I am from Africa and hunted quite al lot with the .270 Win and .30.06, often large animals - gemsbuck, wildebeest, kudu and eland. For me a big factor was (to old to hunt any more now!) the amount of meat damage caused by the faster speed of the .270 bullets - sometimes both shoulders were rendered useless. I became a fan of slower bullets after shooting a large eland with a slow bullet (189 gr. @2400fps) - perfect bullet expansion and very little meat damage. That said, I seldom shot at distances longer that 250 yds. It sometimes seems to me that Americans are perhaps to much in love with high speed and energy. I sometimes cringe when I see hunters shooting at animals 700 yds away. For me - hunting was always to approach as near as possible - so that I did not even need an enormous scope. But - to each his own Kind regards.
Seems like knife hunts would be the best then I've got a buddy who was a sniper, he naturally brought that back to hunting. He's gone on elk hunts with 50 bmg and 338 lapua from extreme distances. Always is a treat to see or hear about him work
30-06 is like the 7.62 x 54R. Obviously, the 30-06 can do more but the 7.62R has been in service for 120+ years There are better rounds but with so many guns chambered to take these rounds they are not going away.
7mm won only on this utube video channel and merely only based on this person's opinion ..which did not address everything .about the 06 versatility The 30-06 has a much better KO factor for dangerous game than the 7mm mag by using a 240 grain woodleigh solid in the 30-06 Look up KO factor if yiu don't know what that is If a griz was charging me from 30 yds away I'd feel more confident with a 240 grain in my 06 than a fast lightweight 7mm bullet..and I've personally known people in alaska that have been mauled even after hitting a bear with the 7mm mag solid . To me 06 reigns Supreme for versatility ..still to this day Amd it shoots plenty flat enough with 190 grain accubond LR ammo With a G1 bc OF NEARLY .600 AT 650 YDS THE 190 ACCUBOND LR BULLET STILL HAS 1800 FT LBS OF ENERGY WHICH IS A NEW RULING FOR THE 30-06 NONE OF THIS WAS ADDRESSED IN HIS VIDEO .SO Was an unfair comparison and inaccurate comparison.
I have always loved the 30.06 and always will - it's just my personal preference. Not too worried about ballistic data because I've never had an issue with the 30.06 putting down what I am aiming at!!!!!
Exactly! People are so consumed with "what's best". If I shoot my Winchester '06 accurately and at sane ranges, why should I care what anyone else shoots or why? Why does Backfire care? Because controversy drives views, and views drive $$$.
My first rifle was a 30-06, after getting a couple big game animals and getting more into hunting I started to think I needed the 7mm mag, or another magnum. As I started looking I decided that there really wasn’t that big of a difference between the two to make the switch. I guess there is a reason the 30-06 has stuck around forever.
30 cal has a better selection of bullets. Loaded to the same pressure they are ballisticly essentially identical. You might note this guy never compares the exact same bullet weights and mentioned nothing about pressure levels.
@@timothyterrell1658 They are no where near ballistically identical. You would have to run high weight bullets in the 06 lowering the velocity to keep up with the .284 bullets of the 7Mag. The 7mag's bullets dominate the 06's in same weight bullets.
@@T-DsGaming Ever heard of nosler ABLR 210 grain G1 BC OF. 661 Or the 200grain nosler accubond with a BC of .588 Both have over 1800+ ft lbs of energy at 500 yds out of an 06 So might wanna rethink that 2700 fps ..look it up on any ballistics calculator amd compare it with 7mm mag
I like the 30-06, hasn’t let me down yet. Especially since I really don’t shoot past 500 yards. When I go hunting I either grab my 270 or the -06, both get it done. Another good video, I enjoyed it.
They just flat out work. I would include the 308 in with those two as well since it’s an old (not as old as the other two but still getting up there in age) but very versatile. Nothing against the newer calibers but I’ll take the old standbys because they work and I already have guns for them Cheers
I've hunted with both, I normally hunt whitetail under 300 yards. I can honestly say the deer have never been able to tell the difference but my wallet and bullet selection on the shelf can so 30-06 for me.
Yeah, exactly. The more you make, the cheaper the source components. Also, right now, supply and demand. Fair amount of 30-06 available, much less 7 mag.
If you watch his video on Hottest Cartridges of 2022, you know the 7mm Rem Mag is still plenty popular. Both the .30-06 and the 7mm Rem Mag made the Top 10. Most of us should be handliading these days, and if you do, the 7mm Rem Mag is plenty popular enough to make this point largely moot.
Marketing is a factor as well. If you want that little bit extra and buy the best available, you are going to pay. It’s like anything else with a deluxe option. Sometimes you just want to say “I went all out.”
7mag was the first rifle I got for my 15th birthday and will always have a special place in my heart. I know it's not the new hottest thing out there, but it's done everything I've asked it to.
This is a crazy. My whole hunting life I have owned a 30-06 along with other calibers but I have always heard what a monster 7mm mag is. I had no idea it was that close to the 30-06.
I have shot 7mags. And I personally hunt with 30-06 And him saying that the recoil is The same I beg to differ says my shoulder and I’ve shot some big guns of my day 3 1/4 inch slugs says so 300 WinMag’s light 308 Savage even shot old Remington 700 with no but plates in 300 win but 7mm mag has a wallop . I sure would like to know what one’s he’s shooting. Lol
@@Outdoorsmanlife That is interesting because I almost always hunt with my wooden stocked Japanese made Weatherby Vanguard in 7mm Rem Mag since I bought it in 1991 and has always felt like the recoil was somewhat mild. A while back I was out shooting with friends and I swapped with my buddy and shot his Remington 700 in .30-06 and it felt like it had a bit more recoil back to back and then I swapped with my buddy who was also shooting 7 Rem Mag in his Ruger M77 with the red pad and it kicked like a mule. I think stock design and recoil pad play a bigger role than most people think. If you look at recoil charts my Vanguard and the M77 should recoil the same since they are almost identical in weight. My friend sold his M77 after he shot my rifle and got a Browning.
The 30-06 is an over achiever. The 7 mag was not made to he a hot rod. It was a can do it cartridge. Its also a legend and it does it without being a punisher to you and barrels. Both are excellent
its not that close to the -06 becus it surpasses it in every way, the -06 is fine but the 7 rem mag is better, its that simple, and the 7mm is known to penetrate deeper in wider large boned creators while lead free bullets
Love the 30-06. One Rifle you don't hunt Africa without. Ammunition is always available and you have so many options for loads/game -type. It's versatility and affordability is hard to beat.
I love 7 mag,but would almost have to give the 30-06 the tie breaker for magazine capacity 30-06 is mostly 4 well the 7 mag is 3 That being said I vote 7 mag
I never got why people say 30-06 is more versatile? With modern bullets I cant think of any situation where I would shoot something with a 30-06 but not a 7 mag.
@user-ds1yp3wp9m Up to 220 gr bullets. It's more versatile for large game moose bear etc. Some outfits require atleast a 30 cal minimum. Bigger heavier bullets typically kill bigger animals quicker. 7mm paper ballistics slightly superior but the bullet is what kills and .308 is to 7mm what 7mm is to the 6.5s. Doesn't sound like much but it is.
@@danielboggan2479 Personally I love the 7mm mag Never said the 06 was better Just more versitile ..if I could only own 1 gun I would choose the 06 tho because of the huge bullet weight selection 110-240:grain And extended barrel life compared to the magnums I shoot a shepherd drs p2 reticle on an 06 amd hit steel out to 1000 yds all day No problemo
@@atomicwedgie8176 I dont know where you've been in the last 20 yrs. However many hunters are shooting at big game well past 1500 yds these days...600 yds is nothing by comparison So yes...with today's modern bullets amd improved bullet ballistic coeficients 600 yds maximum range is extremely ethical with todays modern bullets and powers if you know what you are doing and use a rangefinding reticle and well practiced
If I was just going off of ballistics, I'd say the 7 Mag is superior. But, for me, they're close enough from a ballistics standpoint that I went with the .30-06 based on the nostalgia of it. There's just something cool about shooting the caliber that "won two world wars" and is the same cartridge I've watched my old man hunt with my whole life. Great video--love these comparisons!
