7mm Mag or 30/06 for all around rifle?

[gunnerlantz]

I was just drawn for my first Elk tag in Wyoming. Yea! Now the big question is what rifle to purchase. I live in Ohio where we hunt deer with a shotgun so I do not own a rifle but would like to add one to the collection.

What rifle caliber and model would you purchase if you could only have one rifle in your safe? I seem to be drawn to the 7mm and 30/06 for all around Elk, Deer, and other mid sized game.

 

[Speckmisser]

Gunner, welcome to JHO...

If you do a search on this topic, you'll find a ton of info.

To sum it all up... you'll get a bunch of guys on both sides of the coin. Some favor the flat-shooting 7mm while others (like me) love the versatility of the 30-06. I think that's the biggest differentiator (in general).

What's more, you'll get just as many replies telling you to get something else... everything from .308 to .338....even though you never asked about any of those other calibers.

And then someone will chime in saying that someone who knows someone's uncle's brother's best friend does all his hunting with a .243 and kills every elk he shoots with one shot, and you don't need anything bigger than a slingshot as long as you place your shot perfectly every single time.

Boil it all down and you'll find that either of the calibers you're looking at will be perfectly fine for any North American big game, so it's really about what YOU like.

 

[300wby]

Given the 2 choices mentioned I personnally would go with 7remmag.
Anything that says magnum has to be better right?

In all seriousness I know quite a few hunters using 7rem for deer/elk combo hunts here in Colorado. Its a very popular round and far moreso than the .30-06 with the people I know and hunt with. (i'm NOT knocking the 3006, just saying I know know more people that dont use it than people that do use it for elk/deer)

 

[headshot243]

i perfer the 3006 even though i have a 7mm i barely want to shoot it because i know people can develop ''flinchites'' . the 3006 is a great rifle to shoot with and can kill evrything in the lower 48 but just like spec said it is really what u like

 

[BDB]

I bought the Howa 1500 in 30-06 and am very happy with it. Inexpensive and the quality is excellent. Accuracy is also very good, I can get sub 1" groups at 100 yards right out of the box with no work done to it. Took a while to find the right factory ammo to get that tight but thats all fun right? Anyway you asked for models too so I thought I'd share my recent experience buying a toy. Good luck with whatever you buy

 

[YORT40]

I use a 7 MM right now for my elk hunts, but used a 30-06 in the past. Both guns are great shooters. The only reason I use the 7 MM is becuase I got a great deal on it. You said "only one gun in safe", so I would go with the 30-06 as an all around gun. The 30-06 will give you better selection of ammo types for different hunts. Try looking @ a Browning A-Bolt.

 

[wmidbrook]

The difference between the ballistics of the 7 mm mag are not all that different than the .30-06. You can get slightly more penetration with a 7mm all else being equal. The difference in trajectories are really not hugely different--just go to some place like federalcartridges.com and compare factory round ballistics. You can use heavier projectiles with the .30-06 especially if you handload or are willing to spend the money for a high-brand of ammo like Norma--220 grain bullets. I think you can get more knockdown energy under 200 yards with a .30-06 both in terms of ft. lbs and wound channel size etc. etc for large game such as Elk, Grizzlies.

Compare a Federal Cartridge High Energy 180 grain 30-06 with 160 grain from a 7 mm and it's almost a wash....7 mm has same energy @ 500 yds and only 3 inches less drop (39 instead of 42)--for bigger game like elk, that's not a difference to worry about.

The 7 mm will excel in the lighter bullet/lighter game category compared to an '06 which is where you'd see a significant difference in trajectory at extreme hunting ranges.

Anywho, get what you want...the cartridge that appeals more to you.

 

[Zimm]

I shoot a 7mm mag (Browning A-Bolt Medallion) for Elk and a .25-06 for deer. I have a .30-06 and never use it. If you want to hunt deer AND elk in the future the 30-06 is a great all around gun. If your just gonna hunt elk out of state I'd get the 7mm.

Zimm

 

[FTTPOW]

Welcome to Jesses, gunnerlantz. Seeing as how you'll never get a definitive answer, the choice is gonna be up to you. So far everyone has given good examples of their choice... and they're all right. It depends on what kind of versitility you're looking for and what your budget will support. Either choice will be the right one.
Where abouts in Ohio do you call home? We may be within spitting distance for all we know.
Good luck in Wyoming. I've never hunted there, yet, but I'd like to someday. What kind of elk hunt will you be taking? DIY, guided, horseback, etc.

