How many have left the magnums behind for something smaller

[32-40win]

Still have a 7RM and a 300H&H, haven't done much with either in a while, more inclined to work on the 30R and the 7-08, and now have a 6.5CM to play with. Had my desires to shoot boomers satisfied over the years, no desire to get back into them. For whatever big game hunting I do in the future, the 7-08 and 30R will do nicely.

[Jerry D]

I went from .30-06 to .25-06 and its way nicer!

Now Ive also had 7mm08 and a 6.5x55 and much prefer them for efficiency!

[teledogs]

I had a 7mmRM and sold it. I don't think I will sell my 7-08.

[kujoseto]

Currently running 30-06, 7mm-08, and 9x57 (yes, 9mm) and I don’t see myself going back to magnums.
If anything bigger, I’d maybe go 35 Whelen or 9.3x62 but what will they do on Alberta big game that the 30-06 won’t?


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[Dean2]

So many miss the point. A 30-30 will do the job. Choosing faster, bigger, noisier is strictly about the fun factor. If you just want to shoot stuff a flintlock 54 will get the job done. A 460 Weatherby does exactly the same outcome just a way to have more and having something unique to play with.

[Prairiewolf]

2013: Bought my first rifle - a 7MM RM because my dad told me to. Shot a deer with it first year. Didn't like practicing because of recoil and flinching a bit. 26" barrel was annoying to carry.

2016: Bought a .308, shot my first elk with it in 2018. Nice and light to carry, shorter barrel etc probably allowed me to get in position for the shot. Convinced myself that because he didn't immediately drop I didn't have enough oomph. Went back to the 7MM next season.

2019: Shot a whitetail with my 7MM from ~350. Most of the ribs and some of the front leg were jelly.

Looking at chamberings above and below what I have. I guess I don't know what to do except I like looking at new rifles.

[Scottmisfits]

I got the chance to shoot my 7mm RM yesterday with some handloads and was pretty disappointed to be honest.
I was shooting some loads out of my 308 as well.
7mm avg velocity on my fastest test load was 2893fps, avg velocity on my best load was 2820. That was wasn’t the best from a group size perspective but from an SD and ES perspective.
My 308 avg velocity of the best group in all respects was 2828fps.

For the extra powder, extra punch, extra price, extra hype, I was expecting a little more. I can't really say that I’m surprised after the reading about the 7mm, just kinda confirmed why I’m not really a magnum guy.i will continue to develop it and use it but highly doubt I’ll look at the magnums again.

[aulrich]

338wm to 270win at least for deer. I still have the 338 but mostly she is a safe queen now still an awsome gun just big for deer.

[catnthehat]

Many people can shoot the big cartridges well , but many can't and would be better served getting away from them .
However they have convinced themselves they need them.
I was speaking with a friend just the other day and told him I had found some 7mm bullets and did had wsnt them.
His response was that he traded that 7 mag for a 243 and had never been happier - less recoil and more one shot kills , with no sore shoulders from extended range visits!
Cat

[Dean2]

Originally Posted by Scottmisfits

I got the chance to shoot my 7mm RM yesterday with some handloads and was pretty disappointed to be honest.
I was shooting some loads out of my 308 as well.
7mm avg velocity on my fastest test load was 2893fps, avg velocity on my best load was 2820. That was wasn’t the best from a group size perspective but from an SD and ES perspective.
My 308 avg velocity of the best group in all respects was 2828fps.

For the extra powder, extra punch, extra price, extra hype, I was expecting a little more. I can't really say that I’m surprised after the reading about the 7mm, just kinda confirmed why I’m not really a magnum guy.i will continue to develop it and use it but highly doubt I’ll look at the magnums again.

Don't know how heavy a bullet you are trying to push out of the 7 Rem but with a 162 grain you should have no problem getting an accurate load to do 3000 fps and a 140 at 3200. If you are going to shoot the magnums you might as well get the performance they are capable of producing. With modern powders you can also get some pretty great speed out of the 308 with 150, 2950 fos or 165 grain at 2850 so like you said there isn't a huge advantage to the 7RM at the same bullet weight.

[Scottmisfits]

Originally Posted by Dean2

Don't know how heavy a bullet you are trying to push out of the 7 Rem but with a 162 grain you should have no problem getting an accurate load to do 3000 fps and a 140 at 3200. If you are going to shoot the magnums you might as well get the performance they are capable of producing. With modern powders you can also get some pretty great speed out of the 308 with 150, 2950 fos or 165 grain at 2850 so like you said there isn't a huge advantage to the 7RM at the same bullet weight.

165 gr in the 308 using IMR4166.
150gr in the 7mm using H4350.

We were also testing my buddies 7mm with the same loads as mine. His best was at 2816 with a half grain more powder. We still need to work on his. Start with a very good cleaning as he doesn’t know the last time it was cleaned and the best we could do at 100 yards was 1.65 MOA.

