Hey guys, I did a little research via google search and haven't found any recent threads on this topic. I have a manners stock ordered with defiance short action, initially intended to build a 6.5 creedmoor. It recently decided to make a long range hunter chambered in 7mmWSM. I know you CAN build a 7WSM on a short action but is it wise? Anyone out there with experience on both sides, especially with the defiance deviant action. I want to get as much accuracy out of the gun, using reloads.
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Gunsmithing 7mm WSM action size?
- Thread starter Atlas11B
- Start date
If you are going to go to a long action 7mm, then there are many other choices I'd consider before a WSM.
I think this is all going to boild down to what bullet you intend to use and what your overall length will end up being. That is the only deciding factor here. The short action will handle it just fine with the magnum bolt face. If you intend to load bullets to factory spec then go with the short action. If you intend to extend the length out of the spec for the short action magazine then go with the long action to accommodate. Either way has nothing to do with accuracy honestly, it's just a matter of choice. The defiance is a great action and it won't care which way you decide to go. If it were me I would certainly build a WSM on a short action, otherwise choose another cartridge as putting a short-magnum in a long action defeats the purpose of it.
I am just looking for what will be a better overall option, as I have a short action stock on order. I am looking to buy an action now so if I need to change to long action I still can call manners and have it changed. What other 7mm caliber options would be better for a long range hunter if I were to go to long action?
If you are set on the 7 WSM, change your order to the XM sized action. Gives 3.2" of mag box. I built a 300WSM on that sized Rebel action and it was the right choice. I also have a 7WSM built on a FN SPR action giving me 3.05" of mag box. Good enough but just barely and I'm only shooting the 168 VLD. Anything shorter than 3.00" of mag box is a waste of time to maximize the cartridge and the super high BC bullets available.
in the short action, if a 7mm is mandatory, I'd do a 7-08.
in the short action, if a 7mm is mandatory, I'd do a 7-08.
Well I called both manners and defiance today to make the change to an XM hunter action. Manners told me they could do the xm size but they mentioned that the action has its own custom bottom metal and they need me to have defiance call and discuss the dimensions per specific serial number. I called defiance to confirm and order an action and I got told someone would call me back and they never did. Anyone else who has an xm defiance action confirm what manners said with the bottom metal? After today I’m fully confused on the xm action, and having defiance blow me off when I tried to get the details and buy an action from them isn’t helping much
An XM action does require a specific bottom metal. The metal is shown on the Defiance website. They have a BDL style hinged floor plate and a blind magazine style available. I don't think the serial number will make a difference.
Surgeon also makes a WSM designated action. It is their short action with the bottom inleted for a Wyatt extended magazine box. It isn't as long as an XM but it uses standard length bottom metal. I have one of them in a 7mm SAUM.
Surgeon also makes a WSM designated action. It is their short action with the bottom inleted for a Wyatt extended magazine box. It isn't as long as an XM but it uses standard length bottom metal. I have one of them in a 7mm SAUM.
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The bottom metal thing is correct....I have it on my 300WSM.
Call Defiance back and ask for Norm...specifically.
Call Defiance back and ask for Norm...specifically.
Update: I spoke with norm at defiance today and he confirmed the xm has it’s own bottom metal but only a hinged floor plate (at the moment) I’m looking to have a box magazine so that won’t work. I also looked into the surgeon WSM action which you basically can’t find a mag and bottom metal to take a 3” round. So I settled on the long action defiance.. too many things could go wrong. if I build a $4,000 gun and can’t consistenly feed it. So now that I’m settled on long action the 7WSM is out and it’s looking like 7mm RUM. It will be a proof sendero barrel so I’m nervous about going 28 nosler and shooting the barrel out too fast. Any .284 7mm calibers you guys suggest now that I’m going long action
Wow, talk about going for the gold.
There is nothing wrong with the tried and true 7 rem mag, EXCEPT the damn belt.
Do you handload?
If so, consider the 7 LRM.
It has more capacity than the remington cartridge, no belt, but less than the 28 nosler and RUM.
Why the hell would you build a blind magazine gun on purpose?
Article on 7 LRM:
http://site-media.net/gunwerks/7LRMarticle(1).pdf
There is nothing wrong with the tried and true 7 rem mag, EXCEPT the damn belt.
Do you handload?
If so, consider the 7 LRM.
It has more capacity than the remington cartridge, no belt, but less than the 28 nosler and RUM.
Why the hell would you build a blind magazine gun on purpose?
Article on 7 LRM:
http://site-media.net/gunwerks/7LRMarticle(1).pdf
I like the idea of that 7LRM round, I have never heard of that before. How available is brass? I was not intending on building a blind magazine gun hence me going away from the short and XM action due to limited or no magazine possibilities. I just want to be able to shoot the 180 Bergers out of a 26” barrel. And with hand loading I am avoiding the rem mag. Thank you for pointing out the LRM! Maybe I could get more life out of that round than a 28 nosler.