PS. I shoot a Remington 700 in '06.

 

[brut]

I like my 06. it's a great shooting gun with plenty of power ammo is easy to find at a good price.

 

[tmoniz]

I used the 7 mag all over North America. Was the only weapon I had when I lived in alaska. I went to the 3006 about 7 years ago in Remington 700 SS. That and my model 7 in 308 are the only weapons I use to date for Elk and Deer.

 

[JDC]

I have shot both extensively.

The 7mm is a great gun, and if I made a living hunting Cous deer or Pronhorns it would be the rifle of choice.

But, for all around shooting, enjoyment of not being beat half to death everytime I pull the trigger, range of ammo applications available (all the way up to 220 grains), dependability, accuracy at normal ranges, the 06 is real tough to beat.

 

[Coues]

I had a 06 for many years, now have a 7 mag. I think the 06 with 180 grain bullets kicks every bit as hard, if not harder, than a 7 mag with 175 grainers.

The kick with the 06 is slower and more of a rolling thump, where as the 7 mag is a quicker,shorter recoil. I can shoot the 7 mag off a bench all day, but I had a hard time getting through a whole box with the 06.

 

[BradCa]

My buddies and I all took bull elk in Colorado in '04. One used a 270WSM, the other a 7Mag., and I used a 30-06. They all worked great. Find a rifle you like and have fun.

Brad

 

[jlostrander]

Personal preference for sure. I will give you my experiences. Both 06 and 7 mag have been used to kill deer by me.

If you are going to take normal shots, at 250 and closer, I think the 06 is a better idea. My reasoning is the following. It seems easier for me to keep the animal in the view of my scope from shot to shot with the 06. This may be because of the difference in the reciol that is mentioned above.

My 7 mag is a great gun. And I use it in most situations, because taking a shot at 375 yards off a rest, my come up at any time in the situations that we hunt. Utah and california with ridge to ridge shots as the norm. Also, we usually have two people, so we have someone spotting as the other is shooting. This makes it a lot easier to get back on the animal if the first shot is not leathal.

Especcially if you will have only close shots, the 06 would be the ticket.

If you are elk hunting and shots will be long, then 7 mag. If elk hunting in brush with shots no longer the 250, then 06 would be fine.

By the way, I now own a short mag 30 cal. It is the lazzeroni patriot. I got a good deal on it. It is sort of in between the two and I really like it. Of course the big negative is hand loads only, as a box of loaded amo is $75-100. I crumpled my elk with it this year with the first shot. I killed my deer with it this year, second shot at 231 yards. I missed cleanly on the first shot. This is an easy to carry short action round. There are many out now in 30 cal short mags, that have reasonably priced factory loaded ammo.

However, the new short mags on the market could be better than the 7 mag. The 30 call short mags might offer the bullet selection of the 06 and the long range flat shooting ability of the 7 mag.

Good luck.

Logan

 

[7mm MAGNUM]

I have and shoot both calibers your asking about and as many have suggested here they are both great rounds for just about ANY North American game you could harvest.

I feel the most important thing however is your shot placement as oppossed to the caliber.

If you can't put your bullet where it needs to go the caliber of it won't matter a bit.

 

[easymoney]

Welcome,
There is certainly enough good info here. It is down to personal choice as both calibers have a long trustworthy history. I would go with the mag as it allows flatter shooting and more punch. But, you can go into any store in the west and pick up a box of 30.06 shells.
Just my 2 cents...

 

[ElkChaser]

Both cartridges are proven elk getters. Alot of good responses as well. Personally, I use a 7 mag or a 300 mag. I've never hunted with an .06, nor do I own one. I have friends that use 270's, 280's, &.338's and they consistently kill elk. It all comes down to what works the best for you, type of shot, bullet selection, etc. The 7 mag kicks a bit, but it's not going to make you gun shy. The only kicking is done at the range. Chances are, you'll never remember the recoil when your sighting in on an elk.

Personal preference. Get what you feel will be the best gun for your needs and what you think you'll be happy with.

PS: Get a 7 mm mag.........


ElkChaser