7mm RM Jack of all trades?

[hunter2-4]

::Rabbit hole warning:: I had a 300WM that I just sold because I never used it and I currently have a 6.5 Creedmoor I've used quite a bit. I'm thinking about selling the Creedmoor also and getting a 7MM RM. My thought is that I could use the 7MM for everything, deer without blowing too much out and elk without having any doubts. Before someone else says it, I totally understand that you can use a 6.5 for elk, I just feel more comfortable with a little more going down range and I hope to get a bear someday. I also understand that a deer can't be "too dead" but it'd be nice not to blow out too much meat. I really like the idea of having one rifle I'm very confident and practiced on, and it'd simplify my reloading area.

Here's my main question:

Does this make sense? Is the 7MM really a jack of all trades? Is it worth selling my 6.5 for? I've read quite a bit about the round and from the internet it's absolutely practical. I'd REALLY appreciate first hand experience on this, not regurgitated internet knowledge.

I've been going back and forth about this for a while so I thought I'd ask the most intelligent and opinionated people I know on the internet.

Thanks guys!

 

[backcountry_hunter]

Why do you think you would use a 7mm more than your old 300wm?

It's a very versatile caliber. But more than a 30 cal? Up for debate

 

[hunter2-4]

I always ended up reaching for the CM and I haven’t been able to elk hunt for a while. I’m hoping the 7MM could Bridge the gap between both.

 

[daddie63]

Im far from an expert but I love my 7 mag. Its the only cartridge Ive used for the past 20 years and see no need to change just yet.

 

[hodgeman]

The 7 mag is indeed a versatile cartridge- certainly more potent than the 6.5...but it's very close to the 300WM in terms of overall capability.

There's nothing wrong with one for a "one rifle" solution to N. American hunting.

 

[N2TRKYS]

I'd buy a 7-08.

 

[hunter2-4]

Im far from an expert but I love my 7 mag. Its the only cartridge Ive used for the past 20 years and see no need to change just yet.

Have you mainly used it for deer, elk, or a mix of both?

Thanks for the replies!

 

[TomAZ]

I think the 7 mag with some Barnes bullets would kill anything you needed it to. It would also do it with minimal meat damage.


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[daddie63]

Ive used it on pigs,deer and elk. Works well pn all of them without too much recoil either. I shoot the barnes 150 TTSX since Im in a lead free zone. accurate and deadly

 

[rickjames80]

I will admit I am a 7mm fanboy. In years past I have used the 7 for antelope, deer, and elk and it works great. I feel it can do it all. Last year I inherited an old 30-06 and have been using that exclusively for the memory aspect. I will admit I miss the speed and range of the 7mm, mostly because the load for the 30-06 was developed in 1982 and is pretty mild. If you are looking to be a one gun hunter the 7 is a great choice. Would it be possible to keep the 6.5 for deer and smaller and get a 7mm for elk and bigger?

 

[AK Shane]

I've always had at least one 7mm mag in the safe. It's an excellent do all rifle for deer up to moose. Haven't shot a whitetail with a 7mm since I was a kid growing up in the Midwest. But I have shot a number of caribou in recent years with 160 grain partitions with little to no meat damage. I'd try slower heavier more solid bullets to reduce meat damage. To me the 6.5 isn't what I'd consider an elk round but I've also never shot an animal with one.

 

[tt_johnsclist]

I've always had at least one 7mm mag in the safe. It's an excellent do all rifle for deer up to moose. Haven't shot a whitetail with a 7mm since I was a kid growing up in the Midwest. But I have shot a number of caribou in recent years with 160 grain partitions with little to no meat damage. I'd try slower heavier more solid bullets to reduce meat damage. To me the 6.5 isn't what I'd consider an elk round but I've also never shot an animal with one.

This ^^ nailed it. The 7mm mag is one of a number of cartridges that will “do it all”, just dial the loads back for deer and antelope. I went through this same process a few years ago and ended up with the 280 Rem, another “do all”. 30-06 and your 300 are two good choices as well. I have friends that use the 270 and 308 successfully on both deer and moose, two more choices.


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[jeffpg]

Some very good and sensible info shared above... I have bounced this same scenario around many times over the years. I have a huge variety of different rifles in various chamberings, and I always come back to the 7mm Rem Mag, of which I own more rifles than any other cartridge. It is truly versatile, and does everything all the smaller "Creedmoor" type cartridges do, but does it much better and with more authority. I have recently gone to it's bigger brother, the 28 Nosler and I use the 7mag a little less now, but it's still a favorite.

The one cartridge that you may want to consider is the 300 Win Mag. This is truly a super versatile chambering as well, and actually offers the most variety in bullet weight and design, as well as a bit of extra oomph on the top end for larger game. I know it isn't the sleek and sexy 7 Rem Mag, but it's deserves consideration.

 

[stevevan]

I've taken everything from Alaska Moose to Coues deer with my 7mm Remmy. I 'm a rifle looney like the rest but when it comes to a hunt I have a lot going on the & Remmy goes with.

 

[davsco]

i think every animal has been killed with every caliber... that said, for one gun i'd go 300 mag (win or wsm). a little more oomph and diameter than 7mm to cover anything in north america and can certainly be downloaded for deer and smaller stuff. but since you have the 6.5, i'd just keep that for deer and smaller and then use the 300 for anything larger.

 

[JollyRoger]

I went the opposite direction. Bought a 7mag and loved it, it was accurate and fairly light. But, I wasn’t shooting a ton with it because it’s expensive and eventually your shoulder/form wears down. I bought a 6.5CM just like it and I’ve shot close to 1000 rounds in the last year with it.

I’d have no issues taking either for any animal I’d hunt in NA. I think either is versatile enough for what you want. Tha said, you got rid of a 300WM, and the 7RM isn’t far off from that, right?


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[280twoeighty]

Accurate, flat shooting, good velocity. Good selection of ammo. It has a lot going for it. Maybe not as sexy as the latest babe's on the market. But tried and true and she still does it for me

I shoot it in a fairly light rifle with a 160gr with only a limbsaver recoil pad. I find it to be no issue in terms or recoil. It is fun to shoot every time.

 

[BRTreedogs]

Some would say the faster 7 would ruin more meat then a slower 30 cal.

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If your mostly a deer hunter I would think one of the fast 6.5s would make more since.

 

[elkduds]

280 AI is very close to 7RM performance. It gets there w efficiency, meaning less powder and less recoil, in a nonbelted cartridge. I have and depend on a 7RM, from long before 280 AI was a thing. If I was shopping today, I'd rather have a 280 AI. And if I was willing to give up 100 yds of range, I'd be fine w a plain Jane 280.

 

[oregonhuntr]

With good bullet selection a 7 mag can accomplished anything at 300 win mag can with way less recoil.

7 mag is my primary rifle for Western game. The only downfall is that if you want a superlite your stuck with that long action, which is not as easy to lighten up as a 6.5.

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