Sako 85 Bavarian 7mm Rem Mag or 300WSM? Range Report

[LD375]

Hi fellas, I'm adding a 3rd sako 85 to my collection :grin: ..I want to fill the gap between the 270wsm and 375h&h, but having a hard time choosing between the 7mag or 300wsm :roll: ..I put a deposit down on a smoking deal today, I'm leaning towards the 7mag, any input would be awesome.BTW, my brother is buying my 270wsm :shock: 8)
Thanks, Lou

 

[Kodiak]

Really!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Those 85s are really nice 8)

 

[Oldtrader3]

Lou, the only Sako that I have presently is the Hunter Model 85 in .338 Federal which I bought about 5 years ago. As far as choosing between the 7mm mag and the .300 WSM, am I to assume that you are talking about the 7mm Rem Mag?

I guess that the only advice that I can lend is the fact that I have owned (4) .300 mags through the years and still own the custom Mauser 7mm Rem Mag that I bought in 1973. This current 7mm mag replaced another 7mm Rem Mag with a shot out barrel that I bought in 1963.

Sako Model 85's are well made rifles! I only wish that I had held onto the other two older Sako's which I have owned.

 

[LD375]

Lou, the only Sako that I have presently is the Hunter Model 85 in .338 Federal which I bought about 5 years ago. As far as choosing between the 7mm mag and the .300 WSM, am I to assume that you are talking about the 7mm Rem Mag?

I guess that the only advice that I can lend is the fact that I have owned (4) .300 mags through the years and still own the custom Mauser 7mm Rem Mag that I bought in 1973. This current 7mm mag replaced another 7mm Rem Mag with a shot out barrel that I bought in 1963.

Sako Model 85's are well made rifles! I only wish that I had held onto the other two older Sako's which I have owned.

Yes Charlie, 7mm Rem Mag, I like the 300wsm as well, having owned both before, I'm leaning towards the 7mm Rem Mag, because I feel out of the 2, the 7mm Rem Mag is more accurate, and the 160gr PT would be just awsome :wink:

 

[Oldtrader3]

I use the 160 Partition with 66.0 grains of IMR 7828 SSC and a FED 215 MM primer. I have been using this load ever since they commercialized 7828. I get about 3060 fps with <MOA accuracy to 300 yards. Before that, I had been using the old surplus H-4831 since 1963. I have used the rifle primarily as a long range mountain rifle for mule deer. I have no idea how many deer I have killed with this rifle from 50 to about 425 yards.

Mine is a Mark X, Mauser custom stocked rifle which I bought in 1973. I have also killed several deer to 400 yards with a 165 gr Partition in the .300 H&H at the same muzzle velocity. I don't think that the deer knew which caliber of bullet that they got hit by!

 

[DrMike]

Lou,

Either cartridge will serve you well. I have both, and I like either. The 7RM is not more accurate, nor less so, than the 300WSM. The 300WSM will shoot heavier bullets, but either cartridge will kill very effectively. I've used both on moose, elk and black bear; I can't say that any of that game commented negatively on either of the cartridges. So help me, I'd make my selection on which one had the prettiest wood. :grin:

 

[sask boy]

Lou that is a great looking rifle! I am becoming partial to the .284 bore :wink:

Blessings,
Dan

 

[Guy Miner]

Terrific looking rifle!

I'm a fan of both the 7mm Rem mag and the .300 WSM. Flip a coin, they're not all that different downrange.

Guy

 

[killdeernow]

Hi fellas, I'm adding a 3rd sako 85 to my collection :grin: ..I want to fill the gap between the 270wsm and 375h&h...

Well, as others have said, both are accurate, lethal, etc. However, you stated you wanted to "fill the gap"

Going from a .277 to a .284 really isn't filling anything. Now, going from a .277 to a .308 fills the gap in terms of a heavier bullet.

You're probably at 160 max in the .277 (Partition, although Woodleigh makes a 180 grain).

You'd reach 180 grains with a .284--only 20 over the 160 and even when using the Woodleigh (more speed/energy though)

With the .308 you'd reach 220 grains for hunting (up to 240 grains for match)

So, the delta is roughly 60 grains for hunting applications between the two if you choose the .308.

Conclusion--if you truly are looking to "fill the gap" out of the two, the 300WSM is your winner.

 

[Oldtrader3]

My experience with quite a few mule deer has been "hooves in the air" when I come down from recoil with either caliber and this is out to over 400 yards. These have all been one shot and DRT! Plus, my 7mm Rem mag is more comfortable to shoot, recoilwise.

 

[sask boy]

Charlie you absolutely right :wink: and I am wondering if the new 150gr. ABLRs in the 277 could also do some real damage out at that same distance with the .625BC.
Just thinking :shock: and I know that can be dangerous!!

Blessings,
Dan

 

[Mud]

Both are good. But check out the bullets you plan using. But note that 7mm bullets have higher BCs.

Larry

 

[Hegland]

Going from a .277 to a .284 really isn't filling anything. Now, going from a .277 to a .308 fills the gap in terms of a heavier bullet.

Or, a .338 is almost exactly in the middle. :grin:

Seriously, either of those you're thinking over will do anything the other will. Beautiful rifle, I know I've caught myself drooling over those before. Enjoy!

 

[wildgene]

...a .323 would be closer, shame you cant get one chambered in .325 WSM... :mrgreen:

...using RL-17 I can push a 165gr. @ 3200/ 180gr. @ 3050fps w/ the .300 WSM, I can't quite match that w/ the 7mm RM, but to be brutally honest, the real reason I pack the .300 WSM more than my 7mm RM is I'm getting old & my .300 weighs a lb. less. I've killed a couple doz. elk, quite a few bear, a very large herd of deer, & plenty of grouse w/ the 7mm, no problem w/ it's performance, but I'd probably opt for the .300 WSM as a better fit in yer "arsenal"...

...on the other hand, I wouldn't feel bad about choosing the 7mm just based on aesthetics if it has nicer wood, there just isn't really that much practical difference in terminal ballistics, felt recoil, etc. If you go w/ the .300 WSM you can fill in the "blanks" w/ a 7mm & .338 down the road... :roll: :twisted: :lol: :mrgreen:

 

[gerry]

If your brother is buying your 270 WSM then the 7mm RM would be the one I would choose out of the two since Sako doesn't chamber the 270 and 7mm Wby's anymore. As noted already 7mm bullets are nice and sleek.

 

[Oldtrader3]

Dan, I am still waiting to get my hands on some 150 ABLR bullets but they may obsolete my 7mm Mag! My son has my .300 WSM. Plus, I guess that there are SBLR bullets for the 7mm coming as well?

 

[LD375]

Well Gerry, that's what I did pal, 7mm Rem Mag, here she is :grin:






The optics, Zeiss Conquest HD5 2-10x42mm Z-Plex

I got a super deal on this combo, and couldn't resist!.Plus my brother is happy too 8) ..Lou :wink:

 

[gerry]

That looks very nice Lou The 7mm RM should be as effective on Newfoundland moose as your 270 WSM was. Let us know how it shoots

 

[runtohunt]

Now that is a sexy rifle. Congratulations!

 

[Teknys]

Very Nice - What's not to like about a Sako - especially with that nice wood!