Which 7mm cartridge is the "best" poll?

[SStomcat]

Wow, I never knew so many variations of 7mm exist, thanks for starting this thread.

 

[spike.t]

7x57...275 rigby.....forget the others.....by order as I am always right ......140 grn to 175 grn....sorted....mostly use the158grn ..170 and 175 grn........biggest I used it on is sable ....worked fine...clients used it on sable ..lechwe..waterbuck etc etc...lovely little calibre

 

[odonata]

Wow, I never knew so many variations of 7mm exist, thanks for starting this thread.

I ran out of poll spots for the 7x61 Sharpe & Hart, 7mm RUM, 7mm SAUM, 7mm STW (Shooting Times Western), 28 Nosler, 284 Winchester & probably a few others that I missed.

 

[odonata]

7x57...275 rigby.....forget the others.....by order as I am always right ......

It doesn't take much effort for me to fall in love with the 7x57. I'm a big fan of the classics. I was always a bit annoyed that no one ever made a left-handed model. That's definitely a custom or rebarrel for me.

Since you're always right, I guess we can stop the thread here since a definitive answer has been provided. Thanks!

 

[375Ruger416]

At the risk of agreeing with spike.t, you might (not) be surprised to hear I've got an (un) informed opinion on this too! The TLR summary is 275 Rigby/7x57 or 280AI. Final answer.

My logic is as follows: 7 RM is a great cartridge and widely available, but inside standard hunting distances offers nothing significant over the two recommended. I have one and have been very happy with it, but it has since been replaced by a 6.5 PRC, 300 PRC and 300 WM. Its going to be sold. Between the smaller cartridge and the bigger ones, I can do everything a 7 RM can do with less recoil and a lighter rifle or a larger cartridge which is in (my opinion) more effective on bigger game. The 7 PRC has some advantages at (ridiculously) long distances which is of little advantage given your planned use. The 7 BC has potential, but the jury is still out and unless I was going lightweight and suppressed doesn't impress me much. The rest are fine cartridges, but suffer from less availability, more recoil, or less powder capacity for driving the heavy for caliber premium bullets like 160gr + accubonds, sciroccos, TSX, etc.

Finally, you are a handloader (I believe) so you can do darn near anything with the 280AI and 7x57 that can be done with a 7mm. They are stylish, balanced cartridges with panache and they have a reputation for smooth feeding which some (cough WSM) other 7 mm cartridges don't. 280 AI would be my pick, but if you want a classic African cartridge the 7x57 is fantastic. In a wood-stocked Mauser or other CRF, I'd go 7x57. In a push-feed with modern materials like carbon fiber and stainless steel or if threaded for a suppressor, go 280 AI. But, you know, I don't really have strong opinions one way or another...

 

[slam8031]

I took at zebra at 320 and a Blesbok at 410 with the 175 a frame. I just took a nearly 300 lb mule deer with 143 grain long range Barnes at 362 yards.

 

[WyoBull]

I don't know if it is the best but it is what I use for big game. That is the 7mm RUM. My favorite bullet for it is the Barnes 145 gr LRX using H1000 powder and chronographed at 3375 fps. It is very accurate and hammers the game.
I have posted on here at least a couple of times that when I took it to Africa hunting plains game we took 13 animals with it from Kudu, Gemsbok, Blue Wildebeest, Sable on down to Warthog with it and everything shot dropped in its tracks without taking a step. On that hunt I loaded up Barnes 160 gr TSX. Only one bullet was recovered and that was from my Blue Wildebeest where I shot him through both shoulders and the bullet hung up just under the hide on the off side.
I have a lot of brass and components for this rifle that will last me a lifetime so I do not see myself changing to a different caliber at this point.
There are a lot of really good .284 calibers out there.

 

[spike.t]

It doesn't take much effort for me to fall in love with the 7x57. I'm a big fan of the classics. I was always a bit annoyed that no one ever made a left-handed model. That's definitely a custom or rebarrel for me.

Since you're always right, I guess we can stop the thread here since a definitive answer has been provided. Thanks!

Yup @BRICKBURN Wayne can you close the thread please ...after my post of course...been some strange stuff after it

 

[spike.t]

At the risk of agreeing with spike.t, you might (not) be surprised to hear I've got an (un) informed opinion on this too! The TLR summary is 275 Rigby/7x57 or 280AI. Final answer.

