Pick up a box of 7mm Rem Mag and you will see two numbers on the label: speed and energy. Those two numbers are the heart of 7mm Rem Mag ballistics. They tell you how hard the bullet leaves the muzzle and give you a fair way to compare one load to the next. This guide lays out the published numbers for the loads we carry, explains what they mean, and helps you match a bullet weight to the game you hunt.
We stick to factory data here. You will not find drop charts. Drop depends on your rifle, your scope height and your zero, so use a ballistic app with your own chronograph data for that part.
What Caliber Is the 7mm Rem Mag?
The 7mm Remington Magnum fires a .284-inch bullet. Remington brought it out in 1962. It uses a belted magnum case, cut short enough to fit a standard long action. That design gave hunters magnum speed without a huge, heavy rifle.
Six decades later it is still a go-to choice for deer and elk across the West. Ammo is easy to find, and there is a wide spread of bullet weights, from light lead-free loads to long, sleek bullets built for distance.
7mm Rem Mag Ballistics by Load
The table below lists a cross section of our 7mm Rem Mag ammo, grouped from light to heavy. Speed and energy are the maker’s published muzzle figures.
| Load | Bullet | Grain | Muzzle velocity (fps) | Muzzle energy (ft-lbs) | Pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady Superformance 7mm Rem Mag 139 gr SST | Hornady SST Polymer Tip | 139 | 3,240 | 3,239 | 20-round box |
| Hornady American Whitetail 7mm Rem Mag 139 Grain InterLock | Hornady InterLock Jacketed Soft Point | 139 | 3,150 | 3,062 | 20-round box |
| Barnes TTSX 7mm Rem Mag 140 Grain VOR-TX Lead-Free | Barnes Tipped Triple-Shock X (TTSX) Polymer Tip | 140 | 3,100 | 2,987 | 20-round box |
| Winchester Deer Season XP 7mm Rem Mag 140 Grain | Extreme Point Polymer Tip | 140 | 3,100 | 2,987 | 20-round box |
| Remington Core Lokt 7mm Rem Mag 140 Grain Soft Point | Core-Lokt Jacketed Soft Point | 140 | 3,175 | 3,133 | 20-round box |
| Remington Core Lokt Tipped 7mm Rem Mag 150 Grain | Polymer Tip | 150 | 3,130 | 3,263 | 20-round box |
| Remington Core Lokt 7mm Rem Mag 150 Grain Soft Point | Core-Lokt Jacketed Soft Point | 150 | 3,110 | 3,221 | 20-round box |
| Federal Power Shok 7mm Rem Mag 150 Grain Soft Point | Jacketed Soft Point | 150 | 3,110 | 3,221 | 20-round box |
| Winchester Ballistic Silvertip 7mm Rem Mag 150 Grain | Ballistic Silvertip Polymer Tip | 150 | 3,100 | 3,200 | 20-round box |
| Federal Trophy Copper 7mm Rem Mag 150 Grain Lead-Free | Federal Trophy Copper Polymer Tip | 150 | 3,025 | 3,047 | 20-round box |
| Hornady Superformance 7mm Rem Mag 154 gr SST | Hornady SST Polymer Tip | 154 | 3,100 | 3,286 | 20-round box |
| Nosler Ballistic Tip 7mm Rem Mag 160 Grain | Nosler Ballistic Tip Polymer Tip | 160 | 3,000 | 3,197 | 20-round box |
| Nosler Partition 7mm Rem Mag 160 Grain Trophy Grade | Nosler Partition Jacketed Soft Point | 160 | 2,925 | 3,040 | 20-round box |
| Federal Trophy Bonded Tip 7mm Rem Mag 160 Grain | Federal Trophy Bonded Tip Bonded Polymer Tip | 160 | 2,900 | 2,988 | 20-round box |
| Hornady Precision Hunter 7mm Rem Mag 162 Grain ELD-X | Hornady ELD-X Polymer Tip | 162 | 2,940 | 3,109 | 20-round box |
| Norma BondStrike 7mm Rem Mag 165 Grain Bonded Tip | Bonded Polymer Tip | 165 | 2,986 | 3,265 | 20-round box |
| Nosler AccuBond Long Range 7mm Rem Mag 168 Grain | Nosler AccuBond Long Range Bonded Polymer Tip | 168 | 2,880 | 3,093 | 20-round box |
| Federal Berger Hybrid Hunter 7mm Rem Mag 168 Grain | Berger Hybrid Hunter Jacketed Hollow Point | 168 | 2,870 | 3,072 | 20-round box |
| HSM Trophy Gold 7mm Rem Mag 168 Grain Berger VLD | Berger Hunting VLD Jacketed Hollow Point | 168 | 2,903 | 3,145 | 20-round box |
| Norma Oryx 7mm Rem Mag 170 Grain Bonded Soft Point | Bonded Jacketed Soft Point | 170 | 2,887 | 3,147 | 20-round box |
| Remington Core Lokt 7mm Rem Mag 175 Grain Soft Point | Core-Lokt Jacketed Soft Point | 175 | 2,860 | 3,178 | 20-round box |
| Federal Fusion Tipped 7mm Rem Mag 175 Grain | Bonded Polymer Tip | 175 | 2,860 | 3,178 | 20-round box |
| HSM Trophy Gold 7mm Rem Mag 180 Grain Berger VLD | Berger Hunting VLD Jacketed Hollow Point | 180 | 2,845 | 3,236 | 20-round box |
Notice the pattern. Light bullets leave faster. Heavy bullets leave slower but often carry the same or more energy. The Hornady Superformance 139 grain SST lists 3,240 fps and 3,239 ft-lbs. The HSM Trophy Gold 180 grain Berger VLD lists 2,845 fps but still posts 3,236 ft-lbs.
