Gun Owning Smokers

[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.