Two cartridges that are very popular for hunting big game and are often compared for their ability to take game are the 7mm Weatherby and the 300 Winchester Magnum. Many different big game hunters have debated these cartridges for years, so in this article, we seek to answer which cartridge truly is the better of the two.
Here is the short answer:
The 7mm Weatherby Magnum has better ballistics and more energy than the 300 Win mag making it better for taking big game and long range shooting. However, the 300 Win Mag will have a longer barrel life and is far less expensive than the 7mm Weatherby.
With the short answer out of the way, we can look closer at each cartridge like their history, their ballistics, what they are commonly used for, and we can compare the cartridges in-depth.
In-Depth Look at the 7mm Weatherby Magnum
The 7mm Weatherby Magnum was introduced in 1944 by Roy Weatherby. It is based on the .300 H&H Magnum case necked down to accommodate a 7mm (.284) caliber bullet. The 7mm Weatherby Magnum is capable of reaching high velocities with its narrow 7mm bullet, making it a popular choice for long-range shooting.
The 7mm Weatherby Magnum offers excellent accuracy at long range, making it ideal for big game hunting in open terrain. It is known for its ability to maintain a high velocity over long distances, making it a great choice for shots beyond 500 yards.
Here is a ballistic chart of the 7mm Weatherby Magnum with a 150-grain soft point bullet:
| range (YD) | velocity (FPS) | energy ft-lb | Drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) |
| 0 | 3300 | 3627 | -1.5 | 0 |
| 50 | 3196 | 3401 | -0.3 | 0 |
| 100 | 3094 | 3189 | 0 | 1 |
| 150 | 2996 | 2989 | -0.6 | 1 |
| 200 | 2899 | 2799 | -2.1 | 2 |
| 250 | 2804 | 2619 | -4.7 | 3 |
| 300 | 2712 | 2449 | -8.4 | 5 |
| 350 | 2621 | 2288 | -13.3 | 7 |
| 400 | 2532 | 2136 | -19.4 | 9 |
| 450 | 2445 | 1992 | -26.9 | 12 |
| 500 | 2360 | 1855 | -35.9 | 15 |
In-Depth Look at the 300 Winchester Magnum
The 300 Winchester Magnum was introduced in 1963 and quickly became a popular choice for hunters and marksmen alike. It is a versatile cartridge that is capable of taking down a wide range of game from deer to bison or moose with bullet weights that range from 150-220 grains.
Due to the wide array of bullet weights the 300 Winchester Mangum can shoot, this round is very popular among a lot of different types of shooters from hunters to long range target shooters.
Here is a ballistic chart of the 300 Win Mag with a 180-grain soft point bullet:
| Range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 2960 | 3502 |
| 50 | -0.2 | 0.1 | 2852 | 3250 |
| 100 | 0 | 0.7 | 2746 | 3013 |
| 150 | -0.9 | 1.6 | 2643 | 2791 |
| 200 | -3.1 | 2.9 | 2542 | 2582 |
| 250 | -6.6 | 4.5 | 2443 | 2385 |
| 300 | -11.6 | 6.6 | 2346 | 2200 |
| 350 | -18.2 | 9.2 | 2252 | 2027 |
| 400 | -26.5 | 12.3 | 2160 | 1864 |
| 450 | -36.6 | 15.9 | 2070 | 1712 |
| 500 | -48.8 | 20 | 1982 | 1570 |
In-Depth Comparison
Recoil: the 7mm Weatherby magnum has slightly less recoil foot-pounds than the 300 Win Mag (about 3 foot-pounds). So technically if you are more sensitive to recoil than the 7mm Weatherby is the better bet, however, the difference would not be very noticeable.
Ballistics: Ballistically, the 7mm Weatherby is superior to the 300 Win Mag in all measures of ballistics (bullet BC, wind drift, drop, velocity, energy ETC). For hunting bigger game animals such as elk or moose, than you will want the 7mm Weatherby.
Versatility: The 300 Win Mag comes in a wider array of bullet weights than the 7mm Weatherby Magnum making it more versatile.
Availability and price: The Clear winner here is the 300 Win Mag. The 300 Win Mag is much cheaper than the 7mm Weathebry, about 2.25 per round with the 300 Win Mag compared to the 7mm Weathebry at 3.24 per round. The 300 Win Mag is also far more popular when compared to the 7mm Weatherby.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing between the 7mm Weatherby Magnum and the 300 Winchester Magnum, the decision ultimately comes down to personal preference and the specific needs of the shooter. If you prioritize long-range accuracy and a flat trajectory, the 7mm Weatherby Magnum is the better choice. If you need a more versatile cartridge that can be used for a wide variety of bullet options, the .300 Win Mag is the clear winner.