A war’s been raging since 1963. That’s the year Winchester brought to market its now famous 300 Winchester Magnum. That introduction was, I’m guessing, retaliation against Remington’s 1962 release of its equally famous 7mm Remington Magnum. Each cartridge is today the most popular magnum in its caliber, raising the question: Which is the best all round hunting cartridge?
Now, you 300 Weatherby Mag. fans don’t jump in here and spoil the argument or I’ll let the 300 RUM lovers counter. Size matters, so let’s stick to the two older magnums. (Or read this article for another take on magnums.)
To engage this 7mm RM vs. 300 WM argument you have to be willing to pick at nits because, bottom line, both cartridges (and many other magnums like them) are winners. Either will neatly terminate deer, sheep, elk and larger game so long at the shooter delivers the right bullet to the right spot. Those are always the deciding factors: right bullet, right place. Given that, I would happily and eagerly hunt anything with either cartridge — even charging brown bears. Well, I wouldn’t be eager to face a charging brown bear, but I’d trust either cartridge if I had to — so long as each was spitting a long, heavy, controlled expansion bullet.
Regardless, if I had to pick just one of these for all-round hunting, it would be the 7mm Rem. Mag. by a nose. In a nutshell, here’s why: given equal rifle mass, optimum bullet Ballistic Coefficients and Muzzle Velocities in each caliber, the 7mm RM will shoot flatter, drift less and recoil with less brain jarring recoil than the 300 WM. Let’s run a quick ballistic comparison and see the tale of the tape. We’ll pretend both rifles weigh 8-pounds as shot. We’ll zero both at 250 yards, load both to maximum muzzle velocity and fire both in a 10 mph right angle breeze. Ready, aim, fire!
Here are the relative recoil levels from both 8-pound rifles in the above scenario:
Recoil Impulse Recoil velocity of rife Free recoil energy
7mm Rem. Mag. 3.5 lbs. per sec. 14.07 fps 24.6 foot-pounds
300 Win. Mag. 3.89 lbs. per sec. 15.64 fps 30.4 foot-pounds
Astute readers will notice a few things from these numbers:
- Contrary to popular belief, the heavier bullet does not drift less in the wind. Wind deflection is determined by a combination of B.C. and MV, not just weight. Weight is only a part of B.C.
- The heavier, larger caliber bullet delivers more energy at all ranges despite starting with a slower MV. The higher B.C. of this 210-grain .308 bullet helps it resist air drag, enabling it to retain more of the energy it started out with.
- The 7mm (.284-inch) bullet drops less at all ranges even though the .308-inch bullet has a more efficient, minimum drag B.C. This is because the MV was 200 fps faster.
- The 300 WM kicks slightly more. If you’re recoil sensitive…
- None of this matters to the elk. If you think 150 f-p impact energy will spell the difference between venison on the pole and a lost cripple, you might be interested in a bridge I’m selling in Manhattan.
Our current fad for long range shooting makes these studies in ballistics fascinating, but at “normal” hunting distances, neither cartridge has an appreciable advantage over the other. Deciding which you prefer comes down to levels of recoil, downrange energy, bullet drop and bullet drift, none of which are significant unless you plan to be throwing at targets beyond 500 yards.
Both cartridges fit through standard length actions, both maximize performance in 26-inch barrels but do fine in more convenient 24-inch tubes. Both are chambered in just about every hunting rifle made, including wonderfully affordable models like Mossberg’s Patriot as demonstrated here. Both are loaded with a wide variety of some of the the best bullets in the world and both are widely distributed and easily found. You can find .284 bullets from 100-grains to 180 grains, .308 bullets from 100- to 230-grains for handloading but — and this is a significant but — factory loads may throw you a curve!
WARNING: In factory loaded ammunition, you’ll be hard pressed to find 300 WM ammo with bullets heavier than 180 grains. Most brands offer 170 to 175-grain options in 7mm RM. That changes the ballistics significantly in favor of the 7mm and might alter your plans. If you are planning to shoot factory ammunition only, check back here for Part Two of this cartridge comparison blog. Factory load options might change your mind.
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This comparison could come down to which one you shoot better. If minute-of-deer/elk accuracy is there, it is not going to matter since the two cartridges are so close to each other in aspects that matter. If I had to choose, I would go with the 7mm Rem.
Why not compare bullets of close grains so he mess up with the 300mag why not use 180 grains against 7mm 168 grains to be fair and l reload thank you rtb
I’ve found it most illuminating to compare bullets of similar B.C. in various calibers, but it’s informative to also compare those of similar weight, in which case the narrower caliber almost always wins the ballistic battles, given similar muzzle velocities.
