7MM Rem. Mag. Being Built 24" vs. 26"Barrel?
 

I'm in the early stages of having a rifle built in 7MM Rem Mag for elk hunting. I have the option of having the rifle built with a 24" or a 26" barrel and I'm not sure what would be best. What would folks here recommend? I primarily do my elk hunting in Montana where 300 yd. shots are more the rule than the exception. I appreciate any recommendations.

Thanks,
SkipD

RE: 7MM Rem. Mag. Being Built 24" vs. 26"Barrel?
 

Either would work well. The 26" will give you a touch more velocity. The 24" might be a little easier to carry, but I've never noticed a difference .

What are the details on the build?

RE: 7MM Rem. Mag. Being Built 24" vs. 26"Barrel?
 

25"

RE: 7MM Rem. Mag. Being Built 24" vs. 26"Barrel?
 

It will be an Ed Brown Savanna rifle. McMillan stock with aShilen Select Match barrel using his M704 action.

RE: 7MM Rem. Mag. Being Built 24" vs. 26"Barrel?
 

Wow!! Good pickin's!! Have you asked the company which they would recommend? Tell 'em your wants and I'm sure they will give you an opinion. Personally, I think the 26" barrel will prove a little too awkward for your likes. The velocity you wii lose would be negligible for your situation, I feel.

RE: 7MM Rem. Mag. Being Built 24" vs. 26"Barrel?
 

I packed a 7 Rem. mag. around for quite a while with a 24" bbl... I never wished i had a longer bbl. and that's what i'd pick today...

DM

RE: 7MM Rem. Mag. Being Built 24" vs. 26"Barrel?
 

I'd choose the 24" tube myself. I have a 26" tube on my 7mm, and I find it gets in the way more often than not.

RE: 7MM Rem. Mag. Being Built 24" vs. 26"Barrel?
 

While I've never hunted out west, I would suggest the 24" tube as well. You'll feel those 2 extra inches after lugging it up and down the mountains for several hours.

RE: 7MM Rem. Mag. Being Built 24" vs. 26"Barrel?
 

26" barrel. Good luck.

RE: 7MM Rem. Mag. Being Built 24" vs. 26"Barrel?
 

I bet Ed Brown will know what to do. I actually didn't think they even give you a choice...do they?

RE: 7MM Rem. Mag. Being Built 24" vs. 26"Barrel?
 

An extra 2 inches (26 vs 24) shouldn't add that much weight to a rifle. The 7 mag would benefit from a 26" barrel. A 24" or 26" inch barreled rifle in 7mm mag., should be able to successfully kill a deer at 300 yards.

I have a older remington Model 700 BDL (24") in 7 mag and a Winchester M70 (26") in 7 mag. Which would I take to hunt deer, even at long distances? The Remington (24") because it pretty damn accurate.

RE: 7MM Rem. Mag. Being Built 24" vs. 26"Barrel?
 

IMO the only reason to buy a magnum is for enhanced performance. So why give up some performance with a shorter barrel. I am having a custom built right now with a Krieger barrel. I opted to go with a 28" barrel. For performance. If a light weight was your goal then you would have went with a short action light weight rifle, but you didn't. You went with a long action 7 Mag. Go with a 28" barrel and let the big dog eat. Tom.

RE: 7MM Rem. Mag. Being Built 24" vs. 26"Barrel?
 

26" barrel

RE: 7MM Rem. Mag. Being Built 24" vs. 26"Barrel?
 

For barrels for cartridges like the 7mm Rem. Mag., longer is better. I would prefer a 26", especially if you are talking a bout a single shot, where a long barrel doesn't make the gun's overall length that much longer than a bolt action with a 22" barrel! As a matter of fact the 28" tube on the Browning single shot 7mm Mag. is not too long!

RE: 7MM Rem. Mag. Being Built 24" vs. 26"Barrel?
 

Go for the 26", stoke your loads and get the best out of a custom you can, also, in the future, depending on how much you shoot, once the chamber and muzzle just dont cut it anymore, you can set it back, trim and recrown and still have a sweet shooter!. You wont notice the extra length or weight due to a 26" barrel unless your in a confinedstand, you may also want to build on the heavy side like I did on my 300win mag "12lbs 6oz, felt recoil is dramaticly reduced, it sure helps on long range practice at the range!