Model 700 Remington 7mm mag

[barebackjack]

I just got a model 700 remington 7mm mag, my question is what round to use in this particular gun as I have never used one or to my recelection even shot one. I hunt in moderately wooded areas with not much of a shot over 35 yards, occasionaly I will stumble across a further shot than that but normally not. Thanks in advance for any suggestions or information.

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barebackjack IBOT#197
Why ride the wagon when the walk is so scenic?????????

[Swamp Scooter]

Bareback,

I also picked one of those up last year for bear hunting as my other BAR .7mm has a scope on it. I started with the .7mm a few years ago when I retired my old 30-06( 1917 and still in great shape but it was time for a new gun). I tried to use the lighter 150 grain shells and although I am a very good shot found it hard to drop the deer. I was ridiculed for getting that gun in the group but was persistant.

We deduced that the 150 goes so darn fast if you do not hit a bone it really does not have a chance to expand and give the full shock of the bullet. That being said I mean at close range. Anything over 150 yards and that thing will blow a big hole.

I now use the 175's and am quite happy with the results. I am very careful on shot placement still. Even at closer range it does the job. I do not shoot for the shoulders but usually the heart. This combo has been very effective. I have taken out a coyote or two with it and the load is a bit big for the small dogs.

Deer or bear I would go with the 175 grain. If you are long range shooting all the time maybe consider a change but otherwise that is my .02

[Cooter]

Barebackjack - That 7mm will kill any whitetail, but maybe next year look into something different if you're gonna take most shots under 50 yards. There are better options for short range shooting. Good luck this fall.

[Guest]

I go with Cooter. The 7mm rem mag is made to shoot at long range. Most guns made for it have a quicker twist to the rifling to stabilize a heave for caliber bullet ( 175gr ). Just make it a boat tail and your ballistic conifers are outstanding. It will work at any range but long range is where it shines.
A 280 rem will do all but the longest range stuff as the 7mm rem mag but with less muzzle blast.
To answer your Q, buy a few boxes of differant weight rounds. Go to the range and shoot several 3 shoot groups with each round. Which ever round shoots best, use it.
For deer you will not need partitions or Barns X style bullets. Unless you plan to shot the deer up the back side. You want the bullet to expand.
Any bullet that strikes a branch will deform and a deformed bullet of any caliber will not fly right. Even 12ga.

[This message has been edited by Red_Ball (edited 09-15-2004).]