Comparing 7 mm Rifle Calibers

Comparing 7 mm Rifle Calibers

The 7mm caliber range, encompassing bullet diameters from .277 to .285 inches, includes a variety of cartridges widely used in both hunting and long-range shooting. These calibers are popular for their versatility, offering a balance between manageable recoil, flat trajectories, and effective terminal performance. Here's a summary of the key calibers in this range and their applications:

• .270 Winchester (.277 inch): Range: Medium to long-range (up to 500-600 yards). Applications: Primarily used for hunting deer, elk, and similar-sized game. It's known for its flat trajectory and moderate recoil, making it a favorite among hunters for medium to large game in open country.

• .270 WSM (Winchester Short Magnum) (.277 inch): Range: Long-range (up to 600-800 yards). Applications: Similar to the .270 Winchester but with a shorter case and higher velocity, offering improved performance at longer ranges. It’s effective for hunting larger game like elk and moose, especially at extended distances.

• .280 Remington (.284 inch): Range: Medium to long-range (up to 500-700 yards). Applications: A versatile cartridge for hunting a wide variety of North American game, from deer to elk. It offers performance similar to the .270 Winchester but with a slightly larger bullet diameter, allowing for heavier bullet options.

• .280 Ackley Improved (.284 inch): Range: Long-range (up to 700-800 yards). Applications: An improved version of the .280 Remington, providing higher velocities and better long-range performance. It’s popular for hunting larger game at extended distances, with increased accuracy and energy retention.

• 7mm-08 Remington (.284 inch): Range: Medium-range (up to 400-500 yards). Applications: A popular choice for hunting deer and similar-sized game. It offers lower recoil than the .270 Winchester and .280 Remington, making it suitable for youth and recoil-sensitive shooters while still providing adequate power for medium game.

• 7mm Remington Magnum (.284 inch): Range: Long-range (up to 800-1000 yards). Applications: Known for its long-range capabilities and power, it is widely used for hunting large game like elk, moose, and bears. The 7mm Rem Mag is also popular in long-range shooting competitions due to its flat trajectory and high energy retention.

• 7mm WSM (Winchester Short Magnum) (.284 inch): Range: Long-range (up to 700-900 yards). Applications: Offers performance similar to the 7mm Remington Magnum but in a shorter, more efficient case. It’s suitable for hunting large game at long distances and is valued for its accuracy and efficiency.

• 7mm SAUM (Short Action Ultra Magnum) (.284 inch): Range: Long-range (up to 700-900 yards). Applications: Designed for short-action rifles, it provides magnum-level performance in a more compact package. It’s effective for hunting large game at extended ranges with slightly less recoil than the 7mm Rem Mag.

• 7mm Weatherby Magnum (.284 inch): Range: Very long-range (up to 1000+ yards). Applications: A high-velocity, flat-shooting cartridge ideal for long-range hunting of large game. It’s known for its superior downrange energy and velocity, making it a favorite among long-range hunters and shooters.

• 7mm STW (Shooting Times Westerner) (.284 inch): Range: Extreme long-range (up to 1200 yards). Applications: Developed for ultra-long-range hunting, the 7mm STW is capable of taking down large game at extreme distances. It’s one of the most powerful 7mm cartridges available, offering high velocity and energy retention.

• .284 Winchester (.284 inch): Range: Medium to long-range (up to 600-700 yards). Applications: An efficient and versatile cartridge, originally designed for short-action rifles. It’s suitable for hunting medium to large game and is also used in some long-range shooting competitions.

• 7mm RUM (Remington Ultra Magnum) (.284 inch): Range: Extreme long-range (up to 1300+ yards). Applications: One of the most powerful 7mm cartridges, the 7mm RUM is ideal for long-range hunting of the largest game, including elk and moose. It delivers extremely high velocity and energy, with excellent long-range ballistics.

