I had 10 or 12 at one time. Still have a nice MKV German in 300 WBY. It was more accurate than all the other German Japanese 300s.
The Action is smooth and super strong with a 60 degree bolt lift.
I've owned 257, 270, 300 and 340 WBYs both in the MKV and the original Mauser actions. German, Japanese, US both Roy and the SAECO plant. All shot well but a few shot tiny groups.
The German 257 has a funky rifling twist and will only stabilize 117 grain round nose bullets. I was really ticked upon learning this. It was really a heavy gun for caliber and I never used it.
The 7mm WBY Mag is one super caliber. The writer Jack O'Connor said in his opinion it was the best of the original 7 mags.
I really wanted one but never found one resonable. Geez one LGS had stocked WBY ammo years earlier and quit. They pulled out a couple of old cases of 7MM WBY they found and marked them $10. I almost bought them and started a serious search for the gun. Problem is I had an early WBY made on the Mauser action and a lightweight in 270 WBY mag and for me I did not see the need.
My 1st Mag rifle in the middle 70's was a Ruger 77 in 7mm REM mag. It was a really nice setup. I bagged quite a few deer with it. The WBY is slightly faster.
I have given some thought to the 7mm WBY mag and decided if I were ever to go to one rifle only this would be one of the finalists.
Recoil is less than the 300 WBY. The cases are shorter for the 7mm, 270 and 257 WBY's. After I sold my 257 WBY I necked the brass up to 270 WBT. I found some new 7mm WBY brass for cheap at a gun show and necked it down to 270 WBY. I do not share ammo with folks and will pitch the brass at some point.
The positive points for the 7mm are great bullet selection, only moderate recoil, zeroed at 25 yards one can hold dead on to 275 or so yards.
The down side is the cost of WBY ammo. I have reloaded since the late 60's. This is the cheapest way to go.
When you reload and find your loads are not getting 100% but are still performing like the 7mm REM this is still OK, it will get the job done.
Hope you find one. If you are thinking walnut and blue steel you should find one cheaper than the other WBY calibers due to it did not sell as well. Keep that in mind if you think you may want to sell it. If you are thinking a hunting rifle and less weight for carrying the fiberglass stocked ones are very nice, I had 2 of these, 1 in 300 WBY and 1 in 270 WBY. Both had the factory recoil reducers on them. The 270 shot like a 243 and the 300 recoil was only slightly more than a 243. My teenage daughter shot the 300 and liked it.
Your research and thoughts have put you on the path to an excellent choice. Hope you find one.
P.S. The lazer etched wood stocks bring more money than a regular stock.
