Re: 7 WSM barrel life
Depends on how hot your loads are too. If you are pushing 180's at 3050+ fps, then yah its not going to give you too much barrel life. at 2900-2950 I would think 2000-2500 rounds is a decent goal.
Im going with a 28" tube for my 7WSM so I can set it back once to 26" before I need a new tube. I figure with one setback and 4000-5000 round barrel life it aint too bad.
7SAUM will give you better barrel life, but I hate Remington brass more than Winchester so Im going with a real WSM.