7mm Mag vs 300 Win Mag.....

[Andy L]

And just these two calibers, dont throw in the shorties or anything else. Although Im pretty sold on the 6.5x55 now. LOL

Ive been in a conversation with a guy about which was the best all around round between the two. What do yall think?

Ive never owned a 7Mag, but Ive had a 300 Win in Ruger M77 since I was 18yrs old and that was a long time ago. :eek: The old Rugers are good guns to begin with, IMO, and I couldnt think of a better cartridge for everything from deer to elk to moose to bear. If you could just have one. My buddy feels the same about his 7.

What yall think?

[skeet]

The 7 MM Mag is a really good round and all most of us will ever need in the lower 48. Still I would rather have the 300 Win mag as an all around rifle. It shoots bigger heavier bullets for the really large and dangerous critters. And the way elk hunting is becoming here in Wyoming if ya shoot the elk..ya might have to shoot the bear too. Them griz will take notice of a 300 Mag. The 338 or 375 might be better for ol griz or moose but not by much. Keep your Ruger. In fact I have a Rem 700 CDL in 300Win mag....got rid of the 7mm mag. And I surely don't need one of the "new and improved" super mags by anybody. My 2 cents worth. (Valued at four cents if considered by 2 people):D

[Andy L]

Skeet, can you skin griz? :D

[skeet]

Fast as you can bring 'em...hehehe...Jeremiah Johnson

[gd357]

Doubtful you'll see any difference, although the heavier bullets in the 300 may be a bit more useful on anything that bites back (like skeet said).:D I've got a 7mag, and really doubt I'd ever trade it off on a 300WM. There are advantages to both, although the 300 requires a little more bullet weight for the same BC, which translates into more recoil. If you take dangerous stuff out of the equation, I'd opt for the big 7, but that's just me. It all boils down to personal preference.;)

gd

[Dom]

300 WinMag, bigger hole, no other reason, both are proven, Waidmannsheil, Dom.

[M.T. Pockets]

I've been in quite a few elk camps and I quiz the outfitter and every guide I see about what rifle they like to see their hunters bring to camp.

By far the most common answer is a .300 magnum with premium bullets, 180 or better yet 200 grain. The benchmark .300 magnum is the .300 Win. but the .300 WSM is getting a foothold and so is the .300 RUM. The .300 Weatherby is a common rifle in elk camp and I've seen a couple .300 H&H.

Flying into a caribou camp in Alaska a few years ago the pilot asked us what rifles we had, we all had .300 mags of different names, he didn't say much except "good choice".

Back to the comparison between the two, the .300 Win. will do everything the 7 Mag will do, plus a little more. It would be my choice.

[buckhunter]

If I had a 7 Mag I'd keep it however since I don't I would opt for the 300. A little heavier bullet selection which would help if something wanted to take a chunk out of my hide.

As far a the 7 Mag is concerned its basically a loud 280 Rem .
Now the turds will fly.

[skeet]

Basically you are right but there are loads of people who like the caliber. I just got an as new Rem 700 Mountain rifle in 280. Can't wait to try it out. I've had 2 or 3 7 mags and never really cared for the round.:eek: Here it comes now!

[Freebore]

The 7mm Rem Magnum although a good round does not have the knock down power of a big 30 cal magnum. The 7mm shine nicely as a flat shoot cartridge when running a 140 grain at 3200 fps for antelope and deer. I've seen elk shot with 7 Rem mags and they required more than one shot, understandable shot placement is crucial and they would have died from the first shot but they just stood there ready to takeoff, I don't know how many of you have chased elk after being hit but they can go a looong way on those legs.

A big 30 cal just seem to 'kill' them and knock them down. As far as deer it's a bit much and a 300 win has ruined alot of venison when 150 grains are used.

That said I own three different 7mm rifles and nothing kills deer like that 7mm-08 w/145 grain Speer hot-core over WW760 powder. I 've killed over 59 whitetails w/one shot w/ this cartridge and it is my go to rifle every opener here in the Pa. woods.
I've taken lots of caribou w/ both of my bigger 7's Rem mag and my 7STW. I think the 7 STW has the speed to push those 160's to kill elk like the big 30's, I'll find out next year hopefully if the man shines upon me at 10,000 feet.

