i am looking into buying a remington 7mm ultra mag, model 700. I recently heard some info that after about 3 shots the barrel gets really hot. also after about 50 shots the barrel starts to wear and deform.
wondering if anyone had info on this gun, if it is a good buy or not.
My cousin has a model 700 in 7mm Remington Ultra Mag. He loves it - I know some other people that love it as well. I haven't heard of the barrel problem, but it is a very fast round so you probably have to watch that.
The thing I'd be concerned about is that the 7mm RUM is considered by many to be a flop in terms of how popular its been. Translation = if you don't reload, it may be very difficult to find ammo for it 5 or 10 years from now. That's what I've been hearing anyways.
If you don't reload, I'd recommend the plain Jane 7mm Remington Mag - you lose some velocity, but it's still a very good round and you'll alwasy be able to find ammo for it.
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"Speak softly and carry a big stick - you will go far."
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Layne Simpson of STW fame was still able to get MOA accuracy from his 7mm STW after several thousand rounds were put through it.It will serve a lifetime of hunting as long as you look after it.At the range allow the barrel to cool a full minute between shots and don't try to use it as a praire dog gun rapid firing it at pests.At least with the STW brass can be obtained from 8mm Rem Mag.If you don't reload at least pick up a set of FL dies.The 7mm Ultra Mag may last or not.If you get one squirrel away several hundred brass and you're set for life........................Harold
The ultramags are awesome rifles, but unless your shooting alot beyond 500 yards, basicly it just costs more, until the range surpasses 500 yards the 7mm Rem Mag is just as good.
RR
I believe the 7mm RUM would get really hot! I know guys love them, but the only RUM I hear that have made it are certainly the 300 RUM, and the 338RUM, the 7mmRUM and 375RUM I believe are either dead or not doing well and on their way out.
Also I think the 7mm STW is more of a success than the 7mm RUM and do similar thigns....both are ultramag 7mm's.
Knowing a round is dead or dying would certainly make me think twice about buying a rifle chamberedfor it.....also if you had to sell it down the road that would be a real problem, could be.
I think the 7mm RUM would just need more spacing between shots.....in the field I wouldnt worry though how often are you gonna shoot more than 3 quickly in the feild? plenty of cooling between those times. At the range/bench I'd just take my time....
The 7mm RUM is a screamer....but the 300RUM is also a screamer, and way popular, so my choices would be a 7mm STW or a .300 RUM. I'd be cautious a bout buying a 7mm RUM.
I think a new .300 win mag might be a wiser choice. A .300 wsm or .300 RUM would also be a round to consider esp if you're buying new. If you really want that scope, try to just get the friend to sell you that. I think I'd pass on the friends rifle, can also find a scope online/rifle. Also I don't picture many shots in MICH over 500yds.....so not sure why anyone needs a RUM there, or even a .300 win mag, you may really want to consider the .270WSM or .300WSM.
The 7mm Ultra Mags case capacity is too large for the 7mm bore in my opinion.There comes a practical limitto case capacity for a given caliber.A point at which the amount of powder required for small incremental increase in power/velocity is impractical.
It also can limit your bullet selection as there extreme demands placed on the bullets especially the lighter weight rounds.
If you compare the KE levels of the 300 Ultra you will of coursefind that the 300 is considerably higher. The 300 is alsojust as fastwith 150 grain factory ammopushing 3500 fps and 200 grain rounds still at 3100 fps.
If you like 7mm rounds I would go with a Rem mag, Weatherby mag or go 300 Ultra.
Do you reload? If not skip the RUM's!!!! If you do reload then the RUM would be an excellent long range stick. Like Ridgerunner I agree their is little need for a RUM if your not going to be shooting 500+ routinely.
As far as heat, shoot 3 shot groups let it cool, repeat. I do this with everything but varmit rigs and rimfires. No problems. IfI can't hold the muzzle with my bare hand it is too hot to shoot! Personally I like it to come down close to ambient before shooting, when i go to the range i take several guns so that I am not rushing and keeps me busy.
In regards to barrel life,fact the first shotbegins the erosion process how longuntil a new barrel isdepends on many factors- loads (moderate, hot or ragged edge), cleaning method or lack there of any cleaning,getting it real hot, etc. True the RUMs and other high capacity powder cartsdecrease the life but even the likes ofa factory RUM it will be years for most. Re-barrel shouldn't be a source of concern any way should you really like shooting it and burn through it quicker then most. IME itleads to performance gains (assuming you buy a good one). If your looking for cheaper andsimilar performance of the factory tubes finding good take off's isn't that difficult either.
well scott is full of it, I shoot a 7mm Allen mag, full power loads will run a 160 gr. nosler at almost 3700 fps. with a 200 gr wildcat bullet it shoots faster than a 300 rum, delivers more energy, shoots flatter (way flatter) and has a decent barrel life (around 1000 rounds) I also have an STW that shoots faster than factory 7 rums, but like I said, unless you shoot consistantly beyond 500 your wasteing capability.
RR
I shoot a 7mm Allen mag, full power loads will run a 160 gr. nosler at almost 3700 fps
I assume you are running somethingclose to a30 barrell length. That has more to do with your "extreme" velocities than the Allen case. Comparing cartridges performance with a 4"-6" difference in barrel length willyield misleading results especially in 100+ grain cases.
7 mm ultra mag, good gun?
