Author Topic: 30-06 or 7mm Mag (Read 2925 times)

TexasNimrod · « **on:** August 01, 2005, 06:16:43 AM »

Given a choice between a 30-06 and a 7mm Mag, which caliber would you choose and why?

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 01, 2005, 06:52:40 AM »

I would take a 300 Win Mag over both if I had to choose. But given the choice, the 06 is a great round and can do anything the 7mm Mag can do. Ammo more available also.

Dave in WV · « **Reply #2 on:** August 01, 2005, 07:02:15 AM »

30-06 hands down.

Jimi · « **Reply #3 on:** August 01, 2005, 07:28:12 AM »

.30/'06. Tremendous flexibility, readily available ammo, and it lets you fire a much heavier bullet... accurately.

Reloader · « **Reply #4 on:** August 01, 2005, 08:40:38 AM »

The 30-06 because of what Jimi said. I have 20 rifles in the safe right now and the last one to go would be my .06. :-D

Lawdog · « **Reply #5 on:** August 01, 2005, 01:09:18 PM »

Quote from: TexasNimrod

Given a choice between a 30-06 and a 7mm Mag, which caliber would you choose and why?

Both are great in their own respects but the question brings up another question. What do you plan on using either for? Lawdog

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 01, 2005, 01:18:26 PM »

I did not think of asking that question Lawdog.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #7 on:** August 01, 2005, 01:27:26 PM »

30.06. No need for a Magnum......

Ramrod · « **Reply #8 on:** August 01, 2005, 02:13:49 PM »

.30-06, and I don't see any need to explain why!

dharvey · « **Reply #9 on:** August 01, 2005, 03:31:34 PM »

Hmmm. Rather than a .30-06 I would choose a .280 Rem. - Shoots flatter, kicks less, close to the same energy. And then I would choose a .300 Mag. over a 7mm Mag - More energy, heavier bullet choices. So, then the question would be... Which would you choose, a .280 or a .300 mag. But then, that's not what you asked, is it... :grin:

Mauser · « **Reply #10 on:** August 02, 2005, 04:22:40 AM »

Most definately a 30-06. It will shoot flat enough to cover the abilities of 98% of all hunters and, as was said above, will deliver a heavier, wider bullet. It can be loaded up to be very close to the 7mm energy-wise. I'm one of those who thinks all MEANINGFUL rifle cartridge development ended in 1906. Well, maybe 1912 with the 375 H&H magnum, which has a belt for a legitimate reason.

The "7 mag" is great for the guy who can use a 400 yard cartidge, but if most guys were honest about it, they would admit they don't.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 02, 2005, 05:13:16 AM »

Quote from: Mauser

Most definately a 30-06. It will shoot flat enough to cover the abilities of 98% of all hunters and, as was said above, will deliver a heavier, wider bullet. It can be loaded up to be very close to the 7mm energy-wise. I'm one of those who thinks all MEANINGFUL rifle cartridge development ended in 1906. Well, maybe 1912 with the 375 H&H magnum, which has a belt for a legitimate reason.

The "7 mag" is great for the guy who can use a 400 yard cartidge, but if most guys were honest about it, they would admit they don't.

You 06 guys kill me. :-D :-D

Savage .250 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 02, 2005, 05:36:52 AM »

No doubt the 30-06.
The reason: It can handle all types of loads and take most anything you want to shot. I got one. Had it for over 50 years. Treat-um right and they will last.
.

" The best part of the hunt is not the harvest but in the experience."

Siskiyou · « **Reply #13 on:** August 02, 2005, 05:49:48 AM »

I had a 30-06 and a 7MM Mag. My son-in-law now has the 06 and I still have the 7MM Mag. He got the best deal!

NONYA · « **Reply #14 on:** August 02, 2005, 09:44:58 AM »

Here in montana a 400 yard shot is a fact of life,me and my father bolth shoot 7 Mags,he has since they came out.The -06 is a great round and that is what i started hunting with but the probability of longrange shots on large game here makes the question a no-brainer...7MAG!!! :wink:

TexasNimrod · « **Reply #15 on:** August 02, 2005, 04:39:58 PM »

Lawdog,
I have a 7mm Rem Mag in the safe that only takes trips to the rifle range. I use a 270 or a 7x57. I always thought that if this 7mm Mag had been a 30-06, I might use it more. I only hunt deer and feral hogs here in Texas. Just wanted to know what most of the guys thought.

Lone Star · « **Reply #16 on:** August 02, 2005, 05:22:38 PM »

Quote

The "7 mag" is great for the guy who can use a 400 yard cartidge....

Really, greater than the '06? Nosler data:

Load..........................400 v......400e.....400 drop
7mm....145.@.3200...2443.......1989.......-16.3"
30-06..165.@.2900...2164.......1716.......-20.7

All that hype for a barely significant difference at 400 yards. Most hunters would never see a difference in the field using similar quality bullets.

NONYA · « **Reply #17 on:** August 02, 2005, 08:36:46 PM »

HYPE? Every extra foot pound that bullet delivers makes a BIG difference at that kind of distance,I have hunted with bolth and the difference is very obvious,faster round,less drop,knockdown shots that you didnt see with the -06 ect.ect.

hunting1 · « **Reply #18 on:** August 02, 2005, 09:35:18 PM »

30-06! If you are worried about energy and long shots go with the 300WM. There is not hardly any difference in recoil out of the guns I have owned. My 06 kicks worse than my 300 due to weight. Either will get the job done though.

