Yep, it was very popular in France and Belgium a few years ago, because it was not a previous military caliber, and owning / using a 30-06 required a special license in Belgium, and was totally forbidden in France.
In this time of darkness :p the 7x64 was very popular but not the most popular around: the domination of driven hunts / battues, made double rifle calibers (8x57 JRS and 9,3x74R), semi-auto calibers (the .300 win mag was so popular in the Browning BAR plateform, the rifle model was often known as "the .300 BAR") and medium bore bolt action rounds (9,3x62).
I still own one which was my only rifle during many years. It's a very good all-rounder IMO but you'd like something heavier with more "punch" for forest driven hunts.
Since the 30-06 is not considered an evil cartridge it's clearly becoming one of the most popular and versatile.
