Open country mountain rifle. 7mm Rem Mag or 7mm08??

Hi all, can't make up my mind, so thought I would try here.
Want to get a 7mm as a open country gun shooting tops and farm bush edges 100-500m (Have a old 243 for bush work). Will be using factory ammo as I don't reload so kind of rules out the 280. And will be tikka T3x.

Two options:

1. Tikka T3x 7mm Rem mag, suppresser might be fitted if aol not too long? Maybe fit a libsaver as I herd they boot a bit, Probably shooting federal blue box or similar. (Superformance ssts too expensive at around $80 a box)
2. Tikka T3x 7mm08, chopped to 20" and suppressed, Probably shooting Superformance ssts 139grains

Really the question is should I go for a big boomer shooting cheaper ammo? Or smaller boomer shooting quality ammo?

Either would work. Depends what you think you most common shooting distance is. If closer to 500 then go 7mm mag (definitely get limbsaver), if you have the accuracy. if closer to 300 then go 708.

I have had a 7mm mag and shoot on the Canterbury tops. I have recorded the ranges I've shot game at over the years. The average is 350 ish yards. Longest is 634, a few at 500 yds. Most common distance is 300-400yds.

If you want to shoot at longish ranges (300 yd + ) then you really do need to reload to get consistent accuracy.

7mm mag, can't go wrong

Since you already have a 243 I'd go 7mm Rem Mag as a step up. 7mm08 is too close to what you already have. The difference in ammo price is small in your overall hunting costs.

What part of the country are you in?

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Originally Posted by stug

Either would work. Depends what you think you most common shooting distance is. If closer to 500 then go 7mm mag (definitely get limbsaver), if you have the accuracy. if closer to 300 then go 708.

I have had a 7mm mag and shoot on the Canterbury tops. I have recorded the ranges I've shot game at over the years. The average is 350 ish yards. Longest is 634, a few at 500 yds. Most common distance is 300-400yds.

If you want to shoot at longish ranges (300 yd + ) then you really do need to reload to get consistent accuracy.

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If you dont want to reload, but want the advantage of hanloaded ammo, there are several people around that offer load development and making handloads for your rifle. Some will even set up your rifle/scope and verify the drop out to longer distances and provide you with drop charts etc. This could be a good option for you. Go 7RM

i have been a long time 308 fan, but just moved to 7mm rem mag. even though the f...ing thing jammed solid on its first extraction (with factory ammo) they are high powered but not too ridiculous and shoot straight.
lest face it 7-08 is 1/2 way between owning a 243 and a 308. so why choose something else with similar power/ballistics ? of course if you want real fun buy a 308 and make sabot loads. we were firing 48gr jhp's from a 308, after continuous increases of powder and no pressure signs on spent cases we never determined our muzzle speed as the chrono only went up to 5000 fps. surer made a mess of hares and goats though

20" remmag with dpt is the ducksnutz

if your on factory loads 154 sst performance work good in 7rm. 3100 in 26 inch barrel.

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Originally Posted by 199p

20" remmag

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I cannot find the crying emotion thingy.
This will have to do, hang on found it.
:TT TT::TT TT:

Some ppl saying 0708 is too close to your old 243, but I cant see that as a bad thing as you only want a 20inch barrel. So what about the 6.5mm creedmore?

Just reload and get a 6.5x55 and be done

I’d go for a 284 or SAUM myself given your stated medium to longer ranges�� But as @stug has mentioned u really need to reload or find someone who can reload 4 u for longer range hunting.

Given stug's data, there are numerous cartridges that would suffice in many instances. I hope to get some decent range practice in to become proficient.

Start reloading! And get a 280, or even better, a 7x64! :thumbsup:

Not to burst ya bubble @In2thewild but a 20" barreled 7-08 ain't no farken 500m mountain rifle, In the real world of ethical shooting the humble 7-08 is a good 400 yard caliber, Beware of cyber experts.

Go the Rem mag, if recoil is an issue fit a Terminator brake & get someone to do load development & make you some accurate hand loads with decent projectiles ( SST's can be a bit shit ) :)

Go 7mmRM and be done with it. Covers all bases from 0 - 500 with ease, recoils not bad plenty of options to address that if need be. Factory ammo available in pretty much every hunting shop and if you decide to reload later on, heaps of options to choose from.

