I won a Remington Model 700 in 7mm Rem Mag in a DU auction. I pick it up this weekend. I'm not sure what model it is yet. I want to have the action bedded and drop in a new trigger, possibly a new stock.

What rounds are you shooting at Texas whitetails? I normally use a .243 but want to set this up for my hunts in South Texas.

With a 7mm rem mag, you will definitely have enough gun.

I know its plenty of gun, possibly too much. Plan on keeping it for a possible elk hunt in a few years.

I'm trying to figure out what bullets I should put through it that will stay together if a 50-100 yard shot presents itself.

Trigger Tech "Primary" trigger.

My 7 Rem Mag hits so hard, I won't use it on whitetail. It is loaded with a 180 gr Berger VLD-Hunting.

If I "had" to use a 7 Rem Mag for whitetail, I'd load it with a 162 gr or 168 gr and try to load it down a bit. Full house load under that bullet is too much gun on whitetail in my experience. That is, if you care about meat.

For short range hunting, a Partition or Acubond is hard to beat. If you want to extend your range, the ELD-X is great. It’s also good at higher impact velocities, but it won’t hold up like the Noslers if your range is always limited.

Good luck with the Remington.

Should I sight it in with the managed recoil loads for whitetail?

Brainstem or lungs, you'd be ok!

For my 7mag in Montana I would use HSM brand loaded with 168gr Berger VLDs for mule deer and elk. Here in texas, for whitetail, just some cheap federal softpoints, or fusions if range isn't going to be too far. I used a 155 or 165gr federal soft point on a spike this year at 215 yards and he dropped in his tracks, exit wound was only about 1.5 inches in diameter, and no meat was wasted or bloodshot. Just my opinion/experience, you wont be doing much tracking which is good.

Yes - if you don't reload.

Agreed.

Don't want to brainstem a full shoulder mount buck.

I've seen the lung shot still mess up lots of the shoulder.

That could be a pretty big hole to try to sew up for the taxi.

You will like the 7RM. It is versatile. Recoil, at least to me, feels about like a 30-06. For texas whitetail I shoot 160 grain Sierra gameking. I don't shoot animals beyond 400 yards. Within those parameters, I think the 7 RM is at its best with a 160 grain bullet. I have experienced large exits on every deer I've shot with them. The closest at approximately 40 yards. With that in mind, I can't say if the bullet exited in one or two pieces but it did exit. If I was preparing for an elk hunt I would be loading either 160 partitions or Accubonds. The 7 RM is very capable at long range as well. The heavier projectiles really come in to their own when you start extending the range. There are accomplished shooters on the forum that should be along that are more experienced in that regard that will likely be along with sage advice if that is the direction you want to go.

1565 yards is as far as I've taken it.

I use Hornady Custom Lite for whitetail sized critters in my 7mag. Less recoil, less muzzle blast, less wear on your barrel, less meat damage. About the same ballistics as a 7mm-08. When it's time to chase elk or nilgai, you can use the same rifle that you are familiar with in the full power rounds. Like having two rifles in one.

On an animal or steel?

Steel.

I wish I could tell you I've hit a hog or coyote that far, but I can't. 700 yards, on a hog, is the farthest on an animal with that rifle.

Wanna sell it???

The few times I used my Browning 7mm mag for deer hunting, I used a 150 grain and that was overkill.

Whatever bullet you select ensure it has a high BC if you plan on reloading.

lets wait and see which model you got before we do the above s great suggestion

That is well beyond anything I have done or attempted. I bet it was a hoot to put bullets on target at that distance!

2.4 second flight time. Yes, extreme long range (ELR) is very fun!

Any high-velocity magnum can create explosive results when pushing thinly jacketed bullets. Assuming sufficient penetration, explosive expansion means greater lethality, but can be very hard on the meat yield. It's also worth noting that some of the advice on this thread only matters if you're shooting deer at ranges over 300 yards. If you're like 90% of whitetail hunters and shoot your deer at ranges between 50 and 200 yards, the issues discussed are purely theoretical. Anyway, my point is this: moving to a controlled expansion, or heavier bullet can eliminate the explosive effect of light bullets on game. I think the suggestion of using the Hornady Light ammo is a good one, but you have many other options, admittedly with more recoil. If the Hornady Light doesn't work out for you, don't be afraid to experiment with other options.

Why?