7mm Rem Mag review
Official review in Australian Shooter December 2002
The 7mm Rem Mag’s versatility and capacity for long-range shots has cemented it as a favourite among many shooters. The fact that it is a standard factory cartridge available in reasonably priced quality rifles has added to its popularity.
The ‘kick’ generated by the 7mm Rem Mag lets shooters know that it is no pussycat and that it can handle large game such as buffalo, large deer, feral donkeys, horses and camels. It is not an outfit most shooters would use on the range to fine-tune their grouping ability.
Up at SSAA South Australia’s Monarto range, in the Adelaide Hills, the Australian Shooter review team set out to tame the tough talking 7mm Rem Mag. Twenty- to 30-knot winds that grew to 50 knots by midday and shredded the two-metre sail cloth ‘shooting in progress’ flag provided few favours. With the drought conditions and the temperature at a pleasant 27C degrees, it was a very, very dry day.
Despite the gale force wind, the 7mm Rem Mag managed to cut through and produce a number of very good groups. The reviewers were quite surprised at just how capable the 7mms were in these blustery conditions and, after shooting about 70 shots each, a little less surprised how sore they were at day’s end.
Ammunition used
Remington Express Core-Lokt 7mm Rem Mag 150gn
Winchester Super X 7mm Rem Mag 175gn Power-Point
Sako 7mm Rem Mag 170gn - Mainly for the Sako firearms
The range
SSAA Monarto, South Australia
Scoring procedure
Prior to testing in the late morning, each gun was sighted in with several shots and thoroughly barrel-cleaned before the real shooting began.
All three reviewers took a turn sending two three-shot groups down range with each gun off the bench at 100m for accuracy testing. The seven firearms were also informally shot offhand at 100m so the reviewers could get a feel for how each outfit would perform while hunting in the bush.
During the actual review, each firearm was cleaned two to three times to ensure foul-free performance.
A score of 20 was possible and results were based on the following criteria:
• Price/Value - 3
• Design - 3
• Weight/Handling & Loading - 4
• Accuracy on Range - 10
A score of 15.5 meant that the firearm made a good impression, 17 an excellent impression and 18.5 meant the firearm performed exceptionally well.
The review team
Review Chairman: Tim Bannister
Tim is the Managing Editor of Australian Shooter. His role during the 7mm Rem Mag review was to organise the panel, solicit firearms for review, collate the panel’s comments, secure the testing site and oversee the activities of the actual review. Tim had previously sighted in each rifle earlier in the week at the range.
Reviewers:
Ron McDonald - Ron is a 1983 Australian field rifle champion and a 2001 and 2002 SA centrefire metallic silhouette champion. He is the vice president of the Monarto Metallic Silhouette Rifle Club and the ex-vice president and treasurer of the SSAA (SA). He is a keen hunter who has hunted all sorts of game in New Zealand, Noumea and Australia using a 7x57 Improved. His expertise is hunting.
David Bennett - David has been a shooter and avid hunter for more than 45 years. He took up metallic silhouette shooting in 1992 as a hobby and quickly established himself as a serious shooter, moving up through the ranks to become the president of the Monarto Metallic Silhouette Rifle Club. He is currently the Junior Vice-President of the SSAA (SA) and is a past president. He has been involved in both field and game shooting and shotgunning. He is a member of the South Australian Hunting and Conservation Branch and co-ordinator of the SSAA Cadet Challenge.
Brendan Atkinson - Brendan, the 2001 World Benchrest Champion, is the technical advisor and a long-time story contributor to the Australian Shooter. He has been a national benchrest champion four times, has won numerous state titles and has set several world records. He is a member of the Holden 4WD Club of SA and the South Australian Hunting and Conservation Branch.
