7mm REM Mag-No Dial Project

[Kjc103]

Okay, so I’m working on a project I would like some feedback on.

I have a Sako S20 in 7mm RM that’s just been sitting around, unfired, for over a year. I started playing with the ballistics in my calculator and I got an idea. If I blend the merits of the old school, hold fur, simplicity with the newer understanding of ballistics, I might have the best of both worlds.

The goal:

-not have to worry about dialing a scope until 650 yards or more.

-not have to be really precise with a wind call until further than that range.

-Be able to simply line the reticle up and pull the trigger for most hunting situations.

………however, if the situation calls for it, easily be able to dial as much as necessary.

I working with a 150 ELDX at 3,300 fps. G1 BC is .570. I’m going to use a SWFA 3-9 in Mil.

The numbers, at my elevation (6,500 ft) are as follows:

Zero: 300 yards.

350…..no hold necessary at all!

400 .5 mils

450 .78 mils

500 1.06 mil

550 1.36 mil

600 1.67 mil

650 1.99 mil

Basically, I can just quickly use the reticle, hold slightly into the wind, and the bullet will land in the vitals.

As far as wind, this is an 8mph load. So up to 650, it’s not a lot to worry about.

The biggest problem right now is that I’m in the 20 ft lb recoil range. So it’s doable but challenging to spot shots. However, with the zoom pulled back, it’s actually pretty achievable.

In the future, a 22 creed with a 77tmk would be a light recoiling alternative.

Worth pursuing?

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

A 150eldx @ 3300fps from a 7RM? I’d like to know how.

 

[waspocrew]

My two cents:

- If you're ranging and shooting game at 650, you more than likely have time to dial.

- Theory is one thing, application is another. Definitely try it out and if it's working, roll with it. I don't have your particular scope, so have no clue how small the reticle is on the 3x setting.... if you're needing to back it down to the low end to spot shots, can you see your reticle well enough for your hold?

I keep things simple - zero at 100 yards and choose to dial when needed. Majority of my scopes are FFP, so if I'm 300 and in, I'll probably just hold with my reticle.

 

[Flymost]

I’m a huge fan of keep it simple, and hopefully this thread doesn’t get derailed too fast as I’m sure there will be some feathers ruffled. With that said I think you’d be better off if you shortened your expectations. Even a 250 zero and a 500 max range before dialing and figuring a precise wind hold is a lot of capability.

With a 300 yard zero you’re probably looking at 3.5” high at 200. Now if you’re a 2 MOA shooter in the field (I’m sure you’re much better than that) you’re looking at being 7.5” high at 200.

Now if you’re shooting at 650 and figure “just aim left edge of the vitals” for a perceived 8 mph crosswind and it’s actually a 12 mph crosswind you’ve got approximately 22” of drift and your 2 moa shot is another 13” so a total of 35” off. Not quite “edge of the vitals” range for me.

This was just a quick stab at the data, but in my opinion what you are trying to do at that range is going to take a much better shooter and wind caller than I’ll probably ever be.

 

[TaperPin]

I love the 7 mag and a 300 yard zero. 100 and 200 yards simply hold a hand width low and Bang! Bang! 350 hold is a hand width high and 400 is on the back.

I’ve sold a number of guys on that combination - when my serious hunting friends shoot the smallest groups of their lives with my 7 mag, it made a believer out of a number of them. After that they stopped saying it’s more accurate to shoot a smaller cartridge.

It’s a great hunting rifle, but not a great choice for the one gun shooter. Even if someone doesn’t mind the recoil, I only get about 800 to 1,000 accurate rounds out of a barrel.

3,150 to 3,200 fps is probably more common, but some rifles are fast so you never know.

 

[Steve300xcw]

I sure like the idea of it.

 

[Kjc103]

A 150eldx @ 3300fps from a 7RM? I’d like to know how.

Ramshot Grand, Pederson Brass, 24 inch barrel.

 

[Kjc103]

I do wonder how that ELDX will do if I get a 30-40 yard shot……It’s moving pretty quick.

Anyone hit anything with an ELDX well north of 3,000 fps?

 

[Steve300xcw]

I bet it'll still kill just fine

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

Ramshot Grand, Pederson Brass, 24 inch barrel.

Is this a load you have already loaded up and shot? I have a little bit of grand to play around with.

I have that bullet loaded behind 4 different powders but still have not shot them, thought 3150fps was a pipe dream.

Now you got my wheels turning

 

[Kjc103]

Is this a load you have already loaded up and shot? I have a little bit of grand to play around with.

I have that bullet loaded behind 4 different powders but still have not shot them, thought 3150fps was a pipe dream.

Now you got my wheels turning

Yep, I’m actually at 75 grains. Hodgkin says 76 is max. The Petersen brass must have lower case volume or something. It can be a bit sticky sometimes though. If I dropped it a grain I would be at 3,250 ish and probably get plenty of reloads out of it.

Btw, Federal 155 Terminal Ascent factory 155 shoots at 3,150.

You can definitely break that number with a 150.

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

Yep, I’m actually at 75 grains. Hodgkin says 76 is max. The Petersen brass must have lower case volume or something. It can be a bit sticky sometimes though. If I dropped it a grain I would be at 3,250 ish and probably get plenty of reloads out of it.

Btw, Federal 155 Terminal Ascent factory 155 shoots at 3,150.

You can definitely break that number with a 150.

Okay I was looking at their load data last night, that interest me to load a pressure ladder see where I end up. Good to see those published velocity’s are aligning with what you’re seeing in your rifle.

 

[JGRaider]

I hunted extensively with a 7mag for 30 years using MPBR, mostly with a 160 partition then accubond. I HATE what higher velocity, thinner jacketed bullets do to game at 150yds or less, and your just as likely to kill game at those ranges than the longer ones. Since 95+% of the time you'll kill game at 300 or less, I would recommend 3" high at 100. You can aim top of the back out to 325 yds and use holdovers after that. I don't think you're giving the wind enough thought though.

 

[SDHNTR]

There is just no reason for this strategy.

Zero at 100 and just use the reticle if you don’t want to dial.

Or zero at 100 and twist up a few clicks for a higher mpbr.

But a mpbr of 650 just isn’t practical imo. You’re chasing two rabbits that are too far apart.