Author Topic: 30/06 or 7 mag (Read 3906 times)

truckie · « **on:** January 21, 2009, 04:14:56 AM »

I am going to buy a barrel for my pro hunter. Either a 30/06 or a 7 mag . I am concerned about accuray and avalibility( what I mean is , that if I go to BFE for a hunt and need ammo will I find 7 mag as easily as 30/06?) What should I buy? thanks

mountainview · « **Reply #1 on:** January 21, 2009, 04:23:02 AM »

30-06 will always be easier to find in BFE, and most other geographic locales, than 7 mag for the foreseeable future.

Swampman · « **Reply #2 on:** January 21, 2009, 04:34:27 AM »

The .30-06 is topps!

ms · « **Reply #3 on:** January 21, 2009, 05:19:26 AM »

Quote from: truckie on January 21, 2009, 04:14:56 AM

I am going to buy a barrel for my pro hunter. Either a 30/06 or a 7 mag . I am concerned about accuray and avalibility( what I mean is , that if I go to BFE for a hunt and need ammo will I find 7 mag as easily as 30/06?) What should I buy? thanks

30/06 is the way to go But I have a 300 win it cost alot more for ammo. If I had to do it all over again I would get a 270 winchester it's better then a 30/06.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #4 on:** January 21, 2009, 06:07:53 AM »

My answer would depend on what your planning on hunting.
Mule Deer
open areas I would lean toward the 7mm with 140 grain bullets
In the woods I would say the 06 with 180 grain round nose. personally I like big round nose bullets for close in.
For elk I would say 7mm with 160 grain bullets.
On power the two are identical, 30-06 may have more chioces of loads but if you get into the middle of no where to hunt they generally have the most popular calibers especally in areas with elk and deer. When I was in Idaho I saw 375H&H in the hardware store as well as 338 Win mag, 300 Win Mag, 30-06 and 7mm Mag heck there was even 257 and 300 Weatherby as well. The only thing I did not see in the hardware stores in either Montana or Idaho was the short or ultra mags. In Mt we were close to a ig town and the sporting goods store in town had everything. So if you do pick an odd ball, you may just have to drive an hour or two to get it if you forget your ammo.
As far as either, toss a coin.
There are more everyday and at better prices for the 30-06 so that may relate to more practice and knowing the barrel and where it hits out past the 100, 150 or 200 yards Zero you set it up for. I shoot standard bullets for the most part on game. Premium bullets are nice but only whne I have to. The pig in the picture was shot with a 150 grain Barns out of my 308 only because we had to use lead free in the condor area. Other than that it would have been a 165 grain soft point out of the 308.
With my big game rifles, open sights I sight the rifle in for 100 yards. With all scopes I sight them in for 200 yards and know my limit is 350 yards with my 338 or 308 and 300 yards with the 375 H&H. Any more than that and I can't do hold over in my pea sized brain.

BBF · « **Reply #5 on:** January 21, 2009, 06:27:33 AM »

The ballistics of a 30-06 vs. 7mm Rem Mag are so close that it really isn't worth the debate.
For close shots, the 30-06 with 18O or heavier will penetrate your game without going to Premiums

The 7mm Rem Mag will do the same with 175 gr bullets

For long range the 30-06 will do well with 165 gr BT on up
The Rem will do a wee bit better on trajectory/energy with equivalent weights

rickt300 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 22, 2009, 05:35:32 AM »

Having owned both for years I'd say go with the 30-06. The 7MM RM is a fine cartridge but it's performance edge actually is it's slightly flatter trajectory which is outside most of our capabilities to use.

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #7 on:** January 22, 2009, 01:01:59 PM »

If you don't handload, go with the .30-06.

Having shot elk with both, I pefer the 7mm RM and 160's.

Syncerus · « **Reply #8 on:** January 22, 2009, 04:57:33 PM »

The performance in the field is largely identical and the .30/06 has cheaper ammo.

Skunk · « **Reply #9 on:** January 22, 2009, 05:07:45 PM »

Yeah, based on ammo availability, ammo cost, and the nearly identical performance of both, I'd have to go with the .30-06. But if I ever get a magnum, it would be a 7mm.

jro45 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 23, 2009, 04:10:59 AM »

The 30/06 and the 7mm MAG shooting the 160gr bullet is a lot fps more. The 30/06 could shoot the 180gr bullet at a slower 2700 fps then the 7mm at 3050 with the 160gr bullet.
You got to think about that also.

BBF · « **Reply #11 on:** January 23, 2009, 07:58:02 AM »

Instead of comparing a 180 gr bullet with a 160 gr bullet, shoot a 165 gr bullet from the 30-06 which can get you 2900+ fps top loads

There is about 100 fps less velocity to the 160 gr. 7mm Rem which is no big deal IMO.

From the Hornady#7 60.6 gr of IMR 4831 is the least amount of powder for
3000 fps for the 7 mm Rem using a 162 gr bullet

57.0 gr of IMR 4350 for 2900 fps and a 165 gr bullet for the 30-06.

