HomeBrowse Calibers › 7mm Rem. Mag.

7mm Rem. Mag. Ballistics — Velocity, Energy & Drop

Common uses: Hunting, Big Game, Long Range

Specifications

Typerifle (centerfire)
Typical load160gr Federal Vital-Shok Nosler Partition
Muzzle velocity2950 fps
Muzzle energy3093 ft-lb
Published G1 ballistic coefficient0.475
Case length63.5 mm
Overall length83.6 mm
SAAMI max pressure61000 PSI
Common twist rate1:9"

7mm Rem. Mag. Trajectory Table

Range (yd)Velocity (fps)Energy (ft-lb)Drop (in)
029503091-1.5
100274926850
20025572322-3.1
30023742001-11.6
40021971715-26.2
50020291462-48

7mm Rem. Mag. Extended Ballistics (to 1,000 yd)

At 1,000 yards, 7mm Rem. Mag. (160gr at 2950 fps, 100 yd zero, standard conditions) has a modeled come-up of about 30.6 MOA / 8.9 MIL, retaining 1325 fps (transonic).

Range (yd)Velocity (fps)StateDrop (in)Elev (MOA)Elev (MIL)
3002374Supersonic-11.63.71.07
4002197Supersonic-26.26.31.82
5002029Supersonic-48.09.22.67
6001868Supersonic-78.312.53.63
7001716Supersonic-118.616.24.71
8001574Supersonic-170.820.45.93
9001443Supersonic-237.025.17.31
10001325Transonic-319.930.68.89

Extended predictions beyond 500 yards are modeled from the same G1 engine — useful for initial DOPE, but outside the 500-yard manufacturer-table validation audit. Confirm with observed DOPE, especially near transonic.

Hunting Energy Reference

A retained-energy reference only — not a shoot/don't-shoot distance. Real effective range depends on your accuracy, shot placement, bullet construction, and conditions. The ~1,000 ft-lb (deer-sized) and ~1,500 ft-lb (elk-sized) figures are commonly cited rules of thumb, not standards.

Data & Sources

Your barrel, ammunition lot, and conditions will differ — always verify against the manufacturer's data and your own rifle.

Overview

The 7mm Rem. Mag. earned its reputation as a versatile Western hunting cartridge, prized for a flat trajectory and enough retained energy to take deer, elk, and other large game cleanly at extended range. It drives high-BC 7mm (.284 inch) bullets, typically in the 140- to 175-grain range, fast enough to stretch effective range well past what standard cartridges offer, while its recoil stays manageable for most shooters. That combination made it a favorite among mountain and plains hunters and, later, a capable choice for long-range target work. Its main tradeoffs are the barrel wear and muzzle blast common to magnums, along with more recoil and ammunition cost than mid-size rounds. Factory support is broad, and it continues to be one of the most widely available belted magnums on the shelf.

History

Remington introduced the 7mm Remington Magnum in 1962, launching it alongside the new Model 700 bolt-action rifle. Like other belted magnums of its era, it descends from the .375 H&H Magnum case, shortened so that it functions in a standard .30-06-length action. It became one of the most commercially successful magnum cartridges ever made and remains a benchmark against which newer 7mm magnums are measured.

Related Cartridges

Learn the Fundamentals

Run this cartridge in the ballistic calculator · Compare it against another cartridge · How this data is produced