Have 30-06 should i get a 7mm rem mag as well

[TheBlackMambaXD]

I just got interested in hunting and i bought a tikka t3 in 30-06.
I kind of regret getting that caliber, but its all the store had in left hand. So i have wondered if it would be the trouble to change it out for a differant cartridge. I was originally looking at the 7mm mag but being i would have to special order i just got the 30-06. Do you think it worth it. Thanks

 

[farout]

I would keep the 30-06. Below are chart clips from a download program provided by Federal. It allows you to easily compare their different cartridges for different calibers. I think it is great for making comparisons like the one you are contemplating now.

Sure the 7mm shoots a little flatter and has a little less wind drift and more energy, but none of that would be enough to really matter when hunting inside 400 yards. (Just look at the numbers below.)With same weight bullets of comparable BC the 7mm has about 150 feet per second on the 30-06, but that comes at a cost. Added recoil and more expensive ammo. Plus the 30-06 would be a little easier to load as it is not a belted case.

The 30-06 is a very fine cartridge for hunting. Usually a step up in cartridges like this gains you about another 100 yards of useable shooting distance.

Velocity:

Energy:

Drift:

Trajectory:

 

[sbhooper]

I own two 7 mags and I like them, but I would probably not own one if I had not gotten my first one in a trade years ago. I would have bought the '06 and stayed there.

The 7 mag is a great cartridge, but for the average hunter, it shows no real advantage out to reasonable ranges. Learn to shoot the rifle at all ranges with the load that it and you like.

The 7 mag is not an efficient cartridge. It expends lots of powder for the performance that you get. The '06 is better in that regard. Belted magnums are OK for super long ranges, but offer very little advantage in the hunting field for the average guy.

 

[ksubuck]

Why not own one of each? Keep in mind that they both fill a similar hunting niche. Best for large game hunting, and excess punishment on the shoulder for small game. If I could only have 2 rifles, one would be either an 06 or a 7 mag, and the other would be a lighter caliber 22-250, 223, 243 for small game. But who can just own 2 rifles? Gotta have one of every caliber to play with

 

[skyfish25]

The 30-06 is the std that all are judged against. The 7mm mag does all a little better with the same recoil. Too bag for that I fortunate belt, but the belt is not really that big of deal.

The 7mm is hard to beat in my opinion, but the 06 will most likely fill all hunting needs.

 

[MontanaRifleman]

The 7 RM will have about 100-200 yds more effective range but the 30.06 will be a slightly more effective killer inside 600 yds. The reason I say that is the .06 can deliver a .308 cal 200 plus grain bullet vs a .284 cal 180 gr bullet. Sure the 7 will have more energy but energy is not a good indicator of game killing potential. Inside 600 yds both cartridges effective range most animals will not know the difference. If I was going elk hunting tomorrow at ranges to to 600 yds or less I would pick the 06 with a good load of RL17 pushing a 215 Berger. For deer size game flip a coin. For longer ranges I would pick the 7.

If you want to shoot flatter and farther pick the 7. If you want good solid performance out to 700 yds give or take with much longer barrel life pick the 06

 

[kc]

I could not have said it better.
I love my .3006 Springfields but as for my 7MAG, I love this calibre but when I look back, the .3006 can do it as good, and not cost as much. INMO the .3006 can be used for any hunting
in AMERICA but I would not use it on brown bears.
I would go to my .3006 before any rifle I have.

keep this rifle and do not sell it. you will regret it if you ever do.

 

[TheBlackMambaXD]

Thanks. I didnt really want to go to the trouble of replacing my gun, so thanks for all the input. My rifle is a Tikka T3 with a Vortex Diamondback 3-9x40. Considering the similarities if i want to upgrade i might later got to the .300 family instead, maybe a .300 ultra.
Thanks again

 

[MudRunner2005]

The 7 RM will have about 100-200 yds more effective range but the 30.06 will be a slightly more effective killer inside 600 yds. The reason I say that is the .06 can deliver a .308 cal 200 plus grain bullet vs a .284 cal 180 gr bullet. Sure the 7 will have more energy but energy is not a good indicator of game killing potential. Inside 600 yds both cartridges effective range most animals will not know the difference. If I was going elk hunting tomorrow at ranges to to 600 yds or less I would pick the 06 with a good load of RL17 pushing a 215 Berger. For deer size game flip a coin. For longer ranges I would pick the 7.

If you want to shoot flatter and farther pick the 7. If you want good solid performance out to 700 yds give or take with much longer barrel life pick the 06

Mark, I'll make the arguement that EVERY true gun guy needs to have atleast one 7mm caliber and one .30 caliber rifle in the safe, just because...

