WVSPORTSMAN

30-06, ammo cheaper, more than enough power, less kick...I have both, but really no great difference in performance. I would stay away from the wsm's...$ ammo...it does have some performance gains, but in the long run, regular ammo will kill anything and save a few dollars.

Centaur 1

30-06

heeze gutshot shortee

dubya...them is some nice critters.Schoolcraft..Id say.06. availability, assortment of factory loads..for. small game to safari critters. that 7mag will shoot a bit flatter, but at 100-150 yards..the critters cant differentiate....they just lie there ...then they die there

bigpapa

For all of the above mentioned reasons and then some I would suggest the '06. I was in the same boat about a year and a half ago. I finally decided on a Ruger MKII in '06 and havent looked back since. The '06 flat out puts them down. I killed twobucks on peak day of rut last season, one in the morning one that afternoon. The morning buck made it 20 or so yards. The afternoon one took one last step and then just collapsed. I was using Hornady 180grn sst and I'll tell ya. They did the job...and did it well. Honestly, as it says in Cartridges of the World Of course if you REALLY want to get a thread going on this justpost the same question in the firearm forum and you'll get a rousing series of replies. If you can, go and shoot a rifle in each caliber your looking at. See which gets you giggly.


Ohh sorry bout the spellign I'm frain bried today.

oldreloader

I have both. Mine are a 700 rem classic with a Redfield widefield low profile scope(yep I've had it for a while!!) and a Weatherby Vanguard 7MM REM Mag with a Simmons Atec scope. IMO there isnt enough difference to argue over on ballistics.Both are good but if I had to choose one I'd go with the '06. Factory ammo choices are more versital.

Mojotex

The 30.06 Spr. is probably the most versatile as it gets. This cartridge will handle a wide range of bullet weights from about 110 gr. to 220 gr. For a few ears I used only the 30.06 Spr. for critters from coyotes to feral hogs to mule deer. I cannot imagine it not being suitable for elk, moose or black bear if the bullets are well chosen and the shot done right. But I have zero experience with elk, moose or bear.

If I were to have one and only one, and choosing between the two you mentioned .. 30.06 Spr.

schoolcraft

Thanks for all the replies folks....
A few of you made a point that really jumped out at me. The 7Mag would be in a heavier gun with 2" to 4" more barrel.
I hunt on stands some, but I really enjoy still hunting...so a lighter weight rifle would be a big plus for me.

I think I've pretty much made up my mind on ordering a left handed Browning Stainless Stalker in .30-06.

Thanks so much for all the feedback!