When it comes to big game hunting at long range, there’s a bevy of centerfire rifle options on the market with new caliber options all the time. However, sometimes the classics are the best, and it’s hard to beat the 7mm Remington Magnum as a versatile hunting rifle cartridge.
For big game hunting here in North America, this round will easily handle a little of everything from your standard whitetail deer to elk and even giant bears. Today, look at this popular rifle cartridge a little more in-depth and explain why the 7mm Remington Magnum is such a solid choice for hunting. We will also list some of the top hunting rifles chambered for this popular round.
This cartridge has been around for a long time, first introduced in 1962. The parent case is a .375 H&H Magnum which uses much heavier bullets, usually with a flat nose. Remington necked down the cartridge and went for a more streamlined bullet diameter for a better ballistic coefficient. The result is the 7mm Rem Mag. And it can scream out a 3,500 feet-per-second muzzle velocity with light, 110-grain bullets.
Most hunters use heavier ammo than that, of course. We’re talking anything up to a 140-grain Nosler Partition, Accubond, or a Hornady SST 150-grain bullet with a soft polymer point or boat tail ELD-X. You’re still getting a respectable 2,900-3,100 fps out of the round. It has an excellent flat trajectory too. It’s not uncommon for many shooters to reach out 400 yards with this round. At the same time, a 7mm magnum has a little more speed and power than a .270 Winchester. It’s also easier on the shoulder because the recoil is considerably less than the mighty .300 Winchester Magnum. (.300 Win Mag)
The 7mm Rem Mag is also an excellent choice for handloading enthusiasts. It’s an easy round to reload. Most handloads with popular bullets like Barnes retain great energy and speed to distances beyond 200 to 300 yards. Even with bullet weights of 165 grains and above, that feature remains the case. I bet you’re wondering about reliability on larger game. Remember, hunters often use the round as a catch-all round for many small to mid-sized African plains animals. Simply put, there’s much to like about the 7mm magnum cartridge. Now, let’s look at some options for rifles chambered in it.
Remington Model 700
We’re listing the Remington first since the manufacturer introduced the classic bolt-action rifle simultaneously with the cartridge. Today there are a ton of variants to choose from. Like a classic rifle? Go with a satin walnut stock. Want something that will stand up to the elements? Go for a synthetic stock and stainless steel combo.
Remington’s website claims this model is a top choice of elite snipers, and we understand why. The 26-inch barrel length helps get the optimal performance at long distances with this round. These rifles run about 46 inches long and weigh around seven pounds, depending on the stock type. Either way, the 700 was designed with this round in mind. So this rifle is an excellent choice today.
Browning X-Bolt Hell’s Canyon
Browning also builds many variants of this rifle to suit every hunter’s style. These rifles feature a free-floating barrel and three-lever feather trigger. Like your favorite desk chair, they have excellent ergonomics thanks to the Inflex recoil pad. The 60-degree bolt life helps cycle the gun quickly and fed via rotary magazines. Depending on your model, some features spacers to adjust the length of pull, adjustable combs, fluted barrels, and threaded barrels. Finishes vary.
Weatherby Vanguard MeatEater Edition
These rifles feature a Cerakote finish and a spiral-fluted 24 or 26-inch cold hammer forged barrel. Steven Rinella, the MeatEater, helped design these rifles with a black Cerakote fluted bolt body machined from one piece. Weatherby says they guarantee sub-MOA groups 100 yards with Weatherby factory or premium ammunition. The barrel is also threaded.
These rifles feature a Monte Carlo stock, designed with comfort in mind, with excellent ergonomics thanks to the textured forend and grip. The hinged floorplate is engraved with the MeatEater logo. This rifle is also ready to help you fill your freezer this season.
Savage Model 110 Classic
It’s hard to go wrong with one of the oldest bolt-action rifle platforms today. This rifle features a traditional walnut wood stock and is fed through detachable box magazines. The carbon steel barrel is 24 inches long and has a 1:9.5 rate of twist to help you get the most accuracy possible out of the 7mm Rem Mag platform. Even though this gun has a traditional look, it features modern flair like a threaded muzzle and an adjustable length of pull and comb. And, of course, Savage’s Accu Trigger system allows you to tailor the pull weight to your liking.
Winchester Model 70
Another classic rifle that has been given plenty of modern upgrades, the Model 70’s free-floating 26-inch barrel length helps get the best muzzle velocity and trajectory out of this round. This rifle is available in stainless steel or blued finishes. They offer a maple and a French walnut stock if you want a traditional look. If you’d rather have a gun that is light and easy to tote into the backcountry, go with one of their synthetic stock options. These guns have a three-position thumb safety and a Pre-64 claw extractor for better cycling.
CVA Cascade
The CVA name is better known for muzzleloaders. However, they did their research. Their new Cascade bolt-action rifle line has everything most hunters are looking for in a quality hunting rifle for an affordable price in the $600 range. The threaded barrels are carbon steel, finished in matte blue or Cerakote, and are fed through detachable magazines. The stocks are synthetic and reinforced with fiberglass for extra strength. CVA also built a spacer system for the stock so you can adjust the length of the pull.
Mossberg Patriot
The Mossberg is an excellent choice if you shop for a rifle on a budget. The synthetic stock versions of this rifle come under the seven-pound mark making it an ideal choice for rough hikes into the backcountry. The barrels on these rifles are fluted and threaded, adding even more functionality and value. Mossberg also sells this rifle as a scoped combo package with a Vortex Crossfire 3-9x40mm scope, or you can get a standard gun with weaver-style bases to mount the optic of your choice. Either way, these guns come in under the $600 mark making an excellent bargain for a rifle with this versatility.
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This article was originally published on January 3, 2022.
