7mm mag/ 30.06.............
- Thread starter asquires2
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To me it would depend on where you live and what you intend to hunt with it. The 7mm will be flatter shooting. If you hunt in wide open spaces and don't go after anything bigger than deer, then it would be the clear choice for me.
If on the other hand you hunt in wooded or brushy areas, seldom get a shot over 200 yards and might use it for elk or other larger game, then I would favor the 30-06.
Of course you wouldn't be at much of a disadvantage either way. A 7mm mag has enough power to cleanly kill elk and the 30-06 can be accurate at 400 yards and beyond.
If on the other hand you hunt in wooded or brushy areas, seldom get a shot over 200 yards and might use it for elk or other larger game, then I would favor the 30-06.
Of course you wouldn't be at much of a disadvantage either way. A 7mm mag has enough power to cleanly kill elk and the 30-06 can be accurate at 400 yards and beyond.
IndianaBoy
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I vote 30-06, but there is really not much difference between the two.
The deer will never know the difference.
30-06 is cheaper to shoot, and if you reload 30-06 brass is a lot more common.
I have had people at the range give me their new once-fired brass when they found out I handload.
The deer will never know the difference.
30-06 is cheaper to shoot, and if you reload 30-06 brass is a lot more common.
I have had people at the range give me their new once-fired brass when they found out I handload.
In general a 30.06 can do anything a 7mm Mag can do but at a slightly shorter range. Conversely, the 7mm Mag is not as versatile as the 30.06 which can be used effectively for anything from prairie dogs to Moose, depending on bullet selection.
If you are buying only one hunting rifle, or if you don't have a 30.06 in your battery, I would choose the 06.
If you are specifically hunting Elk or Larger game, or deer sized game at extended ranges, the 7mm Mag is the way to go.
In Alaska my hunt everything, except big bears, rifle was a 30.06 with 180 gr Nosler partitions.
In Arizona, where I was hunting Elk and Mule Deer at extended ranges the 7mm Mag with 145 gr Speer's or 175 Grain Nosler Partitons was the choice.
As far as range goes that is more a function of the rifleman. I personally do not shoot at any game beyond 250 yards and the longest measured shot I have taken on large game was 190 yards. Having said that, the 7mm Mag will produce the energy needed to take game well beyond my self imposed limits.
If you are buying only one hunting rifle, or if you don't have a 30.06 in your battery, I would choose the 06.
If you are specifically hunting Elk or Larger game, or deer sized game at extended ranges, the 7mm Mag is the way to go.
In Alaska my hunt everything, except big bears, rifle was a 30.06 with 180 gr Nosler partitions.
In Arizona, where I was hunting Elk and Mule Deer at extended ranges the 7mm Mag with 145 gr Speer's or 175 Grain Nosler Partitons was the choice.
As far as range goes that is more a function of the rifleman. I personally do not shoot at any game beyond 250 yards and the longest measured shot I have taken on large game was 190 yards. Having said that, the 7mm Mag will produce the energy needed to take game well beyond my self imposed limits.
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doodle bug
Member
7mm/ 06
help the economy?? BUY BOTH
help the economy?? BUY BOTH
The 7mm only has one edge on the 06..its a better varmit round but costs more to shoot. Plus the things tear deer all to heck too.The 7mm heavy game loads shot not faster or flater than the basic 30-06 loads but cost half as much more. But with a boat tail 139 its a hell of a coyote or antalope round for longer range. Dont take this the wrong way but most idiots and slob hunters pack a 7mm mag so that tends to taint my idea too.
Asquires2;
The real question isn't: "What would be the range on the 7mm?". It's: What's the maximum effective range you're capable of shooting?
Either cartridge is fully capable of flinging a hunting bullet farther than any sane person should be trying to take game at. When the bullets get waaaaay out there, they aren't carrying enough kinetic energy to ensure a clean kill. Various energy levels have been bandied about on the boards since day one of the internet, but let's say 1000 ft lbs of retained energy is a good minimum figure. Using Hornady bullets & tables from Hornady 6, 154 gr for the 7mm & 150 gr for the .30-06, either will retain 1000 ft lbs to 500 yards.
Can you place the bullet in the kill zone, in the field, at that range? For sure? Not just gettin' lucky once in a while?
Doesn't matter which one you pick really, either will do the job. My personal preference is the .30-06.
900F
The real question isn't: "What would be the range on the 7mm?". It's: What's the maximum effective range you're capable of shooting?