I'd go 30.06, cheaper, more available, easier to reload and it'll have more barrel life. However it's likely comes down to what you want, can't deny that the 7mm has better ballistics.
@@orangetuono38 First and foremost, That ammo’s primary purpose is going to be plinking. Its only real advantage will be cost. That’s it. Second, the 7MM Remington Mag hasn’t been around for 70 years…It also wasn’t used for military purposes. It goes without saying you’re not going to find old military surplus ammo for it.
I 'grew up' with a 7-O8, and have used the mag quite a bit. I like the 30-O6 no doubt, but I feel better with a 7. I even like the 7 mag over a 308 (generally).
I got a Savage model 111 (with the side discharge Magazine) 30-06. Love it! My dad moved on from his old Springfield 30-06 to a Ruger model 77 300 Winchester mag and loved it. We wanted these both to be 30 caliber for the ease of reloading both. Had family that had the 7 mm mag and they loved it as well but glad that the 30-06 is close.
got same 30-30 here and been using for a damn long time...also my Sako 308 hasn't let me down yet within 400yds...and my shoulder don't kill me when I ring steel at 600 with the 308...
This doesn't stand up when shooting equal grain weights/factory ammo enough to say it's the make or break in results. You only achieve this by shooting a lighter bullet.
Of which was the intentions..just like with a 10mm at 200 grain vs a 45 at 230 grain. Which is faster? The 10mm. The 45 is 1.4 mm larger, though, but it is slower. A properly loaded 9mm cartridge is also as powerful as a 230 45... @@kennethgoin628
This is a tough one. Maybe, for bigger game at ranges out to 200-250 yds., the 30-06 with the larger and heavier bullets gets the nod. For ranges beyond that, the 7mm Mag gets the nod. Better B.C.s, for better retained velocity and energy way down range. But, if I were facing something big, with big teeth and claws, bent on making me it’s next meal, I would much rather have a 30-06 with the heaviest bullets in my hands. I want that greater frontal area, bullet weight and plenty of sectional density with 220gr. bullets or more!
Both are absolutely perfect for North American game. Both can be loaded to hunt anything from coyotes to Elk. I personally feel that 7mm has the advantage out West where longer distance shots are more common, but give the 30-06 the edge in availability and maybe even versatility. Either way, you can't go wrong!
Another great review. It really just comes down to preference. When we get nit-picky just to be fair, it tells me that they are both great cartridges. In my family, we grew up around 270 shooters. So we all started and love those. Then 30-06 became the mainstay around the family. I jumped to the 7mm, because I don't follow the leader...lol...but it's a great round as well. Now, I rotate my guns. For use and "situations", i.e; tree stand, platform, blind, and stalk. They all have a place/purpose. Your reviews are always fair, even if it's against a round or brand that I like.
30-06 is cheaper because companies have been making that round forever and you have far more 30-06s then 7 mags. To me the slight advantages the 7 mag gives you does not make up for the pricing availability difference. I do feel the 30-06 got a far better shake in this video then in cartridge wars.
Awesome video.. the 30.06 is a awesome round… I’ve used it for 40 years I don’t have a problem hunting with it… but that 7mm rem mag is my favorite and that’s what I’ll always have with me when I’m hunting big game…. Thanks for your videos buddy…
They're both great. I had a 30-06 that I had to sell when I was more poor than I am now.. Now I'm jonesing for a 7mm Remington Magnum. But the 338 Federal will cover my needs until I get one.
I’m a 270 and now a 280 Ackley guy. But my father had a 30-06 all his life - moose and whitetail - and at one point got peer-pressured and got a 300 win. Mag. Hunted with it exclusively for five years, hated it the whole time then sold it and got a second 30-06. To this day, I think he doesn’t understand why anyone would hunt with anything but a 30-06… Yet, I prefer the 7mm Rem. Mag. But he still has a point.
Another thing to consider is the length of rifle you’ll be using. Magnums almost always have a 24in barrel or longer. 30-06 comes in a lot if 20in and 22in offerings. Doesn’t sound like much but ask your wife how much an extra 2in amounts to.
I'd love to see some ballistic gel tests on these two? I think it'd be interesting to see the shock dump and wound channel pattern comparison of the 7 mag and 30-06, perhaps that could change the tie result?
Price of ammo is..... Because we are paying it.....I just bought both ammo.... 7 mm mag in Remington Corlock Tipped 150 grain 52.00 a box. 3006 in Federal sifarie 150 grain 28.00..... not like it was 5 years ago.... Thanks for the great information. Two great guns.
Been in love with the 7mm mag for a long time. But for the same reason I recently sold my 7mm-08, ammo availability is a big issue right now. So I'm actually going with the 308 for the simple reason of availability.
The real issue is, the advantages of the 7mag are so slight and 30-06 is so versatile, I don't know why anyone would bother with 7 mag. If I need a magnum I'll use 300 WSM.
@@steffensamlal1854 Not as versatile as the 30-06 but you can hunt whitetail, blacktail, mule deer, elk, black bear and even moose just like with the 30-06 but you can do it at a longer range with more wind.
A test was done by a very popular youtuber using a 7mm magnum vs the 300 Win mag. (Whoteewho is the youtuber) The 7mm edged it out as well as the 30-06. Anyone thinking the 7mm isn't versatile or useful and would question the 7mm magnum has no clue what they're talking about and probably should just leave the guns in the safe.
.30-06 for me! To get maybe a 5% advantage, the 7 Rem mag needs 2" more barrel, and with some rifles, a longer action, plus fewer, more expensive ammo options. .30-06 is more than enough power at ranges than I'd ever hunt. In the early '60s it had a notable advantage over .30-06 M2 ball, but modern power and bullets has almost closed the gap.
The wind drift on the 06 is quite a bit more than 5% dude. Bullet drop and wind drift on a 300-400 yard shot can make a big difference out west in the wind
The 30’06 rocks for me and I’ve shot and reloaded for my Winchester model 70 for 40 years! Have killed deer quite effectively! I once owned a 7 mm Mag, a River # 1 and on an antelope hunt I couldn’t connect. Ended up using my guides .243 to drop one . I also don’t know where you came up with 68 grain powder capacity b/c .55 grains of both 4064 and 4320 are compressed loads wit 165 or 180 grain bullets, Teddy Roosevelt our 26th President shot tons of game out west and in Africa with this great American cartridge classic, Nice video
7mm Rem Mag is definitely my favorite of the two. However 3006 is more versatile and the quintessential 'merica cartridge. I'm extremely interested in 264win mag, although I have never even fired one. They just seem really awesome. 257 Weatherby is also looking pretty good to me lately. I'm mostly a paper puncher but I've been researching hunting cartridges for a while now. With my limited knowledge, I'd have to say for hunting 7mag is the way.
+1 for the 25-06. The .257 weatherby is supposed to be an amazing hunting round. Anything in this category is NOT recommended for paper punching unless you really like getting new barrels!
I bought a 7mm rem mag many years ago a savage 110 I recently had a muzzle break put on it because it packs a pretty good punch. Last night I put a new leupold scope on it and heading out to the range today. When I got the 7mm I was looking for a LH 3006 but they didn’t have one but they had a 7mm so I purchased it instead. I always believed the 3006 was the best all around rifle for hunting in British Columbia. Anyway I really enjoyed the comparison Thanks great video
7 mag for me. The 162 ELD-X has worked phenomenally on moose and black bear. I was a die hard 300wm guy but was after a lighter weight, less recoil solution and the 7 hasn’t let me down. For me if I’m running a 30 cal I’m either going 308 or jumping up to a magnum
I never saw or needed a magnum cartridge for hunting anything I wanted to hunt except during war. I don't shoot beyond 400 yards because I don't think it is ethical because most people can't shoot beyond that. I like the 06 case because of its versatility (25-06 with 100 gr bullet, .270 with 140 gr and 30-06 with 180 gr) Not to mention the 338-06 and the 35 Whelen.