How to Read Velocity and Energy
Muzzle velocity
Velocity is speed in feet per second, measured at the muzzle. More speed means a flatter path over the first few hundred yards. It also means more wind room before the bullet slows down. Makers test in a fixed barrel length, often 24 inches for this round. Your rifle may read higher or lower.
Muzzle energy
Energy, in foot-pounds, comes from bullet weight and speed. It is a handy way to compare loads. It is not a kill switch. A well-built bullet in the right spot does the work. Treat energy as one clue, not the whole answer.
What the label leaves out
Muzzle numbers say nothing about how fast a bullet sheds speed. That depends on ballistic coefficient, or BC. Long, pointed bullets such as the ELD-X, Berger VLD and AccuBond Long Range hold speed better far out. A round-nose or soft point gives up speed sooner. If you shoot past normal deer range, weigh BC as much as muzzle speed.
What Is the 7mm Rem Mag Good For?
This round covers most North American big game. Match the bullet to the animal.
- Deer and pronghorn (139 to 150 grain): Fast, flat and mild by magnum standards. The Remington Core-Lokt 140 grain soft point lists 3,175 fps. Cup-and-core soft points and polymer tips open fast on thin-skinned game.
- Elk, black bear and mixed hunts (154 to 165 grain): Bonded and tipped bullets hold together better on heavy bone. The Federal Trophy Bonded Tip 160 grain lists 2,900 fps and 2,988 ft-lbs.
- Long-range elk and moose (168 to 180 grain): High-BC bullets that carry energy far out. Pick one with a bonded core or a design built for slow-speed expansion.
Hunting in a lead-free zone? The Barnes TTSX 150 grain lists 3,060 fps and 3,200 ft-lbs, and the Hornady Outfitter CX and Federal Trophy Copper loads give you more copper choices. Always check your state’s rules on bullet type before you buy.
How Far Can a 7mm Rem Mag Shoot?
The bullet will fly well over a mile. That is not the question that matters. The real limit is how far you can place a shot and still have a bullet that opens. Most hunters set a limit based on their own practice, the wind and the bullet maker’s minimum speed for expansion.
To stretch that range, choose a high-BC hunting bullet, true your data with a chronograph, and practice at the distance you plan to shoot. Read the bullet maker’s notes on minimum impact speed. That spec, not the box label, tells you where the bullet stops working.
Barrel Length, Altitude and Other Caveats
- Barrel length: A 22-inch mountain rifle will usually run slower than the box number. A 26-inch barrel may run faster. Chronograph your own gun.
- Altitude and temperature: Thin, warm air lets a bullet fly flatter. Cold, dense air does the opposite. Ballistic apps adjust for this if you enter your conditions.
- Lot changes: Speeds shift a little from lot to lot. Buy enough of one lot to zero and hunt with.
Want to see how this round stacks up against a newer magnum? Read our 7mm PRC ballistic data guide. For a milder 7mm, see the 7mm-08 guide.
Shop 7mm Rem Mag Ammo
Browse the full 7mm Rem Mag ammo range to compare bullets side by side. Start with the weight that fits your game, then pick the build. Zero with the exact load you plan to hunt with, then check real 7mm Rem Mag ballistics from your own rifle with a chronograph.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caliber is a 7mm Rem Mag?
The 7mm Rem Mag shoots a .284-inch bullet, the same diameter as the 7mm-08, .280 Remington and 7mm PRC. The case is a belted magnum, sized to fit a standard long action. Remington introduced it in 1962, and it has stayed a common big game round since.
What is a 7mm Rem Mag good for?
It is a big game round. Lighter 139 to 150 grain bullets suit deer and pronghorn. Bonded 154 to 165 grain loads fit elk and black bear. Heavy, high-BC bullets from 168 to 180 grain suit longer shots on large game. Check your state’s hunting rules.
Is 7mm Rem Mag good for deer?
Yes. It works well on deer if you pick the right bullet. A standard soft point or polymer tip in the 139 to 150 grain range opens fast on deer-sized game. Very tough bonded or copper bullets also work, but they are built for larger animals and longer shots.
How far can a 7mm Rem Mag shoot?
The bullet can travel well past a mile, but useful hunting range is much shorter. Your limit depends on your skill, the wind and the bullet’s minimum speed for expansion. Practice at distance and use a ballistic app with your own chronograph data before you stretch a shot.
How much recoil does a 7mm Rem Mag have?
It kicks more than a .270 or .308 but less than most .300 magnums. Heavier bullets and lighter rifles add felt recoil. A good recoil pad, a proper stock fit and a muzzle brake or suppressor where legal all help. Reduced recoil loads are another option.
