7mm mag or 7mm practical?

prodigalson

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Sep 21, 2012
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Butler, PA
Well folks. This Saturday I am heading to my gunsmiths shop to put a deposit down on a build. I already have a donor rifle and have already decided on what stock I'm going to use. What I haven't decided on is caliber. I do however have it narrowed down to either 7mm rem mag or the 7mm practical (a 300wm case necked down to 7mm) is there any real reason why I shouldn't choose a wildcat cartridge for my first precision rifle? Thoughts and suggestions would be helpful. Thanks.
 
I apologize. The use of the rifle will be tactical/practical match shooting. Out to 1300 yds (the actual average of all shots is only 750 yds I believe) with a bonus target at 1 mile. It's doubtful that the rifle will see any time in the woods.
 
I apologize. The use of the rifle will be tactical/practical match shooting. Out to 1300 yds (the actual average of all shots is only 750 yds I believe) with a bonus target at 1 mile. It's doubtful that the rifle will see any time in the woods.

Personally, I think 7RM (nevermind 7 practical) is pretty serious overkill for your stated purposes.

It sounds to me like your talking about TVP in Ohio, where I shoot frequently. A 6, 6.5 or 7 pushed by ~45gr of powder is absolutely adequate for this.

I don't think it makes a lot of sense to build a rifle around ONE target you'll encounter during a course of fire.

That said, if I must advise either 7RM or 7P, I say 7RM....begrudgingly.

Even my 284 is has more than enough horsepower for targets out past 1300, though I admit the "mile" shot could use more HP.
 
So just to be clear, is the 7mm practical the same thing as 7mm-300 win mag?

And what is the difference between it and the 284 jarrett?

thanks
 
It is TVP where I will be shooting mostly. And I had a sneaking suspicion that most people would recommend the 7rm. My donor rifle is a magnum,and that's why I'm sticking with a magnum round. Thank you all. Hopefully in a few weeks ill have pictures of the build to post.
 
Between the two, I'd vote 7mm RM. Another round to consider, though not a magnum is 280 AI. It's only 100 FPS off the 7mm RM, has less recoil, and easier on the barrel. Nosler 280 AI brass is manufactured for them by Lapua as well.
 
Personally, I think 7RM (nevermind 7 practical) is pretty serious overkill for your stated purposes.

It sounds to me like your talking about TVP in Ohio, where I shoot frequently. A 6, 6.5 or 7 pushed by ~45gr of powder is absolutely adequate for this.

I don't think it makes a lot of sense to build a rifle around ONE target you'll encounter during a course of fire.

That said, if I must advise either 7RM or 7P, I say 7RM....begrudgingly.

Even my 284 is has more than enough horsepower for targets out past 1300, though I admit the "mile" shot could use more HP.

I agree with Turbo.

I tried 7mag using 180 grain bullets for a similar match and it was too much gun. 6.5 is a good compromise with less recoil, expense + better barrel life.
 
I shot a friends sendero 7mag last week, it has a muzzle break and kicks like my 6.5 Creedmoor now, not to mention its a boss in the wind, I ordered my action yesterday to start my 7 mag build, but I have zero experience with the 7mm practical
 
I ran a 7RM as my first match gun caliber. I ran the Amax at first then switched to the 180 smk which was quite a bit better. My barrel went about 1100 rounds and it was toast. On the rebarrel I went with a straight .284. Does everything I need better and at 800+ rounds, it is still rocking right along.

Something to consider for a match rifle using wildcat/expensive brass is, some will get lost during the match. Also, most steel ranges have limits on speed/calibers if that is something that may be in your future.
 
I'd only recommend any WSM if your action is custom short/intermediate or long. I got to run out a couple short mags in 700 actions and hated how every single one of them fed. So, 7RM or 300wm would be my advice
 
Personally, I think 7RM (nevermind 7 practical) is pretty serious overkill for your stated purposes.

It sounds to me like your talking about TVP in Ohio, where I shoot frequently. A 6, 6.5 or 7 pushed by ~45gr of powder is absolutely adequate for this.

I don't think it makes a lot of sense to build a rifle around ONE target you'll encounter during a course of fire.

That said, if I must advise either 7RM or 7P, I say 7RM....begrudgingly.

Even my 284 is has more than enough horsepower for targets out past 1300, though I admit the "mile" shot could use more HP.



^^^^^^^^^^^ THIS, i shot against these guys and i will say this, their rigs are lasers. they won the last intimidator i went to. looking forward to shooting with you at the sniper match turbo