7MM or 30-06 SPRG for big game

roughneckrob

roughneckrob

Joined
Jul 3, 2009
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Hey, just wondering what you guys think about the rifle choice I should make. I haven't been hunting since I move out of my parents house 11 years ago. My father always swore by his 7MM. He hunts everything from Moose to Bear with it but over the last few years he has been leaning more toward the 30-06 caliber. He says its a better all around cartridge. I haven't been into hunting rifles for along time but I am going to begin again. Now, I want the 7MM because its what i've grown up with but I trust my old mans judgment on these things. Just wanted some more in put before I buy. What ever caliber I get it will be a Sako Hunter Stainless.
 
I prefer the 30-06, for what sounds like similar reasons as your old man -- but there's nothing wrong with a 7mm. (30-06 can be loaded with anywhere from 55-220 grain bullets)
maybe you should see if he still has the old 7mm and would be willing to sell it to you rather than shelling out for a new SAKO?
 
30-06 is a awesome caliber. It will take down anything in North American and you can get several different bullet sizes for it too. Almost any mom and pop gun store or sporting goods store will carry 30-06 rounds.
 
People spend too much energy fussing over calibers. Any reasonable cartridge that is suitable for the game being hunted will work just fine. A .30-30 will kill a moose with a good hit. A .416 magnum will not kill a rabbit if it misses.

Pick the cartridge that YOU feel comfortable with. A 7mm Mauser, .270 Winchester, .30-06 and any of dozens of other calibers will take everything in the lower 48 with no problem if the shooter does his job
 
I vote for 30-06. Bullet weights from 100 to 220 grains and even beyond, plus ammo available everywhere. Great rifle for all North American game. Can even be used as a squirrel or rabbit gun by loading a primed case with 2 to 3 grains of bullseye powder and seating one OO buckshot in the case neck wrapped in a twist of tissue.
 
Hi,

The 7mm is a fine cartridge that is very capable for almost all of the big game around the world. And the recoil can be much easier on the shoulder than the .30-06.

Perhaps the biggest advantage of the .30-06 is the fact you can walk into almost any store that sells rifle ammo on the North American continent and buy a box of .30-06 ammo. While the 7mm is deservedly popular, it can be a bit harder to pick a box or two just anywhere.

Which ever you choose, it will serve you well.

dalee
 
May be a WIN-WIN possible here. Perhaps your Dad would consider giving or lending you his 7 for an extended trial run.
 
There was a detailed article some years ago comparing the two.They concluded ,and I agree , that no difference was found until you went past 300 yds where the 7mm had an advantage.
My favorite cartridges have at least a 100 year track record . 45-70, 6.5x55, 30-06 .That makes me more comfortable !!
 
I've used the 7mm lots in the past, got my first moose with it. I have no experience with the 30-06. My father has always had one, just never used it much until recent years. He says the same thing you guys are saying. But the I am really going to consider the availability of ammo as the deciding factor, so am going to go with the 30-06. Thanks for the help guys.:thumbup:
 
Good shot placement is more important then the differences in calibers you are talking about. If you can shoot a game animal at a 1,000 yards then a "super" magnum of some sort is significant, otherwise I'd seriously consider a .280 Remington or 35 Whelen. For me, the 7x57 (7 Mauser) is no slouch but, I also have a 338/06AI to complement it. My friend took my 300 Win Mag on an Elk Hunt and IS capable of a 1,000 yard shot IF he can glass the animal clearly (he almost did too but, the Elk moved into brush before he could get a shot off). For most people shooting non-dangerous game almost any "standard" rifle cartridge will work if you can PLACE the shot properly and use good bullets, not cheap stuff from a discount/surplus store.
 
I agree with Sid Post. It is much more important to be able to consistently put the bullet exactly where you want to, rather than caliber that is important. To do that you need a rifle than comes into shooting position easily for you and that you can shoot without flinching. Best is to go to gun stores and handle a bunch until you find one that feels 'just right' for you.
Hunting here in the mountains of South Central B.C., the 30-06 is very popular with experienced hunters. I have a 30-06 Browning A-Bolt and it's reliable, easy to shoot and accurate and has withstood many falls without a problem. I really like it.
roland
 
I agree with you guys, that accuracy is most important, The problem I face is the laws on calibers you can use for hunting. Here in Canada its illegal to hunt anything bigger than a coyote with .223, by law I can't even shoot a deer with one. And if I am in the mountains hunting I prefer to have something with alittle pop to it if that monster Grizzly decides i'm no longer top of the food chain. Something like this is what we have where I am. http://www.blackbearheaven.com/world-record-grizzly-bear.htm You've all seen this thing.
 
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Which 7MM are you talking about? I've shot several deer with both a 7MM Rem Mag and a 270.Not exactly a 30-06 but close. 150grn with the 7mm and 130 with the 270.

I've killed everything I've hit but on two occasions I've had no exit hole with the 7mm.One was a broad side rib shot with a hole in one side of the ribs but no exit hole.I did find a small piece of the bullit in the lower portion of one hind leg.It was only about 20 yards and not at all angled or quartering.

I think the extra velocity of the 7mm Rem Mag can be a detriment to penetration at times.I've always had a good large exit hole with the old 270.

My vote is for the 30-06.
 
Yeah, i'm going with the 30-06. I have used a Remington 7mm lots and loved it but I hear the just based on the versatility and availability of ammo the 30-06 is the best choice for me to make. 'm going to get a SAKO 85 Hunter if I can find one with iron sights.
 
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Good choice with the Sako. I have one in 270.My next rifle will either be one of the new Coopers or the new Anschutz rifles.Both are known for accuracy but Cooper has been only single shot untill recently and Anschutz has just introduced a line of center fire sporters including the 30-06.

I was a little upset with Sako several years ago when I purchased my rifle and later learned they had a recall but it wasn't announced anywhere.I learned of it on a web talk site and confirmed it by calling Sako.My rifle was not on the list however.
 
Great choice, I have both, very partial to 30-06:thumbup:. Agree with all of the above concerning bullet placement:D.
 
If we're talking about a 7mm Rem Mag, I feel that it has a more unpleasantly sharp recoil impulse than most 30-06 rifles. If we're talking 7 x57mm or 7mm/08, I'd agree that those would be somewhat softer shooters.

DancesWithKnives
 
roughneckrob said:
And if I am in the mountains hunting I prefer to have something with alittle pop to it if that monster Grizzly decides i'm no longer top of the food chain. Something like this is what we have where I am. http://www.blackbearheaven.com/world-record-grizzly-bear.htm You've all seen this thing.
Click to expand...

If I was worried about Grizzlies or anything similar, I'd take my 9.3x62. It's still light enough to carry but, enough rifle for use on anything in North America and most of Africa.

As for using light caliber rifles, only if you can make a clean humane kill. No, a .223 Remington isn't what I would call a deer rifle and I understand why it would be illegal in some jurisdictions. Always use "enough" rifle.
 
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