7mm Calibers Comparison

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
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. The rank shows the popularity of the rifle caliber in our community.
Caliber | Rank | 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 | 3897 Joule | 0.277 | 128 | 98.4 | 73.4gr | 4.75g | 3138fps | 957m/s | 2.59" | 65.8mm | 3.34" | 84.8mm | 184 | |
.270 WSM | 3656 Joule | 0.277 | 128 | 79.5 | 60.8gr | 3.94g | 3057fps | 932m/s | 2.09" | 53.1mm | 2.86" | 72.6mm | 172 | |
.270 Weath. Mag. | 3693 Joule | 0.277 | 128 | 82 | 62.6gr | 4.06g | 3055fps | 931m/s | 2.55" | 64.7mm | 3.3" | 83.7mm | 172 | |
.270 Win. | 3346 Joule | 0.277 | 128 | 67 | 51gr | 3.31g | 2942fps | 897m/s | 2.54" | 64.5mm | 3.34" | 84.8mm | 172 | |
.277 Fury | 3113 Joule | 0.277 | 128 | 54 | 40gr | 2.59g | 2812fps | 857m/s | 2.02" | 51.2mm | 2.7" | 68.6mm | 172 | |
.277 Fury (Commercial) | 2924 Joule | 0.277 | 128 | 54 | 39.6gr | 2.56g | 2751fps | 839m/s | 2.02" | 51.2mm | 2.7" | 68.6mm | 171 | |
.28 Nosler | 4096 Joule | 0.284 | 149 | 97 | 71.9gr | 4.66g | 2985fps | 910m/s | 2.59" | 65.8mm | 3.34" | 84.8mm | 286 | |
.280 Ackley Improved | 3648 Joule | 0.284 | 148 | 74 | 54.8gr | 3.55g | 2854fps | 870m/s | 2.54" | 64.5mm | 3.33" | 84.6mm | 271 | |
.280 Rem. | 3349 Joule | 0.284 | 149 | 67.9 | 49.2gr | 3.19g | 2722fps | 830m/s | 2.54" | 64.5mm | 3.33" | 84.6mm | 267 | |
.284 Win. | 3339 Joule | 0.283 | 146 | 66 | 47.1gr | 3.05g | 2774fps | 846m/s | 2.17" | 55.1mm | 2.8" | 71.1mm | 232 | |
6.8 Western | 3609 Joule | 0.278 | 136 | 74 | 57.5gr | 3.73g | 2960fps | 902m/s | 2.02" | 51.3mm | 2.96" | 75.1mm | 40 | |
6.8 mm Rem. SPC | 1942 Joule | 0.277 | 123 | 34 | 22.1gr | 1.43g | 2347fps | 715m/s | 1.69" | 42.9mm | 2.28" | 58mm | 120 | |
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 | 148 | 82.5 | 63.2gr | 4.1g | 2921fps | 891m/s | 2.3" | 58.5mm | 3.3" | 83.8mm | 268 | |
7 mm Exp. Rem. | 3311 Joule | 0.284 | 148 | 67.5 | 48.5gr | 3.15g | 2689fps | 820m/s | 2.54" | 64.5mm | 3.33" | 84.6mm | 268 | |
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 | 269 | |
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 | 267 | |
7 mm PRC | 3927 Joule | 0.284 | 152 | 82 | 64gr | 4.14g | 2899fps | 884m/s | 2.28" | 57.9mm | 3.34" | 84.8mm | 268 | |
7 mm Rem. Mag. | 3801 Joule | 0.284 | 148 | 82 | 61.1gr | 3.96g | 2906fps | 886m/s | 2.5" | 63.5mm | 3.29" | 83.6mm | 267 | |
7 mm Rem. SA Ultra Mag | 3667 Joule | 0.284 | 148 | 72.6 | 53.6gr | 3.47g | 2803fps | 855m/s | 2.03" | 51.5mm | 2.82" | 71.6mm | 263 | |
7 mm Rem. Ultra Mag | 3927 Joule | 0.284 | 148 | 112 | 83.5gr | 5.41g | 2942fps | 897m/s | 2.85" | 72.4mm | 3.6" | 91.4mm | 267 | |
7 mm STW | 3967 Joule | 0.284 | 148 | 97 | 71.8gr | 4.65g | 2900fps | 884m/s | 2.85" | 72.4mm | 3.65" | 92.7mm | 269 | |
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 | 262 | |
7 mm Weath. Mag. | 3909 Joule | 0.284 | 148 | 87 | 63.7gr | 4.13g | 2930fps | 893m/s | 2.55" | 64.7mm | 3.36" | 85.3mm | 268 | |
7 mm-08 Rem. | 3038 Joule | 0.284 | 148 | 55 | 39.8gr | 2.58g | 2623fps | 800m/s | 2.04" | 51.7mm | 2.8" | 71.1mm | 258 | |
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 | 101 | |
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 | 133 | |
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 | 239 | |
7 x 57 | 3116 Joule | 0.285 | 148 | 59.5 | 43.6gr | 2.83g | 2646fps | 807m/s | 2.24" | 57mm | 3.07" | 78mm | 260 | |
7 x 57 R | 2913 Joule | 0.285 | 149 | 60 | 43gr | 2.78g | 2576fps | 786m/s | 2.24" | 57mm | 3.07" | 78mm | 261 | |
7 x 61 S&H (Super) | 3601 Joule | 0.285 | 148 | 77.6 | 57.5gr | 3.73g | 2819fps | 859m/s | 2.4" | 61mm | 3.29" | 83.6mm | 262 | |
7 x 64 Brenneke | 3434 Joule | 0.285 | 149 | 69 | 50.7gr | 3.29g | 2767fps | 844m/s | 2.52" | 64mm | 3.31" | 84mm | 260 | |
7 x 65 R Brenneke | 3295 Joule | 0.285 | 148 | 69.8 | 50.2gr | 3.25g | 2690fps | 820m/s | 2.56" | 65mm | 3.29" | 83.6mm | 260 | |
7 x 66 SE v. Hofe | 3995 Joule | 0.285 | 149 | 93 | 68.2gr | 4.42g | 2991fps | 912m/s | 2.6" | 66mm | 3.31" | 84mm | 256 | |
7 x 72 R | 2408 Joule | 0.285 | 149 | 54 | 36.1gr | 2.34g | 2334fps | 711m/s | 2.83" | 71.9mm | 3.62" | 92mm | 263 | |
7 x 75 R SE v. Hofe | 3644 Joule | 0.285 | 149 | 81 | 60gr | 3.88g | 2852fps | 869m/s | 2.95" | 75mm | 3.82" | 97mm | 264 | |
7-.300 Norma Magnum | 4302 Joule | 0.284 | 167 | 102 | 78.6gr | 5.09g | 2929fps | 893m/s | 2.49" | 63.3mm | 3.63" | 92.3mm | 79 | |
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 | 269 |