30.06 versus 7MM

[jigstick44]

Thought I would get some expert feedback on this. I am going to choose one of these guns, and would like some input or opinions on them. Thanks in advance for the responses!

[icehousebob]

Need more info. What game are you hunting? What type of hunting country and distance? What gun action? Are you a fan of recoil? There are a lot of variables to consider.

[Ruttin' Buck]

I own 1 of each Jigstick44 and I have to say the 7mm is the best all around rifle and definately my favorite of the two.

Icehousebob did mention something important, the recoil. The 7 mil Rem Mag will give a little punch in the shoulder but unless you're going to shoot 100 rounds out of the thing it won't kill you.

The thing I like most about the 7mm rounds are that they shoot flat. Velocity is deadly, bottom line. That being said, this also means less drop for longer distance shots. Before the WSM rounds came out it was one of the if not 'the' flattest shooting big game load that was commerically available. If you hand load you can buy 100 grain bullets for the 7mm which are nice for smaller game as well.

I guess if I had to choose which of these to guns I'd take for a particular animal it would go as follows:

Antelope: 7mm loaded down to 100 grain

Deer: Either

Bear: 7mm

Elk or Moose: 7mm

The only reason I'd use my luck 7 on Antelope would be because of the range I can shoot with it. A 30-06 is a fine rifle for deer and I've taken many with mine. But for larger game...7mm all the way.

[jigstick44]

This will actually be only my 2nd year hunting and it will be in MN. I would have to say my furthest shot could be 60-70 yards in the woods. As far as recoil, is there a big difference between the 2? I would assume less is better. As of right now, I only plan to hunt here in MN, but who knows, if the opportunity would come up to where I could go out west and I could afford it, I would probably go.

[Cooter]

Here we go again!

[roosterslayer]

personally, I shoot a 30-06 and I shoot 180 grain rounds. this round will drop anything in North america. I have shot consistently at 200 yards. The 30.06 will work but I also recommend you try and shoot both first before you buy.

[Cooter]

Cripes, if your only gonna shoot that far go with a 12ga and sabots or one of the .35 rounds, like Whelen or Rem Mag. If you scope it, go with a 1.5X to 4 or 6X. Better get up in a tree stand in that country.

[ScoutII]

Ruttin'Buck what weight bullet are you using on moose? And I was wondering how many MOOSE you have seen taken down with a 7MM?

[Eric Wettschreck]

Jigstick44. I agree with an earlier post. If your FARTHEST shot is 60-70 yards and through the woods. I'd be seriously thinking about 12 ga slugs.

[jigstick44]

Where I am hunting I need to use a rifle. Sorry if I offended you cooter, I just wanted some opinions before I made my purchase.

[tripper]

jig. yes there is a noticeable differnce in recoil between the 7 mag and 06, but we can not detirmine what you would consider to much recoil, only can do that so if possible shoot both before buying. if you go with the 06 and feel it is to much recoil you can always buy the lighter loaded ammo for it and have the recoil and prformance of a 308.

[jigstick44]

Essentially here is my predicament, I have some FREE money to spend on a gun. I was leaning towards the 30.06 because what I have read is it is a very reliable gun and has been around forever. But some of my coworkers have been telling me to get a 7MM. My big dilemma is, since I am new to the sport but really like it alot and plan on doing it for a long time. Am I going to regret not getting the 7MM when I had the chance, or do I go with the 30.06. I know it is a choice of personal preference, but I like hearing the feedback and opinions.

[Ruttin' Buck]

ScoutII, I've shot 0 moose with my 7mm. Just trying to give the guy a rough idea of what rifle (of the two in question) I personally would choose for different types of game if I were asked my opinion.

I would choose the 7mm for elk/moose as it will carry more velocity than the 30-06 when comparing any equal bullet mass and hence carry more energy. I guess I haven't researched what bullet I would use if I were to go on a moose hunt but I imagine it would be a partition, or trophy bonded bullet.

I was along on a moose hunt 11.5 miles into the BWCA. My bud shot #3 in the state in '03, 56" bull with his 300 WSM. The 300 WSM is very similar (slightly better) to the 7mm ballistically and it did an excellent job. The moose went about 30 yards.

I'm not here for an argument if that's what you're looking for. The guy wanted opinions, so he got my $.02.

[Cooter]

Jigstick - You can't hardly go wrong choosing between the two, good luck this fall.

[mntraveler]

In my opinion either will be a fine gun. However, I made the mistake of getting a pump action .270. Now, this may be someone's favorite gun, and it has gotten me quite a few deer, I would not choose this again. Really consider the bolt action.

[Canuck]

ScoutII, I am not sure if you are questioning the 7s ability to drop a moose but I have shot 9 moose with my 7 and all with been one shot. I love it, feel comfortable with it and will never pull the trigger unless the animal is going to fall.

This debate has been going around and around and around for years between the 7, 3006 and 270. You could pick either of these cal and if U are comfortable with the gun it will do you.

