Which 7mm cartridge for a custom bolt action build?

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I want to build a custom bolt action rifle that will be used primarily for elk hunting and have decided on using one of the 7mm/.284 cartridges. I can't shoot as well as some of the internet sharpshooters I read about
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and will therefore limit my shots to 300 yards. For ranges out to 300 yards, I can't decide whether to just go with a 280 Remington or to step up to a 280 Ackley Improved or 7mm WSM. I do reload.

My latest rifle projects have focused on cartidges that work well in short barrels for use with suppressors. I currently have three suppressed rifles with barrel lengths of 10.5" (AR-15 in 300 Fireball shooting subsonics), 14.5" (AR-15 in 6.8 SPC), and 16" (T/C Encore in 7mm-08 with folding stock - truck gun). I now want to build a longer range suppressed bolt action rifle with a 24" barrel and more knock down power.

Please help me choose a suitable 7mm/.284 cartridge for elk hunting.
 
Personally I would look at the 280 ai for your needs
I built one with some helpful suggestions from some of the members on this board
never regretted my choice in cal and who's opinion I asked

 
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7mm STW and up for certain. Elk are tough critters. You can take them down with smaller cartridges for sure. A little insurance never hurts.

I have killed a bull with a .284 Winchester and one with a 7mm Rem Mag and both dropped on the spot. I like the STW for the extra oomph.

Just to illustrate how tough they can be at times, I watched a bull drop like a rock after being hammered through the shoulders by a 250 grain bullet from a .340 Wby. The guy that shot it was from Michigan and mainly bowhunted, so as a matter of practice he waited 20 minutes before approaching the bull. When he got about 25 yards from the elk it jumped up and ran like a race horse straight towards a 300 foot cliff. Another fellow from Michigan dropped it with his 7mm Mag right before it went over. Not saying the 7 mag is better, just saying elk aren't always terribly impressed with firepower. I have seen a couple of instances where elk took three or four solid hits in the kill zone from a .30-06 before even showing any signs of being affected.

Based on my past experiences I'd build a hot one. 7's are blessed in the ballistic coefficient department anyways, so I would kick it up to 7mm STW or better velocity to take full advantage.

My .02
 
For what you want and need, any of them will do fine. 280 AI sounds great to me. Unless you like them ugly, short, fat looking things...
 
A 280 Rem is more then sufficent. A custom build for me would be the 284 Win. But thats because i have 7 RemMag already. Under 300 yards doesnt unleash the STW's potential. It was developed to shoot long range. Under 300 is not 'long range.'I have seen DRT shots at 250 and 300 yds with a 280 rem. Let us know how it turns out!
 
Is 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.
 
accuracy is pretty easily achieved in a custom rifle of any caliber, so its basicly a moot point. The rifle is for elk hunting, never hunted elk but have talked with alot of experienced hunters, and read alot on the topic.
Elk aren't hard to kill, but its hard to convince them you killed them. so with normal cartridges you do have a tracking job most of the time. on public land it is important to get to the downed elk as quickly as possible, or lose it to another hunters tag.
There is something about a fast moving bullet hitting them that they just can't tolerate, so I vote for a hot 7mm, the STW or the RUM, smack them with a 160 at 3300 fps and have a lot less tracking to do and you'll still have the capability of longer range if you ever have the desire to do so.
So unless you want to shoot this rifle alot in the offseason, another vote for the RUM or STW. Nothing wrong with the above choices but just MHO, and its worth what it cost ya.
RR
 
Tooomany,
From the sticks you've listed, it seems that you like your rifles on the short side. Enter, the 7WSM...

From the 24" barrel you desire, the 7Wizzer(as I affectionately call it) can hit 3000fps with a 160'ish' grain bullet. And it'll feed from a short action to boot...

For comparison, a 7RUM or STW from a 24" tube will likely not get all their available horsepower to the pavement & kick the crap out of you with recoil. Those big dogs need a longer tube than 24", IMHO...


Lots for great .284 cals out there that have already been advised above. I'd recommend setting the parameters of what you want in your rifle, regarding bullet choice, stock preference, overall weight & length. Then pick the .284 caliber that will compliment it best...
 