There is just something magical about a 30 caliber 200 grainer going 3000 fps.

I own both a 300 Win and a a bigger 30 built on the 8 mag case. That bigger 30 will push a 200 at 3200fps, speed does kill!

Just for reference take a 30-06 w/180's and the 7 Rem mag w/175's to the range w/factory ammo (out to 300) and compare, interesting.
Just my 2 cents

[bigbrother]

If it's too big for my 7, then I'd rather have something bigger than the 300. Let's be realistic, you can kill elephants with a 7x57...not that it's legal any more or that I would want to. But in reality if you're purposefully going after a big bear or the like, why would you pick a 300? I would pick something with some serious horsepower, not something that may trivialy be better in someone's opinion than a 7.

[PJgunner]

Originally posted by bigbrother
If it's too big for my 7, then I'd rather have something bigger than the 300. Let's be realistic, you can kill elephants with a 7x57...not that it's legal any more or that I would want to. But in reality if you're purposefully going after a big bear or the like, why would you pick a 300? I would pick something with some serious horsepower, not something that may trivialy be better in someone's opinion than a 7.

Well, maybe so, maybe not. As the question is between the 7MM Rem. Mag. and the 300 Win. Mag. let's pretty well keep it there. The ehaviest standard bullet for the 7Mag. is 175 gr. although someone makes a 195 gr. bullet for handloaders. For the .300 win Mag. the standard heavy bullet is 220 gr. and there is a 250 gr. bullet for handloaders, although I've never seen either of those ultra heavyweight for sale in any gun store I've been to.
If I were to have to face off with one of the great bears, I would definitely much rather have the .300 Mag. with the 220 gr Nosler Partition loaded to the hilt over the 7 mag. with the 175 gr. Nosler loaded to the hilt.
Now that was in keeping with the original question. Again, concerning one of the great bears, I would rather have my .35 Whelen with a good 250 gr. bullet loaded to the max for my rifle. If I could find some of the old 275 gr. Hornady blunt round nosed .35 caliber bullets they used to make, I'd damn well use those loaded to right at 2300 FPS or a bit more if my rifle would stand for it. Currently, I have 35 of those bullets that were discontinued back in 1966/7 thereabouts. I do wish Hornady would do a run of those for us .35 caliber people. Seems like there's quite a few people shooting the Whelen besides myself. Even if they made just a one time run so that those of us who want the bullet could get a supply would be a good thing. I know I'd buy a couple of hundred myself which should be a lifetime supply. If they improved it by making it an Interlock, that would be great.
To get back on thread though, if I had to choose between the 7mm Mag. and the .300 Mag., it's be the .300 all the way.
Paul B.

[rem 700]

The 7mag can do anything the 300 can...just load properly for the occasion. But I already have a 7 mag, so if I were to get another rifle and those two were my choices I'd get the 300 :)

[Rapier]

Buy both, one is a very good choice, the other is an excellent choice. I own several versions of both and never regret owning either.

But if you must buy just one, buy the 300 Winch, it is the excellent choice. Question? Just consider the bullet selection, enough said.......
Ed

[Andy L]

Thanks for the replys.

Most were kinda what I thought. Both are fine. The 300 Win has some advantages as far as bullet selection and will do anything the 7 can do and more.

If I had a 7Mag, I wouldnt go sell it just to get a 300 Win or the other way around. However, if I were lookin for a lower 48 all around rifle and I was going to be hunting elk and other big game, I do believe I would opt for the 300.

Thanks again. :cool:

[Andy L]

BTW, the guy I was talking with has a 7mag. As with anything, you will be biased most of the time to whatever you have and try to find reasons why its better than the comparison, imagined or real.

He feels the same about the 7mag as I do the 300 Winny. :D

[Rapier]

Andy,
I like my 7mm and my 300. However, there is a big difference between like and love, I love my 6.5s and have since 1960.
Ed

[Andy L]

I love my 6.5s

I hear ya on that one. I was introduced to the virtues of the 6.5 last year. Im still learning, but already in love. I cant for the life of me figure out why the simple 6.5x55 Swede isnt the most popular caliber in the US.

