was my best rifle purchase I ever made, but I think it was probably the best weapon purchase I ever made. That rifle will probably be handed down for a few generations.
 
Originally Posted By: RocketManSee Above...

A lot of text with no Specific recommendations. Oh yeah, Tikka shoots "VERY WELL"...but "Tikkas Suck". I guess I might be a little bitter if I spent all that money for a Sako and I could by a Tikka T3 Light for a around $500 and shoot the exact same groups. But then again, it's a "Sako".

Sorry if my responses sound like I'm annoyed: We'll stock our house with foreign appliances, sit and peck away at our foreign made computer, wake up and put on our foreign made clothes, talk on our foreign made cell phones, while we watch reruns of leave it to beaver on our foreign made TV but God forbid we buy foreign made Rifles that "shoot very good".

If you like to buy American where you can, do it. If you want the best ROI, go for it. And yes, you can buy American and get the best bang for your buck.

All of the recommended rifles will most likely be exactly what you are looking for. Just don't be afraid to step outside the box. I did and the Elk I've been eating on all year didn't mind that a Tikka T3 Light Stainless in .300WSM was my gun of "choice".

Rocketman:

If you think I'm badmouthing Tikka rifles, you totally missed the point of my post.

The "cult followers" and "Tikkas suck" comments are not mine. I was merely parroting comments made by other posters above my post concerning Tikka rifles and the supposed extreme weight of a Remington 700 SPS sporter weight rifle.

I own quite a few Sakos - older ones - and I also own several Tikka rifles. IMO, Tikkas are as good an investment as you can make in a reasonably priced, utilitarian hunting rifle. They might not win any beauty contests, but their beauty is in how they function in the field.

And if I want a Sako, I'm willing to pay what they are worth for the pre 75 and 85 Model Sakos. IMO, the latter two models aren't worth their weight in comparison to older Sakos.

-BCB
 
I really appreciate ALL of your responses & recommendations. I know that when I have a question, there's plenty of knowledge here. That .280 AI sounds sweet but I do believe that for the time being it's out of my range. I'm a young man (23yrs) in his first year of marriage, out of my home state, supporting my wife while she finishes nursing school. I'm not cheap, just strapped for cash, but lucky enough to have a wife understands my passion for the sports. I was looking at the SPS cause of the $, I'd prefer a wood stock but don't mind a good Synthetic. I'd rather have the rifle a little heavy than too light. As far as the rifle, I'll take Bayous' advice & just spend a little more time handling (not gonna complain
laugh.gif
). I would, however, appreciate some more input on caliber selection. I was leaning toward the 7mm's because of some pointing to the high BC, but I realize the .30cal's have a much broader selection. I've never though of .338. I realize I could do very well with the .270, my father owns a Ruger in .270 win., but I'm looking for that balance of range & punch. I know the recoil won't be like my .30-06 but I don't want an outrageous monster (might sound sissy there but a man can only shoot to his full potential when he's comfortable). I look forward to your responses & thank you all again!

Rod Hart
 
Open Mouth...Insert Foot.

Bayou City Boy,
I'm sorry I didn't catch on to the parroting there. I'll have to just bight my tongue here for a while. I'm new around these parts and would hate to make it a habit of making knee jerk reactions to posts I don't truly understand.

Again, My Apologies
 
We use a 7MM REM MAG, with muzzle brake, on a Mauser 98 platform. Shoots great.

We have no experience with any of the .30 class weapons - except a borrowed 30-06 and that gun did not impress us.

Looking for a second 7MM REM MAG and MAY buy new from savage. Since ours shoots so well I see no reason to invest in more reloading 'stuff' to change calibre's.
We have a friend who owns a 7MM REM MAG in remington that he has owned since being a teen; purchased used, still shooting excellent groupings. He was the reason we converted our .257 WEATHERBY MAG to the 7MM REM MAG. The WBY sucked and the conversion was near perfection.

Just my 2cts worth.
 
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My bad.
blush.gif
When I typed my response I somehow was picturing the 700 SPS Varmint (heavy barrel and a pound heavier than standard SPS). When I hear "SPS" that is what I think of for some reason because I've had 2 of them.

A standard SPS in 7mm mag would make a fine choice, IMO. When he gets a little more dough, he can restock it with a McMillan, B&C, H-S, etc.

I'll not touch upon the Tikka thing this morning
laugh.gif
 
A Remington with the new trigger won't have a trigger problem. The new Remington "X-?) Trigger is an excellent hunting trigger and it can be retrofitted to any 700 receiver. 7mmMag and 7mmWSM are excellent long range hunting cartridges with high BC bullets and less recoil that the equivelant BC in .308.

I'd also recommend looking at a BOSS equipped Browning on sale after hunting season - the recoil reduction from that factory muzzle break is real and makes a light easy to carry rifle tolerable to practice with.

For a senior like me, a muzzle break is almost mandatory on a 7mmMag. I see a lot of folks flinching bigtime when shooting the 7mm MAG and more powerful cartridges with out a muzzle break.

Fitch
 
I see some mention of flinching related to the 7mag. One point of interest is the "managed recoil" line of ammo that Remington, and maybe a couple others, market now. If recoil was an issue at any point, or you just did not need all the zip available from a max load it is a great option. Of note, I do not beleive it is available in any short mag cals.

Just some added versitility for the 7mag.

B
 


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