Originally Posted By: FurhunterSince you already have a 30cal can, why not go with a 30 cal rifle?

The 30 caliber suppressors I currently have are Advanced Armament Corporation 762-SDs that the company rates for .308 full auto with relatively short barrels. I have an email into AAC asking for the maximum pressure at the end of the muzzle that the suppressor will withstand. I plan to use Quickload to estimate the pressure at the end of a 24" barrel for these 7mm cartridges. Several on the Silencer Talk forum use 762-SD suppressors with hotter weapons than a .308 and claim that it is fine due to the drop in pressure at the end of a longer barrels.

Yes, I am concerned about weight and length of this weapon. That is the reason the other 3 suppressed rifles I now own have relatively short barrels. I started out with my 300 Fireball with a 16" barrel and later shortened it to 10.5" as an SBR since that is all the barrel it needs for subsonic loadings (1050-1060 fps). I started out with my 7mm-08 truck gun with an 18" barrel and later shortened it to 16" and had it fluted. I started with a 14.5" barrel for the 6.8 SPC and had the suppressor mount permanently mounted to satisfy BATF&E as a non SBR.

Since I am looking at relatively hot 7mm cartridges, I will use a 24" barrel for this new build. I am assuming that if I used a barrel shorter than 24", it would reduce the muzzle velocity to the point that I had might as well have gone with a 7mm-08.

I prefer to use a 762-SD suppressor for this weapon because it is a good compromise between effectiveness and weight and length. The suppressor will add about 8" to the length of the weapon so it won't be the most convienent thing to carry elk hunting. But, it will be hearing safe, especially compared to without the suppressor, and the suppressor will take away approximately 50% of the recoil.

I plan to load 160 grain premium bullets for this build. I really like the sectional density of the 7mm 160 grain bullets. I am using Sierra Infinity Exterior Ballistics software to determine what cartridge will push a 160 grain bullet with minimum hold over out to 300 yards. And, yes I will utilize a range finder and will pass up shots beyond 300 yards.
 
so lemme ask dis
"why the suppressor"
its a hunting rifle correct if its the sound issue
why not get some muffs and keep all that lovely
velocity
 
OK then, I'd do a 7Wizzer on a 700 Short action with your 24" tube.

McMillan Rem classic or HTG handle with a Wyatt's extended mag box in the well to hold your next two rounds.
Badger M4 bottom metal with the HTG stock or Williams with the Rem classic stock...

Top it with Talley one pc. ring/bases and pick a nice 10X max variable scope...

Only 'cause you asked!
 
I have no problem with any of the choices/recommendations made here, but for 300yds>less, I just don't think a magnum is needed. A 280AI would be great, IMO.......
 
Originally Posted By: White Eagleso lemme ask dis
"why the suppressor"
its a hunting rifle correct if its the sound issue
why not get some muffs and keep all that lovely
velocity

After owning a few suppressed weapons, my weapons without suppressors have become safe queens. It is a shame that suppressors are as regulated as they are because suppressors are so practical. They help preserve your hearing, they are more neighbor friendly, they take away about half of the recoil, they usually add from 25 to 50 fps to muzzle velocity, and most weapons are more accurate with the suppressor mounted. Suppressors simply make weapons more pleasant to shoot. My son and I now go out and shoot our rifles more because it is more fun and we don't get beat up in the process. As a matter of fact, I purchased two of the 30 caliber suppressors just so my son and I could both have suppressed weapons when we shoot together.

I have a set of electronic muffs but much prefer the suppressors even with the disadvantages of the extra length and weight added to the weapon. I will admit though that the added weight and length is the reason I have not added an elk rifle to my suppressed collection. I have an A-Bolt in 270 and a BAR in 30-06 that are elk capable, but I will probably never shoot them again since the pencil barrels are too small to mount a suppressor.

Off the subject of rifles, but directly comparable...I never liked pistols until I was introduced to suppressors because of the deafening muzzle blast. After shooting one, I purchased a 9mm H&K tactical with a threaded barrel for use with a suppressor. With the suppressor, it is now more pleasant to shoot than a 22 pistol without a suppressor. The first thing I realized is that I needed a holster to carry the pistols with the suppressors mounted so I got Battlecloth to make a couple of custom holsters.

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