Summary of Applications:

• Medium Game (Deer, Antelope): .270 Winchester, 7mm-08 Remington, .280 Remington

• Large Game (Elk, Moose, Bears): 7mm Remington Magnum, .270 WSM, 7mm WSM, 7mm RUM

• Long-Range Shooting: 7mm Remington Magnum, 7mm STW, .280 Ackley Improved, 7mm RUM

• Youth/Recoil-Sensitive Shooters: 7mm-08 Remington

Kinetic Energy Performance Comparison - 7 mm Calibers

Case Capacity vs. Muzzle Velocity - 7 mm Calibers

Comparison Table 7 mm Calibers

The following table compares the key characteristics of all 7mm rifle calibers including rifle calibers with a diameter between .277 and .285 Inch:

Caliber	Avg. Energy (E0)	Diameter	Avg. Bullet Weight (gr)	Case Capacity (GoW)	Average Charge	Average Velocity (V0)	Case Length (l3)	Max. C.O.L	Suitable Bullets
.27 Nosler	3900 Joule	0.277	129	98.4	73.4gr | 4.76g	3133fps | 955m/s	2.59" | 65.8mm	3.34" | 84.8mm	188
.270 Weath. Mag.	3690 Joule	0.277	129	82	62.6gr | 4.06g	3053fps | 931m/s	2.55" | 64.7mm	3.3" | 83.7mm	176
.270 Win.	3346 Joule	0.277	128	67	51gr | 3.31g	2941fps | 897m/s	2.54" | 64.5mm	3.34" | 84.8mm	176
.270 WSM	3656 Joule	0.277	128	79.5	60.8gr | 3.94g	3057fps | 932m/s	2.09" | 53.1mm	2.86" | 72.6mm	176
.277 Fury	3112 Joule	0.277	128	54	39.9gr | 2.59g	2814fps | 858m/s	2.02" | 51.2mm	2.7" | 68.6mm	176
.277 Fury (Commercial)	2924 Joule	0.277	128	54	39.6gr | 2.56g	2751fps | 839m/s	2.02" | 51.2mm	2.7" | 68.6mm	175
.28 Nosler	4095 Joule	0.284	149	97	72gr | 4.66g	2984fps | 910m/s	2.59" | 65.8mm	3.34" | 84.8mm	290
.280 Ackley Improved	3647 Joule	0.284	149	74	54.8gr | 3.55g	2851fps | 869m/s	2.54" | 64.5mm	3.33" | 84.6mm	275
.280 Rem.	3349 Joule	0.284	149	67.9	49.2gr | 3.19g	2722fps | 830m/s	2.54" | 64.5mm	3.33" | 84.6mm	271
.284 Win.	3340 Joule	0.283	146	66	47.2gr | 3.06g	2776fps | 846m/s	2.17" | 55.1mm	2.8" | 71.1mm	234
6.8 mm Rem. SPC	1925 Joule	0.277	124	34	22.1gr | 1.44g	2341fps | 714m/s	1.69" | 42.9mm	2.28" | 58mm	122
6.8 Western	3609 Joule	0.278	136	74	57.5gr | 3.73g	2960fps | 902m/s	2.02" | 51.3mm	2.96" | 75.1mm	44
7 mm B.R. Rem.	2409 Joule	0.284	146	39.5	28.8gr | 1.86g	2372fps | 723m/s	1.51" | 38.4mm	2.38" | 60.3mm	232
7 mm Blaser Mag	3784 Joule	0.284	149	82.5	63.2gr | 4.1g	2921fps | 891m/s	2.3" | 58.5mm	3.3" | 83.8mm	272
7 mm Exp. Rem.	3311 Joule	0.284	149	67.5	48.5gr | 3.15g	2689fps | 820m/s	2.54" | 64.5mm	3.33" | 84.6mm	272
