Author Topic: New Rifle:::: Ruger mk-ii:: in 7mm mag or 300 win mag (Read 1009 times)

nasem · « **on:** March 27, 2006, 02:32:41 PM »

I Totally love those rugers all-weather, The one I shot recently was a 7mm mag and it was a nice and accurate rifle,

My only thing is, I don't have a "all around stainless steel" rifle, and I thought this was a good execuse to buy one...

I REALLY like the 7mm mag, I don't have this caliber, and, I feel that I should, but In the same time, most people are telling me to get a 300 win mag instead (I just don't have a good enough reason to get a 300 win mag, I mean I own a 300 RUM and I don't feel the need for the 300 winny)

I am posting this to see what you guys think, is there a choice better than the 7mm mag ?(regarding knock down power and trajectory).....I don't really see any other round better unless we are talking about 7mm RUM or 7mm wby and those burn too much powder and cost way too darn much to shoot both on the wallet and on the shoulder......

DavOh · « **Reply #1 on:** March 27, 2006, 03:49:57 PM »

MAGNUM-MANIA.... tisk tisk tisk

What are you hunting if I may ask? If you're hunting with it.

I just don't see the need for the magnums for Deer, and even Elk. A good bullet in 308, 270, 280 and 30-06 will be much more economical and alot nicer to your shoulder. Magnums dont give you a bigger vitals area to hit and the terminal ballistics, as impressive on paper as they are, don't kill the deer any quicker or harder or any more dead.

Not to be a Mag-basher, just curious as to why and lending my measly .02$

nasem · « **Reply #2 on:** March 27, 2006, 04:37:31 PM »

Honestly, I don't "need" the 7mm for any specific reason, I own calibers that range anywhere from .223 all the way up to 375 h&h.....

but its the one caliber that I don't have and would like to "own" it...

And I agree with you DavOH, there is nothing that a 7mm can do that a simple 30-06 woun't be able to, they both have ALMOST same balistics (maybe 10-12 inches @ distances of like 500 yards), they both have the same exact knock down power (even though the 7 mag is more powerfull, but the '06 is wider and hits just as hard)

I think the real reason Im buying the 7 mag is becuase of my november trip to alaska, my relatives are specifically telling me to get stainless and ONLY stainless rifles, so far my only stainless is my winchester 375 h&h, but You can't expect to bring just one :-D ...... Ya gotta have atleast 2, so I thought "hey..... I already own an '06, lets get something a little different this time".

DavOh · « **Reply #3 on:** March 27, 2006, 06:01:08 PM »

I understand your POV there. Over the last year or so I've been looking into different calibers and what not for a new rifle. Mostly so I would have a Rifle that I own. It's like standing in front of every menu from every different restaraunt anywhere and trying to figure out what to have for one meal. Quite daunting.

It's a free country and eat whatcha wanna eat!

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 28, 2006, 01:22:19 AM »

nasem, I am like you to an extent, I own guns between 22 to 416 and I don't own a 7MM Mag. I don't have the desire to get one either. I went with the 7mm08 as my gun below my 300 Win Mag. To me a 30-06 makes more since than a 7MM Mag. But that is just my opinion.

beemanbeme · « **Reply #5 on:** March 28, 2006, 04:24:19 AM »

I couldn't tell if you were interested in the 7mag or just a 7mm rifle. If you're not hung up on a 7mag (which is a fine cartridge in its own rights) then I would suggest either a 7-08 or a .280. If a fellow was limited to shooting deer sized and black bear sized animals and under, a 7-08 could be the last rifle he would have to buy.
I wouldn't reccomend the 7-08 for elk hunting but I did kill a cow elk with a .280. (the .280 wouldn't be my first choice elk rifle neither but its a long story) :grin:

nasem · « **Reply #6 on:** March 28, 2006, 06:25:08 AM »

You know what, You guys just made me realise something, Im not looking for a 7mm mag, Im looking for a new rifle lol :-D

And I guess the 7mm mag jumped in my first thought because, I don't own any .280s, so I thought "heyyyyyy I can satisfy both urges"

Well, I never been to alaska, but I was told that we were going to hunt "big stuff" (no bears, or... not intending to anyways)

I would love to take my browning BAR safari grade in .338 win mag, but I don't wanna ruine the blue finish and the risk of maybe damaging the metal in such weather conditions (rusting).

Im still leaning towards the Ruger all-weather mk-ii in 7mm mag
(If you have any objections OR feel there is a better caliber that I need to look into, SPEAK NOW OR FOREVER HOLD YOUR PIECE) :wink:

Danny Boy · « **Reply #7 on:** March 28, 2006, 07:00:58 AM »

It is a want not a need as you have said. Sounds like you have already talked yourself into a 7MM mag. Go for it now as you need a few months to break-in and get to know your equipment.

The other alternative is get a 300 WM with your 300RUM trade-in.

Danny

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 28, 2006, 07:01:32 AM »

nasem,
If you are worried about rust, do like I did when I went to Alaska for Caribou with my Blued 300 Win Mag Tikka. I put a coat of water proof wax on the gun. I simply wiped it off after the hunt and did not get one speck of surface rust. Just a thought.

oldelkhunter · « **Reply #9 on:** March 28, 2006, 07:28:36 AM »

I doubt any animal will notice the difference between a 7mm 160 or 175 and a 30 180 grainer.

nasem · « **Reply #10 on:** March 28, 2006, 07:52:22 AM »

hmm, damn redhawk, I never thought of that, Do you think that wax would also work for the semi-autos ?

Jason · « **Reply #11 on:** March 28, 2006, 09:16:15 AM »

I'd ditch the 300 RUM and get a stainless/synthetic in 300WSM. It'll do everything you need it to, in a smaller, short action package. Throw a good Limbsaver recoil pad on it and you won't ever think about the recoil from a light gun. You're covered for big stuff if you have the 300WSM for medium/large stuff and the 375H&H for really big stuff. If you need a smaller rifle later, snag the .260 Rem in a stainless/synthetic and you're covered for any big game hunting you'll ever need to do.

Just a comment here, though.. there are indeed some accurate Ruger guns out there, but Ruger isn't exactly famous for its accuracy. They are very reliable on the average and decently accurate, but they seem to come out pretty close to the top if not at the top of the list whenever a thread about the most innaccurate factory rifles comes up. I'd go for a Savage, Tikka, or Sako before a Ruger every time.

nasem · « **Reply #12 on:** March 28, 2006, 01:13:07 PM »

hmmm.... those Tikka Varmint stainless are mighty nice..... they "special" order the 7mm mag with HEAVY BARREL lol thats sooo cool, I never seen a heavy barrel 7mm mag....

But every gun store I called doesn't order them, Where can I get them from ?

countryrebel8174 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 28, 2006, 10:51:25 PM »

i'd get the 300 win mag. not the 300 wsm....depending on where you go the bullets can be hard to find and usually cost more. as far as ruger accuracy, my 300 win mag shoots great.

country rebel

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 29, 2006, 01:08:42 AM »

Quote from: nasem

hmm, damn redhawk, I never thought of that, Do you think that wax would also work for the semi-autos ?

I am sure it will, I don't glob it on, just a fine coat.

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #15 on:** March 29, 2006, 05:09:02 PM »

nasem

A Ruger 7mm Mag was my only centerfire big game bolt gun for 20 years. With 160g bullets it takes elk with no problem at all. Never developed a load for lighter bullets but am considering doing so because I acquired a Ruger .300 Win Mag a little over a year ago. Cant help but wonder just how fast the 7mm could launch a 140g TSX...

If you have the 7mm itch, I recommend scratching it...