I have, like, and shot both. In the eastern woods, I take my 06. Usually, the farthest shot is 150 yds. If I hunt out west in the open lands, I take my 7mm. Usually, the closest shot is 200 yds.
Personally they're both overkill for me I would rather have a 308 or a 7mm 08 then either one of these cartridges. I don't hunt beyond 300 yards and both the 308 and 7 mm away will totally get the job done for me. But... If I were forced to choose between these two I would choose the 3006. Thank you 👍
@@brianlee6849 Yeah something about 243 just lays deer out under 200 yards. I killed a lot of deer with it but as I got older and was able to take shots out to 400 the 243 just didnt cut it anymore.
Both or either. But in reality I have purchased 3 7mm Rem Mags since mid 80s. I have only bought 2 308s other than the 7mm for my use. My son went with 30/06 as his 1rst rifle. I didn't discourage him. There isn't much difference between the 2 in practical hunting. Thank you
Both are fabulous rounds. The 7mm mag has a little over the 06 but with the ARRAY of top drawer bullets the FUTURE OF THE LEGENDARY 06 AND 7 MAG HAS NEVER BEEN BRIGHTER.
@@skookapalooza2016 I love this cartridge and shoot it with my hunting rifle all the time. However beyond 200m/ 218 yards the bullet drop becomes a little tricky.
@@skookapalooza2016 The 8mmx57 is time tested proven to be superior to the 30-06 due to bullet diameter of the 8 mm caused much more shock and vital organ destruction than 30 cal 30-06. I own a 9.3x62 Mauser in a CZ 550 which is used for my Alaska guiding rifle for brown bear to Yukon moose, The 9.3x62 is absolute amazing for killing the largest and meanest animals.
Hunted with 30-30, 223, 243, 25-06, 264, 7mm, 30-06 & 338. If I had to choose just one I’d have to go with the 338. The 7 & 264 are somewhat limited in bullet but velocities are higher. 338 and 06 are easy to find bullets, brass, etc...and the range of loads are phenomenal. Have to go with 06 if just between that and the 7 though. Just a good solid cartridge. Good review!
given that my average hunting range is 50 yards and 30-06 is so common that people give me free dies and brass, would have to go 30-06. would pick 7mm if both were brand new and i lived someplace where you can see long range
One thing to remember The 30-06 in factory rounds is loaded to a lower working pressure than the 7mm Rem Mag. With hand loads that gap can be closed up quite a bit. In a modern Rifle there is no real reason not to load it to full potential. Also the 30-06 does fine with a 22 inch barrel The 7mm mag really needs a 26 in barrel.to shine . The speed of the 7mm mag drops off much faster with shorter barrels than the 30-06 does. While the 7mm might have an advantage on paper. out in the real world not so much.
@@ronlowney4700 Yea If I could go back in time I would still buy the 06. To get any real advantage in 7mm you need to move up to the 7mm Weatherby along with the recoil the fact it needs a magnum action and the cost of the ammo.
@@ronlowney4700 I'm at a loss as to which 7 mm you are referring to. The 7mm Mauser has no where near similar powder charge nor the velocity of the 7mmRM. and the Weatherby has more. The 280 AI comes the closest and is more efficient. The 270 is a great cartridge but even Jack O'Conner admitted the 30-06 is more versatile.
@@ronlowney4700 Ok Either there's part of your post I'm missing or something is going on. What I read is the 7mm is a more efficient cartridge and outperforms the 7mm Remington magnum.
Between the two, I appreciate the 30-06 more. There’s really nothing the 7mag can do that the 30-06 can’t; and with less powder. Plus I think frontal diameter is a big benefit that is really never talked about because it’s hard to measure, as it applies to on game performance. I also have a 280ai…so…I can get 7mag performance with less powder and recoil with that…7mag is kind of dead to me now.
@@imafreakinhistorian2169 no way. They both kill humanely extremely well, as long as the shooter does his part. The 06 is a death ray on deer. Not sure what you’re basing that on.
I myself rather shoot short action calibers, however if I were to use long action I would prefer the 30-06 or 270 Winchester of which I have both. On a side note I am looking forward to a 277 Fury if they produce a bolt action, perhaps that will give your favored 7mm rem mag a run for its money:)
30-06 and 7mm mag are both great cartridges I own both, but loaded hot to hot the 7mm has quite a bit more hp down range and is a lot flatter trajectory than the 06, it gives more necessity for recoil pads though cause I can feel the difference in recoil.
Unfortunately, I like them all. The 30-06 does the job, but people who hunt bear, elk, and moose would most likely go with the 7mm Mag. If I had to choose and only had one rifle it would be the 7mm Mag. However, I am not a fan of belted cartridges. Cases often split at the belts when fired only a few times sometimes. I do have a few belted cartridges in my arsenal, and I think I would gladly swap them out for the newer non belted cartridges of today. Maybe the argument against 30-06 and 270 would be a better comparison of which is better. The 270 definitely wins in that department. Shoots flatter better overall.
I hate comments when people complain the bullet weights aren’t the same. Seriously can they just not comprehend comparing an anemic and weak load to a fat juicy op just to make the grains similar. The comparison isn’t the bullet weight. The comparison is both cartridges at their peak. A comparison should be wheel house vs wheel house. What pros and cons are brought to the table from both parties. The question is at peak performance what is delivered? Doctoring and cooking the books to get results should be frowned upon. Example neuter, hack it down, to fit into a box for a “fair” comparison. This isn’t boxing, they don’t have to weigh the same. Take both at their best and let them duke it out.
At 15 I bought a 7x57 mauser, this was my first centrefire rifle and loved it, still do. Fast forward 25 years, i was gifted a 7mm RM and the convenience of having 2 guns that share .284 projectiles is what seals the deal for me. Team 7mm Mag
I think the cost quandary is answered by two things. 1. Supply and Demand (AKA the bottom dollar) and 2. The belted case 7 Mag takes more steps in process to manufacture.
If I’m going to have a long action .30 with a good amount of recoil and .30 BC I’d just go .300 Win mag. Negligible in popularity, but much better ballistics at the cost of a little more recoil.
here's where i am at... you going to choose the 7mm.. you will have 300 000 africans telling you that you are wrong.. if you choose 30-06 you will have 3 000 000 americans telling you that you are wrong. But the science are correct.. go to usa and shoot and elk.. 7mm.. go to africa and shoot an kudu or eland.. 30-06. the versatility of the 30-06 is best for Africa because my dad expected me to shoot a kudu with an 165g soft core at the age of 8 year old.. and then also shoot a springbuck with a 150 or less.. great video.. dont break you head about the outcome. a hunter knows his rifle..
When I was growing up, and wanting my first hunting rifle, everyone I talked to recommended the 30-06. I being a contrary sort, did not want to be the same as everyone else, chose the 7mm Mag instead. That was many years ago, and I still own that same gun. I have never been sorry that I chose the 7. It has done everything, that I have ever asked it to do. The 30-06 is a fine cartridge, and has taken every kind of game there is in north America, and in many countries around the world. To me it just comes down to personal preference. I never understood people arguing over calibers. If you have a rifle, that you shoot well, and it does what you need it to do, then put put on your happy face, and have a nice day.
The versatility of the 30-06 , shooting anything from 110gr to 220gr, is a moot point. The barrel twist rate won’t stabilize that wide range of bullets
The most accurate load in my old '06 is one where I use Hornady 110 gr. bullets to give me repeatable 0.3" three-shot groups, and just under MOA three-shot groups with 165 and 180 gr. Hornady bullets. With any bullets heavier, I only have experience with 200 gr. Speers, and they were acceptably accurate. I probably could've gotten closer to MOA with them, but I stopped experimenting with that heavy a bullet because a 165 gr. will cover all my big-game hunting.
You can even fire 55gr 22 cal sabots from the .30-06. Remington even sold the ammo for it long ago, called them "accelerators" iirc. >4000 fps. You can handload your own now. I'm curious to see what kind of velocity you can get from a 300 AAC with said sabots. Imagine going from 1000 to 3000 fps with just a mag change.