Exactly what I was thinking I don’t know a single person that hunts long range or would ever shoot long range with a .300 win that go over 180g lol
Ken, of course, as a serious long-range shooter, you know the details, but most “ordinary” hunters just use what’s commonly available in factory ammo, and the most commonly used bullet weight in 300 WM is 180 grain. My intent was to inform readers of the performance of that. As to your implication, yes, certain 210 to 225-grain .308 bullets in the 300 WM will match or exceed performance of 170- to 180-gr., high BC bullet in the 7mm RM. The key is BC and MV. Match those and you match trajectory/wind deflection. The heaviest bullets will then retain the most energy. Recoil with them will also be highest. Many shooters are concerned with recoil.
Thank you for an excellent article. I am a simple man of 79. I have a wide range of guns but only one hunting rifle, a 1903-A3, .30-06 I bought from the NRA in 1958, unmodified. I have brought down my share of Whitetails in northern Minnesota, usually with a 180 grain bullet. I would have enjoyed a more exotic experience, owning a wide variety of heavy duty calibers you frequently explore. But my professional career did not take me in that direction. No sheep, moose or bear hunting in Alaska, not even elk or antelope in Wyoming. But I have always enjoyed the writing of those who have. As a boy, my dream was to own a Marlin .45-70 for hunting in Alaska. Now I find out from my brother-in-law who lived in Fairbanks for 40 years, and a 47 year veteran fire helicopter pilot-friend currently based in Soldotna, AK for the fire season, the vast majority of Alaska natives use only a .22-250 with a V-Max 55 grain bullet. So, following your theme of it’s where you put the bullet that counts, does a .22-250 deserve consideration along side the magnums you have discussed? I’m skeptical but open minded.
Phil: Sorry you didn’t get to make your dream trip to AK. Life has a way of limiting our options. Yes, many, perhaps most, far north natives employ 22-250 Rem., 223 Rem. 243 Win, the old 222 Rem. for collecting bush meat, including moose. I’ve heard and don’t doubt they’ve taken grizzlies with these, too. Completely doable, but problematic for the visiting sport hunter. The kinetic energy carried by lighter bullets minimizes internal tissue destruction. In my experience a .224 to .243 varmint bullet that is slipped behind the shoulder into the heart/lungs breaks up dramatically, tearing tissues in an area about the volume of a softball , perhaps volleyball. Tougher, controlled expansion bullets penetrate much farther to create a longer, narrower wound cavity. If either wound is atop the heart, it ruins the major arteries supplying blood to the rest of the body. This can render an animal unconscious in as few as two seconds. To whatever degree blood flow is disrupted by any bullet, the animal, regardless of size, sooner or later dies via oxygen starvation of the brain. Extrapolate that bullet energy to ever larger bullets and you see the potential for more tissue destruction and potentially faster demise. The mistake many hunters make is assuming bullet energy performs much like a boxer’s knockout punch, so the bigger and faster the better. But bullets don’t act like broad fists, which knockout because they shock the central nervous system. Any bullet, even a lowly .22 LR, that strikes the spinal cord from about the withers forward to the brain can kill the largest animal instantly. This does not mean the .22 is an optimal grizzly cartridge. Yes, with perfect shot placement, virtually any cartridge/bullet can terminate big animals, but common sense suggests size and power increases commensurate with critter bulk, especially if your time afield is expensive and limited. If you get a decent chance at your game at a less than perfect angle, you want a bullet capable of reaching the vitals. Someone living cheek to jowl with moose every day can await the perfect chance. On a 9-day hunt, you and I probably cannot. As for “stopping power” (grizzly charge, etc.) bullet size and velocity can make a significant difference, but not as much as many believe. No bullet fired from a shoulder-held rifle is capable of knocking back or even slowing down even a small grizzly. Breaking a leg can help, but don’t expect a heart shot to do the job. Sometimes a significant body hit with a big bullet can discourage and turn an attack, but as many have learned the ahrd way, only a central nervous system hit can ensure dead-right-there. As a famous African elephant hunter once told me “Unless you put the bullet into the brain, it doesn’t matter if it’s 100 grains or 1,000 grains. It won’t kill him. So you might as well use a 375 you can shoot without flinching.”
Wow, thank you for making it simple.
Tom,. I enjoy all of Mr. Spomer’s articals. I’m a deer Hunter from Texas, I hunted with a 25:06 for around 27 years. Come across a deal on a m77 300 WM used only for over 10 years. Have a back neck so I got 700 SPS in 7.08, man it,s great. Thanks Mr. Spomer
7mm Rem Mag vs. 300 Win Mag
1)) Load each of them with the very ‘maximum’ amount of powder each case will safely hold, and also with exact same type of powder.
2)) Load both of them with exact same bullet grain weight(150, 165, or 180 grain, etc.) an example is both of them with a 150 grain bullet, and also same bullet type.
Then I ‘do’ know the 300 Win Mag will have more velocity, being more FeetPerSecond than the 7 mm Rem Mag.
But I would also like to know, in the scenario I mentioned above, please also compare which cartridge will have the ‘best’ Ballistic Coefficient, Energy ft/lbs, flatter shooting, etc.??