Either cartridge is fully capable of flinging a hunting bullet farther than any sane person should be trying to take game at. When the bullets get waaaaay out there, they aren't carrying enough kinetic energy to ensure a clean kill. Various energy levels have been bandied about on the boards since day one of the internet, but let's say 1000 ft lbs of retained energy is a good minimum figure. Using Hornady bullets & tables from Hornady 6, 154 gr for the 7mm & 150 gr for the .30-06, either will retain 1000 ft lbs to 500 yards.
Can you place the bullet in the kill zone, in the field, at that range? For sure? Not just gettin' lucky once in a while?
Doesn't matter which one you pick really, either will do the job. My personal preference is the .30-06.
900F
Eustachius234
Member
All-Around Rifle Cartridges
http://www.chuckhawks.com/all_around_cartridges.htm
Good short article on "All-Around Rifle Cartridges"
http://www.chuckhawks.com/all_around_cartridges.htm
Good short article on "All-Around Rifle Cartridges"
ElToro
Member
according to Chuck...
"Short list includes .270 Winchester, 7mm Remington Magnum, .308 Winchester, and .30-06 Springfield..."
i see no problems with any of these choices. anything you hunt on this continent is killable with these choices with my nod going to 30 Gov
7MAG will cost the most to shoot of these choices and punich your should the most
in fact any of the calibers in his article are suitable.
"6.5x55 SE, .260 Remington, 6.5mm Remington Magnum, 6.5x68, .264 Winchester Magnum, .270 Winchester, .270 WSM, .270 Weatherby Magnum, 7mm-08 Remington, 7x57 Mauser, 7x64 Brenneke, 7x65R, .280 Remington, 7mm WSM, 7mm Rem. SAUM, 7mm Remington Magnum, 7mm Weatherby Magnum, 7mm STW, .300 Savage, .308 Marlin, .308 Winchester, 7.62x54R, .30-06 Springfield, .300 WSM, .300 Rem. SAUM, .300 Winchester Magnum, .300 Weatherby Magnum, .303 British, 8x57JS, and 8x68S.
"Short list includes .270 Winchester, 7mm Remington Magnum, .308 Winchester, and .30-06 Springfield..."
i see no problems with any of these choices. anything you hunt on this continent is killable with these choices with my nod going to 30 Gov
7MAG will cost the most to shoot of these choices and punich your should the most
in fact any of the calibers in his article are suitable.
"6.5x55 SE, .260 Remington, 6.5mm Remington Magnum, 6.5x68, .264 Winchester Magnum, .270 Winchester, .270 WSM, .270 Weatherby Magnum, 7mm-08 Remington, 7x57 Mauser, 7x64 Brenneke, 7x65R, .280 Remington, 7mm WSM, 7mm Rem. SAUM, 7mm Remington Magnum, 7mm Weatherby Magnum, 7mm STW, .300 Savage, .308 Marlin, .308 Winchester, 7.62x54R, .30-06 Springfield, .300 WSM, .300 Rem. SAUM, .300 Winchester Magnum, .300 Weatherby Magnum, .303 British, 8x57JS, and 8x68S.
jpwilly
Member
30-06 cost less to feed and is available in more loadings. Otherwise your comparing two very similar cartridges in terms of what they will do to game.
gvnwst
Member
Most will say 30-06, but i PERSONALLY like the 7 mag better, dunno why. That is what i would chose...
matrem
Member
Pretty tough for me to imagine a scenario where one would be a decided advantage.
A tiny advantage may go to the 06 with game over a half ton & "in your face" ranges.That same tiny advantage may go to the 7 when ranges creep out to where most hunters won't / shouldn't be shooting.
I voted 7 because that was my 1st "big" rifle & I still have it.
A tiny advantage may go to the 06 with game over a half ton & "in your face" ranges.That same tiny advantage may go to the 7 when ranges creep out to where most hunters won't / shouldn't be shooting.
I voted 7 because that was my 1st "big" rifle & I still have it.
Arbor
Member
I bought a 7MM mag, and I wish I'd bought an /06. Why? I can't afford to shoot it. Other than that, there's nothing wrong with the round, very powerful.
elktrout
Member
Without stating your intended use, the most versatile for use on big game is undoubtedly the 30-06. At shorter ranges and with 200 grain premium bullets, it has a tremendous impact on the animal.
The 7mm has the edge for longer range use, which is typical here in the west. The 7mm also bucks the wind a little better at longer ranges.
