'06 or 7mm mag for main hunting rifle?

[P.B.Walsh]

30-06 is way more classic and has more history behind it, that alone, with your requirements, makes it a clear winner in my book.

Just my humble $.02.

 

[R.W.Dale]

another thing to consider especially in the context of a main go to hunting rifle is weight. Many manufacturers put heavier profile barrels on their magnum chamberings Ruger and Savage comes to mind. To that end a 7mm mag may be a bit heavier to lug about than a comparable rifle in 30-06.

As others have mentioned inside realistic hunting ranges the 7mm really offers nothing over the 06 in ballistics.

For the non handloader you'll also be able to get more practice in with an 06 for the same dollar vs the 7mm mag

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

I've whittled my caliber choice down to '06 or 7mm mag for an all-around game caliber.

Depends: WHICH "7mm mag"? STW, Dakota, WSM, WSSM, RUM, RSAUM, or Weatherby?

 

[Uncle Mike]

Hey Doc... don't forget the Lazzeroni's or Mr. Jones' JDJ 7mm, Fred Zeglins Hawk, the Gibbs, JRS, Mashburn, or the Thompson Center 7mm TCU.

I know what your saying... commercially loaded ammunition.
But all of the above is readily available except the Hawk, Gibbs, JRS and the Mashburn.

the 7.21 Firehawk(Lazzeroni) 140gr clipping along at 3669fps, at the muzzle....WOW!

 

[ArmedBear]

Ah, hell. Go with a 7x57mm Ackley Improved.

 

[ArmedBear]

another thing to consider especially in the context of a main go to hunting rifle is weight. Many manufacturers put heavier profile barrels on their magnum chamberings Ruger and Savage comes to mind.

VERY good point (and also a reason to think twice about the WSM chamberings, which often come in rifles that, at least in a bolt gun, cancel out any weight or handling benefit the short, fat rounds would seem to offer).

 

[natman]

I'm managing too many guns and too many calibers and want to make my life simpler. I currently have centerfire rifles in .204, .223, 6.8SPC, .308, 7.62x54, '06, 444 Marlin & 45-70.

.204, .223 Pick one (I'd lean to the 223 if all else is equal).
6.8SPC Gone
.308, '06, Pick One
7.62x54, Gone
444 Marlin & 45-70. Pick one (I'd lean toward the 45-70 because of its greater power potential with warm loads).

If you want to end up with fewer rifles (for some strange reason ), then buying a 7mm Mag will give you one MORE rifle, not less.

The three rifles remaining will cover just about any hunting anywhere.

 

[saturno_v]

the 7.21 Firehawk(Lazzeroni) 140gr clipping along at 3669fps, at the muzzle....WOW!

The Lazzeroni figures are to be taken with a grain of salt given their "non standard" testing methodology.