Ken Reeves | Mossy Oak ProStaff
When you're out hunting whitetail or mule deer, the shot doesn’t always come easy. You might need to take a quick, long-range shot, and that’s where having the right rifle and ammo makes all the difference. To take down a 200-pound buck from a distance, you need a firearm with the power to hit hard and a bullet that performs on impact. Enter the legendary 7mm Remington Magnum. Since it was introduced in 1962 alongside the Remington Model 700 rifle, the 7mm Rem Mag has become one of the most popular choices for deer hunting.
What’s a 7mm Rem Mag, Anyway?
At its core, the 7mm Rem Mag is a belted magnum cartridge based on the .375 magnum round. This round was first developed by the British gunmaker Holland & Holland in 1912. Their .375 Mag was the world’s first belted rifle cartridge, quickly gaining popularity for its reliable headspace control. This comes in especially handy if you like to hand load or reload your ammo.
But there was a problem with the .375 Mag: It packed a serious punch in terms of recoil. When you're out hunting, you need that second shot to count. You don’t want to be knocked off target by a heavy kick from your rifle.
Enter Les Bowman, a firearms writer and former aircraft designer. While on an elk hunting trip in Wyoming, he realized his beloved .270 Winchester just wasn’t enough to take down animals at the long ranges he needed to shoot. So, he set to work and designed a cartridge that combined the easy-to-handle recoil of the .270 with the serious power of a .300 Winchester Magnum. What he came up with was the 7mm Rem Mag, a flat-shooting cartridge that’s perfect for long-range shots.
Why It’s the Go-To Choice for Hunters
If you’re in the market for a long-range deer hunting rifle, the 7mm Rem Mag’s got a lot going for it. Not only is it deadly accurate at distances up to 750 yards, but it’s also surprisingly easy to shoot, even with its magnum cartridge and .284-inch diameter bullet. The magnum cartridge can handle longer distances, while the .284 bullet has exceptional ballistics and sectional density, making it ideal for taking down big game.
What does that mean for you as a hunter? It means more power, more accuracy, and less recoil compared to other magnum rounds. It’s the sweet spot that beats the .30-06 in range and almost matches the .300 Win Mag in velocity—all while being much easier on your shoulder. And when you're aiming for a gain bullet—meaning a bullet that retains weight and energy as it travels downrange—the 7mm Rem Mag delivers superb energy transfer, ensuring an ethical, clean shot on big game like mule deer.
Choosing the Right Ammo for Your 7mm Rem Mag
Ammunition has come a long way since the 1960s, and today, manufacturers like Nosler, Barnes, and Hornady offer some advanced 7mm Rem Mag rounds. But when it comes to picking the right ammo, it really depends on what you’re hunting.
If you’re aiming for deer or pronghorn, a 140- or 150-grain bullet is your best bet. These rounds have a muzzle velocity (FPS) of around 3,150 feet per second. On the other hand, if you’ve got your sights set on something larger, you’ll want a 175-grain bullet with a slightly lower muzzle velocity (about 2,800 FPS). This ammo will still pack a punch but with better energy retention for bigger game.
If you’re the type who likes to reload or hand load your own rounds, there’s a ton of flexibility in the ammo you choose. Some hunters prefer to fine-tune their cartridges to optimize performance for specific hunting conditions. Whether you're picking up a box of Hornady or Nosler or choosing a custom handload, the 7mm Rem Mag gives you plenty of options.
Why the 7mm Rem Mag Is a Game-Changer for Hunters
There’s nothing worse than watching an animal run off after a perfect shot. This frustration often comes from using underpowered rifles that lack the energy to do the job. The 7mm Rem Mag solves this, delivering ample power without excessive recoil.
If you enjoy long-range shots without sacrificing comfort, the 7mm Rem Mag is a game-changer. It delivers the downrange energy you need for big game, like whitetail, mule deer, or elk, without the harsh recoil that can throw off your aim.