I started a while back and in that era the 30-06 made sense. On paper, when the 7 Mag came out it showed and an advantage but everything about it was more expensive so most of us didn't switch. As time went on and the 30-06 surplus dried up, I took another look and still didn't feel the need to make the switch. I will admit that if I was from a slightly later generation, the one without surplus 30-06 laying around, then the decision may have been a little tighter. In the end, the barrel life and need to keep up the trigger time makes me stick with the 30-06. It is easier to get brass to last, and the barrel lasts longer too. More practice means more proficiency, so I stick with it. Now that I have seen even more decades and hunting seasons pass, I don't see the difference being as important since shooting past 500 yards isn't a good idea for the vast majority of hunters. YMMV.
It really comes down to personal likes. I am not comfortable shooting beyond 400 yards so one is just as good as the other. But for me the .30 cal gets the nod.
The biggest problem with both the 30-06 and the 7RM is that if you get one of these as your first hunting rifle, it might end up being the only hunting rifle you ever own. So… if you are absolutely bent on owning only one hunting rifle that can do it all for hunting all species in NA, the 30-06 or the 7mmRM are pretty ideal choices. Alternatively if you want to have more than one golf club in your golf cart, I would prefer: 300WM or 300WSM for moose/elk. 270WIN for deer/pronghorn. And 6.5CM or 7mm-08 for high volume long range target shooting and/or a junior hunting rifle for the kiddos. Cheers!
7mm Mag for sure. No problem finding ammo at all and it just has the ballistic advantage over the .30-06. I was debating between the 2 and ended up going 7mm Rem Mag and couldn't be happier.
I liked your analysis. I wanted a 30-06 in the worst way when I started big game hunting. A friend had a 7 mag that I ended up buying. I never shot a deer or elk with it but good to have this information.
Good video and some solid info. Not sure about the barrel length hang up though. I live in the southeast and don’t know a single hunter that hunts suppressed or if it’s even legal in our area. I’ve hunted in maybe 10 other states and have yet to share camp with anyone who hunts suppressed. Not knocking it, just haven’t experienced it yet. I bet guides love it. I also don’t get the hang up on belts. I shoot and reload belted and unbelted cartridges and really don’t have a problem or preference either way. I’ve probably reloaded a few thousand rounds of 7 and 300 mags over the last 40 years without any issues but my ammo is rifle specific and I almost always neck size so maybe I’m stressing the cases a lot less. Keep the videos coming, they get me thinking.👍
My first ‘high-powered’ rifle was a 7mm Mag. The first big game animal I took with a rifle was with a .30-06 (because the rifle was lighter and more utilitarian, so I wasn’t worried about damaging it). Both make for a great hunt.
Every time I look up a new cartridge on the ballistics charts I end up thinking 'why would I not just grab my 30 06?' But then again I don't shoot game at stupid distances...
My buddies hunt with 7 and I with .30-06. We have all taken big game, elk. The .30-06 is great, at times I want to change but it also gives me nostalgia.
30.06 for me it can slay/kill anything. versatility is key for me. not knocking on the 7mm, because it’s a great cartridge too. but the price comparison is also huge. you nailed very key points on the 06. i think that’s why it will always be around. if i go to a bigger cartridge it would be a 300 win mag.
You did a excellent comparison of the two cartridges based on facts. Bottom line is this: If you are going to take long range shots (over 350 yds) the 7mm is best. Most hunters do not shoot at this range. As you have stated when the ballistics of the 7mm are superior to the 30-06, there is not much difference. The 30-06 is a very unique cartridge because of the many different sizes of bullets you can shoot with it. Bottom line: At ranges less than approx 300 yds, the animal will not know the difference! Great job!!
The thing about the 30-06 is it kills everything. When I went to get my hunting rifle , the man said. With this gun you'll always be ahead of the game. It'll put anything and everything down. And it does. When I go out the back door, and look around. That rifle gives me the look. The 06 has always been the round. People just forget. The 30-06 rules. Peace.
I reload both and both make cloverleaf patterns at 100. In the past 2 years I decided to not use any other rifle for deer hunting here in Alabama. Reason for this is because even though it's been hard to reload and find loaded ammo, these are still easier to find than most others. I have 2 Bergara B14 Ridge rifles in these 2 loadings. Same rifle, same scope. Only difference is the barrel length. After the covid shut down these 2 were the easiest to find components for.
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I am from Africa and hunted quite al lot with the .270 Win and .30.06, often large animals - gemsbuck, wildebeest, kudu and eland. For me a big factor was (to old to hunt any more now!) the amount of meat damage caused by the faster speed of the .270 bullets - sometimes both shoulders were rendered useless. I became a fan of slower bullets after shooting a large eland with a slow bullet (189 gr. @2400fps) - perfect bullet expansion and very little meat damage. That said, I seldom shot at distances longer that 250 yds. It sometimes seems to me that Americans are perhaps to much in love with high speed and energy. I sometimes cringe when I see hunters shooting at animals 700 yds away. For me - hunting was always to approach as near as possible - so that I did not even need an enormous scope. But - to each his own Kind regards.
I couldn't agree more about getting as close as you can. That's THE difference between hunting and shooting.
Seems like knife hunts would be the best then
I've got a buddy who was a sniper, he naturally brought that back to hunting. He's gone on elk hunts with 50 bmg and 338 lapua from extreme distances. Always is a treat to see or hear about him work
Well said
@@modakkagitpluggathe old I have buddy story
Well said!
Are you perhaps from South Africa?
7mm won for a reason but honestly the 30-06 is a amazing cartridge. The years pass and 30-06 hangs around that really says something.
116 years and going strong for the 30-06 and definitely no sign of dying off anytime soon
30-06 is like the 7.62 x 54R. Obviously, the 30-06 can do more but the 7.62R has been in service for 120+ years There are better rounds but with so many guns chambered to take these rounds they are not going away.
7mm won only on this utube video channel and merely only based on this person's opinion ..which did not address everything .about the 06 versatility
The 30-06 has a much better KO factor for dangerous game than the 7mm mag by using a 240 grain woodleigh solid in the 30-06
Look up KO factor if yiu don't know what that is
If a griz was charging me from 30 yds away I'd feel more confident with a 240 grain in my 06 than a fast lightweight 7mm bullet..and I've personally known people in alaska that have been mauled even after hitting a bear with the 7mm mag solid .
To me 06 reigns Supreme for versatility ..still to this day
Amd it shoots plenty flat enough with 190 grain accubond LR ammo
With a G1 bc OF NEARLY .600
AT 650 YDS THE 190 ACCUBOND LR BULLET
STILL HAS 1800 FT LBS OF ENERGY
WHICH IS A NEW RULING FOR THE 30-06
NONE OF THIS WAS ADDRESSED IN HIS VIDEO .SO Was an unfair comparison and inaccurate comparison.
@@jamiehurtt3530 Salty eh.
@@sstrongman1667
Nope ..couldnt care less really ..just voicing my own opinion like the video did and putting true unbiased facts out there.
I have always loved the 30.06 and always will - it's just my personal preference. Not too worried about ballistic data because I've never had an issue with the 30.06 putting down what I am aiming at!!!!!
Exactly! People are so consumed with "what's best". If I shoot my Winchester '06 accurately and at sane ranges, why should I care what anyone else shoots or why? Why does Backfire care? Because controversy drives views, and views drive $$$.
My first rifle was a 30-06, after getting a couple big game animals and getting more into hunting I started to think I needed the 7mm mag, or another magnum. As I started looking I decided that there really wasn’t that big of a difference between the two to make the switch. I guess there is a reason the 30-06 has stuck around forever.
30 cal has a better selection of bullets. Loaded to the same pressure they are ballisticly essentially identical.
You might note this guy never compares the exact same bullet weights and mentioned nothing about pressure levels.
@@timothyterrell1658 They are no where near ballistically identical. You would have to run high weight bullets in the 06 lowering the velocity to keep up with the .284 bullets of the 7Mag. The 7mag's bullets dominate the 06's in same weight bullets.
