Which 7mm?

[WA Redneck]

I have a 7 WSM and a 7 Remington mag and like both of them, but if I had to pick just one I would go with the WSM.  It shoots a little better, is lighter and is easier on the shoulder.  I'm getting 3150 FPS with Hornady 154 grain bullets and 3100 with 139 grain bullets.  Both loads shoot within an inch.  I can't say how they do on game because when it comes to hunting I always use a 6.5x55.  You magnum guys can say what you want, I'll use the 6.5x55 and take my dead elk and go home.

[Vek]

If you don't handload, get an oldschool 7mm rem mag.  If you do, get whatever tickles your fancy.  If you want a lightweight rifle (less than 7 lbs), get a 7-08 or 7x57 or 280 or 7SAUM.  Anything more will be way jumpy. 

Bear in mind that reloading components (brass) for things like 7-08, 7x57, or 280 are quite a bit less expensive than any of the WSMs or SAUMs or magnums. 

A 280 is no slouch.  A good lightweight factory rifle would be a remington mountain rifle or a ruger hawkeye. 

[Buckblaster]

I have shot the 7-mag, 280 and 7-08 over the chronograph with hot handloads. I logged these velocities:
7 Rem mag with 24" barrel:
    139 gr Hornady Inter-Bond, 71 gr RE22,  3150 fps
    162 gr Hornady Spire Point, 66 gr RE22,  2980 fps

280 Rem with 24" barrel:
    139 gr Hornady Inter-Bond, 57.5 gr IMR4350, 3120 fps
    I didn't test the 160 gr bullet in this rifle but my manual shows 2850 fps.

7mm-08 with 22" barrel:
    139 gr Hornady Inter-Bond, 45 gr IMR4895, 2950 fps
    160 gr Nosler Partition, 43 gr IMR4064,  2780 fps

Look for efficiency in the numbers. Is that extra powder, recoil and noise of the 7-mag worth it? If you reload, get a chronograph so you can get the maximum velocities out of your handloads. Your groups will depend on your rifle.

[Intruder]

How do you define long range?  You can throw a blanket over the 280, STW, Rem Mag, WSM and all the others out to about 350.  There's a difference sure but not enough difference to really worry about. 

Beyond that range the STW and Rem Mag may give you a lil more versatility in their ability to shoot the bigger bullets (160s and up) a little better than the WSM.  Rem mag brass is probably more available than any of the the others as is the ammo. 

If you're talking about building a rifle for longer ranges (over 350) than 26" or > will allow you more velocity especially if you shooting the 160 grn bullets and up.

I personally shoot a 280 w/ a 22" barrel and feel pretty good shooting it out to about 350 maybe 400 w/ 140 for deer and lopes.   

[Sagedawg]

 Intruder, I like your thinking. 



  Sage

[280ackley]

I'll throw another vote for the .280 Ackley.  I have a . 280 Ackley in a Remington Mountain Rifle with a 22" barrel and it works great for me.  Since you reload nosler makes brass for it now.    http://www.nosler.com/?p=9&bullet=13