In general I agree with most of the every day posters and hunters here that the old 30-06 is probably the perfect cartridge for hunting in the lower 48 states. If you want to try something else, well go for it, I have and found some great cartridges but come back tot he 06 often.

Noise and recoil, how to deal with them. First use hearing protection at the range and go to the range often. Learn to hold that weapon in the 10 ring and call the shots. Covering the ears IS A MUST and for recoil get a shoulder pad. IN the field when you hunt, at least when I hunt, I hear NO noise feel NO recoil. Got other things on my mind out there.

I now shoot a 338 win mag because I like it for my elk and deer hunting, UNLESS I am down in sage brush mainly looking for deer or antelope. Thats when I pull out the 06 and a bullet weight for better flat shooting.

If you can, start with a light caliber, 243, move ot 308, 30-06 etc until you find what works well for you.

NOw if you want the fast track? Find a buddy like I did who loads 45-70 up to 458 strength, fire off in a 8 # rifle OR shoot 2 oz turkey loads in a 6 # shot gun. Do either a few times, and believe me, everything becomes like a BB rifle.

lilhunter,
How do you get used to noise? Same way I got used to my '06, shoot it once or twice and learn to expect it to be that loud and that it's not going to hurt you. Once you expect that roaring boom! that's that. I always wear ear plugs on the range. and when I shoot in the woods I normaly don't hear anything if thier is a deer or elk in front of me.

coloelkhunter,
Start with a 243? You mean that in general you would start with a 243 and then over the years you would find what works best for you. ok.

I've just got rid of my 30/06 and it worked "ok". I have no doubt it would work on anything if you were close enough. I am kind of asking now if the 7mag is "much" more punishing to shoot than a 06. Or if the 30-06 is an all around better rifle.

"Hey ya'll, watch this"

[Deleted by Admins]

KodiakHuntMaster - Recommend you replace the .30-06 you sold with another .30-06 as your mid-range rifle which certainly fulfill your desire for a "best all around gun for big game" rifle for an area of 1500 miles of where you live. If you decide to expand your toolbox of weapons and your range of hunting further north and/or west to include elk, moose, and bear (per your handle) it is hard to go wrong with the .338 mag. It's been called the "magnum for those who are recoil shy." Once you use one it hard to walk away from that extra "slap down power." I've used the 338mag on antelope, deer, and elk even though I have a 270, 3006, and 308 available - just like the way it brings everything to a quick end. Someone in Georgia has to own one, work your connections, find them and arrange to shoot it. Kick isn't bad and the muzzle blast compared to a 7Mag is deep and throaty instead of an ear ripping "crack."

EKM

Good judgment comes from bad experience! Half of elk hunting is knowing what NOT to do!

Edited by - ELKampMaster on 12/22/2002 11:17:23

kodiakhuntmaster, you forgot &quot;bater&quot;, which sounds like about the only thing you &quot;master&quot;. I guess those &quot;kodiak&quot; hogs are the king of beasts round your parts! <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Hey y'all watch this!

Edited by - Jedd on 12/22/2002 22:26:19

JEDD,
Whoa there! Last I looked this is Kodiak's thread and he is looking for some advice on his next rifle and for the most part that is what he's been getting. Then along comes your post that is little more than a personal attack. I've seen you been jumping in on other threads and attacking what has been said (and getting edited by the Moderator) without offering any wisdom or advice of your own in return. Life gets a little different when its your turn to lay out your best and hopefully constructive ideas for everyone else to pick over and counter. Kind of leaves you a little bit vulernable especially if you havn't read the whole thread and/or don't think it through before you post it.

If you don't like what's been said in a thread, instead of the &quot;attack and dissappear&quot; strategy how about either: (1) leave the thread and don't return if you think it is B.S. or, (2) start another parallel thread with the flavor you prefer (I learned this one the hard way - of course it opens you up for critical review) or (3) lay out a logical and detailed viewpoint to hopefully enrich and alter the thread. Most the Southern hunters I've dealt with (including that Alabama group) have been a pretty hard huntin' bunch. I'm betting you probably got some good stuff to share so how tapping into your relevant experience and substituting that for the personal attack?

EKM

Good judgment comes from bad experience! Half of elk hunting is knowing what NOT to do!

Kodiac,
Everyyear I go into a traiing schedule on my shooting, as I let it go for a few months. Then I plink with a 22, then 243 then 308 then my 338.

IN general, a 7 mag and a 06 are about the same. 7 a little flatter shooting. If you can handle a 06 you can a 7.

Cain't believe all you fellers usin' 7mm. Thet's a european caliber! This is america, by god. Shouldn't even be allowed to mention them foreign-size bullets, let alone recommend them to american hunters. The good ol' 30'06 was good enuff fer millions of GIs in three wars, an' millions of sportsmen b'sides. Ain't no accident thet's the cartridge all the rest are compared to. Anybody buyin' a first rifle ought to be buyin' a '06. PERIOD! Its the american thing to do.

BJ

Beaverjack-The proper name for the most common 7mm mag is 7mm rem mag because remington commercialized it.The last I heard remington was an american company so the 7mm rem mag is am american cartridge.

Edited by - stubblejumper on 12/22/2002 21:40:43

Why consider anything else than the 30-06. Its the best for all big game in North America in my book, I sure do like the Remington 700 bdl and its easy to find shells for anywhere.