thinking of a new gun

[AKA Craig]

I am thinking of buying a new rifle in the 7mm rem mag. caliber I turned 16 in may. Would yall recommend this caliber? I currently have a .270 buth inking of something bigger. Also considering the 30-06 but i would really like to have the 7mm. rem mag. as soon as i find a place to hunt i will be hunting deer, hogs and coyotes if we see em. Also what different types of bullet weight is available for the 7mm rem mag.

                   Thanks for yalls help
   
                         Craig

[howie1968]

If  i  were  to  choose  between  the  3  i  would  choose  the  30-06   ammo  is  cheaper  and  the  180 gr core-lokt  is  tough  to  beat  on  hogs   I  know  of  factory  loadings  for  the  7mm  mag   are  140,150,160 and 175   if  ya  handload   there  are  the  100  the  120   the  only  reason  i  wouldnt  get  a  7mm  mag  compared  to  a  30-06   is   the  price  of  ammo  even  the  cheap  remington  is  17.00  a  box  plus  the  added  recoil   and  noise  in  my  opinion   isnt  worth  it   i  have  had  a  7mm  mag  and   i  couldnt  tell  the  difference  in  game  stopping  efficency  at  200  yards  between  it  and  my    30-06I  say  200   as  i  have  never  shot  at  anything  past  that  as  my  ability  as  a  shooter  is  limited  to  that  at  best   just  what  i  think   good  luck

[les hemby]

also hornady light magnums bring 270 close enough to 7mag to not justify purchase of 7mag. the 30-06 is bad hog medicine for a one gun can kill about anything 30-06 is hard to beat

[howie1968]

I agree  the  30-06  wins  hands  down  as  recoil is manageble

[AKA Craig]

Well thanks for yall help, I dont know if my parents would let me but I was thinking of getting into handgun hunting, Maybe a .44 mag. or something. But thanks for yalls help, I will probably get the 30/06

                Craig

[rdnck]

Craig--Get a 45-70.  I have hunted with a Sharps and black powder loaded cartridges for the last 25 years.  The critter don't walk that a 530 grain bullet at 30-1 won't slam dunk.  The biggest regret of my life is that I didn't start my hunting when I was your age with one of these rifles.  Nothing else comes close in terms of personal satisfaction and FUN when hunting with one of these.  Shoot straight, rdnck.

[AKA Craig]

Hey this guy down at the gun shop wanted me to by a single shot 45/70, he said it'll knock a hog sideways, but he dont know about deer with it. i got the .270 case the recoil is light and I can shoot good with it. My only concern is that the 45/70 has alot of recoil. I have shot many 30/06's and the recoil aint bad, what would you compare the recoil of the 45/70 to?

                                     Thanks alot
             
                                         
                                   Craig

[rdnck]

Craig--How hard the rifle kicks depends on several things.  How much the rifle weighs, how hot is the load, how much does the bullet weigh.

Loaded with a 540 grain bullet and 70 grains of Goex 2f, my 11 pound Sharps kicks about like a 12 guage shotgun with light field loads.  It will also shoot completely through a buffalo or bull elk at 800 yards, or any hog that walks.  That is the best way I have found to load one.

Loaded with a 340 grain Gould hollowpoint and 70 grains of Goex 3f, recoil from the Sharps is about like a 243, if that much.  I feel that bullet is too light for hogs, but it is magic on deer and antelope, not to mention coyotes.

On the other side of the coin, I have a Marlin 1895 in 45-70 that is very accurate with a 400 grain Speer and 50 grains of 3031.  It will almost cut a 6 inch diameter bull pine in two with one shot.  It will also kick you so hard that you think someone gave it to you to shoot as a cruelty joke.  I mean, it really hammers the daylights out of you with that load.  I don't shoot this one very much.

Comparing the two rifles and their loads will give you an idea of what is possible.  In a 45-70, you can have a rifle that is pleasant to shoot, accurate, and extremely effective on anything you shoot with it.  You can also have one that is a real barn burner and no fun at all.  It just depends on the rifle and how it is loaded.  Shoot straight, rdnck.

[Desperado357]

might try to consider 444 marlin? i hear there good hog and deer guns

[rdnck]

Desperado357--I had a 444 Marlin when I was in college.  The light bullets limit you too much.  It is not nearly as versatile as a 45-70 Sharps.  In fact, none of the magazine repeaters are as versatile as the Sharps or a Remington rolling block as they are limited to short, light bullets that will give a short overall cartridge length that will feed and cycle through the action.  The big single shots normally have better triggers and sights than the lever guns, and are heavy enough to tame whatever recoil there is to the extent that the guns are easy and comfortable to shoot.

The 444 was originally designed more or less as an express cartridge, and was initially loaded with a light pistol bullet that weighed 240 grains, if my memory is correct.  I think now that heavier bullets are available, but a 45 caliber 530 to 550 grain bullet almost always leaves two bullet holes--one going in, and one coming out.  Shoot straight, rdnck.

[myronman3]

if you have a 270, you have no practical need for an '06 or 7mag.    i agree on the 45-70.   or at least a big bore lever gun.  i have a 44 mag lever myself.    whereas your 270 is a great stand gun; a lever is a nice stalking gun.

[Desperado357]

hmmm. what would the 444 be good for? i know a 444 is 44 magnums big brotherso id think that maybe it was pretty sweet but have no experiance of even hearing one much less shoot or own one i did examin one tho and the cartridge. when you say limited do yo mean i range? and is 45-70 sharps the same as 45-70 gov't? thx

[Ironwood]

Like Myronman said if you have a .270 you don't really "need" a 7MM Mag.  However the 7MM Mag is a very good hog cartridge.  One drawback of the 7 mag is the 24 inch barrel.  It's amazing how many times that extra 2" or 4" of barrel can bump into something.  Also most 7 mags are pretty darn heavy.  I've used the 7MM Rem Mag for 19 years now and it has been an excellent hog killer, especially with 160 gr. Nosler Partitioned or Barnes X.

If you are just wanting to get a new hog gun, you might want to consider the new short action Savage in .308 Winchester.  You would have about the same power as the 30-06 but in a short action, handy rifle.  As for myself I would also want a  detachable sling and a low power scope on the rifle.  Something like a 1X-4X.