what is better for 1000 yards 308. or 7mm mag?

Question

I am having a barrel made for my 98 mauser and haven't decided what to have it chambered in. I need to be able to shoot 1000 yards.
I have more than 1 mauser and am not wasting a good one so no worries ww2 collectors. and I punch paper I don't hunt (no where to hunt and no time to go out of state)
thanks.
oh and I do reload

Answer 1

To the best of my knowledge, the 7mm RemMag does not hold any long range records. The .398 Winchester has many 1000 yard records to it's credit.

The .308 caliber bullets will drift less in crosswindes than the 7mm RemMag bullets will.

Another plus for the .308 is in powder use. With most powders, and similar bullet weights, the 7mm RemMag will take from one to three grains more powder to reach the same velocity as the .308. That means less powder burned, less pressure stress, less recoil, and longer life for rifle and barrel, and more comfort for the shooter.

Doc Hudson

Answer 2

So many are gong to tell you .308 because they are stuck in the yester years but that's just not correct. The 7mm Mag would be alot better. The main problem is that the 7mm barrels dont have a life like that of a .308, which can handle tons of ammo running through it. Lets be realistic and say that your not going to shoot 2000 rounds through your rifle over the next 5 years correct ? If you are then you need a target rifle to waste. Otherwise, for 1000 yard shots and your 2 options, the 7mm Mag wins by a land slide ! Btw, the 7 mm will handle the load fine, I'm not saying you get 100 rounds out of it then its trash, I'm just saying the blistering speeds will burn up a barrel faster than the .308.

Good Luck & Happy Shooting

Answer 3

Well some of these answers are right more power with the 7mm but the wind will move a lighter bullet more than a heavy bullet so if you know the range you are shooting and know how much the bullet will drop then you would be more accurate with a heaver bullet and the 308 is a 30 caliber so heaver bullets are available for that.

Answer 4

Hey bubba I don't mean to rain on your parade, but if you are leaning towards 7mm because its cheaper, you are getting into 1000 yard shooting too fast. You realize that empty brass from the same lot can vary by several grains and the same for the bullets as well right? This is an expensive hobby, cheap doesn't figure in anywhere. Be prepared to buy thousands of cases and tens of thousands of bullets at once and reject most of them to get very little weight variation. You will need to buy massive quantities of powder at a time and once you get a different lot number of powder, you will have to fine tune your load again. Heck, you will different tuned loads for varying temperatures even. If you are using a surplus gun as a donor for a reciever and bolt, good luck, you will need it. Even if the action is tight enough without any play, its still meant for a run of the mill rifle. Worse yet it could war time production and then its even less accurate for your needs. Your idea is like buying a Ferrari and demanding a cheapo Fiat engine installed to save money.

Answer 5

Both the 7 mag and the .308 have flat trajectory, but a 7 mag is going to have more power at 1000 yards.

Answer 6

The extra info does help. You'll probably be happier with the 7mm, if you don't mind the headache from the magnum banging you all afternoon. Especially true since you'll be ignoring the belt and headspacing off the shoulder. But I still think you ought to take a look at the 6.5-284.

Answer 7

While both are excellent long range cartridges, the 7mm Rem Mag would be the superior choice for long range comps

Answer 8

I have 3, I shoot for long rang targets the 308,300mag and the 6.5x55 I just have never had a 7mm!

Answer 9

Why not chamber it in .300 Win Mag?? One of the absolute best for long range shooting.

Answer 10

id say the 308 cuz its smaller. more acuracy with that one.. the 7mm is alot bigger and would have a drop to it