I am one of the biggest 7mm nuts on this site, but the .30-06 will have alot longer barrel life, provided you don't abuse it.

 

[roninflag]

the 30-06 is an awesome round. what are you shooting at??

 

[dogbuster0006]

Two most important questions are:
What do you plan on hunting?
What range do you plan on shooting that game from?

I don't personally own a 30-06 I do however own a 7rem mag. Both great rounds and are very versatile, lots of choices in bullet weights depending on the kind of critter you plan on chasing. If you've got a 30-06 try different loads from different manufactures and learn that gun first. The 06 has been around forever and is still very popular because its an infinitely useful round. Are there a few calibers that are better at one particular aspect of shooting than it yes. It's probably a little over kill for coyotes and varmint hunting and maybe a little less gun than some would feel comfortable chasing say moose or brown bears. However with the right bullet the ole 06 will take just about any game on the planet. If you want another rifle 7mag is a hell of a round but, the ballistic advantages of it aren't so far over the top to justify buying one if I was in your shoes. They're both similar in their energy levels and both capable of killing game at great range. Don't let anyone tell you that your 06 isn't enough gun, it's not flashy or super fast by today's standards or anything like that but, it's a proven performer on game of all sizes all over the world. Remember shot placement is what really matters if you but a bullet of proper build in the right place whatever your shooting will die, that much I can promise you.
Hey, if you're looking for excuses to buy another rifle go for it variety is the spice of life. And that's what makes shooting and hunting so great you can get the job done just fine with what you already own, or you can add a few more tools to your tool box to help. You wouldn't tear an engine apart with only one wrench. If it's your boss lady that's giving you a hard time just explain it's like owning more than one pair of shoes. I wouldn't go walking through a muddy field wearing gym shoes nor would I go running in a pair of rubber boots.
Hope this helps, good luck and happy hunting.

 

[dogbuster0006]

Two most important questions are:
What do you plan on hunting?
What range do you plan on shooting that game from?

I don't personally own a 30-06 I do however own a 7rem mag. Both great rounds and are very versatile, lots of choices in bullet weights depending on the kind of critter you plan on chasing. If you've got a 30-06 try different loads from different manufactures and learn that gun first. The 06 has been around forever and is still very popular because its an infinitely useful round. Are there a few calibers that are better at one particular aspect of shooting than it yes. It's probably a little over kill for coyotes and varmint hunting and maybe a little less gun than some would feel comfortable chasing say moose or brown bears. However with the right bullet the ole 06 will take just about any game on the planet. If you want another rifle 7mag is a hell of a round but, the ballistic advantages of it aren't so far over the top to justify buying one if I was in your shoes. They're both similar in their energy levels and both capable of killing game at great range. Don't let anyone tell you that your 06 isn't enough gun, it's not flashy or super fast by today's standards or anything like that but, it's a proven performer on game of all sizes all over the world. Remember shot placement is what really matters if you but a bullet of proper build in the right place whatever your shooting will die, that much I can promise you.
Hey, if you're looking for excuses to buy another rifle go for it variety is the spice of life. And that's what makes shooting and hunting so great you can get the job done just fine with what you already own, or you can add a few more tools to your tool box to help. You wouldn't tear an engine apart with only one wrench. If it's your boss lady that's giving you a hard time just explain it's like owning more than one pair of shoes. I wouldn't go walking through a muddy field wearing gym shoes nor would I go running in a pair of rubber boots.
Hope this helps, good luck and happy hunting.

 

[MontanaRifleman]

Mark, I'll make the arguement that EVERY true gun guy needs to have atleast one 7mm caliber and one .30 caliber rifle in the safe, just because...

I am one of the biggest 7mm nuts on this site, but the .30-06 will have alot longer barrel life, provided you don't abuse it.

Mud, Back in the day I was the biggest 7 mag fan that walked the Earth. I was all about high velocity, flat shooting and high KE. I had some 30.06 buddies and we had some heated debates about which was top of the heap. I still like to get those high velocities but now that I've grown up I see the virtues of the ole .06 They are both great cartridges and there are areas where one will edge out the other.

If they were the only two cartridges available and I had to pick just one, I would pick the 7 because it has greater range.

 

[kc]

A few years back in SHOOTING TIMES they did an articlal about the most bopular calibres
called the Thee Kings..One was the .270 the .7MM MAG and the .3006.
They never criticize any calibre that was used for a hunting, but many reputable writers
(through time) had many opinions that were contributed to this artical and all concluded
these were the three kings.