The Everyman’s Guide to 7mm Hunting Cartridges: From Mauser to Magnum

If you’re hunting big game in North America and want a cartridge that balances power, reach, and manageable recoil, the 7mm bore is hard to beat. With bullet diameters of .284 inches, these cartridges offer flat trajectories, deep penetration, and enough versatility to handle everything from whitetail to elk. But with so many 7mm options out there—classic, modern, and magnum—it’s easy to get lost in the weeds.

This guide breaks down the most relevant 7mm hunting cartridges, from the timeless 7×57 Mauser to the fire-breathing 28 Nosler. Whether you’re a DIY hunter, a cartridge nerd, or just trying to pick your next rifle, here’s the no-nonsense rundown.

🧱 The Classics

🔹 7x57mm Mauser

Introduced in 1892, this cartridge earned its stripes in military service and big-game hunting alike.
Mild recoil, excellent penetration with heavy-for-caliber bullets (like 175-grain soft points).
Still lethal on deer and elk with proper shot placement, especially in modern rifles with faster twist rates.

🔹 7mm-08 Remington

A necked-down .308 Winchester, it’s the modern minimalist’s 7mm.
Efficient, accurate, and ideal for youth or recoil-sensitive hunters.
Great for deer-sized game, but with premium bullets, it can stretch into elk territory.

🚀 The Magnums

🔹 7mm Remington Magnum

The most popular magnum 7mm, and for good reason.
Flat-shooting, hard-hitting, and widely available in rifles and ammo.
Versatile enough for everything from antelope to moose, though recoil is noticeable.

🔹 7mm Weatherby Magnum

Roy Weatherby’s take on the 7mm magnum—hotter and flashier than the Rem Mag.
Higher velocity, but ammo and rifles are less common.
Best suited for open-country hunting where long shots are the norm.

🔹 7mm Winchester Short Magnum (WSM)

Short-action magnum with near-Rem Mag performance.
Compact and efficient, but suffered from limited rifle chamberings.
Still a solid choice for reloaders and custom builds.

🔹 7mm Remington Ultra Magnum (RUM)

Big case, big velocity, big recoil.
Ideal for long-range elk and moose hunting, but barrel life suffers.
Not for the faint of heart—or shoulder.

🔹 28 Nosler

One of the newest and fastest 7mm cartridges.
Delivers magnum performance with modern efficiency and high BC bullets.
Excellent for long-range hunting, but ammo cost and availability can be limiting.

🧠 The Smart Additions

🔹 7mm STW (Shooting Times Westerner)

Wildcat turned SAAMI-approved in the ’90s, based on the 8mm Rem Mag case.
Designed to outrun the 7mm Rem Mag with 160–175 grain bullets at blistering speeds.
Great for long-range hunting, but ammo is scarce and barrel life is short.
A handloader’s cartridge with cult status among Western hunters.

🔷 7mm PRC: The Modern Magnum

Introduced by Hornady as a purpose-built long-action magnum.
Designed for high-BC bullets and long-range hunting applications.
Typical load: 180-grain bullets at ~2,950 fps.
Delivers flat trajectories and excellent wind resistance.
Beltless case with a 30° shoulder improves consistency and reloadability.
Optimized for fast-twist barrels and long magazines.
Ideal for elk-sized game and precision shooting out to 1,000 yards.
A streamlined evolution of the 7mm Rem Mag—less case capacity, smarter design.

🔹 .280 Ackley Improved

A modernized .280 Remington with a 40-degree shoulder and minimal case taper.
Nearly matches 7mm Rem Mag performance with less powder and recoil.
Efficient, accurate, and increasingly available in factory rifles and ammo.
Ideal for hunters who want magnum-like reach without magnum punishment.

🔹 7mm RSAUM (Remington Short Action Ultra Magnum)

Short-action magnum twin to the 7mm WSM.
Slightly less velocity than the Rem Mag, but fits in compact rifles.
Popular among custom builders and long-range shooters for its efficiency and accuracy.
Ammo is niche, but performance is solid with 160–180 grain bullets.

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