I'm looking for a big game rifle and am torn between the 7mm and the .300. Looking at ballistic tables they seem pretty close by the numbers. This will b used for game larger then deer and possible long range. The 7 mm is only .276 and for some reason I'm having a hard time with that, not that much bigger then a .270....

The 7mm is .284" not .276".

It isn't going to make any difference what so ever which one you choose. They are pretty much each others equal when it comes to on game performance. What one can do the other can do equally as well.

I would go with the 7mm, but I'm biased. I own one. BB is right, what one can do the other can do equally as well.

I have owned both calibers. I loved the inherent accuracy of the 7mm and it really didnt kick that much. My .300 mag on the other hand kicks quite a bit but as a wise man once told me, you only have to shoot once to kill the animal you are after. So really it is a toss up. If you reload both have abundant components. I dont think you would go wrong with either though.

Chief

I think I'd go with the 7mm mag. Just a bit cheaper to reload and the kick is a bit less. The 7 mm is still an awful big caliber. No way do ya need more for moose, bear or elk. Not that I care, but I can reload 30-06 to so close to the same balistics as 7mm mag the animals won't know the difference between the 2 neither. Ya got to reload though. I don't say this to change your mind, I just think the 06 is under rated, especially when it comes to reloads, and 06 cases are everywhere, and I am very cheap to boot.

.284 vs .308, .024 difference...

.277 vs. .284, only .007" difference in dia.

Get a .300 WSM,

You don't need a 7mm mag or 300 mag to kill a deer at 500yds, a 270 will get the job done, but if you're talking elk at long range, I think I'd prefer a 30cal.

Also if you start getting into dangerous game...

Also in a big heavy rifle the 300+ mags are manageable, but do you really want to carry a big heavy rifle you have to ask yourself?

If so, maybe consider the .300 RUM, Wby,
I love the 338's, so maybe consider a 338win.mag shooting 200 or 210gr, it's flat enough, plenty of power, or 340wby in something like the accumark is a heavy rifle.

Lots of options, but if you already have a deer rifle/caliber, I'd want to step up more than going from a 270 to a 7mm say, I'd want a 300 or 338cal

Checkout the .300 WSM and/or .338 Win.Mag.

Outdoormen,
If it were my decision I would take the .300 as there is a much larger selection of bullets. I believe the heaviest bullet in .284 is 175gr. (without going custom) and the heaviest in .300 is 220gr. (without going custom). The drawback is recoil!! If you are in the least afraid of it you will not shoot it well, in which case, why have it!

For deer, it doesn't matter. If you are going to be hunting elk, I'd go with the 300 Win Mag or even a 300 Ultra Mag. Either will do the job,

For years Americans had a love affair with .30's but eventually learned what Europe knew all along.Seven all the way!

If you never leave IL then go with the smaller caliber. If you have plans that include something bigger then maybe bigger is better. I like .300 Win mags myself but thats what I hunt with most of the time.

Americans been baling out Europeans for over 100 years. What do they know ?