.30-06 or 7mm. Rem. Mag...Help me decide
#11
RE: .30-06 or 7mm. Rem. Mag...Help me decide
I personally use a .270 (scoped for longer ranges, mostly Deer) and a .30-06 (iron sights for brushy/ swampy / still hunting / stalking inthe snow, mostly deer and also bear).
The 7MM Mag is a fine cartridge and my best buddy uses this for "everything" and it has not failed him.
As everyone knows, shot placement, length of shot and knock down power are your main concerns.
All 3 of these cartridges have done great for many people for decades, so I don't believe you can go wrong with either pick???
I think the .270 bullet weight is most comfortable @ 130 grains.
7MM @ 140-150 grains?
.30-06 @ 165-180 grains out to 300 or maybe 400 yards if you practice.
So my pick, if your considering going for larger game some day, would be the .30-06, as you can get into 220 grains, within a shorter distance than mentioned above,
to broaden your chances at bigger game.
But there is still no substitute for shot placement and shot selection (broad side - double lung and heart).
The 7MM Mag is a fine cartridge and my best buddy uses this for "everything" and it has not failed him.
As everyone knows, shot placement, length of shot and knock down power are your main concerns.
All 3 of these cartridges have done great for many people for decades, so I don't believe you can go wrong with either pick???
I think the .270 bullet weight is most comfortable @ 130 grains.
7MM @ 140-150 grains?
.30-06 @ 165-180 grains out to 300 or maybe 400 yards if you practice.
So my pick, if your considering going for larger game some day, would be the .30-06, as you can get into 220 grains, within a shorter distance than mentioned above,
to broaden your chances at bigger game.
But there is still no substitute for shot placement and shot selection (broad side - double lung and heart).
#13
RE: .30-06 or 7mm. Rem. Mag...Help me decide
You kind of have another decision to make, both the 06 nad 7mm are big heavy guns that will get it done for all game however if your hunting deer and hogs something a bit lighter with enough knock down power would make more sense. I own a 7 mm and it isn't that fun to carry all day, however I also own a 7mm-08 which is good for anything from a chuck tobuck and could handle bigger if need be. I also have a 280 and it can be purchased as a mountain rifle in a lighter model as well, excellent choice. I would recommend holding on the bigger heavy guns unless you are planning a elk hunt very near in the future.
#15
RE: .30-06 or 7mm. Rem. Mag...Help me decide
If I was going to choose between those two it would be the 06. I had a 7 Mag and the kick is a booger bear. I developed a natural flinch with it and I am 6'1 280 lbs. the gun doesn't matter if you place the shot correctly and I had trouble with the Mag. I went with a 7mm-08 and love the results I have had with it. I can drive tacks and ballistics are comparable to the 7 Mag. Good Luck with whatever you choose.
#16
RE: .30-06 or 7mm. Rem. Mag...Help me decide
I'd go with the 30.06.. Good for anything in North America.. Grizzly is borderline, if you plan on grizz I'd go .338 but for the animals you listed I'd choose 30.06..
#18
RE: .30-06 or 7mm. Rem. Mag...Help me decide
You really can't go wrong with either, i carry a 7 mag myself but wouldn't feel undergunned with an '06. '06 might be a little cheaper with a few more choices on ammo, and you can find it absolutely anywhere, but that is kind of splitting hairs. As for recoil if you took two identical rifles, one 7 mag and on 30-06 and gave them to a blind folded shooter i doubt they would be able to tell the difference. To me the choice is kind of like picking between a hot blonde or a hot brunette, a matter of personal taste and there really isn't a bad choice.
#19
Fork Horn
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Rockland County, NY
Posts: 211
RE: .30-06 or 7mm. Rem. Mag...Help me decide
30-06Jack of all trades, Master of none. I onlyown two center fire rifles both are 30-06 cartridge. If you don't hand load then you have excellent choice of store bought ammo thats inexpensive. .270 ,.280, 30-06, 7 mag all have differences .270 may be on the lite side for anall around cartridge but its flat shooting and ammo ischeap. .280 slightly heavier but ammo cost more , 06 cheap ammo lots of choices but shoots with a tad more trajectory than all other rounds. 7 mag- heavier gun, more kick, ammo more expensive but shoots pretty flat. Buy what you want and need.