257bob Posted June 22, 2007 Report Share Posted June 22, 2007 I am going to be building a new rifle this fall and wanted to get some input on here. I am going to build a 7mm rifle. I am looking at 7mm Remington Ultra Mag, 7mm STW, or 7mm Weatherby Mag. I am just wondering from an accuracy stand point would one cartridge be better than the next. It is a custom built rifle and I know that the gunsmith doing the work has the most influence on a firearms accuracy, but do you think there are any inherent accuracy differences between these cartridges? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
257bob Posted June 22, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2007 By the way I will be reloading for the cartridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hangunnr Posted June 22, 2007 Report Share Posted June 22, 2007 With properly crafted loads......any of the three. If it were me choosing I'd go with the 7RUM. Why, because you don't have a belt to contend with or a funky double radius shoulder. I have a 7mag which is a fine shooter and I'm sure Strut 10 will chime in on the virtues of the STW. I unfortunately don't have any practicle field experience with the 7RUM. If you don't mind me asking, what are your intents? Is this gonna be a hunting gun or a target piece? hangunnr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted June 23, 2007 Report Share Posted June 23, 2007 What 'Gunnr said......yep. In a well-built rifle with properly developed handloads, any of the 3 should be exceedingly accurate. A buddy has a factory 7-Wby. and it shoots as well as any other rifle with no modifications. Brass will be kinda spendy for you. I have no hands-on experience with the 7-RUM, either. It shoots a tad harder than the STW, but with a large increase in powder charge. I do have a 7-STW and like it very much. It seems to be the real-world trade-off between the other two........ if you can call 140 gr. bullets at 3600 fps a "trade-off". Recoil is a little brisk. But in now way objectionable in a sporter weight gun. But hey....... if you're burning powder, making muzzle blast and getting kicked at the "Big 7" level......what's the difference if you're burning 80 grains of powder or 90 or 100??? None of the three is a poster child for case efficiency. But who cares?? Big is good. Bigger is better. Pick the one you like and go with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
257bob Posted June 23, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2007 It will be a hunting rifle primarily, but I don't want average hunting accuracy (or I would buy factory). I have had all intentions of going with the 7RUM, but just wanted some outside input. I want a rifle that is capable of consistant accuracy at extended ranges (400+ yds). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njbowhntr Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 I shoot a Remington BDL SS DM 7mm STW w/ muzzlebrake. I love the gun. With the brake the gun kicks less than my .270. At present I shoot the regular old Remington 140gr Cor-Lokts. I have no problem putting 5 shots in a 4"group off a bipod at 300 yards. I am going to be making up a load using the Berger 168gr bullet later this summer or early fall. I am hoping to have that done by hunting season this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flintlock1776 Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 Only way to tell Is to try different store bought or hand made loads. My Rem 30-06 does not like Rem bullets go figure but I can put bullets thru the same hole with Hornady Magnum loads. Same with my other rifles and shotguns. Not sure why it comes out that way but half the fun is figuring out waht works for you and your gun! Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowana Posted August 2, 2007 Report Share Posted August 2, 2007 I Like the STW...but they are all good. I have had mixed results with the Weatherby Cartridges 7mm and below (probably due to freebore in the factory Weatherby Rifles). The Ultramag Line of cartridges are great. I personally own a custom 375 Ultra. What a "barn burner". But, if I was to go semi or full custom it would be the "Shooting Times Western" for me. This cartridge is here for a while (its high on the list for wild catters). I don't think the Ultra Mag line of cartridges will stay. Just an observation from a marketing perspective. I don't want to knock Weatherby though. I do posses a Weatherby Accumark chambered in 338-378 that is a tack driver. I have done nothing to this rifle. The trigger broke a clean 3.3 right out of the box. Will group an honest .750" at 100 yards (topped with a Leupold 3.5X14 LPS). I shot a Bull Elk in Montana last year that was standing aroud 350 yards accross a canyon looking right at me. When the bullet impacted the chest the Elk flipped over backwards!! Sorry for getting off the subject, but when someone is going to build a new one it brings back many a memories. What ever you decide, my hats off on your project. You just can't go wrong with your three selections. