Lately, the .280AI. I just acquired a sexy little Mannlicher-stocked CZ in the caliber. Just shoot the regular .280Rem in the gun and I've got fireformed cases for reloading. Almost a 7mm Rem Mag. It doesn't bark like the Rem, but the bite's almost the same.

7x57 definitely.

I am not a 7mm fan but I will list my choices in my order.
1. 280 Ackley Improved This is a real racehorse. I built one for a friend and it is accurate, powerful, and efficient.
2. 7x57mm Mauser This is a classic. Although woefully underloaded in US form it is a lot better handloaded to it's potential.
3. 7mm-08 Good little deer cartridge.
4. 7mm Rem Mag This is a great cartridge but not much better than a standard 30-06 in my opinion. We all know about opinions, everyone has one and everybody else's stinks worse than mine! LOL

7mm Rem. Magnum

Only owned one for 3 months now but dropped a whitetail and a mule deer in their tracks.

Like the fact that I can load a 175 grain bullet for moose or elk if wanted or load a 150 grain bullet for long range mule deer.

Was biased against the belted case until I started reloading it. The Lee Collet die works good for reducing belt stretch and makes the cases last a long time.

Also prefer the blast and recoil over the 06 based cartridges.

.280 Rem gets my vote

Got mine in the Fall of 2008 shot 3 Whitetails and a BlackBear with it. It will do anything I need to do with a 160 Accubond including Moose or Elk out to 250-300 yards. Less blast and recoil than the 7 Rem mag and works just nice in a 22" barrel in a light weight rifle. I do not even think to grab one of my 06's anymore nothing wrong with a 30-06 mind you and I still shoot mine at the range whenever I can. If I know I need something bigger with more horse power I can go to my 300 Win mag or my 35 Whelen.

Well, the 7mm is a great choice in caliber, for most North American big game. There are several choices in that caliber, and one end of the sepectrum is light years away from the other end. It is hard to say what my favorite is. Clearly, by ammo sales figures, the 7mm Rem. Mag is the favorite. It has never done too much for me. There is a huge following for that round, but it is either a love it or hate it situation. To me, I find it hard to pay the extra for the ammo, the 2 to 4 more inches of barrel,and extra weight, given that the 7mm Mag just isn't THAT much more powerful than the 30-06 class cartridges, most notably the .280.
If we step up to the "specialized" 7mm cannons, you will find that they make great Beanfield rifles for deer, but unless you use extra premium well constructed bullets, the bullets just won't hold together at close ranges, on rounds like the ultra mag or the STW. Great rounds, but if I wanna Magnum, I will go .30 cal, and use 180 to 200 grain bullets.
Now we are left with the .280, 7x57, and 7mm-08. It is really a toss up. They are all great. But if it were up to me, I would would have to swing towards the 7x57. I am certainly not saying it is the "best" 7mm round, or the best for all around hunting. But this is about favorites. The .280 Rem. is a superb round, that doesnt get the credit that it deserves. It is good for everything maybe short of the BIG Bears. Also, with todays "hot" factory ammo, such as Hornady Light Magnums, we are treading on 7mm mag velocities. But I am a .270 lover, and a 30-06 lover, and I guess, the .280 just doesnt have a place for me. I realize there are wildcats, and ackley imp. out there, which I am sure they are great, but just not practical unless you are a handloader.
Now we are left with the 7mm-08 and 7x57 Mauser. The 7mm-08 is just a necked down .308. It is a fine little cartridge, and a joy to shoot. Recoil is light and power is plenty for most big game. It is a great gun for kids or ladies. The published ballistic data for the 7-08 proves to be hotter than the 7x57 for factory loads, but given the 7x57's case capacity, it can be loaded hotter than a 7mm-08. The reason 7x57's are underloaded, is mostly because there are so many old military rifles in that caliber that just wont handle the pressures of a hot loading. The little 7x57 is a CLASSIC too. It has a great history, and has proven itself in gamefields and bushvelds across the globe.
So if I had to choose, I would choose the time honored 7x57 Mauser as my favorite 7mm.
The 7-30 Waters had it's place, but it isnt included in this for obvious reasons.

I've really been cravin' a .280 AI...

quote:

Originally posted by ted thorn:
I would have to say after some thought that Seagrams 7 and 7up are still my favorite sevens.

No doubt I use them the most.

I just had to bring this oldie back up from the grave...

7 and 7 is still my fav.

quote:

Originally posted by ted thorn:

quote:

Originally posted by ted thorn:
I would have to say after some thought that Seagrams 7 and 7up are still my favorite sevens.

No doubt I use them the most.

I just had to bring this oldie back up from the grave...

7 and 7 is still my fav.

I'm a big fan of Seagrams 7 and Tonic!
Seagrams is my favorite plastic bottled Whiskey, Bushmill's and Crown are my favorite screw top Whiskeys and I'm still trying to decide my favorite corked Whiskey today it is Pendleton!

However if we talk rifles you've left the .284 Win out in the cold, it is a great choice. 7x57 is way cool, but a 7x64 will keep everybody guessing when you go that route. Or skip the damn 7's alltogether and build a .416 Rigby!