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
|