We are coming to the end of another fall hunting season. If you are pursuing big game, such as Elk in the Rockies, you want a powerful cartridge that is also highly accurate. We like the 7mm for big game hunting as there are a wide variety of options — from the 7mm-08 up to the very large 7mm magnums. And Hornady’s new 7 PRC has quickly earned a following among hunters. In today’s Saturday Movie Showcase, we feature seven videos covering a wide selection of 7mm cartridge types including: 7mm-08 Rem, 7×57 Mauser, 7mm PRC, 7mm WSM, 7mm SAUM (aka RSAUM), 7mm Rem Mag, and 28 Nosler.
7mm PRC in Custom Rifle
The 7mm PRC was created by Hornady as part of the PRC series which includes the 6.5 PRC and 300 PRC. With a modern, non-belted magnum case design the 7mm PRC offers excellent power with good ballistics. The 7mm PRC can drive high-BC 175 grain bullets at 3000 FPS, making it very effective at putting down large game. This Precision Rifle Network video features a high-end custom 7mm PRC rifle built with a Terminus Zeus action, 29″ barrel, Grayboe stock, Triggertech trigger and Athlon scope. This 7mm PRC rig shows impressive accuracy.
7mm Remington Magnum vs. 7mm PRC
In this video, UltimateReloader’s Gavin Gear tests the classic belted 7mm Remington Magnum vs. the relatively new 7mm PRC. Testing is done with two hunting-type rifles shot from bipod. Gavin notes that both cartridges shoot very well, with impressive down-range energy. But he concludes that the non-belted 7mm PRC does have some advantages.
7mm Remington Magnum SAKO S20
This rifle review video features real world testing of a SAKO S20 hunting rig chambered for the 7mm Remington Magnum cartridge. The SAKO S20 is offered with multiple stock types. Here the thumbhole Hunter version with slim fore-end is featured. The testers observe that the 7mm Rem Mag factory ammo shoots very well, making the cartridge a good choice for large game.
Most Popular 7mm Cartridges
This Ron Spomer Outdoors video covers a variety of the most popular 7mm cartridges. The video covers 7mm cartridge history, ballistics, and recommendations for hunting use. Starting at the 6:45 time-mark there is a detailed ballistics comparison of the Hornady 175gr ELD-X (Extremely Low Drag eXpanding) bullet in three different chamberings: 7×57 Mauser, 7mm-08 Rem, and 7mm Remington Magnum.
7mm SAUM vs. 7mm WSM
This 17-minute video compares two modern 7mm short magnum cartridges — the 7mm SAUM (Short Action Ultra Magnum) and the 7mm WSM (Winchester Short Magnum). Both these cartridges have been adapted for F-Class Open Division use over the years. In this video, factory ammo for both cartridge types was tested with a modern chassis rifle shot prone with bipod.
7mm-08 Remington
The 7mm-08 Rem is a popular cartridge derived from the .308 Winchester necked down to 7mm. In 1980, Remington Arms popularized the cartridge by applying its own name and offering it as a chambering for their Model 788 and Model 700 rifles. Of cartridges derived from the original .308 Win, the 7mm-08 is the second most popular after the .243 Winchester.
Other than neck diameter, the 7mm-08 is virtually the same dimensionally as the .308 Win. But when you compare heavy bullets, grain for grain, the 7mm-08 offers better ballistics. Thus a 168-grainer fired from a 7mm-08 has less drop and less windage than a 168gr bullet fired from a .308 Win. The 7mm-08 enjoys most of the advantages of the .308 (inherent accuracy, long barrel life, great terminal performance) while offering better ballistics grain for grain. These qualities make the 7mm-08 a very popular deer-hunting round.
7mm Multi-Cartridge Comparison
Do you want a 7mm rifle, but haven’t chosen a cartridge yet? This lengthy 30-minute Ron Spomer video looks at a host of 7mm cartridge types. There is special emphasis with comparison data for the 7mm-08, 7mm Rem Magnum, and 28 Nosler (see 19:40 time-mark). Ron explains how to efficiently zero a rifle with these 7mm cartridges and how hunters can evaluate Maximum Point Blank Range (MPBR).
