The 7mm Remington Magnum, or 7mm Rem Mag, is one of the most versatile and powerful hunting cartridges available today. This magnum round is known for its flat trajectory, high velocity, and hard-hitting performance. This has made it a favorite among hunters for decades. Whether you’re hunting big game in North America or taking long-range shots in open country, the best 7mm Rem Mag ammo delivers impressive performance.
This article will explore the history of the 7mm Rem Mag, dive into its ballistics, and compare it to the .300 Win Mag. We’ll also highlight some of the best ammo available for the 7mm Rem Mag, particularly for hunting. Plus, we’ll discuss how different grain weights and bullet types affect performance.
Our Picks: Best 7mm Rem Mag Ammo
When selecting the best 7mm Rem Mag ammo for your hunting needs, it’s important to consider how grain weight and bullet type affect performance. Heavier bullets generally offer better penetration and energy retention, making them ideal for larger game at extended ranges. On the other hand, lighter bullets provide higher velocities and flatter trajectories, which can be useful for smaller game or shorter distances.
Here are some of the best 7mm Rem Mag ammo options available, broken down by bullet weight and performance:
Federal Power-Shok 150gr
Designed for deer hunting, Federal Power Shok’s 150gr bullet offers rapid expansion with high weight retention.
The Federal Power-Shok 150-grain load is a great all-around hunting option. Its soft-point bullet design ensures controlled expansion and excellent stopping power, making it a reliable choice for medium-to-large game like deer and elk.
| Caliber | Bullet Type | Bullet Weight | Velocity (Muzzle) | Energy (Muzzle) | 100 Yards (Velocity/Energy) | 200 Yards (Velocity/Energy) | 300 Yards (Velocity/Energy) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7mm Rem Mag | SP | 150gr | 3,110 FPS | 3,221 FT LBS | 2,841 FPS/2,687 FT LBS | 2,587 FPS/2,229 FT LBS | 2,347 FPS/1,834 FT LBS |
Federal Power Shok 7mm Rem Mag 150 Grain SP - 20 Rounds
$40.85
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Federal Fusion 7mm Rem Mag 175 Grain Fusion - 20 Rounds
$43.85
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Winchester Power-Point 150gr
Winchester’s 150gr Power Point is designed around decades of proven data and success in the field.
The 150-grain Winchester Power-Point is another excellent option for hunting. Known for its reliable expansion, the Power-Point design ensures deep penetration and energy transfer, making it effective on larger game. Its flat trajectory and manageable recoil also make it a popular choice for longer shots.
| Caliber | Bullet Type | Bullet Weight | Velocity (Muzzle) | Energy (Muzzle) | 100 Yards (Velocity/Energy) | 200 Yards (Velocity/Energy) | 300 Yards (Velocity/Energy) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7mm Rem Mag | SP | 150gr | 3,090 FPS | 3,180 FT LBS | 2,831 FPS/2,670 FT LBS | 2,587 FPS/2,229 FT LBS | 2,356 FPS/1,848 FT LBS |
Winchester Deer Season XP 7mm Rem Mag 140 Grain Polymer Tip - 20 Rounds
$40.85
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Winchester Super-X 7mm Rem Mag 150 Grain PP - 20 Rounds
$39.85
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Winchester Ballistic Silvertip 7mm Rem Mag 150 Grain Polymer Tip – 20 Rounds
$47.85
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Remington Core-Lokt 150gr
The Legend Lives On: Remington’s Core-Lokt 150gr has harvested more deer than we can tell tall-tales about.
Remington’s Core-Lokt bullet is one of the most trusted hunting rounds available. Its 150-grain soft-point bullet expands on impact, creating a large wound channel and transferring maximum energy to the target. The Core-Lokt design is particularly effective for close-to-mid-range shots on large game, making it a go-to option for deer hunters.
| Caliber | Bullet Type | Bullet Weight | Velocity (Muzzle) | Energy (Muzzle) | 100 Yards (Velocity/Energy) | 200 Yards (Velocity/Energy) | 300 Yards (Velocity/Energy) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7mm Rem Mag | SP | 175gr | 2,860 FPS | 3,178 FT LBS | 2,645 FPS/2,718 FT LBS | 2,440 FPS/2,313 FT LBS | 2,244 FPS/1,957 FT LBS |
Remington Core-Lokt 7mm Rem Mag 175 Grain PSP - 20 Rounds
$40.85
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Hornady Superformance SST 154gr
Start Your Engines: Hornady’s Superformance supercharges the SST 154gr bullet’s performance for deep penetration.