@@T-DsGaming
Ever heard of nosler ABLR 210 grain
G1 BC OF. 661
Or the 200grain nosler accubond with a BC of .588
Both have over 1800+ ft lbs of energy at 500 yds out of an 06
So might wanna rethink that
2700 fps ..look it up on any ballistics calculator amd compare it with 7mm mag
@@T-DsGaming
168 grain nosler ABLR 7mm mag
500 yd energy =1788 ft ft lbs
@@T-DsGaming
Lol very high weights and lower vocity mean nothing when shooting
VLD style bullets
I like the 30-06, hasn’t let me down yet. Especially since I really don’t shoot past 500 yards. When I go hunting I either grab my 270 or the -06, both get it done. Another good video, I enjoyed it.
There ya go, yep.
They just flat out work. I would include the 308 in with those two as well since it’s an old (not as old as the other two but still getting up there in age) but very versatile. Nothing against the newer calibers but I’ll take the old standbys because they work and I already have guns for them
Cheers
I've hunted with both, I normally hunt whitetail under 300 yards. I can honestly say the deer have never been able to tell the difference but my wallet and bullet selection on the shelf can so 30-06 for me.
Price difference must come down to production volume. 30-06 is an old cartridge and very popular.
Yeah, exactly. The more you make, the cheaper the source components. Also, right now, supply and demand. Fair amount of 30-06 available, much less 7 mag.
I'm pretty shocked he didn't figure it out, TBH.
Yup, spot on.
If you watch his video on Hottest Cartridges of 2022, you know the 7mm Rem Mag is still plenty popular. Both the .30-06 and the 7mm Rem Mag made the Top 10.
Most of us should be handliading these days, and if you do, the 7mm Rem Mag is plenty popular enough to make this point largely moot.
Marketing is a factor as well. If you want that little bit extra and buy the best available, you are going to pay. It’s like anything else with a deluxe option. Sometimes you just want to say “I went all out.”
7mag was the first rifle I got for my 15th birthday and will always have a special place in my heart. I know it's not the new hottest thing out there, but it's done everything I've asked it to.
My first hunting rifle as well, rem700 I guess we’re biased :))
Exact same here! Still have it and it's still in great condition.
This is a crazy. My whole hunting life I have owned a 30-06 along with other calibers but I have always heard what a monster 7mm mag is. I had no idea it was that close to the 30-06.
I have shot 7mags. And I personally hunt with 30-06 And him saying that the recoil is The same I beg to differ says my shoulder and I’ve shot some big guns of my day 3 1/4 inch slugs says so 300 WinMag’s light 308 Savage even shot old Remington 700 with no but plates in 300 win but 7mm mag has a wallop . I sure would like to know what one’s he’s shooting. Lol
@@Outdoorsmanlife That is interesting because I almost always hunt with my wooden stocked Japanese made Weatherby Vanguard in 7mm Rem Mag since I bought it in 1991 and has always felt like the recoil was somewhat mild. A while back I was out shooting with friends and I swapped with my buddy and shot his Remington 700 in .30-06 and it felt like it had a bit more recoil back to back and then I swapped with my buddy who was also shooting 7 Rem Mag in his Ruger M77 with the red pad and it kicked like a mule. I think stock design and recoil pad play a bigger role than most people think. If you look at recoil charts my Vanguard and the M77 should recoil the same since they are almost identical in weight. My friend sold his M77 after he shot my rifle and got a Browning.
The 30-06 is an over achiever. The 7 mag was not made to he a hot rod. It was a can do it cartridge. Its also a legend and it does it without being a punisher to you and barrels. Both are excellent
Distance is the difference im assuming?
its not that close to the -06 becus it surpasses it in every way, the -06 is fine but the 7 rem mag is better, its that simple, and the 7mm is known to penetrate deeper in wider large boned creators while lead free bullets
For me its the 30-06….just so versatile and easy to load and you can find ammo in every store in the world
Love the 30-06. One Rifle you don't hunt Africa without. Ammunition is always available and you have so many options for loads/game -type. It's versatility and affordability is hard to beat.
I prefer 30-06. One thing been nice to see you bring up is barrel life. 👍🏻
I love 7 mag,but would almost have to give the 30-06 the tie breaker for magazine capacity 30-06 is mostly 4 well the 7 mag is 3
That being said I vote 7 mag
My sako 7mm rem mag holds 4 in the mag browning 3
My rem 700 holds 4 7mm
My two cents: 30-06 is more versatile, 7mm is ballistically superior. I love both and own both. Another great video!
I never got why people say 30-06 is more versatile? With modern bullets I cant think of any situation where I would shoot something with a 30-06 but not a 7 mag.
@user-ds1yp3wp9m Up to 220 gr bullets. It's more versatile for large game moose bear etc. Some outfits require atleast a 30 cal minimum. Bigger heavier bullets typically kill bigger animals quicker. 7mm paper ballistics slightly superior but the bullet is what kills and .308 is to 7mm what 7mm is to the 6.5s. Doesn't sound like much but it is.
because it is actually@@Nick-sx6jm
I have both calibers love them but I still find myself grabbing the old workhorse proven on all fronts so I'd have to go with 30-06
I have both calibers too and lean towards the 7mag even though I want to prefer the 3006.
I think this one really comes down to distance. If you plan to shoot past 400 yards, 7mm. If you don't, 30-06. Both are fantastic rounds.
I disagree
The 06 has the capabilities to hunt big game out to 600 yds
You just need to shoot the right bullet like the 190 grain accubond LR
@@jamiehurtt3530 it’s capable but that doesn’t mean the 7 mag isn’t better at that range.
@@danielboggan2479
Personally I love the 7mm mag
Never said the 06 was better
Just more versitile ..if I could only own 1 gun I would choose the 06 tho because of the huge bullet weight selection 110-240:grain
And extended barrel life compared to the magnums
I shoot a shepherd drs p2 reticle on an 06 amd hit steel out to 1000 yds all day
No problemo
@@jamiehurtt3530 600yds? So ethical...get closer! 400yds and in...smh
@@atomicwedgie8176
I dont know where you've been in the last 20 yrs.
However many hunters are shooting at big game well past 1500 yds these days...600 yds is nothing by comparison
So yes...with today's modern bullets amd improved bullet ballistic coeficients
600 yds maximum range is extremely ethical with todays modern bullets and powers
if you know what you are doing and use a rangefinding reticle and well practiced
If I was just going off of ballistics, I'd say the 7 Mag is superior. But, for me, they're close enough from a ballistics standpoint that I went with the .30-06 based on the nostalgia of it. There's just something cool about shooting the caliber that "won two world wars" and is the same cartridge I've watched my old man hunt with my whole life.
Great video--love these comparisons!
I'd go 30.06, cheaper, more available, easier to reload and it'll have more barrel life. However it's likely comes down to what you want, can't deny that the 7mm has better ballistics.
But if you don't need the better ballistics it doesn't matter. I hunt whitetails and .243 has adequate ballistics.
@@Clearanceman2 243 has better ballistics then the 30-06
maybe wherever you are bud. 7 mag is just available as 30 here in mt
Can you find 70 year old Mil Surplus armor piercing and tracer rounds for 7mm Mag? Nuff said.
@@orangetuono38 First and foremost, That ammo’s primary purpose is going to be plinking. Its only real advantage will be cost. That’s it. Second, the 7MM Remington Mag hasn’t been around for 70 years…It also wasn’t used for military purposes. It goes without saying you’re not going to find old military surplus ammo for it.
I’m a 7 mag fan. I own both, I like both and I hunt with both. But I personally like the 7mag better. That’s just me🤷♂️.
It’s not just you.
@@ryanupchurch9683 ?
That really you?
YEE YEE.
@@anomilumiimulimona2924 it's not him fuggin'
I 'grew up' with a 7-O8, and have used the mag quite a bit. I like the 30-O6 no doubt, but I feel better with a 7. I even like the 7 mag over a 308 (generally).
I have both and I love both I really couldn't pick one as a favorite
I got a Savage model 111 (with the side discharge Magazine) 30-06. Love it! My dad moved on from his old Springfield 30-06 to a Ruger model 77 300 Winchester mag and loved it. We wanted these both to be 30 caliber for the ease of reloading both. Had family that had the 7 mm mag and they loved it as well but glad that the 30-06 is close.