Honestly, with the recoil they were already producing, I don’t see why I would want to make it intentionally worse. I shot 17 rounds of 7mm, 24 rounds of 6.5CM, and then went gopher hunting after that with the 22. Obviously the 22 doesn’t do anything but with the recoil from the 7mm, my shoulder is quite sore today. Honestly, I’d jump all over heading out again today, but it’s still not a rifle I’d think about grabbing for a day at the range even though I quite like the rifle so far.

[Scottmisfits]

As a side notE, I shot a couple of Hornady American Whitetail I think they’re called, in 139gr over the chrono as well. Claimed velocity on them was 31-3200fps but when I shot them they were own in the same ball park ass the handloads were, velocity wise.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by Scottmisfits

165 gr in the 308 using IMR4166.
150gr in the 7mm using H4350.

We were also testing my buddies 7mm with the same loads as mine. His best was at 2816 with a half grain more powder. We still need to work on his. Start with a very good cleaning as he doesn’t know the last time it was cleaned and the best we could do at 100 yards was 1.65 MOA.

Honestly, with the recoil they were already producing, I don’t see why I would want to make it intentionally worse. I shot 17 rounds of 7mm, 24 rounds of 6.5CM, and then went gopher hunting after that with the 22. Obviously the 22 doesn’t do anything but with the recoil from the 7mm, my shoulder is quite sore today. Honestly, I’d jump all over heading out again today, but it’s still not a rifle I’d think about grabbing for a day at the range even though I quite like the rifle so far.

I typically shot 140gr bullets in my 7mmremmag rifles, and my handloads produced right around 3200fps. When I tested 150gr bullets, the velocity was around 3100fps. I wouldn't own a big game rifle that wouldn't do moa or better and I had no issues getting that accuracy at those velocities.if you can't get those velocities and accuracy with a decent rifle, it is due to operator error, rather than the cartridge.

[Scottmisfits]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

I typically shot 140gr bullets in my 7mmremmag rifles, and my handloads produced right around 3200fps. When I tested 150gr bullets, the velocity was around 3100fps. I wouldn't own a big game rifle that wouldn't do moa or better and I had no issues getting that accuracy at those velocities.if you can't get those velocities and accuracy with a decent rifle, it is due to operator error, rather than the cartridge.

Not disputing that. One of the things we are going to do with his rifle is do a good clean on it. He has fired about 55 round through it since he has owned it (passed down from his dad to his brother and from his brother to him when they unfortunately passed). Once we do a good clean on it from an unknown round count on the rifle and the last cleaning, we will try it again. He also has a bad flinch developed from both this rifle and the previous rifle he had been shooting. There are many factors with his rifle that are contributing to being possibilities of the bad accuracy. That load that we will work up from that gave us the 1.65 MOA had a vertical spread of 0.74”, but a horizontal spread of 1.73” to give that 1.65 MOA. A good vertical spread is something to work with. The horizontal spread being more on the shooter, at least in a lot of cases.

Still lots of work to do with both his and mine, but overall, I’m just not sold on the benefits of the magnum to the drawbacks. At least not yet.

[Dean2]

If you are going to bench shoot magnums either get a clamp on muzzle brake or use a Past shoulder saver (Sissy Pad). I always use them when target shooting big boomer. Double hearing protection also helps a lot, so plugs and muffs. You will be surprised how much a Past and the double hearing improves you accuracy over extended shooting sessions.

Caldwell also makes the same thing.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by Dean2

If you are going to bench shoot magnums either get a clamp on muzzle brake or use a Past shoulder saver (Sissy Pad). I always use them when target shooting big boomer. Double hearing protection also helps a lot, so plugs and muffs. You will be surprised how much a Past and the double hearing improves you accuracy over extended shooting sessions.

Caldwell also makes the same thing.

I manage the effects of recoil, by shooting less rounds more often. I find that I get better results shooting 12-20 rounds per session for two sessions, rather than 24-40 rounds at a single session. Shooting more rounds, is going to cause more fatigue, and a better chance of developing a flinch. And you are correct about double hearing protection, I find that the extra noise I hear when shooting a braked rifle, or shooting next to a braked rifle, is as disruptive as shooting a rifle with more recoil. Some people actually develop flinches from the loud report of the rifle, rather than the recoil.

[NCC]

I started with a 760 in .270, went to 7 Rem mag, 300 Rem mag, heavy barrels, long barrels, tactical stocks, tried a thumb hole on a 300 win mag, a couple short light weights, and am now back to sporter weight Rem 700’s with BDL style Wildcat stocks in 270 and 30-06. Boring I know, but Big Green, Winchester and Browning built millions of rifles in that configuration because they work for the majority of people and situations.