My logic is as follows: 7 RM is a great cartridge and widely available, but inside standard hunting distances offers nothing significant over the two recommended. I have one and have been very happy with it, but it has since been replaced by a 6.5 PRC, 300 PRC and 300 WM. Its going to be sold. Between the smaller cartridge and the bigger ones, I can do everything a 7 RM can do with less re

coil and a lighter rifle or a larger cartridge which is in (my opinion) more effective on bigger game. The 7 PRC has some advantages at (ridiculously) long distances which is of little advantage given your planned use. The 7 BC has potential, but the jury is still out and unless I was going lightweight and suppressed doesn't impress me much. The rest are fine cartridges, but suffer from less availability, more recoil, or less powder capacity for driving the heavy for caliber premium bullets like 160gr + accubonds, sciroccos, TSX, etc.

Finally, you are a handloader (I believe) so you can do darn near anything with the 280AI and 7x57 that can be done with a 7mm. They are stylish, balanced cartridges with panache and they have a reputation for smooth feeding which some (cough WSM) other 7 mm cartridges don't. 280 AI would be my pick, but if you want a classic African cartridge the 7x57 is fantastic. In a wood-stocked Mauser or other CRF, I'd go 7x57. In a push-feed with modern materials like carbon fiber and stainless steel or if threaded for a suppressor, go 280 AI. But, you know, I don't really have strong opinions one way or another...

Hey no risk agreeing with me.....cos am right...simple ...all these other super dooper whizz bang magnumy things....mmm.....nah ...

 

[sgt_zim]

It doesn't take much effort for me to fall in love with the 7x57. I'm a big fan of the classics. I was always a bit annoyed that no one ever made a left-handed model. That's definitely a custom or rebarrel for me.

Since you're always right, I guess we can stop the thread here since a definitive answer has been provided. Thanks!

yeah, that's one of the classics this lefty is missing also.

I imagine I'll eventually break down and buy a Spanish Mauser and use it with the bolt on the wrong side.

But lefty 7mm-08 are all over the place.

 

[Wade J VanGinkel]

I went with the 3 that I own.
7 remington mag
7x64
7X57
I've taken coyotes to elk and countless in between with my remington 7 mag with barnes 160gr tsx. For about 20 years now.
Recently bought a ruger 7x64 than I'm really loving also.

 

[Fatback]

Thread 'Left Hand M70 Classic 280 Ackley'

Jan 11, 2026

Have made the decision to let my 280 Ackley go in the hopes someone gets some use out of it.

Rifle started as a left hand M70 Classic 06 length action. Chambered by Pete Pieper with a 26” Bartlein 8 twist carbon wrapped number 4 contour barrel. Was throated to run the 160-168gr bullets but will work fine with factory ammo. Has Sunny Hill bottom metal, straight bolt handle, custom machined bases for Talley rings, and a Jewell trigger.

Wood started as an exhibition Turkish blank from Luxus Walnut and stock work was done by Rick Mason in Colorado.

I sighted the rifle in and it is scary...

• JMJ888
• Replies: 23
• Forum: Classifieds

• 
• 

Might I make the following suggestion……

You could pick this rifle up and have all the 7mm caliber you’d ever need and you’d save me from myself and a reckless financial decision.

I think the more practical answer is a 7 Rem Mag. Checks all the boxes. I do like a 7mm catridge. I have 7x57, 7PRC and 7 Rem Mag and enjoy all of them.

 

[Schroeder]

7x64 and 7x65R for me. I have been using both all my life, and still do.
If you are going to combine 280 and 280AI, you should also be including the 7x64 and 7x65R in the mix as well.

Or maybe have 7x64, 7x65R, and 280 Remington in the same group, and the 280AI by itself.

 

[375Ruger416]

Thread 'Left Hand M70 Classic 280 Ackley'

Jan 11, 2026

Have made the decision to let my 280 Ackley go in the hopes someone gets some use out of it.

Rifle started as a left hand M70 Classic 06 length action. Chambered by Pete Pieper with a 26” Bartlein 8 twist carbon wrapped number 4 contour barrel. Was throated to run the 160-168gr bullets but will work fine with factory ammo. Has Sunny Hill bottom metal, straight bolt handle, custom machined bases for Talley rings, and a Jewell trigger.