Here I am still putting deer in the freezer for nearly 50 years with a .30-30 Marlin.
got same 30-30 here and been using for a damn long time...also my Sako 308 hasn't let me down yet within 400yds...and my shoulder don't kill me when I ring steel at 600 with the 308...
Great fair review. I have and love both, but due to the ammo price and availability I shot 30-06 more.
I prefer 7 mag for hunting. The flater trajectory means a more forgiving shot when hunting.
This doesn't stand up when shooting equal grain weights/factory ammo enough to say it's the make or break in results. You only achieve this by shooting a lighter bullet.
Of which was the intentions..just like with a 10mm at 200 grain vs a 45 at 230 grain. Which is faster? The 10mm. The 45 is 1.4 mm larger, though, but it is slower. A properly loaded 9mm cartridge is also as powerful as a 230 45...
@@kennethgoin628
There's a reason the 30-06 has been around since 1906 and is still popular today.
This is a tough one. Maybe, for bigger game at ranges out to 200-250 yds., the 30-06 with the larger and heavier bullets gets the nod. For ranges beyond that, the 7mm Mag gets the nod. Better B.C.s, for better retained velocity and energy way down range. But, if I were facing something big, with big teeth and claws, bent on making me it’s next meal, I would much rather have a 30-06 with the heaviest bullets in my hands. I want that greater frontal area, bullet weight and plenty of sectional density with 220gr. bullets or more!
Both are absolutely perfect for North American game. Both can be loaded to hunt anything from coyotes to Elk. I personally feel that 7mm has the advantage out West where longer distance shots are more common, but give the 30-06 the edge in availability and maybe even versatility. Either way, you can't go wrong!
Another great review. It really just comes down to preference. When we get nit-picky just to be fair, it tells me that they are both great cartridges. In my family, we grew up around 270 shooters. So we all started and love those. Then 30-06 became the mainstay around the family. I jumped to the 7mm, because I don't follow the leader...lol...but it's a great round as well. Now, I rotate my guns. For use and "situations", i.e; tree stand, platform, blind, and stalk. They all have a place/purpose. Your reviews are always fair, even if it's against a round or brand that I like.
30-06 is cheaper because companies have been making that round forever and you have far more 30-06s then 7 mags. To me the slight advantages the 7 mag gives you does not make up for the pricing availability difference. I do feel the 30-06 got a far better shake in this video then in cartridge wars.
Awesome video.. the 30.06 is a awesome round… I’ve used it for 40 years I don’t have a problem hunting with it… but that 7mm rem mag is my favorite and that’s what I’ll always have with me when I’m hunting big game…. Thanks for your videos buddy…
They're both great. I had a 30-06 that I had to sell when I was more poor than I am now.. Now I'm jonesing for a 7mm Remington Magnum. But the 338 Federal will cover my needs until I get one.
I’m a 270 and now a 280 Ackley guy. But my father had a 30-06 all his life - moose and whitetail - and at one point got peer-pressured and got a 300 win. Mag. Hunted with it exclusively for five years, hated it the whole time then sold it and got a second 30-06. To this day, I think he doesn’t understand why anyone would hunt with anything but a 30-06…
Yet, I prefer the 7mm Rem. Mag. But he still has a point.
Another thing to consider is the length of rifle you’ll be using. Magnums almost always have a 24in barrel or longer. 30-06 comes in a lot if 20in and 22in offerings. Doesn’t sound like much but ask your wife how much an extra 2in amounts to.
That's why she is not home
.30-06 for me in a landslide, but there are no flies on the 7mm Rem Mag!
I had a 30-06 get stolen and I’m thankful that it wasn’t my 7 mag
I'd love to see some ballistic gel tests on these two?
I think it'd be interesting to see the shock dump and wound channel pattern comparison of the 7 mag and 30-06, perhaps that could change the tie result?
Probably not unless your hunting african big game
Price of ammo is..... Because we are paying it.....I just bought both ammo.... 7 mm mag in Remington Corlock Tipped 150 grain 52.00 a box. 3006 in Federal sifarie 150 grain 28.00..... not like it was 5 years ago.... Thanks for the great information. Two great guns.
Been in love with the 7mm mag for a long time. But for the same reason I recently sold my 7mm-08, ammo availability is a big issue right now. So I'm actually going with the 308 for the simple reason of availability.
naw.................don't think so.
I like 7rem mag
The real issue is, the advantages of the 7mag are so slight and 30-06 is so versatile, I don't know why anyone would bother with 7 mag. If I need a magnum I'll use 300 WSM.
So would you consider the 7mag versatile?
@@steffensamlal1854 si aunque prefiero el juego 270 win y 7 rum,,,, cuando quiero magnum voy a una prestacion de polvora enorme
@@steffensamlal1854 Not as versatile as the 30-06 but you can hunt whitetail, blacktail, mule deer, elk, black bear and even moose just like with the 30-06 but you can do it at a longer range with more wind.
A test was done by a very popular youtuber using a 7mm magnum vs the 300 Win mag. (Whoteewho is the youtuber) The 7mm edged it out as well as the 30-06. Anyone thinking the 7mm isn't versatile or useful and would question the 7mm magnum has no clue what they're talking about and probably should just leave the guns in the safe.
I think price is due to scale. Everyone I know has a 30-06. While I know a few that have 7mm mag. As well the 06 has a greater variety of loads
.30-06 for me! To get maybe a 5% advantage, the 7 Rem mag needs 2" more barrel, and with some rifles, a longer action, plus fewer, more expensive ammo options. .30-06 is more than enough power at ranges than I'd ever hunt. In the early '60s it had a notable advantage over .30-06 M2 ball, but modern power and bullets has almost closed the gap.
The wind drift on the 06 is quite a bit more than 5% dude. Bullet drop and wind drift on a 300-400 yard shot can make a big difference out west in the wind
The 30’06 rocks for me and I’ve shot and reloaded for my Winchester model 70 for 40 years! Have killed deer quite effectively! I once owned a 7 mm Mag, a River # 1 and on an antelope hunt I couldn’t connect. Ended up using my guides .243 to drop one . I also don’t know where you came up with 68 grain powder capacity b/c .55 grains of both 4064 and 4320 are compressed loads wit 165 or 180 grain bullets, Teddy Roosevelt our 26th President shot tons of game out west and in Africa with this great American cartridge classic, Nice video
7mm Rem Mag is definitely my favorite of the two. However 3006 is more versatile and the quintessential 'merica cartridge. I'm extremely interested in 264win mag, although I have never even fired one. They just seem really awesome. 257 Weatherby is also looking pretty good to me lately. I'm mostly a paper puncher but I've been researching hunting cartridges for a while now. With my limited knowledge, I'd have to say for hunting 7mag is the way.
Get .25-06 its pretty much a .25 magnum by powder capacity shoots flat and fast and is great deer cartridge as well as extremely acvurate.
@@jcgardner5852 I may do that actually. It's definitely one on my short list
+1 for the 25-06. The .257 weatherby is supposed to be an amazing hunting round. Anything in this category is NOT recommended for paper punching unless you really like getting new barrels!
@@wesleyturner1979 I put several thousand rounds through each of two snd had no degradation of accuracy. That was with just under max loads
@@jcgardner5852 2k is a short barrel life for a paper puncher. I think 308 gets like 5-6k
I bought a 7mm rem mag many years ago a savage 110 I recently had a muzzle break put on it because it packs a pretty good punch. Last night I put a new leupold scope on it and heading out to the range today. When I got the 7mm I was looking for a LH 3006 but they didn’t have one but they had a 7mm so I purchased it instead. I always believed the 3006 was the best all around rifle for hunting in British Columbia.
Anyway I really enjoyed the comparison
Thanks great video
I to have a Savage 110 in 7mm Rem Mag and love it. Killed many deer and a bear with it
7 mag for me. The 162 ELD-X has worked phenomenally on moose and black bear. I was a die hard 300wm guy but was after a lighter weight, less recoil solution and the 7 hasn’t let me down.