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowana Posted August 2, 2007 Report Share Posted August 2, 2007 I Like the STW...but they are all good. I have had mixed results with the Weatherby Cartridges 7mm and below (probably due to freebore in the factory Weatherby Rifles). The Ultramag Line of cartridges are great. I personally own a custom 375 Ultra. What a "barn burner". But, if I was to go semi or full custom it would be the "Shooting Times Western" for me. This cartridge is here for a while (its high on the list for wild catters). I don't think the Ultra Mag line of cartridges will stay. Just an observation from a marketing perspective. I don't want to knock Weatherby though. I do posses a Weatherby Accumark chambered in 338-378 that is a tack driver. I have done nothing to this rifle. The trigger broke a clean 3.3 right out of the box. Will group an honest .750" at 100 yards (topped with a Leupold 3.5X14 LPS). I shot a Bull Elk in Montana last year that was standing aroud 350 yards accross a canyon looking right at me. When the bullet impacted the chest the Elk flipped over backwards!! Sorry for getting off the subject, but when someone is going to build a new one it brings back many a memories. What ever you decide, my hats off on your project. You just can't go wrong with your three selections. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ronin Posted August 3, 2007 Report Share Posted August 3, 2007 I really like the STW. I just loaded up 82 gr of RL22 for 140 Gr Barnes' TSX's. I'm sure the the others are great, too, but there is something about that STW that I like a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted August 3, 2007 Report Share Posted August 3, 2007 I've been using 1 gr. of IMR-7828 less than what Layne Simpson calls max. under an Accu-Bond so far. I'm having trouble getting under 1" with it. It'll hang exactly at 1" at 100 yds. But I'm looking for closer to half that. May just be a function of tweeking by 1/10 grains until it happens. Velocities in my Model 70 are freak nasty with this combo!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted August 3, 2007 Report Share Posted August 3, 2007 As others have mentioned. I absolutely believe there is some accuracy advantage to headspacing off the shoulder versus a belt. That being said the 7mm RUM would be what I would lean towards. The RUMs have a loyal long range shooter following. The only negative comment I've heard about the RUMs is that they have a rebated rim. This smaller than body size rim sometimes makes these cartridges very fussy feeders in CRF actions. Push feed bolt guns aren't a problem. Ask whoever is building the gun for you what their experience is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowana Posted August 3, 2007 Report Share Posted August 3, 2007 Great Thread and good advice Great job guys, makes me want to build something else. Currently have a Mark5 Weatherby action over at Kreiger having a 26" cut rifled barrel made; H.S. Precision stock and Rifle Basix trigger installed. There is a 22 week lead time over at Kreiger (cut rifling is a slow process). The rifle use to be 270 Weatherby Fibermark. Now it will become a 300 Win Mag. I have about a buzzillion components laying around for the 300 (sold one about 8 years ago). I'll post a picture once I get it back (should be a couple of weeks). I'll start a thread so everyone can post a pic of thier pet rifle. Looking to start with 180 gr accubond bullet. Anyone have a pet load out there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ronin Posted August 3, 2007 Report Share Posted August 3, 2007 Hey Bob, a couple of the guys mentioned a brake...I think I would go that route no matter what. If not, the old lead sled is the only way to ward off chiropractic visits after the bench rest. Also, if you get a chance, try the Barnes MRX with the tungsten base. The weight to the rear coupled with the delrin? tip made this bullet the best I have ever used....super pricey though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ronin Posted August 3, 2007 Report Share Posted August 3, 2007 Gotcha Leo...I am a huge RUM fan and the 300 tops my list. It is my "go to" long range elk slayer. I know people say they can kill something just as dead with an '06 but the velocity from the RUM guns does make a difference consistently for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
257bob Posted August 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2007 Thanks for all the great input guys. I definitely am going to go with the 7mm RUM. As for a muzzle break I am definitely going to take the shoulder abuse over the brain exploding muzzle blast. I will be using a homemade led sled for the bench though. I would love to say I'll have pictures soon, but I am going to take my time as money is tight and build it sparing no expense. I am going to use a #5 1/2 Hart barrell, H-S Precision stock, Jewel trigger, on a remington 700 magnum action. I am also going to bulk up the recoil lug with a Tubb lug I think. I am going to top it off with a Nightforce scope mounted with Warne piccatinny base and Leupold Mark IV rings. At least that is the plan right now. Any other info about what I have so far would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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