advantages of the Weatherby 7mm Mag over the Rem 7mm Mag

[ourabmen]

Hello, and thanks for the info.  I was looking at the Chuck Hawks's site and comparing these two 7 mag's.  What real world difference is there between the two?  On paper it look likes the Wby 7mm Mag outperorms the Rem 7mm Mag.  If you were buying one of these two for a potential elk/moose gun, which would pick?

Thanks for your help.

OUrabmen

[Dand]

300 win mag original or 300 wby

[Patriot_1776]

From what I've seen and read, there is no real big ballistic advantage of one over the other.  The only major difference between the two, is the manufacturer, and their case designs.  Plus, it only depends of what you want to have.  The more cost effective route would be the Remington, of course.  The Weatherbys run alittle more expensive on the ammo side, and a lot more expensive on the rifle side, on certain models.  On the money-saving side, I think the Vanguards should also be offered in 7mm. Wby.  According to my current catalog, a new chambering was introduced this year for them, the 257 Wby.  Until they decide to do that, the Rems are the best way if you want cost effectiveness, along with good accuracy.  I think Remington can/has chamber(ed) their rifles in 7mm Wby.  Can anybody confirm that?  If they do thats great, but the ammo still runs a few $ more.   I'm not a real buff when it comes to keeping up to date on who chambers what, but others may tell a different story.  In my opinion, I prefer the extra $ going to Weatherby, as with my current rifle, it has performed wonderfully.  So, in my experience, I would decide on the 7mm Wby.  I hope this answered your question.  Patriot

[Questor]

1) They are practically identical.
2) For elk and moose I would use a gun with a bigger bore and a heavier bullet.

[longwinters]

I have had both.  Still have the 7mm Remington caliber.  To me the extra recoil w/ the Weatherby caliber was not worth the velicity difference. I also did not care the the higher price I had to pay for ammo (before my reloading days).  But if I was going to get a rifle for just elk and moose it would be a 30 caliber.  I got my 7mm as more of an all around rifle.  

Long

[safetysheriff]

I have worked with a 7mm' Rem' Mag' by way of handloading for a couple friends and by shooting them just a bit.    I am not an elk or moose hunter, nor have I shot a Weatherby 7mm.    But, I sincerely believe that if the .270 Win, .280 Rem, .308 Win, and .30-06 will all kill elk at distances of maybe 250 to 300 yds' --- then the 7mm Rem' Mag' would be my choice ahead of the .300 Win' Mag' with all its miserable recoil!

I'd load a Hornady or Nosler 150 to 160 gr' bullet ahead of Rel' 22 and expect to smash bones and lung tissue on either animal with great effect out to 300+ yards on elk and probably 250 yds on moose.    I have seen what 139 gr' Hornady boat tail'd spire points will do to steel stakes at approx' 150 yds.    It's so fast at that distance that the hole looks like it was cleanly drilled through the steel.    The 160 gr' bullet would be plenty fast, and would hold together better.

The 7mm Rem' Mag' can be loaded to provide Excellent Accuracy.   The NRA Handloading book states that it has held less than 1 moa' at 1000 yds' with 10 shot groups!    That's fantastic...

SS'

[SteveAZ]

Remington has chambered for the Weatherby 7 Mag in the past. You could probably still get it through the custom shop if you really wanted one. The ballistic difference between the two is negligible.

Factory cartridges for the Weatherby are quite a bit more expensive. You will also find a much greater selection and much greater availibility for the Remington 7 Mag. The Rem 7 Mag is consistently one of the top 10 most popular cartridges.

As a side note, you can cram a 7 mm Weatherby into a Remington 700 ADL that is chambered for 7 mm Remington Magnum. You will encounter some difficulty closing the bolt. You will probably need a hammer to open the bolt.

A friend of mine came to me one Monday morning a few months ago asking me how to get open a "sticky" bolt. After a few questions, what brand was the ammo? Somethng with a "W". I determined that the 7 mm ammo he bought "on sale" was the Weatherby and not the Remington variety.

[cam69conv]

1) They are practically identical.
2) For elk and moose I would use a gun with a bigger bore and a heavier bullet.

I have taken Elk at over 350 yards cleanly and quickly with 7mm 160grain Rem mags with absolutly NO problem whatsoever...The major problem today is all the dang hype about bigger bores..Ive seen guys take Elk with a 7mm.08 with no problem...You do your job they will do thiers

[ourabmen]

Thanks fella's for the all of the info and sage advice.  It is amazing how easy it is to get wound up in the splitting of hairs when looking at potential rifles.  I was intrigued by some of the balistic info I've read about the Wby 7mag.  The ammo availability issue is a great point, as is the diffeernce between real world gains and those found on paper.  As always, the weakest link is the fella looking through the cross hairs and pulling the trigger.  

The one thing that continues to bring me back to Rem 7 mag and the good old 30-06 is that  I know that I will be able to spend the time at the range and enjoy shooting either of these calibers.  When the moment of truth arrives, I can do my part and the rifle can do it's part.

I have found a good deal on a Rem 7mag Tikka Whitetail Hunter, nib, for $400, and I dont think that I can pass it up.

Again, thanks for all of your help.

OUrabmen

[safetysheriff]

When shooting a rifle at a bench -- like the Rem' mag' in this case, or even the '06 -- sit up straighter rather than leaning into the rifle on a lower bench or rest and you'll handle the recoil better.   At least it works well for me....and I'm 5 10" tall.    It's just easier to roll back a little with the recoil when you are not leaning into it in the first place.    Either cartridge is good, in my opinion.

Take care.