7 mm KM Katzmaier	4292 Joule	0.284	149	112.5	84.8gr | 5.5g	3088fps | 941m/s	2.72" | 69.1mm	3.72" | 94.5mm	273
7 mm Mag Fl. H.& H.	2852 Joule	0.284	148	62	42.3gr | 2.74g	2502fps | 763m/s	2.5" | 63.5mm	3.26" | 82.8mm	271
7 mm PRC	3927 Joule	0.284	152	82	63.9gr | 4.14g	2899fps | 884m/s	2.28" | 57.9mm	3.34" | 84.8mm	272
7 mm Rem. Mag.	3801 Joule	0.284	149	82	61.1gr | 3.96g	2907fps | 886m/s	2.5" | 63.5mm	3.29" | 83.6mm	271
7 mm Rem. SA Ultra Mag	3667 Joule	0.284	148	72.6	53.5gr | 3.47g	2799fps | 853m/s	2.03" | 51.5mm	2.82" | 71.6mm	267
7 mm Rem. Ultra Mag	3927 Joule	0.284	149	112	83.4gr | 5.41g	2934fps | 894m/s	2.85" | 72.4mm	3.6" | 91.4mm	271
7 mm STW	3962 Joule	0.284	149	97	71.9gr | 4.66g	2903fps | 885m/s	2.85" | 72.4mm	3.65" | 92.7mm	273
7 mm Weath. Mag.	3909 Joule	0.284	149	87	63.7gr | 4.13g	2930fps | 893m/s	2.55" | 64.7mm	3.36" | 85.3mm	272
7 mm WSM	3808 Joule	0.284	148	81.1	60.3gr | 3.91g	2929fps | 893m/s	2.09" | 53.1mm	2.86" | 72.6mm	266
7 mm-08 Rem.	3035 Joule	0.284	148	55	39.7gr | 2.57g	2616fps | 798m/s	2.04" | 51.7mm	2.8" | 71.1mm	262
7 x 33 Sako	1238 Joule	0.284	148	23	12.3gr | 0.8g	1983fps | 605m/s	1.31" | 33.3mm	1.75" | 44.5mm	100
7 x 44 Penna	1748 Joule	0.277	124	32.7	21gr | 1.36g	2124fps | 647m/s	1.75" | 44.5mm	2.36" | 59.9mm	136
7 x 50 R	1912 Joule	0.285	146	34.5	22.4gr | 1.45g	2084fps | 635m/s	1.94" | 49.3mm	2.68" | 68mm	243
7 x 57	3116 Joule	0.285	149	59.5	43.6gr | 2.82g	2644fps | 806m/s	2.24" | 57mm	3.07" | 78mm	264
7 x 57 R	2915 Joule	0.285	149	60	43gr | 2.79g	2575fps | 785m/s	2.24" | 57mm	3.07" | 78mm	265
7 x 61 S&H (Super)	3601 Joule	0.285	149	77.6	57.5gr | 3.73g	2819fps | 859m/s	2.4" | 61mm	3.29" | 83.6mm	266
7 x 64 Brenneke	3434 Joule	0.285	149	69	50.7gr | 3.29g	2767fps | 844m/s	2.52" | 64mm	3.31" | 84mm	264
7 x 65 R Brenneke	3294 Joule	0.285	149	69.8	50.1gr | 3.25g	2690fps | 820m/s	2.56" | 65mm	3.29" | 83.6mm	264
7 x 66 SE v. Hofe	3993 Joule	0.285	149	93	68.2gr | 4.42g	2991fps | 912m/s	2.6" | 66mm	3.31" | 84mm	260
7 x 72 R	2404 Joule	0.285	149	54	36gr | 2.33g	2334fps | 712m/s	2.83" | 71.9mm	3.62" | 92mm	267
7 x 75 R SE v. Hofe	3642 Joule	0.285	149	81	59.9gr | 3.88g	2853fps | 870m/s	2.95" | 75mm	3.82" | 97mm	268
7.21 Firebird (Lazzeroni)	4332 Joule	0.284	149	121	88.3gr | 5.72g	3051fps | 930m/s	2.8" | 71.1mm	3.55" | 90.2mm	273
7-.300 Norma Magnum	4294 Joule	0.284	167	102	78.7gr | 5.1g	2918fps | 890m/s	2.49" | 63.3mm	3.63" | 92.3mm	85