[powderski14]

Hey everybody....I'm sick of using my dads guns for deer hunting and am going to order soon. Went to the local dealer and i like the remington 700 series. What caliber will be better the7mm mag or the 30 06. I will use it for short shots where i live which are about 100yrds or less and also need it for 2-300 yrds out in kansas. Ive done a little research and some say the 7mm will ruin a lot of meat. Is this true? How much recoild does one have over the other. Only rifles ive shot are my dads 308 and 270wsm. I like the both of them just Ive heatrd good things about the 7m and the 06. Hopefully you folks can help a guy out and give me some input. Thannks

[IDVague]

I can't comment on the 7mm with any experience, but the .30-06 is one of the best all-around cartridges ever produced, IMHO. I have a Remington 700 and 742, both in .30-06. The 700 is extremely accurate up to 150 yards (for me, maybe more for a good shooter), and the 742 shoots nice groups for an auto, the best I ever had. I used .30-06 when I still hunted deer most of the time. In heavy underbrush, I used a .30/30, .44 Mag, or 12 ga. slugs.

[Josey Wales '94]

Agreed with IDVague. The .30-06 will take anything in North America, but not recommended for the "Great Bears". From foxes to moose, it'll do the job. If you want a good brush gun go with a Browning Auto in .30-06, or my favorite, a .30-30 Lever.
-Also Winchester makes their old 1895 Win in .30-06, .30-40 Krag, and one other Winchester round I cant seem to think of, the .408 Win? or was it .458 Win? The latter seems more plausible. I'm gonna get one some day, but they're quite expensive.

Ah, but I was wrong, which only happens occasionally, it is the .405 Winchester!

[joshfireart]

one riffle 30 06 or 308

[Snakedriver]

I'm a 7mm Mag. guy myself. I love the flat tragectory of the 7mm at long ranges, but the ammo is expensive. I reload, so that helps lower the cost per shot. That said though, the .30-06 is also an excellent caliber and it's widely available at more reasonable prices than the 7mm. For that reason, I'd say to go with the 06.

[stalkingbear]

For no more than you're going to do with it, I'd suggest a 7mm08 or a .308. They both have more than enough range and power to do anything you'll need. They're both also extremely accurate and low felt recoil.

[Snakedriver]

Originally Posted by stalkingbear

For no more than you're going to do with it, I'd suggest a 7mm08 or a .308. They both have more than enough range and power to do anything you'll need. They're both also extremely accurate and low felt recoil.

I agree with Stalkingbear and .308 is like .30-06 in that there's plenty of affordable ammo around to shoot.

[spyderfan]

My 7mm is used as a sheep gun good at long distances last sheep 500 yards or something like one shot one kill oh I hate sheep my muscles ache just thinking about packing that thing out.

[spyderfan]

Another thing 7mm=expensive

[jpattersonnh]

I'll chime in. I also am a 7mm Rem mag fan. You need to reload. I find the 30.06, .270 in the same rifle as I have, a Savage 110, have more felt recoil. I always used 175gr sp for larger game, well I tossed that notion. I now use 140 and 160 gr barnes XTP for distance. Recoil is very light and they kill just fine. Don't waste your time w/ 140gr Nosler BT, they suck. Very accurate, but little penetration when they hit bone. Standard 150gr sp do very well all around. I would also look at the 7-08 and .308 for your needs.