This is a fair comparison that I would like to see done. Thank you. David
First a clarification, David. The cartridges do not have a BC, the bullets do. In most cases you can get about 200 fps more velocity from a 300 WM than 7mm RM, so the 300 would win. At some distance, however, the more ballistically efficient bullet would take over. If we zero at 250 yards and shoot the Hornady 178-gr. .308 ELDX (BC .545) at 3200 fps and the Hornady 175-gr. .284 ELDX (.675) at 2,900 fps, at 1,000 yards the .308 would drop 231″ to 237″ for the .284. Drift: 67″ vs. 56″, Energy: 1023 vs. 1129. Yes, the.284 retains almost 100 f-p MORE energy due to its more efficient shape. This energy won’t matter a whit to the animal hit. Not that anyone should be targeting game at that range. Also, it’s unlikely you can use the same powders to get maximum velocity in each different cartridge.
A friend of mine went to Canada this past fall, wasn’t able to take his 7 mag because of Canadian regulations on caliber size. Had to take his 30 06 instead. So depending on where you like to hunt or go could end this debate
It’s always wise to check local regulations on legal calibers/cartridges and rifles. I doubt, however, that Canada disallows any 7mm magnums. I’ve hunted up there many times with various calibers and cartridges including .257, .277 and .284 (7mm) magnums. Your friend might have been misinformed by his outfitter. Many outfitters have strong preferences in calibers.
Roger Duford
As an Alberta, Canada resident I can tell you there is no such thing as Canadian regulations on caliber size other than you must be above .223 for big game.
Most of my hunting friends shoot from .243 to .375 H & H for big game in Alberta. Your friend was misinformed by someone re the regs.
Roger Duford
Sorry. Above.23, not .223
Mr Spomer I am getting ready to buy a 7mm mag. There are so many to choose from. I really like the model 70 extreme weather. It weighs 7.4 pounds. After scope rings sling and shells it would weigh close to 9 pounds. Do you think that’s too heavy for all day carrying in the woods. Thanks
Dan: Well, it would be for me these days. I like to think my 9-pound penalty days are behind me, especially since I long ago discovered my 6-pound rifles are just as field accurate as my 9 and 10. I know the trend is toward rifles the size and weight of small howitzers, but I also know I can hit out to beyond descent ranges any game I need to with my light rifles, so what’s the point of the mass? Not many agree with me, but I formed my opinion after hunting with literally dozens of rifles of all weights and sizes. All of my sheep and goats but two have been taken with 6-pound and lighter rifles out to 400 yards. No misses that I can recall. Many elk, caribou, moose also with the light rifles, and more than a few coyotes, Coues deer, etc. Seriously, I’m a light rifle convert of the highest order. Heavy rifle accuracy theory is one thing. Productive hunting is another. But you need to do what feels right to you. If interested in light, check out Rifles Inc, New Ultra Light Arms, Kimber Montana and Barrett Fieldcraft for starters.
Ron, nice article.
I recently was in the conundrum of picking either a 300 win or a 7 Rem. I ended up going with a 300 win chambered with the NSWC reamer (more freebies than Sami, developed for military to shoot 220 smk). I chose the 300 due to the wide range of loading options and due to the fact that I can easily purchase ammo on any continent in the world with the exception of Antarctica.
My current handload is the hornady 225 eld (g1 BC of .777) seated at 3.680 (0.020 off lands) running 2958 FPS with an ES of 6 fps. This load shoots 0.25″ regularly. With this bullet weight and velocity the kinetic energy is 4359 ft lbs! Also, on paper (I realize this can be wildly different in the real world, this load is still traveling 1122 fps at 2000 yards! This performance is mind boggling to me but I will never realize it’s full potential.
After achieving these results, I am abosolutely delighted choosing the 300 win.
MG. Wow! Accurate rig. Glad it’s working well for you. Other readers might be puzzled by what auto-correct did to your words, so allow me: “More freebies than Sami” means MG’s NSWC reamer cut more free-bore in the chamber (before contacting the rifling) than the SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturing Institute) standard. This enables him to seat those long Hornady ELD-X bullets. By the way, MG, I wasn’t aware Hornady had a 225-gr. .308 ELD bullet. The heaviest I can find on their website is the 220-grain with a G1 BC of .650. That’s still pretty impressive. And the group size! I’d be tickled to get that with one of my .22s or 6mms. You’re a lucky shooter. Happy shooting.
7-mag can’t go wrong. Took down a oryx NM. At 435 yards animal when down without 2nd round. (Shot placement) Cow elk last year at 320. Shooting 162 grain SST. Both hunts were done by my 15 year son. This was after many rounds at the range. Gun, wheataby van guard scope vortex 4x16x44 BDC. 300mag had to much recoil! As far as the old man I will stick with my 30-06… can’t go wrong! Good shooting.