7mm Short Magnums
I'm considering trying out a new short magnum of the 7mm variety. Either the 7mm Rem SAUM or the 7mm WSM. Is anyone out there shooting either one now? Are you happy with the caliber? I will be reloading for it and am considering either the Remington BDL SS in 7mm RSAUM or the Savage 16FSS in 7mm WSM.
It seems to me that the Remington version may not be as popular as Savage chambered it last year but not this year. The WSM seems more prolific and popular.
Thanks,
GLC
10 March 2004, 13:23
Lawdog_GaryGLC,
Maybe this will help you,
Quote:
From the March 2004 Precision Shooting, Jacob Gottfredson writes...
Tim Lambert competed in the unlimited benchrest class which includes rifles that shoot from rails and weigh as much as 250 pounds (pictured in article) and are sometimes made totally from metal with no conventional stock. Lambert did something a little different.
Lambert used an action taken from a $350 Savage bolt action rifle. He screwed a Hart barrel on it. Instead of using a fiberglass or steel stock, Lambert used a maple stock (not even laminated). Chambered it for 7mm WSM.
Lambert then proceeded to win the 2003 Heavy Gun 1000 Yard Group Championship.
A week later, Lambert won a Mile Long Competition setting a new World's Record of ten inches for five rounds at a mile.
With a Savage action and a plain wood stock!
In my opinion the RSAUM line won't make it. Just not selling well enough. On the other hand the WSM line is selling like hot cakes. With this win by Lambert maybe some people will re-think their opinions of the short/fat cartridges. Lawdog
10 March 2004, 15:57
Savage99I bought a new SS M70 Oct 2002 and it has been one of the best new rifles once restocked. The cartridge is excellent but so are many others. Since mine is just a sporter I cannot quote bench rest scores but there are no problems with the design.
The Winchester rifle is another story. The injection molded stock that they put on the rifle is really no good so I had to replace it. The barreled action is smooth inside and out.
Overall I recommend the 7mm WSM but if your concerned about popularity then the 270 WSM is similar but got off to a better start sales wise. Such a buyer may as well get that one over the less popular 7mm WSM.
My velocities are normal for the size of the cartridge and length of the barrel.
12 March 2004, 17:33
djpaintlesSavage99, What stock did you use on your M-70? I saw the pic on another post and it looked like a good one.
thanks.....DJ
12 March 2004, 18:00
Savage99Thanks for the compliment. It's a Bell & Carlson. It's just the standard model.
The material that they are made of is very easy to work with. I had planned on putting in Mauser type bushings over the stock screws but it does not need it.
