Difference between 7mmMag (Managed Recoil) and 7mm08?

Question

I have a Remington 700 chambered in the 7mm Remington Magnum. I chose this because I wanted the ability to go to higher power for bigger game or longer distance (target, as well as game). However, for taking down southern whitetail, I've planned to use the managed recoil loads, both for meat conservation and comfort.

I've heard a lot of people complain about this loading though, saying it lacks power to bring down game. This seems a bit silly, though, when you consider that pretty much everyone agrees that the 7mm08 cartridge is plenty for whitetail. Isn't the magnum, even when reduced, still at least as powerful as the 08?

Can anyone provide figures, showing me which of these two cartridges is more powerful. I have a feeling the complaints surrounding these loads have more to do with being a threat to the macho mantra "More Power!" than actual ballistic properties.

Thanks.

Answer 1

All data is for 140 grain bullets, Remington ammo

7mm Ultramag 3425 FPS...............................3646  ft/lbs of energy

7mm remmag 3175 FPS................................3133  energy

7mm remmag 'managed recoil' 2710 FPS....... 2283 energy

7mm Mauser 2660 FPS.................................2199 energy

7mm-08 2860 FPS........................................ 2542 energy

7mm-08 'managed recoil' 2300FPS.................1644 energy

Of course, the venerable 30-30 has been knocking deer dead for years using a 150 grian bullet at 2390 for 1902 energy

final note, BULLET PLACEMENT TRUMPS POWER EVERY TIME

Answer 2

Any factory load will not only produce more energy, but will also give you more velocity. The belted magnum is in a hole different class then a 7mm-08, the 08 is in the 308 class.

Answer 3

I grabbed the Hornady Reloading manual first. It shows modern loadings of the 7mm Mauser for the 139 grain bullets as topping out at 2700 feet per second (fps). Swinging over to the 7mm Magnum loads, there are 9 different options of different powders to load the same 139 grain spitzer (pointy) bullets to 2700 fps. I like IMR 4350, and they say to use 52.9 grains of it for this load, which duplicates the 7mm Mauser with this typical deer bullet.

The 7mm08 gets 2900 fps in top loadings, again with this same 139 grain spitzer. For this in the 7mm Magnum, use 57.4 grains of IMR 4350 to duplicate the 7mm08 specs.

The tutorial for reloading in the Manual explains in detail how reloads are usually better than factory ammo.  http://www.midwayUSA.com/ and their google competitors have the manuals and everything else you will need. Regards, Larry.

Answer 4

I think you're onto something there. Not only is my 7mm Mauser (with handloads) one of my favorite deer rifles, I've bought 7mm08 for three of my family, with complete satisfaction. I count myself lucky that I've managed to collect a good number of rifles in deer-class calibers, and have had the chance to compare where it counts, on deer, over decades of hunting. I have a sneaking suspicion that a lot of the noise you hear is from people who have limited experience.