7mm Soul Searching

[MtnManTy]

This might make my kerfuffle worse, but hear me out...

I am simultaneously jumping into reloading (300wm) and planning my next rifle purchase. I have committed to one of the 7mms, 280ai and 7prc chief among them. Problem is, if I read enough here on the slide, or watch a few YouTubes, I talk myself in and out of each, among others.

What do I want out of this new gun? Glad you asked! Desires and considerations in my mind are as follows...

-Dedicated deer/pronghorn/target rifle with a small chance of elk, if the hunt is serious enough to not warrant packing my #10.5 300wm. 500 and in for hunting, steel to however far I'm feeling frisky for. 24" or shorter barrel, ideally #8(ish) scoped.
-Reload friendlier for components. Cost is included. Seemingly, 280ai would be "cheaper" given the smaller case capacity, but 7prc seems to have more/building popularity for case availability/support.
-280ai > 7prc as it's lighter recoil, equals better barrel life and more fun to shoot.
-7prc > 280ai in shooting heavier bullets. I like heavier bullets, but I also have a 300wm for that...
-7prc is faster. See point above
-280ai is cooler (less mainstream, tickles my fancy)
-If I'm gonna reload, why don't I consider "xyz" other 7mm super secret/cool/awesome/new/weird/mind-blowing cartridge?

Mental masturbation? 110%. But I have time while I save up for whatever I decide, and enjoy the conversation and/or sarcastic feeler hurting comments. Cyber penny for your thoughts of you're willing to share.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

6 creed does everything you are asking for and then some.

 

[eLightfoot]

7saum

 

[wind gypsy]

Yeah, deer/pronghorn inside 500 yards + target = smaller than a 7 mag to me.

But if I were deciding between those two, id ask myself what bullets I want to shoot and how fast and how long do I want barrel to be? To me a short 280AI is getting a little slow with 175+ grain bullets and short barrels. 24" barrel should be plenty to get them 2800 FPS at least though.

7 SAUM was it for me, very close to 280AI in performance. Fat chance it's going on a deer or antelope hunt anytime soon though.

 

[ARK_Ginger]

Seems like with your requirements you’d be better off with a 7mm-08 if your heart is really set on 7mm. Hand loading really opens up a lot of opportunities for that cartridge, and you still have good factory ammo options.

But I’m with Researchinstuff, the 6 CM is really the better option.

 

[MtnManTy]

Yeah, deer/pronghorn inside 500 yards + target = smaller than a 7 mag to me.

But if I were deciding between those two, id ask myself what bullets I want to shoot and how fast and how long do I want barrel to be? To me a short 280AI is getting a little slow with 175+ grain bullets and short barrels. 24" barrel should be plenty to get them 2800 FPS at least though.

7 SAUM was it for me, very close to 280AI in performance. Fat chance it's going on a deer or antelope hunt anytime soon though.

Give me another 10 years to give up on the fudlore. I came down to 7mm from 30 cal, it's a big step!

160gr high end bullet weight in mind, proooobably a 22" barrel. I'm not terribly worried about speed if it shoots well, I just know the 7 gets more fps with that bigger case... More powder, more money, more recoil... Still a contender tho.

Yes, the 7saum is a very close 3rd cartridge in consideration. Why no hunts for yours?

 

[Castle Rock]

Sounds to me like you are in 270 territory

 

[2Stamp]

280AI or 7mm-08. I have no use for magnums. I can reload the 280ai near factory 7 mag with less powder and recoil, and it's cool (the 7SAUM is kinda the ballistic twin to the 280ai, but in short action). If I were to do it again and wanted to keep the barrel short for my suppressor, I'd go 7SAUM. And the 7mm-08 is a highly underrated 7mm IMO.

 

[wind gypsy]

Give me another 10 years to give up on the fudlore. I came down to 7mm from 30 cal, it's a big step!

160gr high end bullet weight in mind, proooobably a 22" barrel. I'm not terribly worried about speed if it shoots well, I just know the 7 gets more fps with that bigger case... More powder, more money, more recoil... Still a contender tho.

If just shooting 160s, 280AI or 284 win.

Yes, the 7saum is a very close 3rd cartridge in consideration. Why no hunts for yours?

The more i shoot 22s and 6mms the less I want to shoot stuff that's bigger. I'm pretty comfortable with 6s for deer. Also because i'm shooting almost exclusively suppressed. My 18" 6 Creed shoots at about the same velocity as my 22" 7 SAUM did with heavies. 4" less length with a suppressor is a big difference.

 

[eoperator]

How about a fast twist 2506? Even a man with deep fudd roots should be able to get along with a 1/4" bore cartridge based off 3006.