Yep couple of guys on here have 20" suppressed 7RMs. 3k with 162 Amax is still achievable with the right powder.

7RM is the easiest way to go. And I have 7mmSaum and 284wins.

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Originally Posted by mawzer308

Go 7mmRM and be done with it. Covers all bases from 0 - 500 with ease, recoils not bad plenty of options to address that if need be. Factory ammo available in pretty much every hunting shop and if you decide to reload later on, heaps of options to choose from.

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Even little @TimeRider has ho trouble with her 7RM with either suppressor or brake on it. She loves to shoot it.

I have both 7mm08 and 7mm Rem Mag rifles, and for what your describing I would take the 7mmRem Mag every time. As others have said- if you dont want to reload then there are people who offer that service, and if your actully using so much ammo hunting that the cost per round then you will save $ by using there services.

Yeah I have a 18” 7mm Saum and don’t reload (at this stage). NZ Hunter does the reloading for me and their not too badly priced considering the benefits over factory ammo. It’s apparently good for out to 600 yards but with the short barrel and lightweight stock it’s a pleasure to carry around through the scrub and to bring up to the shoulder.

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Originally Posted by HB.

Yeah I have a 18” 7mm Saum and don’t reload (at this stage). NZ Hunter does the reloading for me and their not too badly priced considering the benefits over factory ammo. It’s apparently good for out to 600 yards but with the short barrel and lightweight stock it’s a pleasure to carry around through the scrub and to bring up to the shoulder.

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With 162g it'll do 600 easy.

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Originally Posted by HB.

Yeah I have a 18” 7mm Saum and don’t reload (at this stage). NZ Hunter does the reloading for me and their not too badly priced considering the benefits over factory ammo. It’s apparently good for out to 600 yards but with the short barrel and lightweight stock it’s a pleasure to carry around through the scrub and to bring up to the shoulder.

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What does that cost?

. 243 is all you need. Gd to at least 500, so they say

Hamish

Sent from my F8331 using Tapatalk

I'd have to disagree Hamish, 243 can easily smack targets at 500. Just because you can take an animal at 500 doesn't mean you should. 243 is a great calibre but long range hunting cartridge it is not.

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Originally Posted by mawzer308

I'd have to disagree Hamish, 243 can easily smack targets at 500. Just because you can take an animal at 500 doesn't mean you should. 243 is a great calibre but long range hunting cartridge it is not.

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I'd have to agree with that statement, bullet weight dependent. I have shot a stag at 500 with a 85 interbond out of the 243 into its engine room. The hit was good but it did not stop it, having said that, it didn't go too far as it was hurting bad. Found it bedded up in head-high tussock, it boosted as I spooked it, but poochy dragged it down and I dispatched it. Have bought some 95 sst's, just have to do load development now for them, but won't be doing long shots like that with 243 again. Accurate yes, but punch at range no.

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Originally Posted by kidmac42

I'd have to agree with that statement, bullet weight dependent. I have shot a stag at 500 with a 85 interbond out of the 243 into its engine room. The hit was good but it did not stop it, having said that, it didn't go too far as it was hurting bad. Found it bedded up in head-high tussock, it boosted as I spooked it, but poochy dragged it down and I dispatched it. Have bought some 95 sst's, just have to do load development now for them, but won't be doing long shots like that with 243 again. Accurate yes, but punch at range no.

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My comments were in jest as there are guys out there who take dumb shots with small calibres and there is a perfect example of a gun that can hit a deer but not put it down. Not ethical in my books. I prefer bigger is better. Be like taking a knife to a gun fight.


Now the serious answer. Go bigger that 708, I have a 284 as the 7RM is a man's gun and it does all I need.

As you were gentlemen

Back under my rock for a while

Hamish

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Hey Mish :thumbsup: lol

.264 Winchester magnum I just happen to know of one going cheap, scoped, dies, brass etc about a third of the price of a TX3 ready to go.

Cheers guys. Looks like the 7mm rem mag it is then.
Reloading would be ideal, but just don't think I shoot enough to justify it. Maybe one day.