GAmagman

You definitely know it when you shoot a 7mm mag, but if recoil is not a huge issue then I would definitely go with it. My buddy hunts with a 30-06 and I hunt with a 7mm mag, and we have definitely seen a difference in how flat the two shoot. 7mm mag shoots flatter, but both are good choices. I would go with the 7mm mag, but look at my name!

MizzoukiSpot

I have shot both alot and have these observations. If you compare like bullets for caliber, 140-7mm,165 for the 06, both are so close to the same it is incredible. Of course, this is comparing high energy types of loads from the 06 and standard 7 mag loads. Id choose the 06. It is cheaper to shoot.

stubblejumper

The 7mmremmag will shoot a little flatter and recoil is very similar in most cases.Some of the lighter 30-06's actually recoil more than a standard weight 7mmremmag.

RedAllison

For deer sized game out too 400yds there is practically no difference between a 7mag firing factory 140s vs a 06 firing 150s. Practice and BOTH will kill fine. I have one 06 and 2 7s, the last 7 being a gift so what the heck. The advantage to the 06 is typically a 22" barrel and a plethora of ammo available. But the 7mag is the largest selling mag in the nation so there are plenty of bullets available for it as well.

Recoil wise, I cant tell a difference between the calibers if the rifles are of like stocks and weight. A 180grn 30/06 will take anything from mice too moose inside of 400yds. The same can be said for a 160grn 7mag.

IMHO to get any gain by goin "mag" you have to step up too the 300Wby Mag or bigger in 30cals or a 7RUM or bigger in 7s to get any appreciable advantage over either of the cartridges in question.
RA

ps
I know alot of guys will balk at this but here goes anyway, if I didnt have a rifle period I would probably get a 300WSM. All the power you need in a lightweight package without a long barrel. Let the flamin begin...

James B

RA. I might go that route myself if I didn't have a rifle. Truth be told though, I find the 280 pretty hard to beat. Its a good all around cartridge. My favorite for just deer though is my 6.5x55 Swede. Nothing exciting about the ballistics but its a killer with a gentle bark.

RedAllison

lol James its funny you mention that because I use my 280 nearly as much as anything else. I often wish it was light and compact (its a steal I got from a Rem Rep from The Custom Shop its a stnls 700, lam stock, was cut through a 7mag barrel so its heavier contoured and 24" capped by a 40X trigger. The thing literally bores a hole at 100yds!) if so I would exclusively carry it for close range work, that being inside 250yds and have my Warbird for shots over 250.

"Light mag" 280 loads from a 24" barrel is splittin hairs from the typical 7mag. In reality a 150 fps "gain" isnt enough to worry about. Personally I think you must have a gap of at least 300fps to gain anything with respect to switching cartridges. But that is with respect to deer sized game and bullets under 160 grains. When driving 160-175grn bullets into something over 500#s I would heartily recommend the 7mag over a stock 280.

But shells are much harder to find and the variety isnt nearly as wide-spaced for the 280 as is the 7mag.
RA

semi

I would chose the 30.06. Like others mentioned ammo is much cheaper. I was getting it for $6 a box compared to $18 a box for the 7mmmag. Inside 300 yards i can't see how either would have too much advantage. If you are shooting beyond that with accuracy then get the 7mmmag. HOwever, most of us don't shoot that far and anything over 300 yards is a tough shot. Not that it can't be done cuz many do (but not me). I just really like the versatility of the 06.. I can find ammo anywhere, it's powerful, and recoil is manageable.

WA7MM

I think recoil is not an issue here, both calibers have very similar recoil and the feeling of it depends more on the type of firearm you are shooting with that anything else. I like the 7mm better since here in south texas we are accustomed to shoot 200 or 300 very often.

The old 06 is a nice caliber but i will keep it for shorter shots.

At the end, it all depends on what you like or what you don't

jjewell

7Mag,overall a better gun.

Ruger-Redhawk

I have and have used both for Whitetails. Not a nickels difference in the two.The 7mm RM does shoot a little flater. At the ranges I shoot it really doesn't matter.More loads are available for the 06 meaning bullet weights.I usually use my 7mm hunting mainly because I like my M-77 better.I have a new Ruger M77 in 06 but haven't sighted it in yet.I need to get another scope for it.Another great whitetail cartridge you might consider is the 270 Win.I've shot more deer with that cartridge then any other and it has never let me down.If I do my part it surely does it's part.

Ruger Redhawk