7MM Rem Mag For Elk ?

[CT.HNTR]

So I am having much consternation regarding a light weight rifle for Elk that would also be suitable for Mule deer. Shots on both, out to 400 yards but no farther. I like the Tikka T3x rifles and am eyeing the new ROUGHTECH with a 24 inch SS barrel and SS brake in 7mm Rem Mag. Curious if there are any serious elk hunters out there that would consider the 7MM Rem Mag shooting 160 grain Accubonds to be good elk medicine out to 400 yards?

The scoped Tikka would be just over 8 pounds so I am thinking this may be the set-up I am looking for but would appreciate feedback!

Thanks in advance.

 

[SJB358]

7 Rem and 160 AB is an easy choice to 400.. used nearly the same combo a few times and it’s one of the best.

 

[PJGunner]

So I am having much consternation regarding a light weight rifle for Elk that would also be suitable for Mule deer. Shots on both, out to 400 yards but no farther. I like the Tikka T3x rifles and am eyeing the new ROUGHTECH with a 24 inch SS barrel and SS brake in 7mm Rem Mag. Curious if there are any serious elk hunters out there that would consider the 7MM Rem Mag shooting 160 grain Accubonds to be good elk medicine out to 400 yards?

The scoped Tikka would be just over 8 pounds so I am thinking this may be the set-up I am looking for but would appreciate feedback!

Thanks in advance.

Not only yes but, "Hell yes!"
Paul B.

 

[jimbires]

I've done a bunch of hunting with that combo . I've taken a few elk , and moose . put the bullet in the vitals and the work starts .

 

[RL338]

7MM Rem Mag shooting 160 grain Accubonds

It’s hard to beat that combo on elk or deer.

 

[6mm Remington]

Great cartridge and great bullet. Should your rifle for some odd/unknown/unheard of reason not like shooting the Accubonds, a 160 gr. Partition would be just perfect!

 

[JD338]

Sounds like a perfect setup.
The 7mm Rem Mag is a good thing.

JD338

 

[salmonchaser]

There are six of us who have hunted elk together for close to 50 years. There are three 7mm Remington mags, two started with us that long ago, one was a replacement for a 270 that proved a little light on elk a couple times. Between the three 7mags there are a lot of dead elk. 40 perhaps. Quite a few with partitions, and now some accubonds. One guy shoots 175s the others shoot 160s. I think we have lost one elk out of all those shot with a 7mag. It is enough gun typically for when things don’t work out quite right, a good but less than perfect shot.

 

[DrMike]

That weight bullet in my 7RM has accounted for moose, elk, mule deer, whitetail, and black bear. It will work, undoubtedly.

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

7 Rem and 160 AB is an easy choice to 400.. used nearly the same combo a few times and it’s one of the best.

This.

I have used a 7mm Rem Mag and 160’s to take two mule deer bucks over the years. One shot each and done deal.
I happen to think that 160 AccuBond is THE bullet in any 7mm Mag. My brother in law uses it exclusively in his 7mm STW!

 

[Blkram]

The 7mm Rem Mag with 160 gr AccuBonds is one of the best elk combos out there; hard to go wrong here!
With a muzzle velocity of approx 3000 fps, it will carry 2000 ft lbs of energy to 363 yards and drop 19.4" with a 200 yard zero. It will carry 1500 ft lbs of energy to 616 yards and drop 66.5" with the same 200 yard zero. No elk shot with this combo at 400 yards is going to know the difference.

If you subscribe to the old energy requirement of 2000 ft lbs of energy for elk, 363 is pretty close to your 400 yard distance.
With today's better bonded and mono-metal bullets, .you are well past that distance with the 616 yard and 1500 ft lbs of retained energy.

The only elk that I took with the 7mm Rem Mag was with the older Federal 165 gr SGK ammo, and @ 120 yards. Worked fine. (just acquired another 7mm Rem Mag so haven't yet tested it for accuracy or been able to hunt with it yet.)
I have taken a number of elk with the 7MM STW (222 fps faster at the muzzle than the Rem Mag with the same 160 gr AB bullets and almost as much retained energy at 500 yards as the Rem Mag at 300).
To date I have taken elk with this from 90 yards to 475 yards, and the Nosler AB has worked very well.