For me if I’m running a 30 cal I’m either going 308 or jumping up to a magnum
I never saw or needed a magnum cartridge for hunting anything I wanted to hunt except during war.
I don't shoot beyond 400 yards because I don't think it is ethical because most people can't shoot beyond that.
I like the 06 case because of its versatility (25-06 with 100 gr bullet, .270 with 140 gr and 30-06 with 180 gr)
Not to mention the 338-06 and the 35 Whelen.
I have, like, and shot both. In the eastern woods, I take my 06. Usually, the farthest shot is 150 yds. If I hunt out west in the open lands, I take my 7mm. Usually, the closest shot is 200 yds.
Personally they're both overkill for me I would rather have a 308 or a 7mm 08 then either one of these cartridges. I don't hunt beyond 300 yards and both the 308 and 7 mm away will totally get the job done for me. But... If I were forced to choose between these two I would choose the 3006. Thank you 👍
My dad swore by that cartridge in 243. All three are great rounds for deer.
@@dennisheadley4408 Definitely as long as you keep range reasonable. Thanks 👍
I'm using a 7mm08 with 162gr eld-m (7mag) bullets and it works a treat. Not as fast but the energy out to 500 is perfect
@@kiwihunter2011 Excellent 👍
@@brianlee6849 Yeah something about 243 just lays deer out under 200 yards. I killed a lot of deer with it but as I got older and was able to take shots out to 400 the 243 just didnt cut it anymore.
Some really good points there, but maybe one more for the 06 , magazine capacity, the 06, always holds at least one more, than the 7mag
Both or either. But in reality I have purchased 3 7mm Rem Mags since mid 80s. I have only bought 2 308s other than the 7mm for my use. My son went with 30/06 as his 1rst rifle. I didn't discourage him. There isn't much difference between the 2 in practical hunting. Thank you
Both are fabulous rounds. The 7mm mag has a little over the 06 but with the ARRAY of top drawer bullets the FUTURE OF THE LEGENDARY 06 AND 7 MAG HAS NEVER BEEN BRIGHTER.
But 30-06 is easy to find where i live in florida
I would really love to see a modern 8mm Mauser in this comparison. Especially from brands like RWS, Sax, Hornady. Love your content 👍🏼
I think 8mm Mauser would win...all day long. It's just a beast of a cartridge. Jump up to the 9.3 & it laughs at this competition. 😅
@@skookapalooza2016 I love this cartridge and shoot it with my hunting rifle all the time. However beyond 200m/ 218 yards the bullet drop becomes a little tricky.
I love the 8X57. It is a beast with 180 grain Ballistic tips and IMR 4064. The .323 version are WAY tougher bullets then they get credit for.
@@beestoe993 they hit just this sweet spot for me before the real medium calibers like .338 WinMag begin.
@@skookapalooza2016 The 8mmx57 is time tested proven to be superior to the 30-06 due to bullet diameter of the 8 mm caused much more shock and vital organ destruction than 30 cal 30-06.
I own a 9.3x62 Mauser in a CZ 550 which is used for my Alaska guiding rifle for brown bear to Yukon moose,
The 9.3x62 is absolute amazing for killing the largest and meanest animals.
Both are great! If you have a 30.06 or 7mm in the vault be happy you got them!
Hunted with 30-30, 223, 243, 25-06, 264, 7mm, 30-06 & 338. If I had to choose just one I’d have to go with the 338. The 7 & 264 are somewhat limited in bullet but velocities are higher. 338 and 06 are easy to find bullets, brass, etc...and the range of loads are phenomenal. Have to go with 06 if just between that and the 7 though. Just a good solid cartridge. Good review!
given that my average hunting range is 50 yards and 30-06 is so common that people give me free dies and brass, would have to go 30-06. would pick 7mm if both were brand new and i lived someplace where you can see long range
One thing to remember The 30-06 in factory rounds is loaded to a lower working pressure than the 7mm Rem Mag. With hand loads that gap can be closed up quite a bit. In a modern Rifle there is no real reason not to load it to full potential. Also the 30-06 does fine with a 22 inch barrel The 7mm mag really needs a 26 in barrel.to shine . The speed of the 7mm mag drops off much faster with shorter barrels than the 30-06 does. While the 7mm might have an advantage on paper. out in the real world not so much.
@@ronlowney4700 Yea If I could go back in time I would still buy the 06. To get any real advantage in 7mm you need to move up to the 7mm Weatherby along with the recoil the fact it needs a magnum action and the cost of the ammo.
@@ronlowney4700 I'm at a loss as to which 7 mm you are referring to. The 7mm Mauser has no where near similar powder charge nor the velocity of the 7mmRM. and the Weatherby has more. The 280 AI comes the closest and is more efficient. The 270 is a great cartridge but even Jack O'Conner admitted the 30-06 is more versatile.
@@ronlowney4700 Ok Either there's part of your post I'm missing or something is going on. What I read is the 7mm is a more efficient cartridge and outperforms the 7mm Remington magnum.
I always lean to the 280ai it just fits the bill for me and uses the best of both cartridges
The reason for the price; economies of scale. Factor in labor of shutting down production lines, etc.
Between the two, I appreciate the 30-06 more. There’s really nothing the 7mag can do that the 30-06 can’t; and with less powder. Plus I think frontal diameter is a big benefit that is really never talked about because it’s hard to measure, as it applies to on game performance.
I also have a 280ai…so…I can get 7mag performance with less powder and recoil with that…7mag is kind of dead to me now.
The 7 mag will out perform the '06 , in the humane kill department , which should be the MAIN priority .
@@imafreakinhistorian2169 no way. They both kill humanely extremely well, as long as the shooter does his part. The 06 is a death ray on deer. Not sure what you’re basing that on.
@@imafreakinhistorian2169 clearly you have no practical field experience with either cartridge. That was a foolish comment…
@@ronlowney4700 Your comment makes zero sense kiddo. Perhaps you should wear a helmet to protect what you have left. 🤪
@@MrHf4l Exactly. Some people's kids... 🤦🏻♂
I myself rather shoot short action calibers, however if I were to use long action I would prefer the 30-06 or 270 Winchester of which I have both. On a side note I am looking forward to a 277 Fury if they produce a bolt action, perhaps that will give your favored 7mm rem mag a run for its money:)
30-06 and 7mm mag are both great cartridges I own both, but loaded hot to hot the 7mm has quite a bit more hp down range and is a lot flatter trajectory than the 06, it gives more necessity for recoil pads though cause I can feel the difference in recoil.
Unfortunately, I like them all. The 30-06 does the job, but people who hunt bear, elk, and moose would most likely go with the 7mm Mag. If I had to choose and only had one rifle it would be the 7mm Mag. However, I am not a fan of belted cartridges. Cases often split at the belts when fired only a few times sometimes. I do have a few belted cartridges in my arsenal, and I think I would gladly swap them out for the newer non belted cartridges of today. Maybe the argument against 30-06 and 270 would be a better comparison of which is better. The 270 definitely wins in that department. Shoots flatter better overall.
7 mag way over the 30-06
Thanks Jim 😁 Excellent coverage 👍🇺🇸 GOD BLESS AMERICA 🇺🇸 The right to keep and bear arms shall not 🚫 be INFRINGED 🗽
I hate comments when people complain the bullet weights aren’t the same.
Seriously can they just not comprehend comparing an anemic and weak load to a fat juicy op just to make the grains similar.
The comparison isn’t the bullet weight. The comparison is both cartridges at their peak. A comparison should be wheel house vs wheel house. What pros and cons are brought to the table from both parties. The question is at peak performance what is delivered?
Doctoring and cooking the books to get results should be frowned upon.
Example neuter, hack it down, to fit into a box for a “fair” comparison.
This isn’t boxing, they don’t have to weigh the same.
Take both at their best and let them duke it out.
Great video. I’m glad to hear that you bring up fun shooting and getting acquainted time and not just for hunting.
Always love the content, thanks Jim for taking your time to make these awesome videos!
Great video as always. Did you talk about barrel life? I would think the 30-06 is better on barrel life too perhaps? Thanks!