The 7mm has the edge for longer range use, which is typical here in the west. The 7mm also bucks the wind a little better at longer ranges.
7mm mag.
Flat, Fast, plenty of punch especially with all the ballistic tip ammo out there now. 140 grain 7mm would have less recoil I would think, so less punch to the shoulder when you're sighting in/testing different loads.
Yea, its a bit more expensive factory, but the Gander Mountian in Mooresville NC had bags upon bags of brass in 7mm.
Plus, as one other poster has pointed out I am a bit biased as its my first "big rifle" and I love mine.
Flat, Fast, plenty of punch especially with all the ballistic tip ammo out there now. 140 grain 7mm would have less recoil I would think, so less punch to the shoulder when you're sighting in/testing different loads.
Yea, its a bit more expensive factory, but the Gander Mountian in Mooresville NC had bags upon bags of brass in 7mm.
Plus, as one other poster has pointed out I am a bit biased as its my first "big rifle" and I love mine.
K-Dirt
Member
Split the difference and get a .280 Remington. I know I'd have one if I was right handed; I'll never know why it's not more popular.
I can't really answer the original question. I have a 30/06 and love it but have never shot a 7mm. I get the sense that they're somewhat interchangeable. They're both popular for a reason.
I can't really answer the original question. I have a 30/06 and love it but have never shot a 7mm. I get the sense that they're somewhat interchangeable. They're both popular for a reason.
For hunting, the difference is not a factor. Both have enough power to kill cleanly to 400 yards, which is probably beyond the limit of where most people should shoot, unless you plan on practicing alot.
That said both are capable target rounds well past 1000 yds.
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
Nothing wrong with a 7mmMaggie, but for a hunter the '06 is just as effective. In my younger and healthier years, I figured that with my '06, anything inside of 500 yards belonged to me. I was doing a lot more shooting in those years.
I messed around with a 7mmMag for a while, and worked up loads for it. Pouring that much powder into a case really torqued my cheapskate soul.
So, back to the '06.
I sorta like the '06 as a playtoy. I've loaded 80-grain pistol bullets to around 4,000. I've loaded an 00 ball ahead of five grains of pistol powder for a squirrel load. Beaucoup stuff in between. You can load lead gas checks for cheap plinking. What's not to like?
I messed around with a 7mmMag for a while, and worked up loads for it. Pouring that much powder into a case really torqued my cheapskate soul.
So, back to the '06.I sorta like the '06 as a playtoy. I've loaded 80-grain pistol bullets to around 4,000. I've loaded an 00 ball ahead of five grains of pistol powder for a squirrel load. Beaucoup stuff in between. You can load lead gas checks for cheap plinking. What's not to like?
gvnwst
Member
Wouldn't they just explode due to velocity?!
What kind of groups?
I consider the Winchester Featherweight in 30-06 to be the perfect all-around, all American classic rifle. The new versions of this rifle are somewhat hard to find and quality is unknown at this time but I would be tempted to take a chance on one if I didn't already own more rifles than I need.
A Ruger is about $150 cheaper and they are making some pretty darn good rifles at this time. Maybe better than the Winchester.
Nothing at all wrong with a Remington CDL, I just like the others a little better.
I really like the Kimbers, but not in the 30-06 action length they use. In a Kimber I would get either the 308 or 300 WSM.
You do not mention your budget, but a Tikka is probably the most accurate gun for the money.
A Ruger is about $150 cheaper and they are making some pretty darn good rifles at this time. Maybe better than the Winchester.
Nothing at all wrong with a Remington CDL, I just like the others a little better.
I really like the Kimbers, but not in the 30-06 action length they use. In a Kimber I would get either the 308 or 300 WSM.
You do not mention your budget, but a Tikka is probably the most accurate gun for the money.
Flash!
Member
I chose the 7 Rem mag over the 30.06 for distance shooting..... as a reloader the price in ammo does not really become a factor for me.....
but if you are still interested in the 30.06 you might consider a .308 if you don't plan on shooting bullets over 180 grain......ballistically the difference is negligible between the 30.06 and .308 unless using 200 grain or larger bullets.The 308 will be preferred in a shorter action....30.06 in a longer action....
so many choices, not enuff money....
but if you are still interested in the 30.06 you might consider a .308 if you don't plan on shooting bullets over 180 grain......ballistically the difference is negligible between the 30.06 and .308 unless using 200 grain or larger bullets.The 308 will be preferred in a shorter action....30.06 in a longer action....
so many choices, not enuff money....
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