Gun Owning Smokers

[mrtr33]

Is there any compelling reason to choose a 30.06 over a 7mm, specifically for deer hunting (and maybe larger game in the future?)

The guy I got hunting with now uses a 7mm, and I've been using a 30.06. He swears by the 7mm, but admits it can be painful to sight in. Thought I'd get some advice from you guys....

[Kenyth]

Is there any compelling reason to choose a 30.06 over a 7mm, specifically for deer hunting (and maybe larger game in the future?)

The guy I got hunting with now uses a 7mm, and I've been using a 30.06. He swears by the 7mm, but admits it can be painful to sight in. Thought I'd get some advice from you guys....

I am not familiar with 7mm, but I am with 30-06. 30-06 is a very common round in the US, so ammo is reasonable. It was designed for manual action rifles, such as bolt action. The long cartridge doesn't work the best in semi-auto weapons, although they've been made.

If you load your own ammo, it is one of the most versatile rifles around. You can customize the bullet weight and powder charge a lot depending on what you are hunting. It will reliably take almost all North American game. Moose and Grizzly are the only questionable ones I know of.

[VictorMJR66]

I am not familiar with 7mm, but I am with 30-06. 30-06 is a very common round in the US, so ammo is reasonable. It was designed for manual action rifles, such as bolt action. The long cartridge doesn't work the best in semi-auto weapons, although they've been made.

If you load your own ammo, it is one of the most versatile rifles around. You can customize the bullet weight and powder charge a lot depending on what you are hunting. It will reliably take almost all North American game. Moose and Grizzly are the only questionable ones I know of.

The .30-06 is "the most common round in the world." i have heard of big game hunters flying around the world and were able to by ammo.
I own both, and it is true that the .30-06 is incredibly versatile! From a 55gr, sabot, to 200+ gr projectiles.
I like the 7mm for specific use, and mine too was not very accurate with factory loads. But, with the right load, it has amazing accuracy. It happens to be in the Win M70 platform. It is pillar-bedded with a stock trigger adjustment.

My .30-06 is a 1942 Remington made, Springfield 1903-A3, sporterized. I grab it for any occassion.

[MarineOne]

Is there any compelling reason to choose a 30.06 over a 7mm, specifically for deer hunting (and maybe larger game in the future?)

The guy I got hunting with now uses a 7mm, and I've been using a 30.06. He swears by the 7mm, but admits it can be painful to sight in. Thought I'd get some advice from you guys....

I don't like 7mm for anything smaller than elk or moose, as it damages the meat too much and is really overkill unless you reload and slow them down a bit.

30-'06, .270, .260, and .243 will be better choices for factory loads and deer hunting.


Kris

[heftysmokes]

I have a 30.06 I use for everything--antelope, deer, elk--but am looking at a .243 for antelope and whitetail hunting. It'll be nice to have a smaller caliber when the boy is old enough to start hunting.

[Smoked!]

I don't like 7mm for anything smaller than elk or moose, as it damages the meat too much and is really overkill unless you reload and slow them down a bit.

30-'06, .270, .260, and .243 will be better choices for factory loads and deer hunting.


Kris

+1

I have used the .270 almost exclusively for years. It shoots flat and hits hard. (Here in FL, I can get away with using the trusty, lightweight lever action .30-.30 for both deer and hogs. Most shots are under 75 yards.)

[Big Sarge]

The 30-06 is an extremely versatile round. You can use it for anything in North America except large bears, though some people use it successfully for dangerous game. The 165 gr is my favorite weight for deer if hunting bean fields or power lines. The Remington Accelerator 55 gr is a pretty good varmit round or you can can go with the 110gr for coyotes. You can always choose the 220 gr for moose or elk. They even have managed recoil rounds for young shooters. Try to do all of that with a 7mm Mag.

That being said, I recently switched to the .300 WSM as my favorite deer gun in the open. I like the ability to use it in a short action. Plus it comes close to the .300 Mag without the recoil. You pretty much have to load your own if you want to really expand your possibilities with it.