7mm non magnum suggestions

[Hillclimberwv]

I recently recieved a douglas 7mm barrel in a trade and I'm wondering wich one to have it chambered to. The barrel has never been chambered or threaded but it is already crowned and 24" from end of barrel to end of shank. The bad part its a 1-10 twist. It also looks to be a magnum contour with some artsy octagon work on half the barrel (see pics).

Some background i do reload and i have hunted with a ruger .280 rem for 20 years and have a savage axis in 7mm-08 that i lone out to family members. I don't like magnum rifles and dont think this barrel is long enough to justify. With 1 10 twist would and 23" or less would you choose .280 7mm-08 or .284 win. The actions i have on hand, are an old remington 700 adl .270 and a howa .22-250 that has been a tack driver but the throat is getting pretty crispy. I was going to rebarrel the 22-250 in a fast twist just haven't gotten around to it. Rifle will likely be topped with a 6x swfa and be used as a range toy that sees some hunting duties and as a backup on out of state trips.

The barrel was thrown in as a sweetner on a trade so essentially free. Both actions ive had for a long time so the only costs will be gunsmithing. With that said and those options which would you choose.

 

[CApighunter]

I’d do a 280ai on the 700 action and look at the 140-160 class bullets. 23 inches is plenty

 

[Hillclimberwv]

I’d do a 280ai on the 700 action and look at the 140-160 class bullets. 23 inches is plenty

Do you think 10 twist would stabilize 160's? Also i can get about 2900 with 160s out of my standard 280 rem what do you think would be feasible with the ai version velocity wise?

 

[CApighunter]

Do you think 10 twist would stabilize 160's? Also i can get about 2900 with 160s out of my standard 280 rem what do you think would be feasible with the ai version velocity wise?

Berger lists 10 twist as the minimum for a 168 VLDH, so I think something like an 160 accubond shouldn’t be an issue. You’d gain 100-150ish FPS over your 280AI. I’d probably stick to 140s and push them around 3150-3200 in the ackley. Keep your 280 rem set up for the heavier bullets.

 

[B23]

I like most everything 284 so I'd go straight 284 and build it on the LA Rem 700 you have. Using Lapua 284 brass would be icing on top.

 

[3325]

You already have a .280 and a 7-08 and you are a reloader. Is 7x57 not an option?

I don’t know if that works with the actions you have. But I like classics. Karamojo Bell did a lot with a 7x57. And then there was those Boers…….

 

[Laramie]

I love my factory 7mm-08 and have thought about building a custom one. Such a nice gun to shoot. Not sexy but comfortable at the range and effective in the field.

 

[.270]

I would build a .284 on the 700 long action just to have something different and to be able to seat the bullets out farther instead of a short action.
As for the 140s in an 280 AI, with a 24" barrel and 143 hammers, my load is at 3160 fps with a moderate load of RL26.

 

[Dhbwa]

I would build a .284 on the 700 long action just to have something different and to be able to seat the bullets out farther instead of a short action.
As for the 140s in an 280 AI, with a 24" barrel and 143 hammers, my load is at 3160 fps with a moderate load of RL26.

If you have R26……….

 

[Hillclimberwv]

You already have a .280 and a 7-08 and you are a reloader. Is 7x57 not an option?

I don’t know if that works with the actions you have. But I like classics. Karamojo Bell did a lot with a 7x57. And then there was those Boers…….

I'm not super familiar with the 7x57 but have heard good things. I thought it was more popular on mauser actions.

 

[Hillclimberwv]

I love my factory 7mm-08 and have thought about building a custom one. Such a nice gun to shoot. Not sexy but comfortable at the range and effective in the field.

This is one of the reasons I'm debating the 7mm-08. The cartridge kills great and is easy to shoot i just hate the savage axis it is in.

 

[Hillclimberwv]

I like most everything 284 so I'd go straight 284 and build it on the LA Rem 700 you have. Using Lapua 284 brass would be icing on top.

The 284 with lapua brass is intriguing. Do you have any experience with feeding issues with the 284 in a blind mag?

 

[B23]

The 284 with lapua brass is intriguing. Do you have any experience with feeding issues with the 284 in a blind mag?

My 6-284 is built on a SA Rem 700 and my 6.5-284 is on a LA Rem 700 both feed perfectly fine through the standard Rem BDL bottom metal.

 

[wildwilderness]

The simple answer is a 7-08 since you already have the stuff for it and don’t care for the loaner rifle. I like 120gr Hammers for a low recoil easy shooter out of my 7-08.

Next would be another 280, but that isn’t needed if you like that rifle.

The more involved project would be a 284 win or 7x 57, or even a 7x64 but that’s similar to the 280.

On the small side a 7mm BR or really odd school 7-30 waters out of a bolt gun vs a lever, unless you want to build a lever action with that octagon barrel…

 

[Newtosavage]

I'd start with what you expect to use it for, and work backward to the cartridge. A barrel that heavy, where do you expect to use it?

 

[Hillclimberwv]

I'd start with what you expect to use it for, and work backward to the cartridge. A barrel that heavy, where do you expect to use it?

Hunting here in WV it would mostly be used hunting field edges. I think it will be too heavy for a mountain rifle. Then like i said it could be a backup rifle for my 280 when i go out of state.

 

[3325]

I'm not super familiar with the 7x57 but have heard good things. I thought it was more popular on mauser actions.

I believe it is usually paired with a Mauser action. But the 7x57 has been chambered in other actions and since you already have a .280 and 7-08, I thought it worth mentioning.

It’s a time tested classic. From African antelopes to Highland red stags, the 7x57 has excelled.

It may or may not be a good option for you, but you asked about non-magnum 7s so I wanted to bring it up for consideration.

 

[Newtosavage]

Hunting here in WV it would mostly be used hunting field edges. I think it will be too heavy for a mountain rifle. Then like i said it could be a backup rifle for my 280 when i go out of state.

What is your average and your longest possible shot distances on those field edges?

 

[Newtosavage]

I believe it is usually paired with a Mauser action. But the 7x57 has been chambered in other actions and since you already have a .280 and 7-08, I thought it worth mentioning.

It’s a time tested classic. From African antelopes to Highland red stags, the 7x57 has excelled.

It may or may not be a good option for you, but you asked about non-magnum 7s so I wanted to bring it up for consideration.

I've owned 7x57's chambered in a number of rifles. Always a good performer but never any better than my 7mm-08. It would be redundant for the OP other than nostalgic value (which I could see too).

 

[Hillclimberwv]

What is your average and your longest possible shot distances on those field edges?

Most shots are 200 or less but have some locations that can get closer to 400. For genefal hunting purpose i like to keep my shots to 300 or less. I would like to use this rifle to shoot some targets to 600 yards.