Gun Owning Smokers

[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.