Two popular long range hunting rounds are the 338 Winchester Magnum and the 7mm Remington Magnum. Both of these rifle cartridges have their reputation for being able to take big game animals at long range with ease, but which cartridge it better at it? Which one is better for long-range shooting? Why is one better? In this article, we will answer all those questions and more.
Here is the short answer:
The 338 Winchester magnum has better ballistics than the 7mm Rem Mag so it is better for long range shooting and hunting game such as moose or grizzly bear. However, the 7mm Rem Mag has less recoil, costs less, is easier to find in stores, and is better suited for hunting animals around the size of elk.
With the short answer out of the way, we can look in depth at each cartridge, what their best uses are, their ballistics, and how they compare to each other.
In-Depth Look at the 338 Winchester Magnum
The 338 Winchester Magnum was introduced in 1958 and the cartridge became popular for its effectiveness at taking game like grizzly bear or bison. The cartridge has a belted case with a length of 2.5 inches, a base diameter of .515 inches, fires a .338-inch bullet, and can hold about 83 grains of powder.
The 338 Win Mag is known for its exceptional power, with a muzzle energy of over 4,000 foot-pounds, making it well-suited for taking down large game as large as brown bears. The cartridge also has a flat trajectory, which helps maintain accuracy at longer ranges so you can effectively get proper shot placement on an animal without much compensation.
However, the 338 Win Mag does have some drawbacks. It has a significant amount of recoil, which can be difficult for some hunters to manage, especially when firing multiple shots. The cartridge is also more expensive than some other popular hunting rounds, which may be a concern for budget-conscious hunters.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 338 Winchester Magnum with a 225-grain soft point bullet:
| range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 2850 | 4058 |
| 50 | -0.2 | 0.2 | 2754 | 3790 |
| 100 | 0 | 0.7 | 2661 | 3537 |
| 150 | -1.1 | 1.5 | 2569 | 3297 |
| 200 | -3.4 | 2.7 | 2479 | 3071 |
| 250 | -7.1 | 4.2 | 2391 | 2856 |
| 300 | -12.5 | 6.2 | 2305 | 2654 |
| 350 | -19.4 | 8.7 | 2221 | 2463 |
| 400 | -28.2 | 11.6 | 2138 | 2283 |
| 450 | -38.7 | 14.9 | 2057 | 2114 |
| 500 | -51.4 | 18.7 | 1978 | 1954 |
In-Depth Look at the 7mm Remington Magnum
The 7mm Remington Magnum was introduced in 1962 and quickly gained popularity among hunters and shooters for its versatility and accuracy. The cartridge fires a .284-inch bullet and has a maximum effective range of around 800 yards.
The 7mm Rem Mag is known for its relatively low recoil compared to other long-range cartridges, making it easier to manage for many hunters. It is also a more versatile cartridge than the .338 Win Mag, suitable for taking down a wider range of game, including deer, elk, and sheep.
However, the 7mm Rem Mag does have some limitations. While it has good power and accuracy, it is not as powerful as the 338 Win Mag and may not be suitable for taking down larger game at longer ranges. It also has a relatively short case life, which may be a concern for hunters who reload their own ammunition.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 7mm Remington Magnum with a 175-grain soft point:
| range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 2860 | 3178 |
| 50 | -0.2 | 0.2 | 2752 | 2942 |
| 100 | 0 | 0.8 | 2646 | 2720 |
| 150 | -1.1 | 1.7 | 2542 | 2512 |
| 200 | -3.5 | 3 | 2441 | 2316 |
| 250 | -7.3 | 4.8 | 2343 | 2132 |
| 300 | -12.8 | 7.2 | 2246 | 1961 |
| 350 | -20 | 10 | 2152 | 1800 |
| 400 | -29 | 13.3 | 2060 | 1649 |
| 450 | -40.1 | 17.1 | 1970 | 1508 |
| 500 | -53.2 | 21.4 | 1882 | 1377 |
In-Depth Answer
When comparing the 338 Winchester Magnum and the 7mm Remington Magnum, it’s important to consider the type of hunting you plan to do and the game you will be pursuing. The 388 Winchester has significantly more energy and power than the 7mm Remington magnum making it better for hunting game such as moose or grizzly bear.
Availability and cost wise, the 7mm Remington is both more commonly found and costs far less than the 388 Winchester Mangum, 1.5-3 dollars a round for the 7mm Rem Mag compared to 3-4 dollars a round for the 338 Winchester magnum as of 2023.
In the way of ballistics, the 338 Winchester is superior to the 7mm Rem Mag. The 338 Winchester has more energy, less drop, less wind drift, and maintains better long range performance.
One big disadvantage of the 338 Winchester compared to the 7mm Rem Mag is its heavy recoil. The issue with the big 338 Winchester Magnum is even though it has a lot of energy it also kicks with a lot of energy. So you could sacrifice your ability to shoot accurately for the higher energy you get.
Conclusion
The 338 Winchester Mangum is better for the hunter who needs a cartridge that can take big game animals like moose or grizzly bear at long ranges. However, the 338 Winchester magnum costs more, is harder to find, and kicks a lot more than the 7mm Rem Mag. So for the hunter who is hunting game such as elk or caribou the 7mm Rem Mag is better.