Sako 75 V Finnlight
Supplied by: Beretta Australia
Weight: 4kg with scope
Stock: Black synthetic
Barrel: 22 7/16", fluted, 9½" twist
Scope: Meopta 4x32
Sling Swivels: Yes, screw-in
Safety: Red Dot thumb safety
Magazine: 4-shot, detachable
Buttplate: Rubber
Made in: Finland
Price: $2195
Score: 16.5
The Sako 75 V Finnlight is very light, at just 4kg with the scope, and therefore recoil is more severe than some of the other rifles tested, especially for smaller-framed shooters. The rubber recoil pad is helpful but additional ‘protection’ would not be out of place. Accuracy proved to be excellent with either the Remington or Winchester ammunition. Brendan said he would not hesitate to buy this “excellent carry-around” rifle. David shared Brendan’s enthusiasm about the Finnlight and made a point to mention the ease in which four cartridges could be loaded into the magazine. Ron liked the fact that the barrel was fluted, saying that it added stiffness to the barrel and helped to quickly dissipate heat.
The Finnlight features two modes of safety, which lock the trigger and bolt when the firearm is loaded or unloaded. There is a separate release that allows the bolt to be opened. The ‘Key Concept’ of this rifle is that the keylock blocks the firing pin, which is an added safety feature that many shooters will find favourable.
In order to install a scope on this rifle, you would need specific mounts, which isn’t a problem but just something to keep in mind.
Sako 75 V Synthetic Stainless
Supplied by: Beretta Australia
Weight: 4.8kg with scope
Stock: Black synthetic
Barrel: 24 3/8", 9½" twist
Scope: Docter 3-12x56
Sling Swivels: Yes, screw-in
Safety: Red Dot thumb safety
Magazine: 4-shot
Buttplate: Rubber
Made in: Finland
Price: $2049
Score: 15.5
The Sako 75 is similar to the Finnlight but according to the reviewers it was not as accurate with the ammunition used on the day. Handloaders will no doubt be able to improve on accuracy. Ron liked the Sako’s trigger, which was .6kg or so heavier than the Finnlight, and David was partial to the easy loading of the detachable magazine. David also thought the bolt release was slightly tight but this could change after a few more trips to the range.
As with the Finnlight, the ‘Key Concept’ of the Sako 75 allows the keylock to block the firing pin. There is also a lever that allows the bolt to be removed while the rifle is in the safe mode. And, like the Finnlight, you will need specific mounts to attach a scope. Weighing in .8kg more than the Finnlight, recoil on the Sako 75 was not as harsh but the rubber recoil pad was much appreciated.
Steyr SBS-Pro
Supplied by: Granite Arms
Weight: 4.4kg with scope
Stock: Black synthetic stock
Barrel: 25.6", black matte barrel and trigger guard
Scope: Simmons Whitetail 4-12x44 scope
Sling Swivels: Yes, buckle loop sling brackets
Safety: Three-position rotary slide safety
Magazine: Snap latch, two-stage release
Buttplate: Adjustable, plastic
Made in: Austria
Price: $1780
Score: 15
Featuring an adjustable trigger and buttplate, the Steyr SBS-Pro fetched comments like “crisp trigger”, “very good balance and feel” and “easy to load”. However, two of the reviewers experienced a few problems with this outfit. One thought the fore-end of this particular rifle was warped and that the bullets got jammed in the action when it was single loaded. The other thought the small ejector port made the rounds difficult to remove from the action. All three reviewers thought the safety was a bit confusing at first but were quickly able to master it.
David found that the Steyr gave better groups using the Winchester Super X 175gn projectiles. There is no doubting the Steyr’s quality manufacturing but many who are not familiar with its various features will find it an acquired taste. On the other hand, those that own and master them, tend not to let them go.
Weatherby Vanguard
Supplied by: Nioa Trading
Weight: 4.2kg with scope
Stock: Black synthetic, imitation chequering on
pistol grip and fore-end
Barrel: 24" hammerforged No 3 profile matte blued, six-groove right-hand twist of one turn in 14"
Scope: Fitted with Leupold 4-12x40 scope
Sling Swivels: Yes, screw-in bases
Safety: Traditional safe/fire safety (sliding thumb)
Buttplate: Rubber
Made in: Japan
Price: $950
Score: 17.5 Best Value
There was no doubt that the Vanguard is great value for money, receiving three out of three in that category from all reviewers. Brendan was able to achieve great accuracy using the Sako ammunition but he felt the heavy trigger could do with some adjusting. He also thought the rifle would benefit from a bedding job. David thought the stock felt a bit slippery.
Ron pointed out that those with small hands might have a hard time reaching the trigger.
