7mm Rem Mag barrel length+ROT?

[Spartan30-06]

Hi all, I'm thinking of buying a 7mm Rem mag but was wondering about barrel length and rate of twist. Any advice, does it matter?

[Mr Bartell]

24-26" would be the norm, twist 1:9 or 9.5....suitable for all bullet weights from 120 to 175gr great cartridge, I hunted exclusively with a 7mm Rem Mag from 1996 to 2001. Not much you cannot do with a 160gr @ 3000 fps

[Traps]

I would make it 1:9 to cover heavy mono metal bullets.

[Spartan30-06]

So between 24-26" barrel length and twist of 1:9 or 9.5, theres really no difference?

[Mr Bartell]

26" will give about 50-80 fps more speed than a 24". That would add up to about 2" less drop at 500 yards. Twist rate wont make enough difference to matter, maybe if you're shooting 175gr Triple Shocks or 180gr Berger VLD the 9 twist will have a slight edge over a 9.5

Depends on the appllication. For a magnum I generally recommend not going below 26". 28" on a custom build is pretty typical. You can always make it shorter but you can't make it longer.

[Spartan30-06]

Thanks guys!

[elkhunter11]

I tend to use lighter bullets,so I prefer a 26" barrel with a 1 in 10" twist.

[Mr Bartell]

Originally Posted by Precisionshooter

Depends on the appllication. For a magnum I generally recommend not going below 26". 28" on a custom build is pretty typical. You can always make it shorter but you can't make it longer.

not sure if I'd want to pack a 28" brl through the bush, might have its plain on a open country rifle. For an all'round gun I'd go 24"

[skidderman]

I used to have one with a 26 incher and it felt like a tree. Paid a gunsmith a lot to cut two inches off and then it was better. If I was to do it today I would go with the 7mm short mag just because I have two 300 wsm's and would never go back to a long action. Personal preference though.

[222rem]

Not very often you have choice of barrel twist. Unless you putting on custom barrel on your rifle.

Originally Posted by Mr Bartell

not sure if I'd want to pack a 28" brl through the bush, might have its plain on a open country rifle. For an all'round gun I'd go 24"

Your probably right but if your shooting in the bush that presents many other problems. A combination gun like Valmet o/u slug/rifle (30-06 or 7x57) for short range is a better choice. The slug cuts through heavy bush like a D7 dozer.

For short range the 24' barrel in a belted mag will probably partially cook your game (at least burn off the hair...lol) with the muzzle flash so a 7mm08 or 280 would be a better choice but still unable to beat the performance and felxibility of a combination gun at yardages less then 600yds in the bush or moderate open ranges.

[Spartan30-06]

So why would they even bother to sell them in 24"? Doesn't seem like there is any advantage.

[Mr Bartell]

I was thinking more of hiking through the bush, not shooting through it. Long barreled rifles always seem to snag on every branch out there you're trying to crawl through quietly. 24" 7mm Mag will give sufficient speed to push a 140gr to 3200 fps or a 160gr to 3000, which is plenty to get you to 400-500 yards if you know how to shoot.

[Dean2]

I have a 7 Rem MAg in 24" amd a 7 Ultra in 27". I hunted with the 24" 7 for 30 years, and never felt the need for a longer barrel on it. As Mr Bartell says, 3000 FPS with a 160, what more do you need for ranges out to 600 yards. I would gladly give up 50 to 100 FPS not to pack 2 to 4" more barrel around and the difference in muzzle blast from 24 to 26" on a 7 Rem Mag is negligible.

With all the extra powder the Ultra uses, the extra 3" is needed and gives me 350 fps over the Rem mag on a 160 grain bullet. I can tell you though it is a pain in the butt to pack through bush, I took it moose hunting only one year. Killed the moose and an elk just fine, but was not what I would class as a pleasure to pack around. It is also a lot more unweildy getting in and out of the truck and everyhwere esle. For hunting antelope and deer in the wide open prairies and long distances no problem, and that is what I use it for.

My current favourite for packing around the bush and in steep country is a 6 LB, 20" barreled New Ultra Light arms. You almost don't know you are carrying it, and the short barrel is a pleasure to work with. It will spit 150s out at 3000 fps no problem.

