Which 7mm cartridge for a custom bolt action build?

Originally Posted By: HOGGHEADIs weight going to be a major concern for this rifle?? If so then I would look at a short action rifle. Accuracy to 300 yards should be easily attainable in a light weight short action rifle. Tom.

I am going to try to keep weight to a minimum since the suppressor and required barrel contour will add length and weight. That makes the 7 WSM desirable since it fits in a short action. Otherwise, I would probably lean towards a 280 AI.

I want a little "extra" power or I would probably just do a regular old .308 with a 22" barrel.
 
Mine is a 284 winchester, 700 short action. Just back from High Tech Customs. Lilja stainless 22in. barrel, action work, new 3in. magazine box, sitting in a borden rimrock stock. Monday it leaves to be cerakoted and the stock painted. The bolt has been skelontized, may get fluted latter. Scope will be a vxIII 6x42. For most of my use I will be shooting 120 gr. and 140 gr. bullets. Weighs 6.6 lbs. without a scope. Good luck, Javey.
 
Mine is a 284 winchester, 700 short action. Just back from High Tech Customs, Lilja stainless 22" barrel, action work, new 3" custom box magazine, bolt handle lighted, sitting in Borden Rimrock stock. Leaves Monday to be cerakoted and painted. Might flute the bolt latter. Right now it weighs 6.6 lbs. without the vxIII 6x42 that goes on last. Might have it ready for Antelope in September. Will mostly shoot 120gr. and 140gr. bullets.
 
Any thoughts on using a 7x57 AI? I use one in a 16” Encore pistol for deer hunting, I can push 139 gr’s @ 2850fs or 120’s @ 3020fs. From a rifle you’d be in the ~ 3150fs with the 139’s. I know were talking elk, but for deer I favor the 120’s.

Good luck on the project

B…
 
I just had my Ruger .280 bumped to a .280AI, haven't shot it yet other than the gunsmith to check it out. So far it seems to be a nice gun may put a thumbhole stock on it.
 
Double check your state regulations or the state in which you plan to hunt; most states do not allow hunting of game animals with suppressors.

I use a 300 WM shooting 200gr. AB's but any 7mm will do. As someone else said here, you want to get them down in a hurry and not make it a game of hide and seek. Elk cover ground in a hurry: This becomes a huge factor when it comes time to get your elk out of the ugly place you found him in. Once you have an elk down and realize the task ahead of you... caliber become a distant thought and you will be wishing for more fiends, a better winch and more rope!

TAC
 
Quote:Elk aren't hard to kill, but its hard to convince them you killed them.

Couldn't have said it better myself. Mr. Weatherby had a theory about hydrostatic shock. It seems to work on elk within reason. I don't recommend splattering an under weight bullet flying at the speed of light on an elk's shoulder, but a high quality hunting bullet driven to high velocities can can have a dynamic effect on tough critters. I don't get the whole suppressor thing and that may make my recommendations worthless, but speaking strictly in terms of what I recommend for an elk rifle I'd start at 7mm STW, 7mm-300 WBY and go up from there.

Honestly, if you are not going to shoot over 300 yards, forget ballistic coefficient and get something .30 cal or larger. I shot my first elk with a .375 H&H Mag. I use a .338 Win Mag now. (for whatever that's worth
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) Why build a deer gun to go elk hunting, and why build a 1000 yard gun to shoot 300? If you are not going to build your seven into a fire breathing dragon I would make up for it with bullet weight and caliber.

To the contrary, I have seen a number of elk dropped with .270 Win and .30-06. The #1 bull taken in Colorado was shot with a .30-40 Krag. huntsman22, I think it was, popped one with a .260 Rem and a Barnes TSX (hope I got the details right)

In summary, I have seen less elk run to the bottom of the deepest canyon in a five mile radius after being shot with a large magnum than I have with standard and medium velocity cartridges. Thus, based on my experience, I recommend to shoot elk with big guns.

TAC is right on. Elk country can humble you in a hurry. Use the right tool for the job.........
 
Lots of good pro's and con's here. One of the significant statements you made was the limited range. Like many have said, out to 300 yards, BC just doesn't come into the argument.

That being said, I would lean toward a 7 WSM if you were going to stick to the 7mm. I'm not a huge fan of the larger diameter bullets, but a .308 diameter bore would allow you to use a shorter barrel compared to the same case in 7mm. I would think if your are planning on using a can with it, a shorter barrel, without velocity loss, would be an important consideration.

My original Elk rifle was a Remington 700 stainless synthetic in 7mm Remington Magnum. It's a fine rifle and a fine cartridge that I really like. Last year I switched to a Remington Model 7 stainless synthetic in .300 RSAUM. It does kick just a little more, and doesn't shoot quite as flat, but it's quite a bit shorter and lighter and the Elk won't know the difference.
 
Originally Posted By: Dtech Last year I switched to a Remington Model 7 stainless synthetic in .300 RSAUM. It does kick just a little more, and doesn't shoot quite as flat, but it's quite a bit shorter and lighter and the Elk won't know the difference.

Ya know Mike, I always did like how you think! Now I know why we get along...
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Wait til ya see what my I did to my Seven 300RSAUM. Gave it the ol' Krylon custom job & its almost done...
 
Originally Posted By: Dtech...That being said, I would lean toward a 7 WSM if you were going to stick to the 7mm. I'm not a huge fan of the larger diameter bullets, but a .308 diameter bore would allow you to use a shorter barrel compared to the same case in 7mm. I would think if your are planning on using a can with it, a shorter barrel, without velocity loss, would be an important consideration...

That is exactly what I am trying to accomplish. I limited my choice of cartridges for my other 3 suppressed weapons to cartridges that would work well for the application with short barrels, compromised toward convienence. I now want to compromise toward performance but at the same time shave every inch in length and ounce of weight that does not significantly effect the performance. I really prefer the .284 diameter bore but you are correct, as always :), that the .308 diameter bore may result in a better compromise.
 
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