When it comes to hunting and long-range shooting, having a powerful and accurate cartridge is essential. Two cartridges that have gained popularity in recent years are the 7 SAUM and the 28 Nosler. Both cartridges are designed for long-range accuracy and have their own unique advantages. In this article, we will take a closer look at the 7 SAUM and the 28 Nosler and compare their performance.
Here is the short answer:
The 7 SAUM has about the same ballistic performance of the 28 Nosler withing 100 yards making it better for those who are not concerned with long range shooting. The 28 Nosler leaves the 7 SAUM in the dust at long range, but it also kicks harder than the 7 SAUM.
Now that we have looked at the short answer, we can look in-depth at each cartridge, their ballistics, and how they compare in-depth.
In-depth Look at the 7 SAUM
The 7 SAUM, or 7mm Short Action Ultra Magnum, was introduced by Remington in 2002. It is based on the 300 Remington Ultra Magnum case, which has been necked down to 7mm and shortened to fit in a short action cartridge which both saves weigh and size of the rifle.
The 7 SAUM has several advantages over other cartridges, including its flat trajectory, low recoil, and high velocity which is largely due to its big case pushing a small bullet. However, like all big cartridges this round can prove to be an issue for those who are more sensitive to recoil.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 7 SAUM with a 180-grain soft point bullet:
| range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 2900 | 3361 |
| 50 | -0.2 | 0.2 | 2764 | 3054 |
| 100 | 0 | 0.9 | 2633 | 2770 |
| 150 | -1.1 | 2.1 | 2505 | 2508 |
| 200 | -3.5 | 3.8 | 2381 | 2265 |
| 250 | -7.5 | 6.1 | 2260 | 2041 |
| 300 | -13.2 | 9 | 2143 | 1835 |
| 350 | -20.8 | 12.5 | 2029 | 1646 |
| 400 | -30.4 | 16.7 | 1918 | 1471 |
| 450 | -42.4 | 21.8 | 1812 | 1313 |
| 500 | -57.4 | 27.8 | 1711 | 1170 |
In-depth Look at the 28 Nosler
The 28 Nosler was introduced in 2015 by Nosler and was made by taking the 404 Jeffery case and necking it down to 284 caliber. It has a case length of 2.590 inches and a maximum overall length of 3.340 inches. The cartridge can handle bullets weighing between 140 and 195 grains and still reach impressive velocity even at its higher weight ranges.
The 28 Nosler is known for its exceptional power and long-range accuracy. The cartridge has a muzzle velocity of around 3,300 feet per second, making it one of the fastest 28-caliber cartridges on the market. This cartridge has a very flat trajectory, and is capable of shooting accurately at long distances while retaining its power extremely well due to its high BC bullets. However, the cartridge does have a significant amount of recoil, which can make it difficult to shoot accurately.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 28 Nosler with a 155-grain terminal assent bullet:
| Range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 3200 | 3524 |
| 50 | -0.3 | 0.1 | 3114 | 3337 |
| 100 | 0 | 0.5 | 3029 | 3158 |
| 150 | -0.6 | 1 | 2947 | 2988 |
| 200 | -2.3 | 1.8 | 2865 | 2826 |
| 250 | -5 | 2.9 | 2786 | 2671 |
| 300 | -8.8 | 4.3 | 2707 | 2523 |
| 350 | -13.9 | 6 | 2630 | 2381 |
| 400 | -20.1 | 7.9 | 2555 | 2246 |
| 450 | -27.7 | 10.2 | 2481 | 2117 |
| 500 | -36.6 | 12.6 | 2407 | 1994 |
In-depth Comparison
When comparing the 7 SAUM to the 28 Nosler, there are several key differences to consider.
The biggest difference between these two rounds is their case size. The 28 Nolser is based off the 404 Jeffery which is a cartridge often used to take game as big as cape buffalo. The 7 SAUM is a short fat case and is based on the smaller 300 RUM.
Other than case size rifle size would also be a consideration. The 7 SAUM is made for shot action rifles which are generally about 2-3 inches shorter and weigh less than its standard action counterpart which is the rifle length of the 28 Nosler.
Ballistically, these two cartridges start similarly but the 7 SAUM losses its energy faster than the 28 Nolser at long range. Therefore the 28 Nosler is better for those who want a cartridge which shoots well at long range and can take game at ranges well beyond 500 yards.
Adding onto the bigger case size of the 28 Nosler is its recoil. The 28 Nosler, being a big cartridge that holds a lot of powder, is going to kick harder than the 7 SAUM. So the 7 SAUM is a better choice for those who are more sensitive to high-recoiling cartridges.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the choice between the 7 SAUM and the 28 Nosler will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If you are looking for a cartridge that does great at close range and are not considered with long range shooting, the 7 SAUM is a great option. However, if you are looking for a cartridge that has more power and is better suited for shooting at longer distances, the 28 Nosler may be the better choice.