Is a 7MM Remington Magnum too much for heavy timber?

Will Beararms · July 9, 2000, 05:59 PM

I have thought about getting a 7MM Rem Mag just for the heck of it. My longest shot will never exceed 100 yards. Is this too much gun for Whitetail hunting in thick timber and brush? I don't subscribe to brush-busting. I believe in waiting for right shot and shooting through the open spots in a vital area.

How does this caliber kick in comparison to a .30-06?

Again, this would be for the heck of it so let the opinions fly.

Thanks

------------------
"When guns are outlawed;I will be an outlaw."

[This message has been edited by Will Beararms (edited July 09, 2000).]

labgrade · July 9, 2000, 10:19 PM

I don't know that there is ever "too much" as far as terminal ballistics - on target, etc. May be that the & mag is "too much" for what you intend to do. (& as an aside, kudos for "no brush-busting" - a misnomer in my mind).

Far as that goes, I wouldn't choose a 7 mag for what you stated, just because it isn't "needed" for what you intend.

.41/.44 mag (or equivalent) in the pistol class to the 30/30 to 7-08 (class) would do you just as well as the 7 mag. Anything in between and +&- a hair will serve you just fine.

'Course, your opening statement "just for the heck of it" really does say it all, huh?

That's enough IMHO, but, you can do "it all" with less (but only if you want to

).

BTW, the 7 mag kicks a bit more than the 30-06 in my experience - YMMV. & I pretty much did away with my 30-06 & started using a Rem M7 .308 just because I didn't "need" the
30-06 power for elk in the same scenario you presented for deer.

Will Beararms · July 9, 2000, 10:26 PM

labgrade:

Thanks for your insight. I am looking at the Remington 700 ADL Youth in .308 as a possible option but again, I for once, want to go out and buy a gun just because I like it not because there's another gun ban coming up or another Y2K on the horizon.

------------------
"When guns are outlawed;I will be an outlaw."

Art Eatman · July 9, 2000, 10:28 PM

The 7mm bullets tend to have very high ballistic coefficients, and thus retain their velocities better than a lot of other calibers.

With the larger case capacity, bullets in the 140- to 160-grain category can be driven a good bit faster than than from the '06.

The primary advantage in an area where longer shots are the norm is that range estimation is a little less critical because of the flatter trajectory.

If I already had a 7Maggie, and got an invite to hunt in an area like you describe, I wouldn't buy another gun. However, the probability is that I might buy a lesser-power scope--or use iron sights if they were already on the gun and my eyes were 40 years younger.

But it's a good bit "more gun" than is needed.

FWIW, Art

Erik · July 10, 2000, 01:30 PM

It is indeed a "bit more gun" than necessary.

At 100 yards max in timber, how about a .30-30, a .270, or at most a .30-06?

July 9, 2000, 05:59 PM	#1
Will Beararms Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: North Texas Posts: 2,834	I have thought about getting a 7MM Rem Mag just for the heck of it. My longest shot will never exceed 100 yards. Is this too much gun for Whitetail hunting in thick timber and brush? I don't subscribe to brush-busting. I believe in waiting for right shot and shooting through the open spots in a vital area. How does this caliber kick in comparison to a .30-06? Again, this would be for the heck of it so let the opinions fly. Thanks ------------------ "When guns are outlawed;I will be an outlaw." [This message has been edited by Will Beararms (edited July 09, 2000).]

July 9, 2000, 10:19 PM	#2
labgrade Member In Memoriam Join Date: November 29, 1999 Location: west of a small town, CO Posts: 4,346	I don't know that there is ever "too much" as far as terminal ballistics - on target, etc. May be that the & mag is "too much" for what you intend to do. (& as an aside, kudos for "no brush-busting" - a misnomer in my mind). Far as that goes, I wouldn't choose a 7 mag for what you stated, just because it isn't "needed" for what you intend. .41/.44 mag (or equivalent) in the pistol class to the 30/30 to 7-08 (class) would do you just as well as the 7 mag. Anything in between and +&- a hair will serve you just fine. 'Course, your opening statement "just for the heck of it" really does say it all, huh? That's enough IMHO, but, you can do "it all" with less (but only if you want to ). BTW, the 7 mag kicks a bit more than the 30-06 in my experience - YMMV. & I pretty much did away with my 30-06 & started using a Rem M7 .308 just because I didn't "need" the 30-06 power for elk in the same scenario you presented for deer.

July 9, 2000, 10:26 PM	#3
Will Beararms Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: North Texas Posts: 2,834	labgrade: Thanks for your insight. I am looking at the Remington 700 ADL Youth in .308 as a possible option but again, I for once, want to go out and buy a gun just because I like it not because there's another gun ban coming up or another Y2K on the horizon. ------------------ "When guns are outlawed;I will be an outlaw."

July 9, 2000, 10:28 PM	#4
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	The 7mm bullets tend to have very high ballistic coefficients, and thus retain their velocities better than a lot of other calibers. With the larger case capacity, bullets in the 140- to 160-grain category can be driven a good bit faster than than from the '06. The primary advantage in an area where longer shots are the norm is that range estimation is a little less critical because of the flatter trajectory. If I already had a 7Maggie, and got an invite to hunt in an area like you describe, I wouldn't buy another gun. However, the probability is that I might buy a lesser-power scope--or use iron sights if they were already on the gun and my eyes were 40 years younger. But it's a good bit "more gun" than is needed. FWIW, Art

July 10, 2000, 01:30 PM	#5
Erik Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 1999 Location: America Posts: 3,479	It is indeed a "bit more gun" than necessary. At 100 yards max in timber, how about a .30-30, a .270, or at most a .30-06?