Lone Star · « **Reply #19 on:** August 03, 2005, 01:20:15 AM »

Quote

HYPE? Every extra foot pound that bullet delivers makes a BIG difference at that kind of distance.

Whatever you say, but IME 250 fpe makes no difference at distances shorter than 400 yards, and 1700 fpe is ample for deer-sized game. I guess in order to die, deer must require more killing energy at 400 yards than they do at 250 yards...that's about all that would explain your experiences shooting all those deer at 400 yards. and remember:

Quote

Most hunters would never see a difference in the field using similar quality bullets.

NONYA · « **Reply #20 on:** August 03, 2005, 07:04:43 AM »

Lonestar you keep on truckin in that fantasy world of yours,if there isnt a noticable difference between the two why would there even be a thread asking this question,maybe its different in our world?

Lawdog · « **Reply #21 on:** August 03, 2005, 10:10:28 AM »

Quote from: TexasNimrod

Lawdog,
I have a 7mm Rem Mag in the safe that only takes trips to the rifle range. I use a 270 or a 7x57. I always thought that if this 7mm Mag had been a 30-06, I might use it more. I only hunt deer and feral hogs here in Texas. Just wanted to know what most of the guys thought.

The only reason I asked was while the .30-06 will handle most any hunting situation the 7mm mag. can come in handy when the ranges start gettin long. I like to try to fit th cartridge to the hunting situation. Can you think of a better excuse for owning a number of rifles? :-D Lawdog

Ramrod · « **Reply #22 on:** August 03, 2005, 02:46:29 PM »

It's always better to own a number of rifles, the more the better. :grin: Then folks would see that a couple of hundred more foot-pounds yields no noticible increase in killing power on big game. The whole kinetic energy premise is nothing but a numbers game that stacks the deck in favor of velocity, and minimizes the effect of bullet weight. It is meaningless armchair theory to many, including myself, and is the cause of all the magnum hype. I personally think it takes a foot-pound increase closer to 50% to make an observable difference in game killing effectiveness. There are alot of other factors that contribute much more to killing power than foot-pounds.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #23 on:** August 03, 2005, 03:01:23 PM »

Your right Ramrod, how much deader than dead can dead game be?

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #24 on:** August 03, 2005, 04:08:37 PM »

I am glad these are just opinions.

I once thought all I would ever need is an 06. But then reality hit me and I got my 300 Win Mag. Then I discovered the 375 H&H and the 416 Rigby.

:-D

fe352v8 · « **Reply #25 on:** August 03, 2005, 04:53:07 PM »

Who needs an excuse, I just like shooting, be it target, plinking or hunting, it's fun.

life is no joke but funny things happen

jon

kombi1976 · « **Reply #26 on:** August 03, 2005, 06:02:49 PM »

Can I say neither? :|
The 30-06, as effective as it is, really bores me. :roll:
Similar if not identical performance can be got from a 303 Brit.
Maybe the bullet doesn't move as quick but 303s traditionally are heavy hitters.
Plenty of bushies here in Oz used them to knock over buffalo when bigger guns were unavailable and it was often with mil-surp FMJs that had been converted to soft points via a pair of side cutters........ :shock:

I also agree that unless you're really wanting a beast to put bullets a long way out that the 7mm Mag isn't a necessity.
It's a great cartridge but a decently loaded 7x57 or 280 Rem will do just as well in most circumstances, not to mention 7mm-08. :-)
To be honest I'd prefer to carry my 8x57. :wink:

NONYA · « **Reply #27 on:** August 03, 2005, 07:36:38 PM »

Im a big fan of the one gun for everything show,I own many other rifles but i do all my game hunting with my 7 mag because i know it very well and i know it will do the job on anything Ill be hunting here in MT.In the open country we hunt here you very well may need that extra little bit of range and fps that the 7 delivers,my -06 is staring at me from the rack as we speak with a very disgusted look on its face,I may have to put it in the closet so it cant see me.

Lawdog · « **Reply #28 on:** August 04, 2005, 09:46:42 AM »

Quote from: Redhawk1

I am glad these are just opinions. I once thought all I would ever need is an 06. But then reality hit me and I got my 300 Win Mag. Then I discovered the 375 H&H and the 416 Rigby. :-D

So very right. And if one shoots enough they will find sooner or later that there are situations where the old .30-06 just doesn't cut it, as good as it is. Lawdog

Dave in WV · « **Reply #29 on:** August 04, 2005, 04:00:32 PM »

As the saying goes, "jack of all trades and master of none". So goes the story of the 30-06. It seems most folks are in one camp or the other. Most either seem to love it or hate it. From it's original use as a military cartridge one goal was kept in mind and that was all the power (recoil) the average conscript (draftee) could master. The other cartridge with that design goal was the .45acp. Neither are the best for everything but are really good cartridges. The 7mm Rem mag does have an advantage over the 06 especially with 150gr bullets and lighter. The heavier the bullet in the 7 mag, the less advantage it seems to have.