Share the post "Saturday Movies: 7mm Hunting Rifle Cartridge Options"
You have probably never seen a handgun like this before. This ain’t no compact pistol that’s for sure. The new Model 48 Nosler Custom Handgun (NCH), designed for handgun hunting/varminting and long-range silhouette duties, features a rifle-size bolt action, combined with a 15″ barrel. The billet aluminum stock takes AR-type pistol grips. The fore-end is long enough to work well on a front rest. We like the rakish lines of Nosler’s new Model 48 but the $2495.00 MSRP is not inexpensive.
Still, the compact size (21″ OAL) and relatively light weight (5.4 lbs.) make this an interesting option for hunters and varminters who venture far afield.
Early production versions have been well-reviewed: “Over the last 40 years, I have shot every conceivable configuration of single-shot handguns including high-end custom rigs. The new Nosler handgun will keep up with the very best of them. In my experience, I have found this handgun to be extremely accurate, well-designed, and user-friendly. The Nosler handgun will be most welcome with handgun hunters, target and steel shooters, or anyone looking to add an exciting dimension to their shooting experience.” — Mark Hampton
The new Nosler Model 48 handgun is offered in a variety of versatile chamberings: 22 Nosler, 24 Nosler, 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm-08 Rem, and .308 Winchester. CLICK HERE for a discussion of M48 NCH options in our Shooters’ Forum.
Nosler Custom Handgun Model 48 Features
1. Shilen Barrel — The M48 NCH features a free-floated Shilen 416R stainless heavy-contour barrel threaded at the muzzle, and supplied with a thread protector. Standard barrel length is 15″ with other lengths between 12″-18″ available on request. Barrel fluting is also available for an additional charge.
2. Aluminum Stock — The CNC-milled billet 6061-T6 aluminum stock will take any grip that fits an AR15. We suggest adding a grip with a broad flat base to provide more stability.
3. Size and Weight — The M48 NCH is 21″ long with 15″ barrel (no brake) and weighs 5.4 pounds — quite a bit lighter than typical hunting rifles.
4. Cerakote Finish — The M48 NCH barreled action and stock both feature Cerakote® finishes. The barreled action and stock are coated separately, allowing for a wide variety of color combinations.
5. Muzzle Brake Option — A Harrell’s Precision Tactical 4-Port Brake (shown below) is available as an extra-cost addition.
Share the post "New Bolt Action Model 48 Nosler Custom Handgun"
Every year we anxiously await the new product announcement from Lapua. In 2014, Lapua brought out new bullets and new cartridge brass — .221 Fireball and .50 BMG. For 2015, Lapua once again brings out new brass offerings, this time three new flavors of cartridge brass, all made to Lapua’s exacting standards. First, Lapua will introduce factory 300 AAC Blackout (300 BLK) brass. This promises to take this highly-efficient, AR-friendly .30-caliber cartridge to another accuracy level. Second, Lapua will offer premium brass for the 7mm-08 cartridge, a very popular round among hunters and silhouette shooters. Lastly, in 2015, Lapua will produce 8x57mm JS brass. That’s good news for fans of this classic Mauser cartridge.
300 AAC Blackout Brass
Lapua’s Press release states: “Few cartridges have generated as much immediate interest as the 300 Blackout. Standardized by AAC, this diminutive cartridge is derived from the 223 Remington. Intended specifically for use in suppressed firearms, the versatility of the Blackout has appealed to a much broader range of shooters than just the audience for which it was originally designed. [Originally] intended to drive 220 grain bullets at subsonic velocities, the switch to lightweight bullets such as the 125 grain offerings delivers performance very similar to the venerable 7.62×39 cartridge. This makes the 300 Blackout potent enough for a wide range of shooting tasks, from certain tactical applications to many short range hunting situations involving medium-sized game. The ability for many 5.56mm/223 systems to be switched over to the 300 Blackout, merely by changing barrels, makes this an incredibly versatile combination. Lapua brings over nine decades of case manufacturing knowledge, precision and quality to the new Blackout, assuring the shooter of the very best performance.”
