Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire My son is trying to decide between a 30-06 and 7mm Rem Mag

My son is contemplating buying a new rifle before he gets married, smart boy! He's looking at a 30-06 that his brother inherited from his grandfather (they would likely do a trade to keep it in the family) or buy something new, likely a 7mm rem mag. I strongly suggested the 30-06, it's a rem 700 BDL from the 80s that is in excellent condition (side story here, I bought the rifle from a neighbor at the request of the ole man and he never paid me for it, I'm the only one who ever spent a dime on it). Anyway, I pulled some simple ballistics with 165 gr loads, my preference for both, and there's really not much difference. If he goes the new route, I really can't recommend a factory rifle that's affordable that I would want myself.


30-06
.308 diameter
165 gr bullet
2960 feet per second
3209 muzzle energy

7mm rem mag
.284 diameter
162 gr bullet
3030 feet per second
3302 muzzle energy

Well I am of the opinion that everyone needs a 30-06. What does he plan to do with the rifle?

I’m a 7 mag guy, but no fleas on a 30-06. I have several of each. I like them both.

Get one, the other later when he can afford it.

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.

He has a nice 243, a Rem model 7 I gave him, but he's thinking an elk hunt one day.

I have both too, always have. The 7mm mag has become a favorite, a Win 70 with a Shilen barrel in a Brown Precision stock. For some reason, it's much easier to shoot than you may imagine for a 7mm RM.

7mag but it sounds like you’ve already decided.

.30-06 with 165gr. is just the ticket for any North American big game.

.30/06 loaded with 180 grain bullets and go hunting.

30-06 plenty of different bullet configurations.

300.

Wby or Win mag.

Yeah I went there.

He's managed to get his MBA and has a good job with a big consulting firm. He has the money, has always been a saver but he knows he will have to be accountable in April when he ties the knot. He still drives his grandfathers 2002 Chevy truck as his daily driver, he can certainly afford something a bit less dated but he's pragmatic and I'm proud of him for it!

I'm afraid to pull the trigger on a 300 Wby, I've had a couple 300 Wins, hard to beat!

It really comes down to if his brother will sell/trade him the '06.

No flies in the 7RM. However, the 30-06 seems to lead every poll on this forum for taking the most game. I would pick the ‘06 simply to ensure it stays in the family long term.

This book pretty much sums up the 30-06, I have it, it's excellent!

One Man, One Rifle, One Land
By J.Y. Jones


Over 40 years ago, J. Y. Jones started his North American big-game hunting career, which ultimately evolved into a quest to take all the huntable species and subspecies of North America with the same .30-06 rifle.

Yes, for sure, it's not leaving the family, even if I have to "buy" it again myself!

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.

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.

If limited to the 2 - I'd select the 30-06, mostly for the extra round in the belly, tho I do like what's available bullet wise in .284 diameter.

I also believe that if I need "more" than a 30-06, the 7rm isn't it chief. If you need MORE get MORE - 375 or 338.

So my vote - 30-06