[tpv]

I just got one of the new Model 70's in 7mm Rem Mag. I was impressed with the quality of the new Winchesters and the wood to metal fit was excellent. They also put a 26" barrel on it. The MOA trigger was easy to adjust with a lighter spring and breaks at a crisp 2.8#. I put a good scope on (4.5-14) and shot my first groups today with some newly loaded 140 grain Accubonds, 66 grains of IMR7828, W-W cases and Mag primers.
When I did my part, my best groups were at .8 MOA. That is good enough for me, but I need to get use to the added recoil these calibers bring to the table.
Where I hunt, mags aren't needed so this is the biggest recoiling rifle I own. I gotta admit, I was fighting the flinches, but after a while, the rifle settled in okay. A have an Elk hunt planned and this seemed to be a good choice of calibers for that, also, I just wanted it.
With most of my reloads, I do better with a flat based bullet, so after these Accubonds are shot up, I think I will go to the Speer 145 or Sierra 140 flat base SP's. They consistantly give me the best accuracy.
I wanted to ask you guys this- It seems that accuracy tends to spread after about 15 shots. This doesn't happen with my '06 or 308 cased calibers, but I would think all of that extra powder fowls the barrel more.
Is that a fair assumption.
I'd like your thoughts on this caliber and your "best bullets" if you don"t mind.
Cell phone cameras aren't very good but here's a couple of pics.
Thx guys

 

[MikeG]

I'll concur - it is a fine looking rifle (I got to inspect it in person) and the trigger is marvelous.

Suspect that as it gets through a few shooting/cleaning cycles, the barrel will smooth up a bit and be less affected by fouling. Hope you can get your elk in less than 15 shots!

 

[broom_jm]

TPV,

I sold my M70 in 7RM a while back, but I still have some 160gr Speer Grand Slam bullets. They are a very good choice for elk hunting, as long as the range doesn't get REAL long. If you're interested, I'll sell them to you (what I have left) at one half the current asking price, since I don't think I'll be using those in my 7-30 Waters Contender barrel.

Jason

 

[tpv]

TPV,

I sold my M70 in 7RM a while back, but I still have some 160gr Speer Grand Slam bullets. They are a very good choice for elk hunting, as long as the range doesn't get REAL long. If you're interested, I'll sell them to you (what I have left) at one half the current asking price, since I don't think I'll be using those in my 7-30 Waters Contender barrel.

Jason

I'll send you a PM

 

[tpv]

I'll concur - it is a fine looking rifle (I got to inspect it in person) and the trigger is marvelous.

Suspect that as it gets through a few shooting/cleaning cycles, the barrel will smooth up a bit and be less affected by fouling. Hope you can get your elk in less than 15 shots!

I hope I can do it with 5, that's all its holds!

 

[kdub]

My old style Ruger M77 in 7RM does a decent job with the 160 gr bullets, especially the Nosler Partition, which is an excellent elk bullet.

Some rifles have a preference for the 140's, some the 150's and others the 160's. The Ruger will handle them all well, however, the lighter weights will produce the tightest groups. Rate of twist is 1:9 1/4" in this rifle.

Might bring some of my loads along for the antelope hunt to let you try them out.

 

[beretzs]

Very nice M70! I would stick with the 140gr Accubonds or move up the 160gr Accubond or Partition for elk. The 140's would do fine, but the 160's would really shine on a big elk! Might as well use that big case and long barrel to get the most out of your big 7. Scotty