By today’s standards, the external ballistics of the 7.62x39mm Soviet are insipid. And yet, the cartridge remains an excellent choice for hunting common big-game species at practical ranges.
Despite an array of competitors being introduced since its 1944 debut, Weatherby’s original .30-caliber magnum cartridge is arguably still the best in class.
Seldom encountered today, the 7mm STW was a trendsetter in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Although newer, faster cartridges have debuted since, it’s still a solid choice when pursuing big-game in wide-open areas.
This classic cartridge is a perfect fit for most handgun hunters. Observant hunters will immediately recognize that the .41 Magnum offers notably better external and terminal ballistics than the .357, yet is slightly more shooter-friendly than the .44.