You mentioned your buddies are sugguesting the 7 if they are in the habit of hand loading then I would sugguest you go that way. I personally hand load and use a 180 Barnes for moose and then down load it to with 150 nylon nosler and put it out at 2840 ft/sec for whitetail. I did this so as not to waste as much meat on the deer.

If all U are going to shoot is whitetail and may be questioning the recoil and do not have the access to reload why not look at the 270. There are some very light factory loads for the 270 that U can use on coyotes or antelope etc and decent factory loads for deer. My one buddy and his son each shoot the 270 and they have never had problems with them. They have also shot several moose with them but they are excellent shots and very accomplished hunters.

I think U will have more trouble picking out the scope and model of the gun U finally choose. On that I would sugguest put as much cash as U can into the glass as U can always move the scope around later if U so choose and action, well I personally am a bolt with clip guy.

Good luck and now is the time to start looking, well before the hunting season opens.

[fisherking01]

Buy any one of these, get comfortable with it and most important of all GET PROFICIENT with it. If you get proficient with your firearm, you will know its limitations. I have had many calibers and the deciding factor for success was all in my hands, not the gun. If you get the chance to go to a range and try different firearms, you can make a comfort choice on your own. good luck hunting

[riverrat56]

Where in Minnesota do you NEED to use a rifle, in the rifle zone you can still shoot slugs, its just that rifles are legal.

If all you will hunt is deer, i would seriously consider Cooters suggestion and get a rifled barrel on a pump gun, you looking at about 400 bucks maybe and you will shoot good out to 100 yards. Put a scope on a cataliver mount and you will be looking 125-150 if you can get a clean shot in the the woods. And talk to anyone that hunts in southern MN, a 1 ounce slug will drop a deer just as well as most rifles will.

[ScoutII]

We don't need to read things into a posting, do we? Not trying to upset anyone, just thought I would ask a question or two to see what experience poster has. It is one thing to have an opinion and another to have actually done something. Some things might look good on paper, but in real life just don't fly.

[DrKen]

Either caliber will do the job on anything you are likely to hunt. There is a lot of hype on getting certain calibers of guns and which is better. In practical matters most of it doesn't mean dump in the real world. The vast majority of deer, elk and moose are shot under 100 yards, most shooters cannot shoot offhand accurately beyond 75yds in hunting conditions. Virtually all of todays high-power rifles will do the job. It is the combination of the rifle, optics, bullet and shooter that makes the difference. It is more important that you get a rifle and scope that you are comfortable with and then shoot it to become proficient. Then choose the proper bullet to do the job on the species you are hunting. Place that bullet in a vital area and the animal will go down. As far as a specific caliber, that's up to you, but either of these is roughly equivalent in the real world. Enjoy your new rifle and have fun.

[Ruttin' Buck]

Just felt like I was being setup ScoutII...maybe I was out of line. I just had recalled at the time a recent post of yours...

"DON"T go with the 7mm magnum, the balistics are to fast will not penetrate a MOOSES hide. I know there were 5 bullets just sitting in the hide. Now a 30-06 is slower and will penetrate. That was the caliber that took the moose down. That is my experiance with moose and rifles."

I may have been wrong to assume you were going to jump down my throat but a post like the one above and the way you worded the post to me told me to put my guard up. Anyway, that being said, I don't happen to agree and would still stick with the 7mm for moose.

[Chris Haley]

I shoot a Browning Safari 7mm mag. It's an auto so I don't get near the kick of a bolt action. I do however get incredible range and accuracy. I have shot both deer and elk with this gun, and have dropped two deer in their tracks at 400 yards. If you're going for something that is all around and you're going to have it a while, go with the Browning. I would rate the recoil on the auto loader below that of a 270.

Also, on the moose topic. I don't beleive for a second that using the RIGHT 7mm round would be stopped by ANY hide in north america!!!!!

[jigstick44]

Thanks for all of the input from everyone. This sight is a great way to get info and opinions from a vast number of people. From what I have read and heard, I am going to have the gun shop set out all of the 30.06's and 7MM's and pick what feels right. I'll let you know what I purchase next week since I plan on making the purchase Saturday. Thanks again to everyone!

[Chris Haley]

Where are you at? I was going to say if you were near Bemidji I'd take you out and let you shoot my 7mm. That browning is a dream to shoot.

[Ruttin' Buck]

Just make sure you set some money aside for glass. I think someone may have mentioned this but a rifle is only as good as it's scope (and operator of course).

I lucked out and found my Remington bolt action 7mm used in pristine condition for $325. I paid around $450 for the scope I put on it. Don't regret it a bit.

I could tell you a story about a $200 scope, that came with a used 22-250 I bought, that really put in in a predicament and left me unpleased but I'll spare you the details unless you really want to hear them.

Lastly, I know you were sort of set on either a 7mm or 30-06. But if you wanted say a 30 caliber rifle that has ballistics even better than the 7mm keep your mind open to the 300 WSM...recoil will be similar to the 7mm. My dad found a 300 WSM in stainless barrel/laminate stock version with a 3x9 Leupold VX-II setup for I want to say $500 a few years back. I know it wasn't more than $600 out the door.

I also would extend to you a shooting session with both my 7mm and 30-06 if you're near Annandale.