JB is correct, other than the 7Rem, metric cartridges have just never panned out in the U.S. In Europe the 7WSM was asked for so much of late that Beretta added it too Sako/Tikka last fall. I don't know who is getting their information and where it came from but the 7WSM is NOT 2-300fps hotter than the 7Rem. The WSM ballistic tables are notoriously "hot" and many gun writers (who weren't on the dole) have ran many through cronies and proven the figures on ink to be optimistic, some by as much as 150-200fps+. Likewise the 7Rem has ALWAYS been loaded down, even in most reloadin manuals you will see strangely low figures compared to what can be accomplished with good rifles with 24"-26" barrels and slow powders.

Aint tryin to rain on anyones parade, it sounds like someone is in need of extra re-assurance as too their decision and purchase. The caliber itself is a GREAT one. But it is essentially a FLOP here stateside and you can bet the factory ammo selections are only going to get slimmer instead of growing steadily like the other two WSMs. Most makers today that are beginning to pickup the WSMs are not doing so with the 7s. And it is a universal, industry wide question and confusion. I spent a weekend lastyear in WY with several gun, optics and ammo makers and one of Kimbers national reps asked me personally why we didn't order any 7WSMs (my brother was a Kimber Master Dealer). I told him basically what I just put down here and he alluded that basically that was the same reason given by ALL their dealers nationwide. I think many in the industry actually thought the 7WSM would practically wipe the 270WSM off the shelves but it's been the other way around.

Another thing that is basically a parallel and really the WSM incident is just a repeat of it, around my section of the country and with guys that shoot Weatherby's, there are a considerable amount of 270Wbys and 300Wbys. But very very few 7Wbys. Our sales of both guns and ammo likewise bore that point as well. America is simply a .277 and .308 calibers market, has been that way for a LONG time and it appears likely to remain so. The only conclusion I can draw from the success of the 7Rem is that it was the first "affordable, bluecollar, bareable recoil" magnum brought to the market by a major maker. Remember that Roy Weatherby's first magnum was the 270 and I'm sure that was based on the fact that when he did it in the 40s the 270/Oconnor affair was in full swing. (Remember likewise that Mr. Jack went on record several times as quoting the 7mmMauser to be his favorite!) I guess that is why Remington didn't "reinvent" the wheel and do a 270 mag vs the 7 they came out with. BUT it is my opinion that if either Remington, Winchester or Ruger simply took a 7Rem dimensioned case (blownout and straightened and shortened 300H&H) and stuck a 277 in it and called it the XYZ 270Mag and keep ammo prices reasonable, it would sell like HOTCAKES shortmags be damned. There's just that much sentimental and determinedness in the American shooting publics mind concerning the .277 bore! I PROMISE you it would go over. Imagine the ".270 O'connor Magnum"??? You'd have to sell lottery tickets for the first few runs of rifles!!!

We're a finicky lot we hunters,
RA