Do lighter bullets affect the trajectory of 7mm Rem Mag?

Ballistic Considerations

When it comes to 7mm Remington Magnum, the trajectory is heavily influenced by the bullet’s weight and shape. The standard ballistic coefficient (BC) for 7mm Remington Magnum bullets ranges from 0.5 to 0.6, with heavier bullets typically having a higher BC. However, even with lighter bullets, the 7mm Remington Magnum retains a relatively flat trajectory due to its high muzzle velocity (around 3,000 ft/s) and relatively low angle of departure (around 10-12 inches at 100 yards). For example, a 140-grain bullet at 3,000 ft/s will drop approximately 6 inches at 400 yards, while a 150-grain bullet will drop around 5 inches at the same distance.

Real-World Implications for Elk Hunting

For elk hunting with 7mm Remington Magnum, the primary concern is not bullet weight or trajectory, but rather bullet penetration and expansion. Elk are large animals, and a bullet that can penetrate deep into the animal is more effective at transferring kinetic energy and causing significant damage. When choosing a bullet for elk hunting, it’s more important to focus on bullets with high penetration potential (around 12-18 inches) and expansion ratios (around 1.5-2.0). The 7mm Remington Magnum is well-suited for hunting elk, and the choice of bullet should be based on penetration and expansion, rather than trajectory or bullet weight.