The Hornady SST 154-grain bullet is designed for deep penetration and reliable performance at various distances. During rapid expansion, it dumps energy quickly, ensuring better weight retention and consistent terminal performance, making it an excellent option for big-game hunting.
| Caliber | Bullet Type | Bullet Weight | Velocity (Muzzle) | Energy (Muzzle) | 100 Yards (Velocity/Energy) | 200 Yards (Velocity/Energy) | 300 Yards (Velocity/Energy) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7mm Rem Mag | Poly | 154gr | 3,100 FPS | 3,286 FT LBS | 2,915 FPS/2,905 FT LBS | 2,737 FPS/2,562 FT LBS | 2,567 FPS/2,253 FT LBS |
Hornady Superformance 7mm Rem Mag 154 Grain SST - 20 Rounds
$50.85
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Hornady Precision Hunter 7mm Rem Mag 162 Grain ELD-X - 20 Rounds
$54.85
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Black Hills SST 154gr
If you can’t get it done with the excellent Black Hills Gold SST 154gr, maybe you shouldn’t be doing it in the first place.
What do you get when you take Hornady’s SST precision and mix it with Black Hills engineering? A 154-grain SST round that delivers sub-MOA accuracy. Get your rifle dialed in with Black Hills Gold before heading out to the field to hunt this season. You can thank us later.
| Caliber | Bullet Type | Bullet Weight | Velocity (Muzzle) | Energy (Muzzle) | 100 Yards (Velocity/Energy) | 200 Yards (Velocity/Energy) | 300 Yards (Velocity/Energy) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7mm Rem Mag | Poly | 154gr | 3,000 FPS | 3,077 FT LBS | 2,815 FPS/2,905 FT LBS | 2,637 FPS/2,562 FT LBS | 2,467 FPS/2,253 FT LBS |
Hornady Superformance 7mm Rem Mag 154 Grain SST - 20 Rounds
$50.85
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Cartridge Specs & Overview
The 7mm Remington Magnum can reach velocities over 3,000 FPS, however, it doesn’t quite match the power of larger magnum cartridges.
The 7mm Remington Magnum is a belted, bottlenecked rifle cartridge known for its impressive performance. Its specifications allow it to fire bullets at high velocities, delivering tremendous energy at extended distances. The cartridge excels at balancing manageable recoil and powerful performance, which is why it’s a favorite among big-game hunters.
The 7mm Rem Mag’s large case capacity lets it propel heavier bullets at high speeds. This makes it effective at long ranges while maintaining enough stopping power for big game. Its flat trajectory and high energy retention give it an edge for hunters who need precision at distance.
| Cartridge Specs | 7mm Rem Mag |
|---|---|
| Parent Casing | .375 H&H Mag |
| Bullet Diameter | .284″ |
| Neck Diameter | .315″ |
| Base Diameter | .512″ |
| Case Length | 2.5″ |
| Overall Length | 3.29″ |
| Grain Weight | 120gr-175gr |
| Max Pressure (SAMMI) | 61,000 PSI |
Ballistics Overview
The 7mm Rem Mag is renowned for its excellent ballistics, making it one of the best cartridges for long-range hunting. It offers a flat trajectory and impressive energy delivery at both short and extended ranges, making it suitable for everything from deer hunting to larger game like elk and moose.
- Muzzle velocity: Typically between 2,800 and 3,100 feet per second (fps), depending on bullet weight.
- Muzzle energy: Ranges from 3,000 to 3,500 foot-pounds of energy, offering significant stopping power.
- Effective range: While the 7mm Rem Mag is effective well beyond 500 yards, most hunters utilize it within 300-400 yards for ethical hunting shots.
- Trajectory: The 7mm Rem Mag is known for its flat trajectory, dropping less than 10 inches at 300 yards with a typical hunting load.
