Rifle · CIP
7x66mm Super Express
Extremely high-velocity German 7mm cartridge with one of the largest case capacities in 7mm; capable of pushing 160-grain bullets past 3,400 fps..
- Caliber
- 0.285″ · 7.24 mm
- Introduced
- 1956
- Case
- Rimless
- Parent
- .404 Jeffery
- Primary use
- Hunting
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1956
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- Germany
- Inventor
- RWS / various
- Manufacturer
- RWS
- Standard
- CIP
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Rare
- Case capacity
- 90.1 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:9
- Primer
- Boxer Large Rifle
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 63,817 psi, CIP transducer
- Eff. range
- 400 yd
- Max range
- 5100 yd
- Recoil
- 29.1–35.3 ft·lb
Introduced by RWS
Ballistics
Velocity only, no drag model: no published ballistic coefficient is on file for 7x66mm Super Express, so this is the shape gravity alone gives the advertised velocity. Drag would steepen it. The tool below solves real loads through their published G1 or G7 model.
Open in Ballistic Compare- Parent case
- .404 Jeffery
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
CIP TDCC · verified| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 7.24 | 0.285 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 8.17 | 0.322 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 12.70 | 0.500 | ✓ |
| Shoulder angle | 30° | — | ✓ |
| Base ⌀ | 13.85 | 0.545 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 13.00 | 0.512 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.30 | 0.051 | ~ |
| Neck length | 8.48 | 0.334 | ≈ |
| Case length | 66.00 | 2.598 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 84.00 | 3.307 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. 7x66mm Super Express is highlighted below.
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Developed by E.A. vom Hofe in 1952, the 7x66mm Super Express uses a very large case to achieve extreme velocity with 7mm bullets. It predates modern velocity-optimized cartridges like the 7mm Remington Ultra Magnum by decades. Primarily used in Central Europe for large plains game and driven wild boar at long range, it remains CIP-standardized.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 7x66mm Super Express use?
- 7x66mm Super Express typically uses a 1:9 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 7x66mm Super Express?
- 7x66mm Super Express uses a 0.285″ (7.24 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 7x66mm Super Express still in production?
- 7x66mm Super Express is active; typical availability is rare.
- What is 7x66mm Super Express used for?
- 7x66mm Super Express is primarily used for hunting.
- What is 7x66mm Super Express based on?
- 7x66mm Super Express is derived from the .404 Jeffery case.
Sources & provenance
- Manufacturer Norma — Tipstrike Ammunition Experiment in 7x66 vom Hofe (Norma Academy) · grain weights, velocity archived
- Secondary Ron Spomer Outdoors — A Speedy Oddity (7x66 SE vom Hofe) · grain weights, velocity archived
- Secondary Municion.org — 7 x 66 Super Express vom Hofe · year archived
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