Dand · « **Reply #12 on:** January 23, 2009, 06:03:25 PM »

One other thought, if you ever want rather heavy bullets, the 30-06 is factory loaded all the way up to 220 gr. I have never seen 7mm Rem loaded with more than 175 tho I believe Barnes used to make a 185 or 195. If you like shooting longer ranges with light bullets, the 7 might be a bit better. Me, I like the heavy bullet option of the '06 as I live in brown bear country.

Drilling Man · « **Reply #13 on:** January 25, 2009, 05:53:10 AM »

Quote from: RPzB on January 23, 2009, 07:58:02 AM

Instead of comparing a 180 gr bullet with a 160 gr bullet, shoot a 165 gr bullet from the 30-06 which can get you 2900+ fps top loads

There is about 100 fps less velocity to the 160 gr. 7mm Rem which is no big deal IMO.

From the Hornady#7 60.6 gr of IMR 4831 is the least amount of powder for
3000 fps for the 7 mm Rem using a 162 gr bullet

57.0 gr of IMR 4350 for 2900 fps and a 165 gr bullet for the 30-06.

That's true about velocity BUT, the fact is, a 7mm RM 160 will waaaaaaaaay out perform a 30-06 165 on "big" game... The 160 in the 7RM needs to be compared to the 180 in 30 cal...

DM

Drilling Man · « **Reply #14 on:** January 25, 2009, 06:03:55 AM »

Quote from: Dand on January 23, 2009, 06:03:25 PM

One other thought, if you ever want rather heavy bullets, the 30-06 is factory loaded all the way up to 220 gr. I have never seen 7mm Rem loaded with more than 175 tho I believe Barnes used to make a 185 or 195. If you like shooting longer ranges with light bullets, the 7 might be a bit better. Me, I like the heavy bullet option of the '06 as I live in brown bear country.

You just don't need any bullets heavier than 175 grain in 7mm... They will easily out penetrate 220's in 30 cal., so why go heavier?

In fact a 30 cal. 200 NP's will out penetrate every 30 cal. 220 i've ever tested... (I have not tested a TSX or a 220NP)

Because of it's case capacity, the 30-06 with 200 grain bullets is the heaviest bullet to use for max "big" game performance.

DM

BBF · « **Reply #15 on:** January 25, 2009, 08:24:16 AM »

3in1 Dude

: Exactly what do you mean with " waaaay out perform"
I do agree with the 200 gr bullet being a very good weight 30-06 and up 30 cal cases. You can add the 190 gr Hdy BT as well.

Capt Gary · « **Reply #16 on:** April 16, 2009, 10:50:02 AM »

I have both.....in the field you can't tell the difference. They both shoot great and kill deer the same.

If you travel and hunt you can find /06 ammunition in any little store in America if you need to.

taylorce1 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 16, 2009, 11:20:50 AM »

Tell you the truth I grew up in BFE 30 miles from the closest lumber yard and Gambles/Coast 2 Coast. Both places carried 7mm Rem Mag, and .30-06 equally. Common weight in .30-06 was 180 grain and 140 grain for the 7mm RM. I wouldn't worry about ammunition availability anywhere in the United States if a store has .30-06 more than likely it has 7mm Rem Mag as well.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #18 on:** April 16, 2009, 02:33:57 PM »

I've had both and much prefer the 30.06.

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #19 on:** April 16, 2009, 03:27:45 PM »

Like Victor, I have both, but unlike Victor I much prefer the 7mm. I haven't shot a head of big game with the 06 for probably 30 years. On penetration at one time the 7 mag. with 175 grain Noslers would out penetrate all the 30's and 33's. Plus if one hand loads it isn't much of a trick to load the 140 to shoot flat as a string. In my old 7mm actually, it became my wife's, it was not much of a trick to kick a 140 about 3400fps. For open country it was tops. She shot a cow moose with it and the 140 load and hit it behind the shoulder a 1/3 of the way up. The moose was taking a step, and just fell and really never wiggled.

The old 06 is ok. I would also say, unless you are really into shooting, handloading, etc. the 06 is fine for the average hunter, maybe a bit better. Here in the valley the 7 mag. is one of the most common rifles.

BBF · « **Reply #20 on:** April 17, 2009, 08:49:09 PM »

Re- reading all the above posts I got to thinking that if you really want a noticable difference in performance you need to step up to a 300 Win or 300 WSM cartridge 'less you want to play with some rare stuff like the 7mm STW.

jro45 · « **Reply #21 on:** April 24, 2009, 03:36:27 AM »

My 7mm Mag will shoot the 175gr bullet at 2950 fps. I think thats not bad.

Ron T. · « **Reply #22 on:** April 24, 2009, 04:39:27 AM »

Go with the .30/06...

You can shoot standard .30/06 loads in it for deer and save both money (cost of cartridges) and your shoulder a bit... and if you need more power, go with the Federal High-Energy loads which ballistically turns the .30/06 into a .300 H&H Magnum.