Barrel length is often disputed but the facts remain. More length more fps more energy. We could easily go the opposite direction and go shorter yet. The argument is very similar to stating large objective scopes are not required. Yet again the facts remain...resolution is improved, brightness is improved and exit pupil is increased....all positives.

Using a magnum with short barrel is an option but there are other ones. The 270win and similar cough out enough unburnt powder at -20C with a 22 inch barrel never mind the belted and new magnums with 24." Efficiency has a place as well.

If you can't manage the length then it obvious a shorter barrel length works better for you. A break action gun would allow you to run a longer barrel for the same overall rifle length.

Swinging any rifle through a thick bush can cause problems but carrying it through muzzle first creates a pretty small area. I haven't had any problems with a 26" or 28" length barrel. Like the ladies say, I guess its all in how you use it...

[Dean2]

Originally Posted by Precisionshooter

Barrel length is often disputed but the facts remain. More length more fps more energy.

I haven't had any problems with a 26" or 28" length barrel. Like the ladies say, I guess its all in how you use it...

..

No dispute at all. You are entirely correct and I said so in my post. What I also said is long barrels have their place, but I will trade a little velocity for handiness.

Even the ladies are willing to trade a little length if there is enough of something else in the deal. Like the other equipment, you pack it around a lot more than you shoot it.

[Jeff/1911]

Originally Posted by Dean2

Even the ladies are willing to trade a little length if there is enough of something else in the deal. Like the other equipment, you pack it around a lot more than you shoot it.

Well said Dean, and thank goodness they are!

[Pathfinder76]

From personal experience 24" 9 twist. Even on a custom.

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by Precisionshooter

Your probably right but if your shooting in the bush that presents many other problems. A combination gun like Valmet o/u slug/rifle (30-06 or 7x57) for short range is a better choice. The slug cuts through heavy bush like a D7 dozer.

For short range the 24' barrel in a belted mag will probably partially cook your game (at least burn off the hair...lol) with the muzzle flash so a 7mm08 or 280 would be a better choice but still unable to beat the performance and felxibility of a combination gun at yardages less then 600yds in the bush or moderate open ranges.

I'm curious what big game you've derived the above conclusions/observations on?

[norwestalta]

If you want long barrel look at a prohunter. Single shot but they are pretty light and not any longer over all than any other rifle.

[cal33]

Used to be dead set against long barrels, especially 26", until I owned one. Hunting the thick stuff, where I like to lurk, I find no inconvenience at all. Same with hanging out in tree stands, makes no difference. One exception, though, getting the thing in and out of the truck, it always takes extra care to avoid rapping the end of the barrel on something. As far as shooting, I've owned 20", 22", 24", 26" and, for me, the longer barrel is much better balanced and therefore steadier. I learned the only way to know is through experience.

[Prairiewolf]

Originally Posted by cal33

Used to be dead set against long barrels, especially 26", until I owned one. Hunting the thick stuff, where I like to lurk, I find no inconvenience at all. Same with hanging out in tree stands, makes no difference. One exception, though, getting the thing in and out of the truck, it always takes extra care to avoid rapping the end of the barrel on something. As far as shooting, I've owned 20", 22", 24", 26" and, for me, the longer barrel is much better balanced and therefore steadier. I learned the only way to know is through experience.

I know exactly what you mean. I haven't even put one round through my new 7mm RM and I've already dinged the tip of the barrel pulling it out of the gun safe every hour to look at it! Love it!

[cal33]

Originally Posted by Prairiewolf

I know exactly what you mean. I haven't even put one round through my new 7mm RM and I've already dinged the tip of the barrel pulling it out of the gun safe every hour to look at it! Love it!

Oh yeah, forgot about that! Happens every time. Thanks for reminding me, made me chuckle. Truthfully, though, I have the same models, same stocks, same caliber in 2 different guns, one 24", one 26", and can't detect any difference in recoil, muzzle blast, or anything else between the two. The extra 2" of barrel has yet to present any problems while hunting and being my main "go to", it has accompanied me through a lot of thick, rough stuff. Just have to get it out of the safe, into the truck and out again. Still chuckling, thanks again!