7mm Remington Magnum

7mm Remington Magnum: In Depth

If you were a big player in the US ammunition business back in the early 1960s, you knew the public couldn’t get enough of “magnum” cartridges. Although the era of American firearms history in question is still known as the “magnum craze”, magnums weren’t new in the 60s, and the concept wasn’t even American, really. In fact, the magnum lineage can be traced directly to UK gunmakers Holland and Holland back in the nineteen-teens, and to the many trend-setting cartridges that issued from their workshops. The .375 H&H Magnum case in particular was molested in a great many ways to make future American magnums: by setting the shoulder back, blowing it forward, necking it up, necking it down, trimming its length, etc. But way back then, H&H also released a smaller-caliber cartridge the very same year as the .375 H&H–known as .275 H&H Magnum. It was a standard-length cartridge–think .30-06 Springfield length–with a .287 caliber bullet, wrapped up in a belted case with the all-important magnum moniker. The year was 1912.

Fast forward to the 60s. Americans were spoiled for choice if they wanted a high-powered rifle cartridge that fit in a standard action. Roy Weatherby’s rounds, too numerous to list, were mostly designed in the 40s and 50s. Many of them fit a standard action. Winchester released the .338 Win Mag in 1958, followed by the .264 Win Mag in 1959, which both fit a standard action. After that–as was so often the explanation for new cartridges–one manufacturer felt compelled to fire back at its historical rival with the release of yet another new cartridge. Such shenanigans were incredibly commonplace at the time!

The answer to Winchester’s ongoing badgering came in 1962, in the form of the 7mm Remington Magnum. It too was based on the then fifty-year old .375 H&H Magnum case, with its distinctive belt near the case head. It featured a .284 caliber bullet traveling north of 3,000/fps in several of its loadings. With it, hunters could expect to lay down almost any game in North America with relative ease. In the same year, Remington also released its landmark Model 700 rifle in a variety of different chamberings. This rifle helped boost sales of the new cartridge, as did the round’s tolerance for a wide range of projectile weights. This tolerance continues to attract hunters to the cartridge after many decades. Loads are available for small to medium-sized game up to the very largest ungulates on the continent. 

7mm Remington Magnum: Guns

This Remington cartridge made its way to market the very same year as their much-revered Model 700 rifle–which was released in many different calibers–in 1962. To say that these rifles have sold dependably since then is an understatement; the ones chambered in 7mm Remington Magnum are no exception. With so many decades of strong sales, there’s many fine examples of used Model 700s to choose from out there. For new gun sales, Remington has some pretty stiff competition these days, especially in the budget sector, from the likes of Browning, Tikka, Bergara, and Savage.

Bolt-Action Rifles

• Remington 700
• Browning X-Bolt
• Tikka T3X
• Bergara B-14
• Savage 110

Why Choose 7mm Remington Magnum?

If you’re looking to hunt anything from hogs to white-tailed deer, elk, and moose, and have the opportunity–and skill–to take good shots at 500 or more yards, this is your cartridge. There’s plenty of power to turn any predator inside out, too. A 150-gr. load features a bullet moving at over 3,000/fps, which is pretty impressive. This is still one of the most popular magnum rounds on the market, even in the modern landscape of efficient case design and short-action cartridge worship. And, while the belts don’t really serve much of a purpose any more, they sure are cool lookin’.  

Hunting

• Wide range of projectile weights make this a do-it-all hunting cartridge. (That is, if you’re not recoil shy)
• Able to successfully take most game in North America, with the possible exception of the biggest bears.

7mm Remington Magnum: Ammo Brands and Loadings

All the big players produce 7mm Remington Magnum ammo. Of course Remington is well represented, as are Federal, Winchester, and Hornady. Swedish manufacturer Norma also loads high-quality hunting ammunition, including a 127-gr. lead-free option. Bullet weights from the 120s up through 180-gr. are available, depending on the requirements of your hunt. Generally, lighter projectiles are for the smaller quarry, and the heaviest options in the 160-gr. and up range are good for elk or moose, but there are some exceptions. 

Standard Loading

• Varies. This round has popular light, medium, and heavy loadings.

Bullet Types

• SP (Soft Point) - Hunting 
• Polymer Tip - Hunting
• HP (Hollow Point) - Hunting

Bullet Weights

• 127-gr. - Lead Free / Medium Game
• 139-gr. to 142-gr. - Medium Game
• 150-gr. - to 168-gr. - Medium / Large Game
• 173-gr. to 180-gr. - Large Game

Velocities

• 127-gr. - 3,314/fps
• 139-gr. to 142-gr. - 3,200/fps 
• 150-gr. - to 168-gr. - 2,900/fps to 3,200/fps
• 173-gr. to 180-gr. - 2,850/fps