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30-.06 vs 7mm and 7mm mag
snipe2
Member Posts: 64 ✭✭
What's the advantages or disadvantages of the 7mm over the .06. Thanks.
Comments
The disadvantage to the 7mm versus the 30-06 is the availablity of the number of different bullet weights available. The 7mm tops out at 175-grains, whereas the 30-06 can handle bullet weights up to 220-grains.
My nickel's worth[:)]
WACA Historian & Life Member
I take it you mean 7mm Mauser & 7mm-Remington Mag??
7mm... lighter recoil, else the 30-06 & 7mm-mag out perform in all aspects. Rarer in the states, so unless you reload, will be more costly.
30-06 can be handloaded down to, I think, around 100gr. bullet,just to give spectrum of it's wide adaptiblity with Burt H's high end. Less expensive over the counter than either 7mm's. Absolutely one of the best all around cartidges ever as over 100 years attest to.
Factory load for 7mm-mag are start at around 130gr.
45er
Just my opinion.
KC
Wasn't there a big game hunter that killed hundreds of elephants with the 7MM Mauser?
W. D. Karamojo Bell
It was referred to as a 275 Rigby
The advantage is that the ballistic coefficient of the 7mm (.284) bullet is better for identical weight bullets than the 30-60 (.308) bullet. As such, it has a slightly better inherent accuracy, as it will fly true for greater distances.
The disadvantage to the 7mm versus the 30-06 is the availablity of the number of different bullet weights available. The 7mm tops out at 175-grains, whereas the 30-06 can handle bullet weights up to 220-grains.
My nickel's worth[:)]
I grant you that there are less available Factory loads for the 7mm Rem. Mag. compared to the .30-06 but I see no disadvantage in what is available! Use the Remington 140 grain Core-Lokt PSP's for Whitetail...Black Bear and Wild Boar, the 150 or 160 grain Core-Lokt PSP's for Mule Deer & for Black Bear & Wild Boar if you want a little more insurance and the 175 grain Core-Lokt PSP's for Elk...Moose and most Grizzlies. There are also a fair variety of different loads from Federal, Winchester, Hornady and I think Norma. Whether you use a 7mm Rem. Mag or a .30-06, just keep in mind, that with increased bullet weight, comes increased punishment from the recoil! Now if you shoot the 7mm Re. Mag. and are only going to be shooting Ground Hogs or Prairie Dogs and Coyote, then you will have to load your own ammo with the appropriate bullet for what you are going to be shooting! Bullets from the top producers range from 110 grains with many increasing in increments of 5 to 10 grains all the way up to 175 grains (i.e. 115 grains, 120 grains, 130 grains, 140 grains, etc., etc.) but there are some that vary from that such as the 139 grain and 154 grain Hornady bullets.
Another thing I would add is that the magnum will tend to have shorter brass and barrel life when loaded to full potential. Maybe not as much as some of the really short magnums, but if you plan on using it to target shoot as well as hunt, it's something to consider.
Also worth considering is not only selection of bullets but cost. Factory 7mm and 7mm Mag ammo is going to be more expensive, as will reloading components.
I suppose the end answer is your intended use. All are fine for big game and the range alike, I'd personally take the 06 due to its versatility. I've shot everything from 60 gr .32 ACP bullets through monster 250 gr cast lead through my 06; it's hard to get something that is utterly useless as it is a very forgiving cartridge. I can't say the same for the other 2.