7mm or 30-06?

[sledforever]

Just about to go get my PAL here in a couple of days and have been thinking of getting either a 7mm or a 30-06 for my first rifle. Any pros or cons to either? What would you guys be more likely to get?

[Tenacious Billy]

The animals won't know the difference.........find one you like and go with that.

[pappy]

I have both, I use the 7rm to shoot way more animals. Both are good guns to use for just about everything in north america. To have the 30-06 shoot as flat as the 7rm you have to use light mag factory ammo or load up some hot rounds yourself. A flatter shooting gun helps eliminate error in distance judgement but so does getting to know how your gun shoots.

[ELKOHOLICBC]

Depends on your hunting. Both calibers are great guns and will take down any animal in B.C. I have both calibers and prefer the 7mm its a flatter shooting gun. Like Billy said pick one your comfortable with thats the most important thing.

[tinhorse]

7mm is flatter shooting and good for open counrty long range, 30-06 will have less recoil. both great caliber and will drop anything with a good shot. I have owned both and shot deer, moose and elk with both and the animals could not tell the differnece between the two. It's a personal choice but for me I like faster flatter shooters and usually go with my 7mm.

[Drillbit]

Both good. I would go with the 7mm.

[Black Bird]

I am in the market to sell my 7mm Rem Mag. I hunt columbian blacktail and I have found it to be too much gun. If I were you, I would go with the 30-06. Myself, I have made the move into 6.5x55SE - but that is just me!

I guess the most important question to ask yourself is what are you going to hunt? With that, comes the question of where are you going to hunt. If you are blacktail stalking in heavy bush, then you don't need a rifle that shoots accurately out to 200m. If you are hunting out in the open areas, then you are going to need to be able to group in tight at larger distances.

Just my two bits...

BB

[todbartell]

Ive owned three 30-06's and two 7mm Rem Mags & two 7mm SAUMs (and a 280 too). I'd go 7mm. Shoots flatter, hits just as hard. Recoil difference is minimal. 30-06 does give you better priced ammo, but that's not going to add up to more than $10 a box on comparable shells

[nerka992003]

Both are awesome, I would go with the 7mm I assume you mean the 7mm Rem Mag?

[Singleshotneeded]

:-D Both are great, I'd go with the 30.06, very versatile, ammo everywhere and sometimes really cheap, and pretty mild recoil.

[kebes]

I love my 7mm, wouldn't trade it for the world. Know of lots of guys who feel the same way about their 30-06's. Can't go wrong with either gun....but less wrong with the 7mm :D

[charterman]

I owned a 7 mag for 15 years. Thought there was nothing better. My brother has an odd 6 which he loves. Yes, the 7 mag shoots flat and far, but at long range, penetration was not what I would say was optimal. The recoil was what I would call, mule like. In 2007 I had a buffalo draw. Yes the 7 mag met minimum requirements, I wanted to kick it up a notch just to be sure. I went with the 338 magnum. I heard nothing but good things about it, and lots of fellow hunters use that caliber. I am so happy that I did. I know it is not one of the guns you asked about, but you should take into consideration at what you will be hunting, now and in the future. The 338 has 180 to 250 grain loads. Flat loads for long range, smaller game, and heavy loads for large game. A good selection. The kick is like a miniature pony compared to the 7 mag. Some might say that it is too much gun for deer, but any animal shot in the right spot will keep waste to a minimum. Only bad thing about the 338 is the price of bullets. If I had to chose between the odd 6, and the 7 mag I would take the 7 mag, just because I know how they shoot. Good luck!!

[.330 Dakota]

IMHO, keep it simple, buy a good 30-06 load it with 200 grain Partitions or other quality bullets and slay it all from deer to griz, you cant go wrong. big bullets kill and you cant be, "overgunned"

[kebes]

Yes, the 7 mag shoots flat and far, but at long range, penetration was not what I would say was optimal. The recoil was what I would call, mule like.

I'm 5'9 and 150 lbs and don't mind the recoil of 7mm at all. Saw a guy at the range shooting a 338 and he wouldn't shoot it without a shoulder gaurd (haven't shot one myself though so I can't compare personally).

[green machine]

30-06, 150 grain works good for me. depends if you need a flatter shooting gun. as was said know how your gun shoots and spend lots of time at the range. thats were the 06 has the advantage, cheep ammo

[sledforever]

Thanks for all the input. Ok next question and I know I will be getting a bunch of different answers... what model you like the best and why?

[todbartell]

Remington/Winchester/Ruger in whatever order you'd like

the rest is just fluff :D

[Spy]

If I was starting off as a novice shooter.I would start with a 30 30 or a 308! Become proficient With said caliber & move on to a 7 mm or a 30 06.:-D

[gerrygoat]

Go handle a few different guns and pick one that fits you well and has the features you like.


Thanks for all the input. Ok next question and I know I will be getting a bunch of different answers... what model you like the best and why?

[Yak]

Love those Rugers...