Gents,
My 7 RM is the senior statesman in my battery, and it does what I want it to do. The attributes of the cartiridge are obvious, it has plenty of reach, and hits hard enough, plenty accuratte, and I think the recoil is a matter of blast than push- so a good pair of muffs softens it allot. Used my rig, which is one of the orginal Sendero Specials, to ventilate a few way, way out there.
There are a few flies on it, though. Firstly, I have been able to match published velocities exactly once, and I think that was when it about 98 degrees outside. Reading the data lends a fellow to be encouraged, but the addition of a chrono removes the rose colored specs. Secondly, from an engineering standpoint, it is not the most efficient, as even very slow powders will only afford some 80% case density. As a result of this, I think as much as anything, it can be a bit selective about what combinations it really likes. Light bullets espiecally, those that fly straight tend not to fly fast. I've recently started trying the 168 grain Sierra, and the initial results are encouraging, but since this is not a game load it is more of a exercise in rhetoric.
All in all, its a fine, very capable cartridge, but I honestly think that there are some more attractive, better rounded choices to be had.
One man's opinion.
Best to you fellows.
Steve