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Joined: Jul 2013
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I have several of both, and either one will work great for his needs.
I'd be inclined to settle on a rifle model he likes best and see what options he can easily find on dealer shelves in this day and age.
It's official. I missed the selfie deadline so I'm Maser's sock puppet because rene and the Polish half of the fubar twins have decided that I am.
ΜOΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ μολὼν λαβέ
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,040
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I would go with the 30-06 but he won't go wrong with either choice.
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Joined: Dec 2017
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Either one would be a top choice. Were it me I'd go with the 30-06 that you've told us about. If he doesn't like it he can always count on you to buy it. Also find one of each, likely you have a friend that has a 7mag and you already have access to the 30-06 and let him shoot them both. The 7mag has a reputation for recoil but I've never had a problem with either of these. Both are wonderful rounds!
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Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 433
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Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 433 |
I have owned both... and reloaded for both.
30-06... all day.
130gr TTSX for deer and antilope...
165gr Speer Hot Cor for elk
200gr round nose for black bear at close range.
one gun dose it all.
+1 on this The 130 TTSX from a 30-06 is DEADLY on whitetail. Its pretty nasty from 308 too.
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,032 Likes: 4
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Joined: Sep 2009
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I have and like both, but if I had to choose one, it would be the 30-06. I think that as an elk rifle, the 30-06 has an advantage in bigger bullets, but obviously, either would work fine.
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 10,817 Likes: 2
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Joined: Jun 2001
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Efficiency 30.06. Holds more rds., less cost, less powder, typically shorter barrel.
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,856
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Joined: Feb 2011
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I'd tell him to wait. The .243 is good enough for deer and by the time that he can afford a western elk hunt, he'll be able to afford the perfect rifle for it. A lot can change in 10-20 years. New bullets have transformed the 223, 243 and 9mm in the last 20.
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 11,118 Likes: 3
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 11,118 Likes: 3 |
Both excellent cartridges, and either would serve him well.
That said, common cup and core bullets tend to break up if they impact at more than 2800 FPS. So if he's going to shoot something with the 7 Mag inside 100-150 yards, he's going to want to stick to premium bullets. The '06, load any good quality garden variety 180 grain bullet, and he's GTG. Also, brass life tends to be longer with the '06 if he plans to reload.
Be not weary in well doing.
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Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 9,450
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Joined: Jun 2020
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Since caliber is a moot point, as either will provide the adequate dose of medicine, I would suggest to him the following.
3006 And use the money he saves on the 7 for reloading equipment and supplies. Right now he is young enough to establish an interest, habits and energy to do some reloading with proper guidance from a family member. That should get them both in the field sharing quality time during this busy life.
Last edited by Happy_Camper; 09/02/21.
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Joined: May 2016
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"Overall" hunting..the 30-06. Here's why, the 7mm Mag will be a tad heavier, not as "fast" to put in action if still hunting and jump a deer/hog,etc. For elk, a 30-06 with 200gr (180 too) will stomp an elk as hard as any 175gr 7mm Mag...especially if under 400yds ( which is one heck of a long shot for most folks) My "average" on 4 cow elk is about 175yds! With 2 being 100 & 135, the others 200 & 250 yds.
Now, if he hunts deer from a box stand, etc, carrying from truck to stand, then the 7mm Rem Mag with 140/150 will be like a laser ( but so will the 130TTSX in the 'o6!) so, my vote -30-06. I have found, from my own experiences that a 7mm Mag is an outstanding LR deer/antelope/exotics caliber. He could "compromise" and buy a C.A. Mesa in 7mm Rem Mag ( or even a Bergara B14 Hunter) and be happy, if he just wants new. The older Remingtons are a favorite of my own, but I have found the Kimber 8400 & 84L Classics to be fine ( have an 84L/270 now) the Bergara B14 ( I have one now in 300WM, have owned 3 others in '06/6.5 Creed/300WM) all shooters. Main thing is he picks something he thinks he will enjoy, of course. Wish him luck!
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Joined: Feb 2020
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Both cartridges are plenty adequate for elk but I’d go with the 06 just because it was my grandfathers. I’ve used a 270 for elk for more yrs than I’d like to admit, so have both my sons. Never lost one yet.
Life (and forums) is like a box of animal crackers----There's a Jackass in every box
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 9,150 Likes: 6
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Joined: Dec 2014
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.30-06 vs 7 Mag...a coin toss. I would go with anything that wasn't in a Remington 700. There is a reason there is an entire cottage industry devoted to making the 700 perform as it was advertised. From buttplate to muzzle...every single part is available aftermarket to make it work better. Also, see "gunsmithing" topic on here today, re: cam/timing.
Well this is a fine pickle we're in, should'a listened to Joe McCarthy and George Orwell I guess.
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Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 759
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Sounds like the REAL question is: Is he marrying the right girl??
If he is concerned that the purse strings will be held by his new bride..... will he be "allowed" to follow his passion for hunting?
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 67,502 Likes: 64
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 67,502 Likes: 64 |
Asks 30/06 or 7mm RemMag for elk
Gets recommended a 7mm/08 for Florida whitetails
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 29,383
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2004
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No deer or Elk will know the difference.
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 6,864 Likes: 2
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OP
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Posts: 6,864 Likes: 2 |
One size fits everything in North America for both of them. A 7mm RM is about at the recoil limit of what most guys can handle and a '06 isn't exactly pleasant either. Where will he do most of his hunting? Florida, then probably the '06. Out west or longer range the RM. I've shot stuff with both and everything got on the meat pole. I sold the '06, but still have the RM which I seldom shoot anymore because I built up a 7mm-08 that works better for the ranges where I hunt. Your son might consider something smaller and be happier given my own experience over lots of years.
I think that your son should take a lesson from you about building a better one than buying a new BDL. My own '62 BDL is also in a Brown Precision Kevlar camo stock, turned ss barrel, bead blasted hard chrome plated, blue printed action... Way better. My own son got a good deal on a .300 Weatherby and I still remember the look on his face the first time he touched that thing off. Much wisdom here!
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Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 10,691
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Waiting for someone to say Creedmoor... ![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/GzeuJ86.gif)
Progressives are the most open minded, tolerant, and inclusive people on the planet, as long as you agree with everything they say, and do exactly as you're told.
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Joined: Jun 2003
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OP
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Inside 400yds, I look at them as being almost the same. I do like the fact that a 30-06 is not handicapped with a 22" barrel, as I'd not want that length in a 7mmRM. Both have a good ammo and component selection, with the edge going to the 30-06. Both of mine are 24", pretty much standard for me but I know it's more about personal preferences. I know the 7mm RM could benefit from a 26" barrel but I'm fine with the 24.
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Joined: Jun 2003
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Waiting for someone to say Creedmoor... ![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/UMJHiwz.gif) Don't do it!!!
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Joined: Dec 2017
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Waiting for someone to say Creedmoor... the Jedi light saber of calibers 
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