re: 7mm mag vs. 30-06?

30-06

7mm-08 Winchester Model 70 & Browning X-Bolt 270 WSM

There's not a single thing the 7 Mag can do the 30-06 can't do as well or close enough not to matter and more importantly, cheaper.

And in this area...

lol

Whatever you need to convince yourself of as reasons you want the 7Mag are really all the reasons you'll listen to so go ahead and get one. It's an awesome cartridge. But it's not superior to the 30-06 in any way worth worrying about.

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Just FYI, pre-NATO snipers used 30-06.

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Very true, same as .300 is a fairly common caliber used by snipers today from what I can gather. It goes back to what I said later about who is standing behind the gun. Myself if I had to choose I would go with the 30-06. Lot less kick with almost as much bullet. Plenty of dead deer can vouch for the '06

I hunt a whole lot with both the 7mm Mag as well as the 30/06. They are my 2 main hunting weapons and I know both like the back of my hand. I reload for both so cost of ammo is basically a wash for me. I have probably taken over 140-150 animals with this combination so I do have a bit of experience from whence I speak. There is not much difference, if any at all, in the "killing power" of either round so long as you use the proper bullet for the game you are hunting. I can kill every deer or elk that walks the face of the earth with either. Our game animals are not bullet proof. I do not find much difference in the recoil of either. It really depends more on stock design or the rifle rather than the actual recoil of the cartridge.

All of that said, what a 7mm Mag does give you is the ability to more easily hit something at long range. Inside 300 yards, either cartridge will do the same. Over 300 yards, both the energy of the mag as well as the better BC of the 7mm will make a difference. I have killed deer at a measured 550 yards with my 7 mag and around 350 yards with my 30/06. I can shoot my 06 and hit at longer range but it is harder. My range estimates must be exact.

Bottom line, when I am hunting woods or where my shots are under 300 yards, I usually grab my 06. When I am hunting pipelines or areas where I have a chance at a longer shot, I grab my 7 mag.

I really beleive that people worry too much about the "perfect" caliber for Louisiana whitetail hunting. The truth is our deer are not that tough to kill. If you put the bullet in the right place the deer will not go far. Virtually every centerfire , high velocity cartridge will do the job if it is 243 caliber or larger.

So take your pick, 243, 6mm, 25/06, 6.5mm, 270, 7mm, 308, 30/06, 300 mags- they all work well.

If you primarily hunt where the shots are over 300 yards, 25/06, 270 Mags, 7mm Mags, or 300 Mags give you a little more advantage to hit the target if you are not bothered by the recoil.

Lock and load - huntin season is just around the corner!

Well put! Cant wait to make a deer or hog bleed.

The 7mm magnum is definitely more gun than is needed for white tail with the heavier loads but when loaded with a 140gr bullet it can really reach out and touch them. It is a more versatile gun IMO just make sure you get it ported to tame the recoil. Only thing bad is that a ported 7mm mag is hell on your ear drums

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seen it destroy lots of good meat.

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Yeah there isn't much left to a shoulder shot doe with the 7mm mag but it is still a great rifle and is capable of making shots further than most shooters are capable. If you only plan on whitetail hunting the .270 is a great choice. Basically a necked down .30-06. 130gr ballistic silvertips haven't let me down yet.

7mm mag with 140 gr vs .270 with 130 gr have very similar ballistics virtually the same out to 250yds with the 7mm having a 2" advantage out to 500 but the 7mm puts more energy down range.

It's interesting how the same misconceptions and stigmas surrounding different rounds are ubiquitous amongst hunters. I hear it all the time from people regarding the 270. "I don't shoot that pop gun.". "it's fine if you like tracking deer.". "my brothers cousin shot a big deer in the shoulder and he got away. He would have got that deer with a 300."

It's fun conversation around the camp fire, but it's really much to do about nothing. Just as soon argue over which is a better beer, bud light or miller light. (in case you're wondering, it's bud light).