7mm-08 Remington Brass
Lapua notes that it’s new 7mm-08 brass is made to very high standards, benefiting hunters as well as competitors: “The 7mm-08 came to dominate the High Power Silhouette rifle game shortly after its introduction, offering a superb combination of power, light recoil and accuracy. Since then, it has also been used to win National Championships in High Power competition, and become a staple for hunters as well. With ballistic performance exceeding that of the time honored 7x57mm Mauser, but suited to a shorter action, the 7mm-08 is an ideal cartridge for most big game hunting. Lapua brings… state-of-the-art manufacturing methods, combined with old world craftsmanship, to the production of these cases. Primer pockets and flash holes are held to strict tolerances to withstand repeated firings and reloadings. After final necking of the case, they are finished with the proper anneal [for] accuracy and durability.” Lapua also notes that it offers two new 7mm Scenar bullets, which will work very well in the new 7mm-08 cartridge brass.
8x57mm JS Brass
Last but not least, Lapua is producing 8x57mm JS brass. Lapua notes that: “When the 8x57mm JS cartridge was introduced in 1905, its innovative use of a high velocity and relatively light weight pointed bullet design revolutionized infantry combat. An outgrowth on the original 8x57J military round, the 8x57mm JS round served the German military in both world wars, and became a popular sporting cartridge in any area where there was a strong German influence. From African plains game to European stag and boar, the 8mm Mauser has earned an enviable reputation as a big game round in a wide array of conditions. Accurate, versatile and powerful, the 8x57mm JS still serves the sporting community well for a host of hunting applications. In answer to the requests of the many devotees of this fine cartridge, Lapua is pleased to announce our introduction of the new 8x57mmJS case. The new 8x57mmJS will deliver the same accurate, reliable performance for which Lapua cases are world renowned. This means tough, durable cases that will not only withstand repeated loadings, but retain their accuracy shot after shot. [Lapua’s 8x57mm JS brass offers] very tight tolerances in neck wall concentricity and overall uniformity.”
See Lapua’s New Products at SHOT Show 2015
If you plan to attend SHOT Show in Las Vegas, stop by and visit the Lapua Exhibit (booth #11929). With luck, samples of the new 7mm-08, 300 BLK, and 8×57 JS brass will be available to view. Lapua engineers will be on hand to talk about Lapua brass and bullets, and explain the production processes that make Lapua brass so durable and consistent. In recent years, in the world of centerfire competition, Lapua brass has absolutely dominated the winner’s circles as well as the record-books.
Share the post "New Lapua Brass for 2015: 300 BLK, 7mm-08, 8x57mm JS"
The 7mm-08 Rem is a popular cartridge derived from the .308 Winchester necked down to 7mm. In 1980, Remington Arms popularized the cartridge by applying its own name and offering it as a chambering for their Model 788 and Model 700 rifles. Of cartridges derived from the original .308 Win, the 7mm-08 is the second most popular after the .243 Winchester.
Lapua notes that it’s new 7mm-08 brass is made to very high standards, benefiting hunters as well as competitors: “The 7mm-08 came to dominate the High Power Silhouette rifle game shortly after its introduction, offering a superb combination of power, light recoil and accuracy. Since then, it has also been used to win National Championships in High Power competition, and become a staple for hunters as well. With ballistic performance exceeding that of the time honored 7x57mm Mauser, but suited to a shorter action, the 7mm-08 is an ideal cartridge for most big game hunting. Lapua brings… state-of-the-art manufacturing methods, combined with old world craftsmanship, to the production of these cases. Primer pockets and flash holes are held to strict tolerances to withstand repeated firings and reloadings. After final necking of the case, they are finished with the proper anneal [for] accuracy and durability.” Lapua also notes that it offers two new 7mm Scenar bullets, which will work very well in the new 7mm-08 cartridge brass.
