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Common uses: Hunting, Big Game
| Type | rifle (centerfire) |
| Typical load | 140gr Norma Ecostrike |
| Muzzle velocity | 2986 fps |
| Muzzle energy | 2772 ft-lb |
| Published G1 ballistic coefficient | 0.443 |
| Case length | 64 mm |
| Overall length | 84.8 mm |
| Range (yd) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Drop (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 2986 | 2771 | -1.5 |
| 100 | 2769 | 2383 | 0 |
| 200 | 2563 | 2042 | -3 |
| 300 | 2366 | 1740 | -11.4 |
| 400 | 2178 | 1474 | -26 |
| 500 | 1998 | 1241 | -47.9 |
At 1,000 yards, 7x64 (140gr at 2986 fps, 100 yd zero, standard conditions) has a modeled come-up of about 31.4 MOA / 9.1 MIL, retaining 1267 fps (transonic).
| Range (yd) | Velocity (fps) | State | Drop (in) | Elev (MOA) | Elev (MIL) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 | 2366 | Supersonic | -11.4 | 3.6 | 1.06 |
| 400 | 2178 | Supersonic | -26.0 | 6.2 | 1.80 |
| 500 | 1998 | Supersonic | -47.9 | 9.2 | 2.66 |
| 600 | 1828 | Supersonic | -78.6 | 12.5 | 3.64 |
| 700 | 1668 | Supersonic | -119.7 | 16.3 | 4.75 |
| 800 | 1519 | Supersonic | -173.3 | 20.7 | 6.02 |
| 900 | 1385 | Supersonic | -242.1 | 25.7 | 7.47 |
| 1000 | 1267 | Transonic | -328.9 | 31.4 | 9.14 |
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.
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.
Your barrel, ammunition lot, and conditions will differ — always verify against the manufacturer's data and your own rifle.
The 7x64 is one of continental Europe's classic all-around big-game cartridges, prized for its versatility across a wide range of bullet weights. Loaded light it handles roe deer and chamois, while heavy 160-175 grain loads carry enough sectional density and penetration for red stag, wild boar, moose, and even brown bear. It remains a common sight at European driven hunts and in the hunting fields where its flat-shooting, hard-hitting nature and long-established factory support keep it relevant. Ballistically it sits close to the .280 Remington, delivering nearly identical performance, though it has always been far more popular in Europe than in North America, where 7mm demand centers on other cartridges. Modest recoil for its power and broad ammunition availability from European makers are its main strengths; comparatively limited presence in the U.S. market is its chief practical limitation there.
Introduced in 1917 by German gun and ammunition designer Wilhelm Brenneke, the 7x64 was created by necking down his earlier 8x64mm S case to 7mm to build a rimless, high-velocity hunting round with roughly 10-12% more velocity and a flatter trajectory than the popular 7x57mm Mauser. Because it was a purely sporting rather than military chambering, it enjoyed a civilian advantage in Germany after the Treaty of Versailles restricted military calibers, and between the world wars it earned a reputation among German hunters as a "miracle cartridge" with dozens of factory loads on offer. Its rimless case also suited it well to bolt rifles, drillings, and combination guns, cementing its place as a European hunting standard.
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