7mm WSM questions.

[Little Yoshi]

Too much rifle for Tactical Comps?
Too much rifle <600 yds?
As accurate as the 6's?
How much will a suppressor tame the recoil?

History: I currently shoot a .260 and could only find marginal increases in ballistics with concern to the other 6's. Plus, I want to get into ELR. I know that most of the 6's will perform +1000yds, but I think a lot start to fall off past 1100yds. The 300WM is a little much for me, so I was thinking about the 7WSM. Good idea? Bad idea?

Sorry for all the questions... Just don't know and my Google-Fu isn't as strong as it used to be.

Thanks!

 

[masonjp]

I love my 7WSM. I shoot anywhere from 500-1500 yards, shooting it with a suppressor feels about like shooting with a brake on mine, I also have a M-24 contour as well. I don't shoot tac comps so I can't speak there, but it's an all around great round!

 

[turbo54]

way, Way, WAY too much gun for most tac matches, which are primarily 1000 yards and in. Average range is ~600 yards. At those distances, the only apparent difference between the 7wsm, 260 and 243 is recoil, magazine capacity, and how much targets wiggle.

The 7wsm, 7-300wsm and 7SAUM are badass, but not the right tool for the job at tac matches, as evidenced by the "what the pros use" thread detailing what equipment is winning.

FYI, 6s were the top 8, and 6.5s rounded out top 10. You had to go a LONG way down to find a magnum anything.

 

[mcfred]

I shoot a 7wsm in the local matches. Yes, it's more than needed. I'd consider something smaller and ballistically equivalent to a light WSM load inside 800 yards.

In the context of matches:
Pros:
accurate
flat shooting
cheats the wind
easy to see impacts

Cons:
If used in a SA, bullets have to be stuffed way in the case to get mag length.
magazines are harder to find (Alpha Ind. are about the only ones) and modifying AICS mags is a PITA
more powder (more money)
barrels wear faster
more recoil
more muzzle blast
I've broken/disabled targets at close range stalling matches

IMO it's better-suited to F-class or just busting rocks in the desert (ELR). But if you want to shoot it, it'll work if you do your part. There's a lot more to the tactical matches than just the cartridge.

 

[FALex]

too much for tactical/practical precision courses. My buddy shot his 7 WSM in two matches, and it is a BEAST, straight-tapered 26" Pac Nor barrel and Choate Tactical stock. Even though it is heavy as shit, recoil still gets him off target, so transitioning between targets is no bueno. I don't know how much a brake/suppressor would help.

 

[mcfred]

A brake/suppressor will help a LOT. Without a brake I'd have bruises from recoil after a match, now I can free-recoil it; 60+ rounds and I'm fine. I can spot my own shots too.