[Roadhunter]

Started with a 270 and went to a 300WM and then a 7mm RM. Had injured my shoulders in the mean time and realized that this was not much fun any more. Traded my 7mm for a 260 Rem and love it.

[KegRiver]

Shot my first Moose with a single shot Cooey .22. That was in the mid 1960s.
Shot my first Deer with a bolt action 30-30 Savage.

Stepped up to a .303 in the 1980s then a 30-06 in the 1990s.

I still have the .22, the .303 and the 30-06. Don't need any more then that, but I have a few. Four .303s in all, a 7.62x39 a .284. and a couple of .22 magnums and three .22s

I've shot a few magnums, including a 338 mag and 375 H&H. I don't need anything that big.
Ain't no Eliphunks in Alberta.

[SuperCub]

No more magnums here save a 300H&H which is a +P 30-06 anyways.

All my other stuff is getting smaller. 223, 257Roberts, 6CM, 7x57, 280, 308s.

I have a faux TI 22-250 that my become a lightweight 6CM down the road.

[David Henry]

I just put together a 260 Rem using a gain twist from RKS and mated it with a 700 stainless short action, all re-profiled etc. I had a nice 1980's vintage Remington classic factory stock on hand which looks pretty sexy with the stainless barrel and action. I am looking forward to working with this cartridge when time permits. D.H.

[warriorboy10]

Started out with a 303 then to 30-06 then 300WM then to 270WSM then back to 30-06 then built a 6.5 x 284, which has been a great shooter!

[whitetail Junkie]

Magnums all the way for me...7STW has brought me nothing but Good memories...I’ll never sell that cooper rifle.

[rem338win]

Originally Posted by Prairiewolf

2013: Bought my first rifle - a 7MM RM because my dad told me to. Shot a deer with it first year. Didn't like practicing because of recoil and flinching a bit. 26" barrel was annoying to carry.

2016: Bought a .308, shot my first elk with it in 2018. Nice and light to carry, shorter barrel etc probably allowed me to get in position for the shot. Convinced myself that because he didn't immediately drop I didn't have enough oomph. Went back to the 7MM next season.

2019: Shot a whitetail with my 7MM from ~350. Most of the ribs and some of the front leg were jelly.

Looking at chamberings above and below what I have. I guess I don't know what to do except I like looking at new rifles.

Stop using soft bullets. Grab 150g TTSXs or Nosler Etips and load RL23 behind them until you get 3100fps. Or 160gr Accubonds or Partitions and do the same for 3000 fps.

Ive shot lots of animals like that and not jellied the front half.

[trigger7mm]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

I manage the effects of recoil, by shooting less rounds more often. I find that I get better results shooting 12-20 rounds per session for two sessions, rather than 24-40 rounds at a single session. Shooting more rounds, is going to cause more fatigue, and a better chance of developing a flinch. And you are correct about double hearing protection, I find that the extra noise I hear when shooting a braked rifle, or shooting next to a braked rifle, is as disruptive as shooting a rifle with more recoil. Some people actually develop flinches from the loud report of the rifle, rather than the recoil.

I used to know a guy who would wear a life jacket at the range when he shot his 338. Funnier than hell. It’s like a guide friend of mine said...I’d rather guide a guy who can shoot a 270 very well than have somebody who is nervous to shoot a big magnum. No doubt. Personnally I have shot the same 7mm mag for 40 years, but have just recently started shooting a 270. It’s very accurate, and I love it. I think it will be riding with me from now on. Time to retire the 7mm.

[1886]

I went from a magnum to a 45-90. Don’t know if I would say it was smaller though.

[Ossie]

If backing away from a magnum...try a 358 win...thumps like a magnum with managable recoil.

[-JR-]

never ...i always wanted bigger from a 3006 now with a 7 and a 338 mag ,almost bought a 340 but could not afford the bullets in the 80s so i bought the 338 .
I wish I bought a 375 .

[Battle Rat]

Originally Posted by whitetail Junkie

Magnums all the way for me...7STW has brought me nothing but Good memories...I’ll never sell that cooper rifle.

Same here.
5 of the biggest animals I killed were with a 7STW.
A lot of does and coyotes too along the way.
Never winced or whined once after the trigger squeeze.

[FellSwoop]

Gotta say that I'm still in the magnum game. First rifle was a SLME (still got it. Then a Browning A Bolt in 7 mmRM. Used the Browning for 17 years, got lots of game, but gave it to my nephew in 14 (still his main rifle with lots of success). I bought a CZ550 UHR in 300 WM in 14 and love it. Got 11 animals with it last year alone. (9 were in Africa, would have been 12 if I wasn't skunked on my WMU524 moose). Neither of the two magnums I bought were for the cartridge, I liked the firearm.