The 7×33mm Sako cartridge was created in Finland in 1942 as a small game cartridge for animals such as the Capercaillie and Black Grouse. It is based on a 9×19mm Parabellum case that has been lengthened and necked down to accept a 7.21 mm (0.284 in) bullet. The cartridge overall length is 44.30 mm (1.744 in), with a case length of 33.30 mm (1.311 in) and a base diameter of 10 mm (0.39 in). The bottleneck bends at 26.50 mm (1.043 in) (diameter 9.50 mm (0.374 in)) and straightens at 29.12 mm (1.146 in) (diameter 7.80 mm (0.307 in)). The Bertram company of Australia makes brass for it. Sako offers two loadings: a 78 gr (5.1 g) FMJ, and a 78 gr soft nose.

Rifles chambered in this caliber include the Sako Models L42 and L46.