Which cartridge- 180 eld

[Mtnwalker]

Like to get some opinions on which platform you’d go with for the most efficient/economical way to do this, so here’s some criteria

Push a .284 180 eldm at 3k FPS or more
Keep bare rifle at 7 1/2 lbs or less
Readily available and somewhat affordable components
Don’t really want to fireform or anything like that but would handload
Don’t really want an ultra mag action

So... factory 28 nos? 7 saum on a long action? Let’s hear some ideas

[jjhunter]

You should be able to get 3k out of a 7 mag.  My 28 Nosler is spitting them out at 3300.  My only complaint with the Nosler is the cost of the brass.

[carpsniperg2]

  Also don't forget the 7stw just a jump up from the rem mag. I haven't shot 180 but 175 in my 7stw at 3100-3200 so I'm sure you can be north of 3k with a 180. Brass and loaded shells are pretty regular now days. Hornady is doing some factor stw loading this year with the eld bullets in the 7stw as well.

[Mtnwalker]

I didn’t figure you could hit 3k with a 7em mag on a standard long action without single feeding maybe I’m wrong. Also I should add I’m not really one for pushing pressure limits etc

[NWShooter]

The 28 Nosler will do it in cruise mode. You can load it to 7mm Mag velocities or crank it up. Modern beltless case design, matters to some (Not to me). Decent factory throat specks for the bullet you mentioned.

There’s a thread heard about the Browning X-Bolts. Excellent rifle for the money, offered in 28 Nosler also.

[b23]

Unless you've already heard of one, I won't be surprised if your initial response to this is, what's that, but the 7mm Blaser mag will do what you are looking for.

I had mine built a couple years ago on a LA Rem 700 using a 26in (less brake) Hart #4 fluted barrel.  Mine has a laminated wood stock and a NF NXS 5.5-22x50 scope, neither of which is particularly light and it's right at 9lbs so less optic it'll easily meet your 7.5lb requirement.

I'm shooting 180 Bergers with a COAL of 3.260 (which is 5 thou off) with 68.5gr RL26 and that sends them at 3088-3100fps from a 26 in. tube and stacks them up into real small little groups.

Norma makes the brass and Redding has the dies.  If I recall, I got both from Grafs shooting supply.

[Mtnwalker]

Unless you've already heard of one, I won't be surprised if your initial response to this is, what's that, but the 7mm Blaser mag will do what you are looking for.

I had mine built a couple years ago on a LA Rem 700 using a 26in (less brake) Hart #4 fluted barrel.  Mine has a laminated wood stock and a NF NXS 5.5-22x50 scope, neither of which is particularly light and it's right at 9lbs so less optic it'll easily meet your 7.5lb requirement.

I'm shooting 180 Bergers with a COAL of 3.260 (which is 5 thou off) with 68.5gr RL26 and that sends them at 3088-3100fps from a 26 in. tube and stacks them up into real small little groups.

Norma makes the brass and Redding has the dies.  If I recall, I got both from Grafs shooting supply.

That actually looks like a great round I think I’ve seen your posts about it on some other forums. Surprisingly brass looks cheaper than 28 nos

[CaNINE]

I didn’t figure you could hit 3k with a 7em mag on a standard long action without single feeding maybe I’m wrong. Also I should add I’m not really one for pushing pressure limits etc

Checked my reloading notes. In the 7RM 2900 is a more realistic number with a 180 grain. You might get to 3000 depends on how fast your barrel is and how hard you want to punish brass. You may also find that your accuracy mode is well below. Retumbo may get you there but probably not.

The SAUM and WSM won’t get you there with reliability either.

To hit 3000 FPS with margin look 28 Nosler or STW. If you need load data send me a PM.

[Reidus]

7 wsm in a long action will do it. 28 nosler will do it no problem as well.

[yorketransport]

7mm RUM, just because efficiency is over rated!

Honestly though, you could probably pick up a factory Rem 700 in 7mm RUM then swap out the stock and trigger to end up with a gun in your weight range and will easily hit 3K+ FPS.

[b23]

I think the 7mm Rem mag can probably get to 3000fps w/180's in a 26in barrel but you'll likely have to use specific powder like Viht N570 and have enough OAL before touching, to get there.

I'm not sure what Travis is using but I believe he's getting 3000 to 3000+ w/180's in his 7mm Rem mag builds using a 26 in. tube.

[hogslayer]

Throated long I know Retumbo and around 3030 with 180s and 7 mag.  RL 26 should put you at about 3100.  WSM would do it.  I like to have a larger rifle throttled back than a less cartridge loaded hot. 7 saum would be in the 2900-2980 range.

[birddogdad]

You should be able to get 3k out of a 7 mag.  My 28 Nosler is spitting them out at 3300.  My only complaint with the Nosler is the cost of the brass.

Nosler has a short barrel life too from my understanding.. pretty hot compared to 7mag.

[Karl Blanchard]

Barrel life should almost never be a consideration in my opinion.  Most guys wont even put 100 rounds a year down range so even a hot 28 you'll get a decade of use from.  They make new barrels every day so get to shootin

[birddogdad]

Barrel life should almost never be a consideration in my opinion.  Most guys wont even put 100 rounds a year down range so even a hot 28 you'll get a decade of use from.  They make new barrels every day so get to shootin

oh i agree for "most" but i have heard 1K rounds for a nosler to rebarrel vs 3K for a 7mag. if your a shooter, that can go fast. Sure a rebarrel is optional but also comes with downtime and better be done correctly.