 

[SloppyJ]

@wind gypsy nailed it here. When I read your post the 6 creed came into my head. It does all you need and more. Hear me out, I was in your shoes not too long ago, last season actually. I built a "custom" 300prc. It hammers... literally and metaphorically. It's a handful in a sub 10lb gun.

I have a 280ai, .308, 30-06, .30-30..etc. I started shooting supressed last season and realized I wanted something short for the deer woods. I remembered back to my first rifle, a .243. I decided on an 18" 6 creed.

I started shooting PRS this year and got a 6 creed barrel for that as well. So by the time this hunting season rolled around I was well versed in the cartridge having shot roughly 750rds by now.

I got my son a .223 for his first rifle and watched him drop the first deer he shot with it two weekends ago. I have no doubt that my 6 creed with 108 Bergers or 108 ELDMs will do everything I want and I'm beyond confident with it out to 500yds on deer sized game. Hell, I'd take my son's .223 with 77tmks and have no problem doing the same, I just don't have as much time behind that load. I'll guarantee that you'll shoot a 6 creed better than either of your choices.

If you're dead set on a 7mm, pick what size bullet you want. I see no value in shooting heavies out of it at those ranges considering it's very close to your 300wm. I wouldnt go under 20" on either of those. I shoot 160gr Partitions out of my 280ai and that's all I've ever tried because they're amazing on game and shoot great out of my barrel. You don't need a super high BC so maybe even the 150 classic hunters?

I'd lean to 280ai because the efficiency is off the charts. I really don't think it'd be too far off of the 7prc. At least not enough to matter and you're doing it with a shorter OAL, less powder, and standard bolt face. But get the 6 creed. I have no desire to pull anything else out of the safe at this point.

 

[manitou1]

I have shot 7mm Rem mags, 7mm -08, 280 Rem and 280ai, and hand loaded for all of them.
I have also had 270 Win, 308 Win, .243, 30-06, 30-30, and 8 mm mauser.
I still have all the .284 caliber rifles and only the .243 remains (for wife).

The 280ai is my sweet spot. I kill elk, antelope, whitetail, mule deer and varmints with them. Almost all of the drop in there footprints at the impact.

I have one 280ai rifle that loves the 168 bergers at 2945 fps and the other likes 175 ELDx at 2923 fps.

If you research ballistic tables, recoil energy, amount of powder needed, etc you will see the mighty 280ai comes out on top.

 

[gtriple]

I built the perfect 7prc rifle. 18" Proof barrel on a Tikka action.

I put it together and shot it one day then took it back apart and am shooting a 223. It's more mustard than I'm wanting, so it's gna be for sale very soon.

All that being said, trust the internet on this one. You will not regret going 6cm. If you do, someone here will buy it.

 

[pacoalcracker]

I wish I had kept my 284 Winchester. Old school but still cool.

 

[MtnManTy]

Thanks for all the feedback!

I honestly had not considered the 6mms, so now I'm diving down that rabbit hole. I am still committed to a 7, with the 280AI the most likely. That said, I think the next gun after that will be a 6mm... Thanks for the excuse to get another one!

 

[2Stamp]

Thanks for all the feedback!

I honestly had not considered the 6mms, so now I'm diving down that rabbit hole. I am still committed to a 7, with the 280AI the most likely. That said, I think the next gun after that will be a 6mm... Thanks for the excuse to get another one!

I REALLY like my 280ai and am reevaluating my bullet choices. I'm currently going through a mental crisis when it comes to caliber, bullet design/ performance lately (thanks to Rokslide and S2H ). I did buy a 6 Creed this fall and am using for antelope, deer this fall, as well as cow elk next month.

 

[MtnManTy]

I'm currently going through a mental crisis when it comes to caliber, bullet design/ performance lately (thanks to Rokslide and S2H ). I did buy a 6 Creed this fall and am using for antelope, deer this fall, as well as cow elk next month.

I feel you man, same forums and podcasts recently for me! Let me/us know how the 6 does, it may have a slight affect on future decisions...

 

[grizz19]

Don’t let anyone talk you out of the 7mm. they are one of if not the most well rounded guns out there. The new fad on here are these 6mm light caliber guns. But I’ll take the 7mms any day! Just got a 7prc myself and love it. I love the 280ai too. My dad has one and it’s a super cool rifle. Hard to beat that 7prc though. Got a MB on the prc and recoil is minimal.

 

[Marshfly]

A 6.5 pound 6mm will be waaaaaay more fun carrying around the mountains and shoot waaaaaaay better than an 8# 7mm magnum of any flavor. Did that this year and will never go back.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

When I want to kill big game past 1,000 yards these days I reach for my 7SAUM shooting 175 ELDX.