Wood started as an exhibition Turkish blank from Luxus Walnut and stock work was done by Rick Mason in Colorado.

I sighted the rifle in and it is scary...

• JMJ888
• Replies: 23
• Forum: Classifieds

• 
• 

Might I make the following suggestion……

You could pick this rifle up and have all the 7mm caliber you’d ever need and you’d save me from myself and a reckless financial decision.

I think the more practical answer is a 7 Rem Mag. Checks all the boxes. I do like a 7mm catridge. I have 7x57, 7PRC and 7 Rem Mag and enjoy all of them.

Ooh - damn! Good thing it’s L handed and I’m not!

 

[Ryan]

To 250 yards or under I'd be fine with a 280/280 AI, but with your mention of 350+ yards I'd want a true magnum. I'd lean towards the Weatherby more than the Remington for having the oomph that far out.

 

[odonata]

In a wood-stocked Mauser or other CRF, I'd go 7x57.

In my mind, some cartridges just go well with certain types of rifles. The 7x57 with a CRF Mauser action and a wooden stock is one of them. Unfortunately for me, left-handed CRF rifles are usually limited to Ruger M77's. Long-action LH Winchester 70's are getting rarer & starting to cost a premium. Not too many LH MRC actions to be had either. But it is doable if I'm patient enough. It would be a fun project.

I took at zebra at 320 and a Blesbok at 410 with the 175 a frame. I just took a nearly 300 lb mule deer with 143 grain long range Barnes at 362 yards.

Those ranges are at the limit of what I imagine I would ever attempt so that's good to know. It's hard to argue with quantifiable numbers so they're nice to have when making a decision.

...when I took it to Africa hunting plains game we took 13 animals with it from Kudu, Gemsbok, Blue Wildebeest, Sable on down to Warthog with it and everything shot dropped in its tracks without taking a step.

A big thumbs up for the 7mm RUM!

There are a lot of really good .284 calibers out there.

When I was typing up the poll, I kept saying "That would work!...That would work too!..."
There really weren't any bad, inadequate choices in the 7mm family.

I imagine I'll eventually break down and buy a Spanish Mauser and use it with the bolt on the wrong side.

I've got to have a left-handed bolt. The plan I've always mulled over in my mind was reworking a LH Ruger 77 to look more like their African model. Either a 30-06 or a 270 Win rebarreled to a 7x57. It's one of the many ideas that I've pondered.

I went with the 3 that I own.
7 remington mag
7x64
7X57

I would be happy with any of those three and it would be a tough call.

You could pick this rifle up and have all the 7mm caliber you’d ever need and you’d save me from myself and a reckless financial decision.

I read that ad when I saw it pop up. A very nice-looking rifle. A bit spendy for me & not exactly what I would want if I was going to spend that much. All I want is a nice affordable LH Winchester 70 Classic with a long action for a reasonable prices...but that's not going to happen.

 

[DaddyFlip]

30 years ago, I bought a new Remington BDL 7mag that was comfortable to shoot and good looking to boot. I can't even remember what happened to that rifle. I don't NEED a 7, but I would like to have one after watching @Firebird plains game video and hunting report . I voted for 7x57, 7-08, and the two eighty twins.

 

[odonata]

At this point, 93 voters have cast 150 votes. Zero of those votes have gone for the 7mm WSM (a round I included out of personnel self-interest because LH Winchester 70's will occasionally pop up). But obviously I got the poll wrong since 9 votes went to the "Other" category. Makes me wonder what "Other" round should have gotten a dedicated spot in the list while relegating the unloved WSM to the "Other" category.

7x57, 280 & 7mm Rem Mag are a close 1, 2, 3 but definitely the favorite top 3.

 

[Bandera]

1st would be the 7X57 then the 7mm Mag.
The 7X57 will cover a wide variety of game.
The 7mm mag …well we know it has more reach and thump.

Edit
I will say that these days I prefer a 30 caliber over the 7mm.

 

[Safari Dave]

No doubt, the 7x57 will be the classic favorite.


But, IMO, 7mm Remington Magnum would be the most versatile and practical of the 7mm's.