Thread: A bit of 7mm advice

About a year ago I got the idea I needed a tops style rifle and have finally got the bones of it together. T3 with 22" barrel, T2 brake, Leupold VX5-HD 3-15 and a B&C stock awaiting a Stug job. Going in for my first Tahr soon and now that I have some loads shooting well will be getting back in to the Kaimanawa tops. Current calibre is 7mm Rem Mag with a 1:9.5 twist. I find the 162gr ELD-X shooting well but am limited on seating depth due to mag restriction. Moving forward I see a rechamber or new barrel and cartridge. Ideally I would like to be able to shoot bullet weights from 160-180gr and have the freedom to seat them wherever I want. In my mind the logical idea would be a rebarrel to a 7WSM. Unfortunately brass is pretty hard to come by (as well as the 7SAUM) so then the 7-300WSM starts to look better but pretty mixed reviews as to the work required to size the brass and then ensure that the chamber is set up correctly.

Anyone have much experience with the 7-300 or any of the other short mags in 7mm that would be a suitable switch? Likely go 1:8.5 twist for a bit more stability. Love the T2 brake so that will be retained. I haven't shot many of the heavier bullets as I'm restricted by mag length so can't really play with seating depth and have been informed that 1:9.5 is only good to 160ish.