I guess there are too many hardheads like me that just didnt pay attention? I had to have a friend beat it in my brain and get me to open my eyes. Recoil of a 243. Trajectory of a 270. Penetration and energy of a 300win. What the hells not to like?

[Rapier]

Yep, most 6.5 shooters tell a guy once, won't listen, they just go about their business. Once in a while you get a shooter who will try one, the result is pretty much always the same.... open mouth amazement. :)

The new shooter goes about the same thing. It is sorta like finding there are diamonds in the gravel on the roadside.
Ed

[Craig 522]

Both are good rounds and you will find fans for both.

I have hunting experiences with them both although your results may vary.

My 7 Mag was a Ruger M77. My 300 WM was a Rem M700BDL.

I have tried an assortment of factory ammo of different bullet weights in both, along with handloads.

Best group with the 7 Mag was 1.5" at 100 yards. Most loads were closer to 2". This was after installing a Timmney trigger at 2.5 lb and Cryo treatment to the barrel and receiver. Before that nothing grouped better than 2".

Best with the 300 WM was 5/8" at 200 yards. This was with my handload of a 180 gr Barnes X and IMR4350. This is also my elk hunting load. For deer and antelope, I favor the 150 gr Nosler BT and IMR 4350 loaded to 3200 fps. It has accounted for several 400-550 yard kills, including an antelope at 612 yds.

On deer, the 7 Mag with 150 gr Sierras and 160gr Trophy Bonded blew huge holes, both going in and out. The meat was bloodshot for several inches around the entry and exits. The only thing I have seen tear up a deer worse was a 50 cal muzzleloader. Well, that and my friends Chevy pickup...

On deer with the 300WM, I have used 150 Nosler BT, 150 Sierra GM, 180 Barnes X, 180 Fail Safes, and 200 gr Sierras. Bullet velocity ranged from 2870 for the 200 Sierra to 3420 for the 150 Sierra. None did anywhere near the damage the 7 Mag did to surrounding meat although the Sierras did come apart in both weights. Obviously they cannot handle that velocity so Sierras are no longer used in my 300WM.

The 7 Mag had a sharper recoil than the 300 WM but I think some of that is the wood stock on the 7 Mag. When my 300 had the original wood stock, it seemed to recoil harder too. It now has an HS Precision synthetic stock.

The 300 has a larger range of bullet weights available. The 7 Mag pretty much stops at 175 gr.

Common myth is that the 7 Mag shoots flatter. Compare equal bullet weights and they are actually within fractions of each other. As you increase bullet weight, the 300 pulls ahead.

So, after my experiences, the 7 mag got sold and replaced with a Winchester M70 in 30.06. It does as well as my 300WM does out to 300 yards, has a better range of bullets available than the 7s, and shoots Sub MOA. I use it for deer in the timber with 150 Noslers and as a back up elk rifle with 180 Fail Safes.

I love the 30 cal.

Craig

[hnter]

How does one compare apples and oranges?

7mm Mags vs 300 mags. Simply put, it can't be done.

I live in WY and usually hunt antelope, deer and elk with the same rifle/bullet combo. The same that is untill I go to the NW part of beautiful WY. You know, the part with GRIZ!!!. Then guys, I grab my .338 WIN MAG!!!! Y'all havn't lived untill yer huntin with a .243/6mm/7mm/.308 and jump up a GRIZ!! :eek: Yeseree bob, plum excitin, eh?

Dat's when ya think yer undergunned with a .458 Win mag and the phrase "carry enough gun" has real meaning!!!
;)

Hnter

[skeet]

When I traipsed around in the bush up in Alaska the 338 was the gun you carried. Especially when hunting..moose. Ol griz an' Mr Moosie likes to live in the same country. Dem dere b'ars is real excitin. Course so is dem big ol' moosies. The Alaska/Yukon moosies is really big. I swear some of 'em are 7 ft tall...and then ya get to see an 8 ft tall griz..if yer lucky...or unlucky Whichever way ya feel. I'll still carry the 300 Win mag if'n I go up towards the park for elk, though. BTW I met yer friend from up here today. Looking for trappin territory

[skoonz]

7mm vs 300
I would say they are much of a muchness. Bullet placement would be more important than speed, S.D., weight, x.s. diameter etc
I would go for the 7mm personally because long range Tahr would be my most common target