[jasnt]

It costs more to burn up a barrel than it does to replace one.
I vote 7-300wm

[MtnMuley]

I definately haven't kept up with the massive wildcat type offerings over the past few years, but it's impressive to listen to several of you in the know, who've been hands deep. Curious why the 7RUM isn't getting love here?

[carpsniperg2]

The RUM is great. He just said he would prefer to stay away from that length of action. I looked at some load data and for sure think you could hit it with a 26" or + tube in the 7rm. With what I get with my stw with the 175 I think 3k is doable for sure with the 180 in the standard rm. I am sure you can see 3150 or so if you went to the stw.

[Trooper21986]

I would definitely second the 7-300. 300 win mag bushing dies to 7mm . And it will push the 180 awful close to 3200! 300 win mag brass is everywhere and ptg will rent you a reamer for a very small fee ! I'm building one now on a standard Remington 700 with the factory barrel ! Reamer should be here any day.

[BULLBLASTER]

The rums are built on long actions. Same length actions as regular magnums and 06 etc. 

The 7 rum was another victim of the slower twist barrel offerings and not continued suppport. The 28 nosler came out at the perfect time with the 180 and 195 grain bullets, barrels for them, and with good and heavy marketing. The plus side of the 28 is the shorter case so as not to run into magazine limitations like the rums but the 7 rum would run right there with or exceed the velocity of the 28 I would think 

[Curly]

I ran Quickload for the 7RM with 180 gr Berger VLD and 26" barrel. 

It shows hitting 2,950 fps with RL26 and 2,995 fps with Vihtavuori N570. 

You may be able to push it a little bit more or go a little longer on the barrel and you can reach 3,000 fps.  But will you find accuracy at there?   

[Karl Blanchard]

The rums are built on long actions. Same length actions as regular magnums and 06 etc. 

The 7 rum was another victim of the slower twist barrel offerings and not continued suppport. The 28 nosler came out at the perfect time with the 180 and 195 grain bullets, barrels for them, and with good and heavy marketing. The plus side of the 28 is the shorter case so as not to run into magazine limitations like the rums but the 7 rum would run right there with or exceed the velocity of the 28 I would think

spot on.  I was gonna say the same about the RUM and RM being same length action and bolt face. 

I ran Quickload for the 7RM with 180 gr Berger VLD and 26" barrel. 

It shows hitting 2,950 fps with RL26 and 2,995 fps with Vihtavuori N570. 

You may be able to push it a little bit more or go a little longer on the barrel and you can reach 3,000 fps.  But will you find accuracy at there?   

and good luck finding n570

[carpsniperg2]

Yes they are all the same length but they do have differences such as feed rails. There is a difference between the long action, long action magnum, long action ultra magnum.

[Karl Blanchard]

The RUM is great. He just said he would prefer to stay away from that length of action. I looked at some load data and for sure think you could hit it with a 26" or + tube in the 7rm. With what I get with my stw with the 175 I think 3k is doable for sure with the 180 in the standard rm. I am sure you can see 3150 or so if you went to the stw.

Yes they are all the same length but they do have differences such as feed rails. There is a difference between the long action, long action magnum, long action ultra magnum.

[carpsniperg2]

Don’t really want an ultra mag length action

Awe yes. I should have said he wanted to stay away from the RUM action, not length of action.

[BULLBLASTER]

So... factory 28 nos? 7 saum on a long action? Let’s hear some ideas

Both these would be on a rum action...

We’re arguing semantics here now. 

[carpsniperg2]

Isnt that what we are suppose to do

[rbros]

7 mag will run them at 3070-3100, 7 Saum 2980-3000, 7WSM 3050-3090, 28 Nosler 3200-3250, 7 RBH 3350+, all out of 26" barrels.  These are averages amongst ALOT of build data.  All depends on what you want to pay for components and ease of finding components.  Run an 8 twist to even get close to the advertised BC. 

[Matth]

7 mag will run them at 3070-3100, 7 Saum 2980-3000, 7WSM 3050-3090, 28 Nosler 3200-3250, 7 RBH 3350+, all out of 26" barrels.  These are averages amongst ALOT of build data.  All depends on what you want to pay for components and ease of finding components.  Run an 8 twist to even get close to the advertised BC.

Bam!!!!! suckers. I'm not even a 7 fan i just thought this summed it up well.

[MtnMuley]

Bull and Carp, thanks for the good info. I need to read closer like usual. I guess I was lucky a few years back when I decided on the 28 Nos pushing 195 EOL's as my primary big game weapon.

[carpsniperg2]

Welcome I remember you got one early and was looking for brass and I found ya a little stash to pick up I’m sure they have smashed a few critters for ya

[MtnMuley]

I forgot about that!

[mountainman]

Welcome I remember you got one early and was looking for brass and I found ya a little stash to pick up I’m sure they have smashed a few critters for ya

👍👍

[Mtnwalker]

The rums are built on long actions. Same length actions as regular magnums and 06 etc. 

Yep my mistake.

Already have 2 7rem mags that I don't want to modify so not really wanting a 3rd but I guess if that ends up as the best option then so be it. Also I definitely don't want longer than a 26" barrel plus a brake.  It looks like the 28 nos is the obvious choice other than the cost of brass at the moment. So next question is for the guys who are shooting the x-bolts in 28 how is seating depth with the factory mag and the 180 ELD or the 195 EOLs?