Which 7mm cartridge is the "best" poll?

[MS 9x56]

First and foremost, for full disclosure, I am a 30-06 can do 95% of everything I will ever need to do this side of the pond, and at my age, I may never make it to the other side of the pond. I have several including Win Mod 70, and 2 double rifles, but the one that has seen the field the most is an old Savage 110 in a cheap plastic stock. It carries like it is not there, and will place 2 cold bore shots within 1" at 200 yards everytime. It is hard to ask more of a rifle than that.

That said, I am getting old, and hunting the desert SW of the USA mostly now for mule deer. Since it is getting harder for me to run up and down these canyons, a 600 yd shot is not uncommon for me these days. I find a 7mm RM gives me about 100yd more practical range for hunting. So I bought one.

I was at the pawn shop just killing time on a long lunch. I saw a nice looking rifle in a new looking custom laminated stock. The only problem was that someone had spray painted the scope flat black. The clerk said "I don't know why someone put such a crappy scope on such a nice rifle, and so the price." He said it with a little aire of smug hubris, common to older guys working gun counters in pawn shops. It was a nearly new Win Mod 70 Classic with CRF. The action was like it was made of glass it was SO smooth. The stock fit me perfectly, and the scope was clear as crystal. It also had a custom muzzle brake on it. MEH! The entire scope had been spray painted (badly) flat black so whatever makers mark, adjustment markings, etc. that were there, were entirely obscured, with the only exception being a flying eagle emblem on the side of the turret. They were only asking $799 for it, which I thought was a good price for the rifle without a scope, (or the scope without the rifle, but I did not tell them that.) I said, " I don't know why they put that scope on there either, terrible paint job, would you take $700 out the door, and you pay the governor. " He went to ask the manager, came back, done deal.

So now I am a 30-06 man with a Winchester Mod 70 in 7mmRM with excellent action work and trigger job, custom muzzle break, and a Swarovski 3-10x42 scope in excellent condition, sans paint job of course. Aint life funny.

Heckuva great deal there. Congratulations.

 

[Hagler.450Ex]

Everyone needs a 7x57/.275 Rigby in their cabinet. Preferably a Mauser action with thumb-cut.

 

[Tdruck]

I don't see the selection for the "King" 7mm STW! So I'll have to go with the 7mm Weatherby.
I have a had a few of these listed calibers in different rifles. I find the 7mm Weatherby underrated and has become my favorite. The combination of recoil, trajectory, energy and accuracy works for me.
And with handloading it really shines, easily exceeding advertised velocities.
The 150 Swift factory ammo would be a great choice for plains game, deer and elk. Their 146 gr Hammer bullet would probably do better but it doesn't check the heavy bullet box that magazine writers like 160 frames or partitions would be good.
I'm loading mine with the 131 gr Hammer @ 3,468 fps. Using Reloader 23.
TD

 

[MS 9x56]

There can be only one! The original and still king 7x57.

 

[HunterX]

How about the 7x61 Sharpe and Hart. Cool round that predates the 7 REM mag.

 

[MAdcox]

I have no experience or reason to cast aspersions on any of these. However, I grew up shooting my dad’s 7mm Mauser and later an Uncle’s 7 Mag. I love old tried and true calibers and these both fit that bill. Plus I just bought a Ruger M77 Hawkeye African in 275 Rigby, so these two rounds get my vote easily.

 

[Gomer]

As much as I like the 7x57, which I use more than anything, the 7mm Remington Magnum is still my favorite 7mm.