Compare the ballistics of Federal's High Energy or Hornady's "Light Magnum" loads in .30/06 to the 7mm Remington Magnum. While the Remington 7mm Magnum is a great cartridge, the .30/06 is even GREATER !~!~!

Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

geezer56 · « **Reply #23 on:** April 24, 2009, 04:19:59 PM »

You didn't say if you are a reloader or not, but IF YOU ARE, the 06 is the champ. Mild to wild, 110 gr to 220 gr factory ammo, plus the handloading options of cast bullets and any weight 30 cal you can conjur up. If you shoot factory ammo, let your shoulder and wallet be your guide. 30-06 ammo is marginally easier to find, and somewhat less pricey than the mag. I've used both, and nothing I've ever shot would know any difference between the two. In equal weight rifles, the 06 has a TEENY bit less recoil, but not enough to really notice. It is really a matter of hair splitting to decide between the two.

rickt300 · « **Reply #24 on:** April 24, 2009, 04:25:56 PM »

My 30-06 is a bit lighter than my 7MM Remington magnum and with full power reloads it actually seems to kick harder but my big 7 weighs more than a pound heavier and has a thick recoil pad.

nomosendero · « **Reply #25 on:** April 24, 2009, 04:42:36 PM »

Quote from: Drilling Man on January 25, 2009, 05:53:10 AM

Quote from: RPzB on January 23, 2009, 07:58:02 AM
Instead of comparing a 180 gr bullet with a 160 gr bullet, shoot a 165 gr bullet from the 30-06 which can get you 2900+ fps top loads

There is about 100 fps less velocity to the 160 gr. 7mm Rem which is no big deal IMO.

From the Hornady#7 60.6 gr of IMR 4831 is the least amount of powder for
3000 fps for the 7 mm Rem using a 162 gr bullet

57.0 gr of IMR 4350 for 2900 fps and a 165 gr bullet for the 30-06.

That's true about velocity BUT, the fact is, a 7mm RM 160 will waaaaaaaaay out perform a 30-06 165 on "big" game... The 160 in the 7RM needs to be compared to the 180 in 30 cal...

DM

I agree, when you make these kind of comparisons, you normally match up those which comparable or in this case close to comparable Sectional Densities. It takes a 180 in 30cal/.271 to be comparable to the 160gr/7mm SD of .283.

I agree also with the 200gr./30cal NP outpenetrating 220 grain bullets except for the recent addition of the 220 Partition, no reason for it not to outpenetrate any other 7mm or 30 cal Partition.

Drilling Man · « **Reply #26 on:** April 24, 2009, 05:11:44 PM »

Quote

I agree also with the 200gr./30cal NP outpenetrating 220 grain bullets except for the recent addition of the 220 Partition, no reason for it not to outpenetrate any other 7mm or 30 cal Partition.

Actually, there IS a reason... If the case capacity of the 30 isn't big enough, it's NOT going to push the 220 fast enough to penetrate as deep as a 175NP out of a 7 mag...

DM

rickt300 · « **Reply #27 on:** April 24, 2009, 05:17:14 PM »

Actually penetration can be hindered by excessive velocity, What possibly keeps the 30-06 from out penetrating the 7MM RM, if it does, would be the larger frontal area.

nomosendero · « **Reply #28 on:** April 24, 2009, 05:26:17 PM »

Quote from: Drilling Man on April 24, 2009, 05:11:44 PM

Quote
I agree also with the 200gr./30cal NP outpenetrating 220 grain bullets except for the recent addition of the 220 Partition, no reason for it not to outpenetrate any other 7mm or 30 cal Partition.

Actually, there IS a reason... If the case capacity of the 30 isn't big enough, it's NOT going to push the 220 fast enough to penetrate as deep as a 175NP out of a 7 mag...

DM

That could be & does sometimes with the Nosler Partition. With a cup & core bullet the higher vel can be a detrement to penetration if the bullet flattens out too much too quick. With the Part. the front part shears in many cases & the 30-06 would be slower indeed. Since the rate that the front shears can vary, the extra vel. may translate to more penetration & sometimes it could be less.
However, even if both bullets sheared or expanded the same, I seriously doubt the extra vel. would make up the differnce in SD which is considerable, .331 as opposed to .310
I doubt the difference would be of any sign. since by your own admission you did not need more penetration than the 175 & I know the 220NP would hang with that , so apparantly irrelevant. I won't worry about it too much since I would use a 300WM & with that bullet which will push the 220 at very close to the same speed as the 175 in the 7RM & whip it badly in the energy dept & with a bigger hole.

rickt300 · « **Reply #29 on:** April 27, 2009, 05:20:25 AM »

Using a 165 gr. Nosler Partition in the 30-06 and a 160 gr. Partition in the 7MM Remington magnum, both loaded to the same pressures you would have a real hard time proving one outperforms the other either in trajectory or on game performance. The difference in trajectory is small enough that it would be hard to consider under field conditions out to 400 yards.