Re: Which one?-7mm mag or 7mm wsm
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Longshot38</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sandwarrior</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Longshot38</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Don't concern yourself with the belt. There are a lot of old myths about belted magnums and most don't hold water. The only issue I had with belted magnums was the bulge above the belt. But that is an easy issue to resolve with the right equipment.
Now between the two rounds you mentioned I think it is a toss-up. Both are very capable and will get you down range just fine. Personally I'd pick the Remington Magnum but that is just because I have experience with that round. If I didn't have experience with belted magnums though I'd run the WSM.</div></div>
It's not exactly a myth. The whole reason for the belted case is extraction, not accuracy. In spite of the belt, rounds can be accurate. But, they have to start out with tight specs to begin with.
That said you can make a belted case just as accurate as a non-belted case by neck sizing. That way you headspace on the shoulder instead of the belt. It's a proven fact that headspacing off the shoulder is more accurate. How accurate the rifle needs to be is determined beforehand. Do this by choosing a cartridge to meet your needs. If you only need a 1 or 1/2 MOA rifle then a tight spec'd belted cartridge can get that. But, if you need tighter accuracy with quality bulk loaded rounds, then I would go with a beltless cartridge.
Also, the bulge just above the belt can be minimized by not loading as hot as the round will go. You give up a bit in velocity but bullet choice will still get you there faster than the next smaller case.
I personally shoot a 7 WSM. Mostly because there wasn't much around here for 7 RSAUM. From the guys I've shot with they are getting the same velocity as what I can get with a bit less powder. The 7 Rem Mag can get a bit more velocity. But, with almost ten more grains of powder. I know of a Savage Tactical (early model 12) that shoots right at .5 MOA. If that's all the accuracy you expect from a first fired case then that's a good choice. </div></div>
This is what I was talking about. I got sub MOA accuracy out of my 7mm RM as a factory rifle shooting commercial ammunition. And with handloads things really tightened up (and this is with FL resize every loading). So this thing of only being able to get 1-1 1/2 MOA with out of the box stuff is BS. Also look at Weatherby, they get sub MOA out of a lot of many their rifles and all Weatherby rounds are belted magnums.
As for the bulge, yes it can be minimized by loading down but why? Magnums are high pressure rounds by design. And the point of a magnum is to get the most velocity out of a given bullet. Also the bulge can easily be corrected with the collet die from Larry Willis (I have one and it works great). </div></div>
Most Weatherby rifles I've loaded for do not get sub-MOA. I've even assisted a friend who got the Sub-MOA Vanguard...and it don't shoot sub MOA.
But I will say that we are quite possibly on the same sheet of music when it comes to people thinking belted cartridges can't be accurate. With necksized handloads my .300 WM was getting .3-.5 MOA typically @ 300, 500,600 and 800. More typically, the farther out I got the .5 grew to a 1 or so. But that's me, not the rifle.
As for loading down a magnum, they were not specifically designed to shoot high pressure. Just to add more volume for a longer stronger push. So, by loading down a bit you get exponential results in less barrel wear. Better brass life, and therefore consistency. I usually used WCC (A191) brass in my .300 WM.
The point about collet sizing down the bulge is well taken. Next time I get into a belted magnum that may well be something to get to help with the reloading of it.
