RE: 7mm RM or 30-06 for elk?
 

Make it easy on yourself, get em both;).

RE: 7mm RM or 30-06 for elk?
 

Just to clear up some confusion regarding velocity from factory cartridges, Federal's High Energy (30-06) 165gr load is rated at 3100 fps. Please note that NO factory 7mm Rem Mag load is rated to deliver even a 160 gr bullet (or heavier) at this velocity. Having said that, either one will easily kill elk if you place a well-constructed bullet in the right spot.
Good Hunting,
Hal

RE: 7mm RM or 30-06 for elk?
 

Brother hal-I suggest that you compare the velocities for this load with the velocities for the federal 165grbtsp load for the 7mmremmag

30-06HE165gr-muzzle velocity ,100yards ,200yards ,300 yards

3100fps 2770fps 2540fps 2330fps

7mmremmag165grbtsp

2950fps 2800fps 2650fps 2510fps

load data taken from 2003 petersons hunting annual


As you can see the 30-06 load has a higher muzzle velocity but by 100yards the 7mmremmag load has caught up and is travelling faster.As the distance increases the advantage grows in favor of the 7mmremmag.

RE: 7mm RM or 30-06 for elk?
 

Hi ourabmen,

Welcome aboard.....hope you enjoy the forum.

As you've already "guessed" we have some real "strongly held opinions" among ourselves. Which makes for lively debate....and great entertainment. But in this particular case "not much more"!

For elk hunting any differences between the .30-06 and the 7mmRM are nil! If you could package the "paper differences" between those two cartridges and put it to work.....it might be enough difference to "blow your nose".

They are both great cartridges for light to medium game....and you'd probably be very satisfied with either of them. Either of them will work great. Buy the one you "like the best" and know that you've made a good decision....(either way). And while the "guys/gals" sit around here and argue about which is better......use either and go "get your elk"!

Best wishes and good luck with your new rifle!

Dave

RE: 7mm RM or 30-06 for elk?
 

At all practical ranges it is a toss up. I would take the 30-06 because of one factor. The 200 grain Nosler Partition in the 30-06 will go well beyond the capability of the smaller caliber. I would always take the 06 over the 7 mag. My opinion but based on a lot of shooting with both calibers.

RE: 7mm RM or 30-06 for elk?
 

Actually the 200gr bullet is not at all required in any .308" cartridge.The 180gr works fine on any game that this caliber is suitable for.Any game that the 30-06 will kill the 7mmremmag will do just as easily.This is from my experiences taking game with both calibers and watching many more animals taken with both 7mm and .308" calibers.

RE: 7mm RM or 30-06 for elk?
 

If I had only a .30-06, that is what I would use. You can feel comfortable that the old ought six will kill and elk if you put the bullet where it needs to be put. If you don't, no gun in the world is powerful enough. My personal favorite elk rifle is the .300 Weatherby, but I like big magnums. My friend Nick killed a nice bull in New Mexico with his .30-06, a one shot kill.

Much more important to me than what caliber you use would be can you shoot the rifle accurately out to 300 yards or so, and what bullet you use. Of course we could get into a huge argument over bullets. I am a big fan of Trophy Bonded and Swift A-frame bullets. Others like Barnes X, some swear by Nosler partition, and there are a boatload of others. Just don't spend $5000 on an elk hunt and take a cheap, poorly constructed bullet along to save ten dollars. Shoot up a bunch at the range and find out how wind affects your bullets, too.

RE: 7mm RM or 30-06 for elk?
 

Can't go wrong with the standard 30-06.

RE: 7mm RM or 30-06 for elk?
 

I like the 30-06 with Federal Premium High Energy loads. The 180 grain load equals the velocity and energy of the 300 H&H Magnum only 80 fps behing the 300 Win. Mag. You will also have the choice of trying a standard 180 or 165 gr. load if the HE stuff has too much recoil. There aren't any step down loads for the 7MM Mag. There are HE loads for the 7MM Mag also.

RE: 7mm RM or 30-06 for elk?
 

Its true that the 30-06 does not need the 200 or 220 grain Nosler Partition for elk hunting but if you are in bear country it is comforting and is at least an option for those who like heavy bullets. Matter of choice. Thats why the 30-06 is such a versitile hunting tool. Bullets from 100 to 250 grains.