We hunt in Nevada so lots of sagebrush and open country in the mountains. We used the ultra mag for long shots, knowing we had the ability to shoot 600+ yards if need be. We bought it because we found a hog of a buck that would come out of the aspen in the bottom of a canyon and feed through a large burned area. We could not get closer than 750 yards and he knew it. He would come out about an hour before sunset, feed up the middle of the burn, and head back into the trees as it got dark. He must have had water in there as we never saw him in the morning. In the end we never had a real chance and we ate tag soup.
The weight of the gun really helps when you are able to shoot prone from a bipod. It feels rock solid, even in the wind. The heavy barrel made the 7RUM shoot-able, without a break, to practice with enough to shoot confidently at long range. At 90+ grains of powder, a small barrel would get hot in a hurry, maybe 1 or 2 rounds. As it is, this one can hardly get through 5 rounds without getting hot. It got to the point where it is just no fun to shoot and now it hardly ever leaves the safe.
Now we have a 25-06 with a very light barrel. It heats up so fast that 5 shot groups are not really feasible. After 3 rounds nearly touching, it begins to spray shots unpredictably (1.5"+ at 100 yards). it is a hunting rifle at heart and it plays that role terrifically. it shoots very true with a cold bore, has plenty of energy to kill quickly at 500 yards and is very nice to carry. Good looking gun as well. now if we are ever lucky enough to draw an elk tag, the big boom stick will be coming out again.
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