One of the 7mm Rem Mag’s biggest advantages is its ability to retain velocity and energy at long ranges. Heavier bullets, like 160-175 grain options, keep their momentum better, making them ideal for long-range shots on big game. Lighter bullets provide faster speeds and flatter trajectories for smaller game or closer distances.
Pros & Cons: 7mm Rem Mag
There’s an argument to be made that the 7mm Rem Mag is the most efficient magnum cartridge for hunting.
Pros
- Flat trajectory: The 7mm Rem Mag’s high velocity and aerodynamic bullet design allow for a very flat trajectory, making it easier to hit targets at extended ranges.
- Versatility: This cartridge is suitable for a wide variety of game, from deer to moose, due to its balance of velocity, energy, and bullet weight options.
- Long-range capabilities: The 7mm Rem Mag excels at distances beyond 300 yards, retaining energy and accuracy for ethical hunting shots on larger game.
- Magnum recoil: While it packs a punch, the 7mm Rem Mag’s recoil is more manageable than larger magnum cartridges like the .300 Win Mag, allowing quicker follow-up shots.
Cons
- Overkill for small game: The power of the 7mm Rem Mag can be excessive for smaller game, resulting in unnecessary meat damage.
- Limited Options: There aren’t a lot of options when it comes to bullet types and grain weights.
- Barrel wear: Due to the high velocity and pressure of the round, the 7mm Rem Mag can wear out barrels faster than other hunting cartridges, especially with heavy usage.
Best Uses: 7mm Rem Mag
The 7mm Rem Mag is widely regarded as a premier hunting cartridge, particularly for those who need versatility in the field. Its performance in different scenarios makes it an ideal choice for:
- Big Game Hunting: The 7mm Rem Mag is highly effective for hunting larger animals such as elk, moose, and even African plains game. The heavy bullet weights and high energy ensure ethical kills at both close and long ranges.
- Deer Hunting: The 7mm Rem Mag offers more than enough stopping power for hunters pursuing whitetail or mule deer. Its flat trajectory is ideal for long-range shots in open country, while its energy delivery ensures a clean harvest.
- Long-Range Shooting: The 7mm Rem Mag excels at longer distances, whether hunting or target shooting. Its ability to retain velocity and energy makes it a reliable choice for shots beyond 300 yards.
7mm Rem Mag VS .300 Win Mag
While both the 7mm Rem Mag and the .300 Win Mag ammo are magnum cartridges with excellent long-range capabilities, they have some key differences.
The .300 Win Mag generally offers more energy and stopping power, making it better suited for the largest game animals or extremely long-range shots. However, this increased power comes with higher recoil and more expensive ammunition.
On the other hand, the 7mm Rem Mag offers a flatter trajectory and less recoil, making it more manageable for a wider range of shooters. For hunters who value precision over raw power and don’t need the extra energy of the .300 Win Mag, the 7mm Rem Mag is often the preferred choice.
A Brief History: 7mm Rem Mag
Introduced by Remington in 1962, the 7mm Rem Mag quickly rose to prominence as a powerful, long-range hunting cartridge. It’s based on the .375 H&H Magnum case, shortened and necked down to accept a .284-inch (7mm) bullet. The 7mm Rem Mag was designed for performance in bolt-action rifles, notably Remington’s Model 700. It delivers higher velocity and flatter trajectories than traditional cartridges like the .30-06 Springfield, making it ideal for long-range shots.
Over time, the 7mm Rem Mag became one of the most popular magnum cartridges for hunters worldwide. It’s versatile and can harvest large game humanely at extended ranges. These attributes have made it a go-to choice for elk, deer, moose, and even African plains game.
Top Hunting Choice: 7mm Rem Mag
Magnum Niche: For over 60 years, the 7mm Remington Magnum has remained a favorite for hunters in the field.
The 7mm Remington Magnum is one of the most versatile and practical hunting cartridges. With its flat trajectory, high velocity, and manageable recoil, it excels at long-range hunting and easily takes down large game animals. The bottom line: the 7mm Rem Mag cartridge is a very capable round with no shortage of great ammo options.
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