Another ammunition you may want to consider is the Federal 155 gr Terminal Ascent load. It is also listed for 3000 fps, but with its higher BC (.586 vs .531 for the 160 AB) it will carry more energy at 400 yards than the 160 gr AB (if it shoots better in your rifle). I have this ammo to try in my new-to-me 7mm Rem Mag (LH Browning X Bolt All Weather with 26" barrel) and am looking forward to testing its accuracy in comparison to the Nosler factory 160 gr AccuBond ammo.

And an 8 lb scoped rifle in 7mm Rem Mag is going to help with the felt recoil, and isn't too heavy for elk hunting, even in steep, rough country. Tikka's may not have the softest recoil pads from factory, so a LimbSaver may be a great option to reduce felt recoil.

 

[wvbuckbuster]

One of of cousin's husband settled on the 7mmRM years ago for his elk caliber. Rem 700 put in a Bell & Carson stock loaded with Nosler 160gr PT. Has used this combo for everything from antelope to elk with no problems. Your combo will do the same.
Dan.

 

[Cneelk]

I shoot the 175 partitions in my set up only because during deer and elk season I may run across a black bear. Stout bullets for a stout animal. Not that a 160 won’t get it done , but why chance it.

 

[Teknys]

As all the responses above are loud and clear ! Load up and go Elk hunting. My first elk was a 5pt with a 7Rem Mag and 175gn Core-Lokts. Bang flop. I presently shoot a 28N but that’s just a touch more fps than the King of 7’s. I load 160AB or the 175PT. I haven’t hunted with it yet but absolutely no qualms with it on elk.

 

[35 Whelen]

Interesting question on a rock solid cartridge with 50 years of proven results....... having watched dozens of 60/70" Alaskan Bull Moose " that were hit correctly " bang/flop" with 1 shot out of numerous guns chambered in the Big 7; that were in the 12/1300 lb dressed weight. It would hard for anyone to convince me you would need more gun to kill a 700lb bull Elk ?
Of course if your going to shoot em in the guts your in for a long chase. However that will include .338/416/458's so once again it ain't about the arrow; it's the Indian my friend!
E

 

[Bearclaw]

Perfect combo, and great choice! If you reload, check out the 7 PRC as well. My next hunting rifle will be a 7PRC , likely the Ruger American ii ‘Predator’. They’re pretty impressive hunting tools for the price.

 

[grry10]

My first elf was with a 7mm Rem Mag and 175 grain SGK. It was a one and done kill at about 250 yards. On that hunt we took four bulls and all were one and done at various yardages. The cartridges that were used included:
7mm Remington Magnum - 175 grain
300 Winchester Magnum - 180 grain
30-06 - 165 grain
25 Kraut (necked down 7mm x 57 Rimmed, vary similar to 257 Ackley Improved) - 120 grain

 

[Darkhorse]

I've only taken one elk with my 7mm mag. as I now shoot a 300 win mag, and it was taken with the older speer 175 grain Grand Slam. 389 yards in New Mexico for a one shot kill.
If I ever take the big 7 back out west I'm seriously considering 160 grain Accubonds.
I like the 7mm Rem Mag best of all the 7's.

 

[DrMike]

I like the 7mm Rem Mag best of all the 7's.

'Tis a great cartridge; that's for sure.

 

[Blkram]

While I have always liked the 280 Rem (one of my all time favourite cartridges), and have used the 7MM STW extensively on many animals over the past 27 years, and a have now acquired the 7MM PRC, there will always be a place in my battery for the tried and true 7mm Rem Mag! It just plain works with the 160 gr bullets, with the AB being one of the absolute best hunting bullets out there!
It might have taken longer than it should have to acquire another 7mm Rem Mag, but I have rectified that with a consistently accurate LH Browning X Bolt All Weather rifle! It also has a fast barrel, consistently producing 100+ fps over factory specs with all ammo tried so far in its 26" barrel.
Now to take some more game with the big 7!