A nice little surprise when you first open the box of the Vanguard is the 1.5" 3-shot group target that is supplied. Of course, it’s up to you to repeat the feat on paper without making any changes!
The recoil pad supplied and the fully adjustable trigger were features approved of by the panel. At the end of the day this was a very tidy and affordable rifle.
For a comprehensive review of this rifle, see the June 2002 Australian Shooter.
Winchester Model 70 Classic Sporter LT
Supplied by: Olin Australia (Winchester Division)
Weight: 4.2kg with scope
Stock: Satin finish chequered US walnut with cheekpiece and grip cap
Barrel: 26", 1 in 9½" twist
Scope: Hakko 3-9x40
Sling Swivels: Yes, screw-in bases
Safety: Three-position safety (Round can be extracted with ‘mid’ safety on)
Magazine: 3-shot
Buttplate: Rubber
Made in: USA
Price: $1680
Score: 16
The stock on the Winchester Model 70 Classic Sporter LT has been designed to be thinner with a more open grip and trimmer fore-end. The ‘LT’ stands for ‘leaner’ and ‘trimmer’, a feature not lost on the reviewers. Both Brendan and David commented on the nice feel of the Winchester, with Brendan adding that it is a “good carry weight for this calibre”.
Ron and Brendan discussed the benefits of lightening this rifle’s trigger and Ron pointed out that this was the only rifle on test that had a controlled feed, a feature he quite liked.
This rifle has a three-position safety, which can only be utilised when rifle is cocked. It allows the round to be extracted with the ‘mid’ safety on. Ron felt that the safety on this unit was one of the best but cautioned that it could still be knocked off in heavy bush conditions.
Remington Model 700
Supplied by: Raytrade
Weight: 4.2kg with scope
Stock: Grey wood grain/laminated finish, grip and fore-end chequering
Barrel: 24", 9¼" twist
Scope: Simmons 3-9x42
Sling Swivels: Yes, screw-in
Safety: Traditional safe/fire thumb safety
Magazine: 3-shot
Buttplate: Rubber
Made in: USA
Price: $1875
Score: 17.5 Most accurate rifle
According to Brendan, the Remington Model 700 on review featured typical Remington quality, a nice stock and provided great accuracy. He liked the results of his first three-shot group so much he decided to add two more shots to it, resulting in a five-shot group of less than an inch.
Some shooters might find the trigger a bit heavy and will waste no time in getting it lightened. David thought the bolt release under the trigger guard was easy to use and that the magazine was easy to load.
The Remington has an integral security system that enables the owner to secure the bolt assembly on the firearm in the open position with the use of a special key.
Howa Model 1500
Supplied by: Highland Sports
Weight: 4.2kg with scope
Stock: Black synthetic stock with stainless trigger housing and floorplate, imitation chequering on pistol grip and fore-end
Barrel: 24", 1 in 12" twist
Scope: Nikko Stirling 4-12x44
Sling Swivels: Yes, screw-in
Safety: Red Dot thumb safety
Magazine: 3-shot
Buttplate: Rubber
Made in: Japan
Price: $1250
Score: 17
The simple design of a Howa rifle shines through on the Model 1500. The conclusion after the review was that this rifle would do the job required of it quite well. However, David found that his finger got in the way of the magazine floorplate and Ron thought the stock restricted finger access to the trigger. David liked the way the top-loading magazine handled the three rounds and commented favourably on the bolt release.
A recoil pad is supplied but because of the rifle’s light weight, a thicker pad might be necessary.
The safety locks the trigger only, which some may feel only goes halfway in providing the necessary safety features.
Overall, the Howa made a nice impression on the panel, achieving a score of 17.
Comments
With all seven rifles obtaining a score of 15 or higher, we understand if you want to make room for all of them in your collection. However, even with a tight budget, the price range available should allow you to find one that suits your needs.
The Weatherby and the Remington proved to be the ‘top dogs’ of the day, both securing a score of 17.5 - excellent.
As a rifle is as individual as a shooter, finding the right match may not be easy but it is always worth the effort when you do.
While not everyone wants to shoot the size of game manageable with a 7mm Rem Mag, many of these rifles were available in other smaller calibres and this review can provide a basis for your buying investigation.
Thanks must be extended to the three reviewers who, literally, put their shoulders and reputations on the line.