I've narrowed it down to 2 calibers, the 30-06 or the 7 mm rem mag. Need some input from expierenced shooters. This rifle will be used as a all around gun to hunt all north american non dangerous game, mainly mule deer, elk, black bear, whitetail, and caribou. What is the barrel life between the calibers? How does the trajectery work for actual shooting? How about shooting groups between the 2? On game performance on actual kills, does one out weigh the other as far as harder hitting? I've checked the ballisic tables, I would like to here from someone with hands on info. Any and all info is welcomed.
30-06 if you want to shoot heavy bullets, 200 grain +. 7 Mag for long ranges longer than 300 yards. Decide what you will use the gun for and either should do the job. Out to 300-325 yards, its about a draw. In my opinion the 06 is the most versitle of the two.
The 7mmremmag shoots flatter.Using bullets from 140 to 160 grains you are set for any game in north america with the exception perhaps of the largest grizzly and polar bears.For them I would start with the 338s.
That 'ol .06 has been around for a long time ,And has done everything in the book.I just happen to like the 7 mm mag. better.It is just a personal thing with me .Like it has already been said it depends on the max range you are planning to shoot.Both will kill anything graveyard dead.
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Danville Va. " LAST CAPITOL OF THE CONFEDERACY"
non dangerous game, mainly mule deer, elk, black bear, whitetail, and caribou.
For the species you mentioned, the 30.06 will do everything you want with less recoil. You can use 150 or 165 grain bullets for any of those animals. I'd probably go with 180 grain for Elk though. If a Moose get's in the way, I'd go with the heavier 200 grain bullets. The 30.06 will normally have a 22" barrel while the 7mm (depending on make) will run 24-26".
If you decide to reload later, you can really have fun with the .06. Like 110 grain bullets for shooting prairie dogs and 'yotes.
I would never feel undergunned with a 30.06 on my shoulder. Unless I was facing a Grizzly or other dangerous game.
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Danny
Life Member, North American Hunting Club
Life Member, National Rifle Association
Life Member, Buckmasters
Oklahoma Hunter Education Instructor
I would suggest that you compromise and get a 280. You will be shooting 7mm bullets out of a 30-06 case. You'll get the best of both worlds. You will get the ballistic coefficients of 7mm bullets and the overall efficency of the '06 size case.
Check reloading manuals and you will see that you must burn considerably more powder in a 7mm magnum to achive much over the 280. I have owned many 30-06 rifles and several 7mm magnums. However, I have never owned a 280...so I speak in practical terms...with no preferential ideas of a 280 as my pet caliber. I'm getting too old to be buying new firearms....but if I did..it would be a 280.
Good luck in your search.
Good thought on the 280. I have had five 7 MM Rem Mags. Five 30-06 rifles and three 280 rifles. The 280 will do everything the other two will do with quite a bit less roar and recoil. Some of my 280 rifles velocity matched that of the 7 mags.
I have hunted in the West for more than 30 years, exclusively with a 7mm magnum, for a variety of game. Many of my friends shoot the caliber, but others shoot 30-06, 270, 280, 30 cal magnums. I never saw a deer. moose or elk shot with one that couldn't have been shot just as dead with another. Most of the differences are theoretical. Most misses I saw came from long distance shots made without proper support, so trajectory didn't matter so much. (Especially nowadays when we can use convenient rangefinders to train ourselves year round for better range estimation skills.)
One thing though about 7mm and other magnums. In built up areas (i.e. farming areas, not wilderness mountain country) I have had people remark about the noise my rifle makes. 30-06, 270, 280 make less fuss. This is especially true when you spend an afternoon in a back quarter doing some practice shooting.
Both are fine cartridges. Can't go wrong with either especially for the game you've mentioned. Both have been around for a long long time! I personally like the 7 mm Rem Mag. No real reason...just like the "big 7."
30-06 or 7mm rem mag