At 15 I bought a 7x57 mauser, this was my first centrefire rifle and loved it, still do. Fast forward 25 years, i was gifted a 7mm RM and the convenience of having 2 guns that share .284 projectiles is what seals the deal for me.
Team 7mm Mag
I think the cost quandary is answered by two things. 1. Supply and Demand (AKA the bottom dollar) and 2. The belted case 7 Mag takes more steps in process to manufacture.
If I’m going to have a long action .30 with a good amount of recoil and .30 BC I’d just go .300 Win mag. Negligible in popularity, but much better ballistics at the cost of a little more recoil.
'06 for the win as best overall cartridge. Don't care about energy outside 400 yards. Pricing answer: competition.
here's where i am at... you going to choose the 7mm.. you will have 300 000 africans telling you that you are wrong.. if you choose 30-06 you will have 3 000 000 americans telling you that you are wrong. But the science are correct.. go to usa and shoot and elk.. 7mm.. go to africa and shoot an kudu or eland.. 30-06. the versatility of the 30-06 is best for Africa because my dad expected me to shoot a kudu with an 165g soft core at the age of 8 year old.. and then also shoot a springbuck with a 150 or less.. great video.. dont break you head about the outcome. a hunter knows his rifle..
When I was growing up, and wanting my first hunting rifle, everyone I talked to recommended the 30-06. I being a contrary sort, did not want to be the same as everyone else, chose the 7mm Mag instead. That was many years ago, and I still own that same gun. I have never been sorry that I chose the 7. It has done everything, that I have ever asked it to do. The 30-06 is a fine cartridge, and has taken every kind of game there is in north America, and in many countries around the world. To me it just comes down to personal preference. I never understood people arguing over calibers. If you have a rifle, that you shoot well, and it does what you need it to do, then put put on your happy face, and have a nice day.
The versatility of the 30-06 , shooting anything from 110gr to 220gr, is a moot point. The barrel twist rate won’t stabilize that wide range of bullets
The most accurate load in my old '06 is one where I use Hornady 110 gr. bullets to give me repeatable 0.3" three-shot groups, and just under MOA three-shot groups with 165 and 180 gr. Hornady bullets. With any bullets heavier, I only have experience with 200 gr. Speers, and they were acceptably accurate. I probably could've gotten closer to MOA with them, but I stopped experimenting with that heavy a bullet because a 165 gr. will cover all my big-game hunting.
You can even fire 55gr 22 cal sabots from the .30-06. Remington even sold the ammo for it long ago, called them "accelerators" iirc. >4000 fps. You can handload your own now. I'm curious to see what kind of velocity you can get from a 300 AAC with said sabots. Imagine going from 1000 to 3000 fps with just a mag change.
That is more for laughs. They are highly inaccurate.
I started a while back and in that era the 30-06 made sense. On paper, when the 7 Mag came out it showed and an advantage but everything about it was more expensive so most of us didn't switch. As time went on and the 30-06 surplus dried up, I took another look and still didn't feel the need to make the switch. I will admit that if I was from a slightly later generation, the one without surplus 30-06 laying around, then the decision may have been a little tighter. In the end, the barrel life and need to keep up the trigger time makes me stick with the 30-06. It is easier to get brass to last, and the barrel lasts longer too. More practice means more proficiency, so I stick with it. Now that I have seen even more decades and hunting seasons pass, I don't see the difference being as important since shooting past 500 yards isn't a good idea for the vast majority of hunters. YMMV.
I've owned rifles in 7 rem mag and 30-06. I still own the 30-06s.
How do you define better? At the end of the day I like 30 cal. Think about the 3030. Slow but is a deer slayer. Because it’s a 30. Just an opinion.
There’s something about the way a 3006 slug hits that ballistic charts don’t show. 3006 is never the wrong choice.
I'm happy with my 30 06. Price and availability were big factors when I purchased my new Tikka. I'm not knocking the 7mm but 06 wins in my book.
I have them both and have taken numerous elk with each. I prefer the 06, but either will do nicely. More about getting close and good shot placement.
It really comes down to personal likes. I am not comfortable shooting beyond 400 yards so one is just as good as the other. But for me the .30 cal gets the nod.
The biggest problem with both the 30-06 and the 7RM is that if you get one of these as your first hunting rifle, it might end up being the only hunting rifle you ever own. So… if you are absolutely bent on owning only one hunting rifle that can do it all for hunting all species in NA, the 30-06 or the 7mmRM are pretty ideal choices.
Alternatively if you want to have more than one golf club in your golf cart, I would prefer: 300WM or 300WSM for moose/elk. 270WIN for deer/pronghorn. And 6.5CM or 7mm-08 for high volume long range target shooting and/or a junior hunting rifle for the kiddos. Cheers!
7mm Mag for sure. No problem finding ammo at all and it just has the ballistic advantage over the .30-06. I was debating between the 2 and ended up going 7mm Rem Mag and couldn't be happier.
I liked your analysis. I wanted a 30-06 in the worst way when I started big game hunting. A friend had a 7 mag that I ended up buying. I never shot a deer or elk with it but good to have this information.
I’ve been studying this for a long time and have decided upon 30-06 as my all already rifle for longer ranges.
Good video and some solid info. Not sure about the barrel length hang up though. I live in the southeast and don’t know a single hunter that hunts suppressed or if it’s even legal in our area. I’ve hunted in maybe 10 other states and have yet to share camp with anyone who hunts suppressed. Not knocking it, just haven’t experienced it yet. I bet guides love it.
I also don’t get the hang up on belts. I shoot and reload belted and unbelted cartridges and really don’t have a problem or preference either way. I’ve probably reloaded a few thousand rounds of 7 and 300 mags over the last 40 years without any issues but my ammo is rifle specific and I almost always neck size so maybe I’m stressing the cases a lot less. Keep the videos coming, they get me thinking.👍
My first ‘high-powered’ rifle was a 7mm Mag. The first big game animal I took with a rifle was with a .30-06 (because the rifle was lighter and more utilitarian, so I wasn’t worried about damaging it). Both make for a great hunt.
I went from the 06 to the 7mm WBY to 300 WM and I’m sold on the 300 for the same reasons you list for the 06, just a little more recoil.
Every time I look up a new cartridge on the ballistics charts I end up thinking 'why would I not just grab my 30 06?' But then again I don't shoot game at stupid distances...
My buddies hunt with 7 and I with .30-06. We have all taken big game, elk. The .30-06 is great, at times I want to change but it also gives me nostalgia.
30.06 for me it can slay/kill anything. versatility is key for me. not knocking on the 7mm, because it’s a great cartridge too. but the price comparison is also huge. you nailed very key points on the 06. i think that’s why it will always be around. if i go to a bigger cartridge it would be a 300 win mag.
After a lot of watching you, and others, I have come to the conclusion that the 06 will be the rifle I will be getting before next hunting season.
I'm a 30-06 fan for the moment, but I like the presentation and the channel. Good one!
You did a excellent comparison of the two cartridges based on facts. Bottom line is this: If you are going to take long range shots (over 350 yds) the 7mm is best. Most hunters do not shoot at this range. As you have stated when the ballistics of the 7mm are superior to the 30-06, there is not much difference. The 30-06 is a very unique cartridge because of the many different sizes of bullets you can shoot with it. Bottom line: At ranges less than approx 300 yds, the animal will not know the difference! Great job!!
The thing about the 30-06 is it kills everything. When I went to get my hunting rifle , the man said. With this gun you'll always be ahead of the game. It'll put anything and everything down. And it does. When I go out the back door, and look around. That rifle gives me the look. The 06 has always been the round. People just forget. The 30-06 rules. Peace.
I reload both and both make cloverleaf patterns at 100. In the past 2 years I decided to not use any other rifle for deer hunting here in Alabama. Reason for this is because even though it's been hard to reload and find loaded ammo, these are still easier to find than most others. I have 2 Bergara B14 Ridge rifles in these 2 loadings. Same rifle, same scope. Only difference is the barrel length. After the covid shut down these 2 were the easiest to find components for.
7mm. 7mm saum over rem mag. Even 280AI over rem mag.