7mm or .300
 

I'm looking for a big game rifle and am torn between the 7mm and the .300. Looking at ballistic tables they seem pretty close by the numbers. This will b used for game larger then deer and possible long range. The 7 mm is only .276 and for some reason I'm having a hard time with that, not that much bigger then a .270....

The 7mm is .284" not .276".

It isn't going to make any difference what so ever which one you choose. They are pretty much each others equal when it comes to on game performance. What one can do the other can do equally as well.

I would go with the 7mm, but I'm biased. I own one. BB is right, what one can do the other can do equally as well.

I have owned both calibers. I loved the inherent accuracy of the 7mm and it really didnt kick that much. My .300 mag on the other hand kicks quite a bit but as a wise man once told me, you only have to shoot once to kill the animal you are after. So really it is a toss up. If you reload both have abundant components. I dont think you would go wrong with either though.

Chief

I think I'd go with the 7mm mag. Just a bit cheaper to reload and the kick is a bit less. The 7 mm is still an awful big caliber. No way do ya need more for moose, bear or elk. Not that I care, but I can reload 30-06 to so close to the same balistics as 7mm mag the animals won't know the difference between the 2 neither. Ya got to reload though. I don't say this to change your mind, I just think the 06 is under rated, especially when it comes to reloads, and 06 cases are everywhere, and I am very cheap to boot.

.284 vs .308, .024 difference...

.277 vs. .284, only .007" difference in dia.

Get a .300 WSM,

You don't need a 7mm mag or 300 mag to kill a deer at 500yds, a 270 will get the job done, but if you're talking elk at long range, I think I'd prefer a 30cal.

Also if you start getting into dangerous game...

Also in a big heavy rifle the 300+ mags are manageable, but do you really want to carry a big heavy rifle you have to ask yourself?

If so, maybe consider the .300 RUM, Wby,
I love the 338's, so maybe consider a 338win.mag shooting 200 or 210gr, it's flat enough, plenty of power, or 340wby in something like the accumark is a heavy rifle.

Lots of options, but if you already have a deer rifle/caliber, I'd want to step up more than going from a 270 to a 7mm say, I'd want a 300 or 338cal

Checkout the .300 WSM and/or .338 Win.Mag.

Outdoormen,
If it were my decision I would take the .300 as there is a much larger selection of bullets. I believe the heaviest bullet in .284 is 175gr. (without going custom) and the heaviest in .300 is 220gr. (without going custom). The drawback is recoil!! If you are in the least afraid of it you will not shoot it well, in which case, why have it!

For deer, it doesn't matter. If you are going to be hunting elk, I'd go with the 300 Win Mag or even a 300 Ultra Mag. Either will do the job,

For years Americans had a love affair with .30's but eventually learned what Europe knew all along.Seven all the way!

If you never leave IL then go with the smaller caliber. If you have plans that include something bigger then maybe bigger is better. I like .300 Win mags myself but thats what I hunt with most of the time.

Americans been baling out Europeans for over 100 years. What do they know ?

They are both excellent calibers. My choice is the 7mm Rem Mag. Just my preference.

What does that have to do with guns?
Besides thanks to our illustrious leader and his socialist agenda we're well on our way to being in the same boat and China is bailing us out.

I had a similar dilemna in '95 when trying to decide what gun to buy. I wanted a model 70 classic, in stainless, but didnt know if I wanted the 7mm rem mag, or the 300 win mag. Also was worried about the recoil. The gunshop only had the 7mm, so I took it home. Since then, she is on her second scope, and took off the synthetic stock, and added wood to her. Do I wish I bought a 300 sometimes? Sure. I can tell you this though, she has never let me down, and has dropped a few deer in her time. For me, the 300 would of been too big a jump from a 30/30. Either the 300, or 7mm, would work for anything in the lower 48. Ive shot both now, and like both equally. If you feel you may be a tad tender towards recoil, go with the 7mm. If you can handle magnum recoil and shoot accurately, then go with whatever floats your boat. If alaska is in your eyes, get the 7mm, and look to buy a 338 later. One never has too many guns. Lastly, convince the wife you need a 7mm, 300, and 338!

I'd say there are about as many of one as the other here.And there a probably about the same number of 338's A lot of big brown rugs were made by all 3. I carry the 300 ,only because it seemed there were more different bullets for the30 cal. That was over 20 years ago and I've seen no reason to change, but would not feel under gunned with any of those.

I own both cal's...a Rem 700 in 7mm Rem Mag and a Win Mod 70 in .300 WIN....my .270 WIN .308 WIN and 270 WSM will all perform equally (when hand loaded) with the 7mm or .300 WM...with less recoil and cheaper (ammo/reloading cost)...

I own a 7MM RM because my small rifle is a .243.

My upgrade is a .338 WM.

I'll buy a .300 WM, after I get a .270.

The truth is a 30-06 is so close to a 7 rem. mag there is no advantage if ya reload. If ya can do it with a 300 win ya can do it with an 06 if the target is a bit closer. I always though neither was needed cause the 06 is right between them. If you need a magnum you need one big enough to make a difference, like a 338 win. Not that I care.

Ummm :confused2: I reload, and I can still see the advantage of the 7. It takes a heavier-for-caliber bullet in a 30 cal to roll par with a 7's BC, and rolling heavy means losing velocity, and losing velocity means losing performance. So with this in thought, it takes a big boomer of a 30 cal to fly as slick as a 7 with a smaller appetite. Call me crazy, but I'll take the 7s smaller appetite of powder and bullet cost, less drop and drift to the 300.

I'll add this isn't anything to worry about on the hunting field. If you can't get close enough to down your game with a centerfire, you need to be a better hunter :D Buut when it comes to having fun, then there is an advantage. And I shoot way more at paper and steel than animals, so gimme the 7! :D

I have reloaded, shot, and hunted with both. IMO the 300 is the better choice because of the better bullet selection - especially the heavier ones. Never know when you will want to go get a bear, elk, or even African plains game. That said, I hunt with a 7mm only because I found a load with Barnes 175gn that is mind-boggling accurate..

You will be served well by both calibers..

7mm08...i just got one, put the 300wsm,....well all the others probably wont see the outside of the safe this year.