tikka t-3 30-06 or 7mm mag

[300UltraMagShooter]

Everyone is making a big mistake when comparing the 30-06 and 7mm.

The entire benefit of a bigger calibre is always (it seems to me) the ability to shoot a heavier bullet.

How about we compair a 30-06 180 gr against the 7mm 165 gr and see how they stack up at long range.

If bullet weight is always equal and initial speed is also similar, then the smaller cal is always going to have better down range stats.

 

[Wanttohuntmore]

I have both, and both are fine out to 500 yards.  That said, I'm really leaning toward going back to a 3006 due to it chambering much nicer than my belted guns, and easier to find ammo in a pinch if for some reason I lose my ammo (which, ironically, happened for my first time this year, packing out my deer!).  Darn belt pouch fell off in the shale!  For the Tikka's, you'll have a shorter lighter rifle in 3006.  That will cost a little velocity as well.  Are you reloading or using factory ammo?  If reloading, get the 7, if factory, get the 3006.  Actually, if you're reloading, get a 300 wsm and you'll be the 06 and 7mm!

[Bofire]

Energy is impact, it is transfered in the 'moment', of impact. velocity and projectile weight are major penetration factors with the diameter and surface face size of the projectile -vs- the density and tensil strength of the material being impacted as secondary.

one side of the equation promotes penetration- the other side resists. Impact is the energy transfered on impact.
to try to keep it very simple.

"then the smaller cal is always going to have better down range stats"   if it is the same weight or heavier than the larger diameter projectile.

[king]

I have a T-3 in a .300 win mag and it kicks like a mule! It's nice to pack though.

[Bob33]

[7mm has better down range stats even comparing a 165 to a 180. That 165 will penetrate better than the 180 in the 06 especially at long range.The benifit is that the 7mm is not droping like a rock past 500 yards. I am not saying that a 30-06 is not a good round. But the question is which performs better. The 7mm has been proven to perform better and shoot flatter. How many long range hunters use a 30-06 vs. 7mm. No comparasin.

No comparison?  The 7mm is proven to perform better?  Says who?

See for yourself if there is "no comparison".  These are straight off Federal's site: a 7mm 160 grain Accubond, and a 30-06 180 grain Accubond. 

[smg id=9918]

[300UltraMagShooter]

Everyone is making a big mistake when comparing the 30-06 and 7mm.

The entire benefit of a bigger calibre is always (it seems to me) the ability to shoot a heavier bullet.

How about we compair a 30-06 180 gr against the 7mm 165 gr and see how they stack up at long range.

If bullet weight is always equal and initial speed is also similar, then the smaller cal is always going to have better down range stats.

 

7mm has better down range stats even comparing a 165 to a 180. That 165 will penetrate better than the 180 in the 06 especially at long range.The benifit is that the 7mm is not droping like a rock past 500 yards. I am not saying that a 30-06 is not a good round. But the question is which performs better. The 7mm has been proven to perform better and shoot flatter. How many long range hunters use a 30-06 vs. 7mm. No comparasin.

Not true.  Heavier bullet (given same bullet construction) will out penetrate a lighter bullet give the same speed.  We just need to see if the extra weight is more efficient than the lesser amount of wind drag the 7mm has.

[Wanttohuntmore]

They are so damn close, I can't believe you are even debating this....  Just cause it says Magnum on it, don't buy into it.  Get a chronograph, a 06, and a 7mm, and shoot over it, with the SAME weight bullets.  Yes, the 7mm will have a Ballistic Coeficient edge...  But in real world situations, it's VERY minimal.  That little edge, is offset by cost of ammo, more kick, not a slick of a loading cartridge, and a heavier rifle.  This being said, I prefer to hunt with my 7 stw still, but could clearly go back to an 06 without any hesitation.

[bobcat]

Statistics dont lie. Just look it up. Sorry 30-06 guys you cant perform like a 7mm. The 30-06 is a great all purpose caliber and ammo is cheaper your right, but to say it is the same as a 7mm is justr not true.

That's right, statistics don't lie. Did you look at what Bob33 posted? Apparently not. It shows the 30-06 and 7 Mag virtually the same out to 500 yards. To me the energy figures are meaningless, but you seem to think it's important- well... look at the energy of each one. Practically the same all the way out to 500 yards. Where is it that you're seeing a big difference between the two

Look at the trajectory tables. Only 7 inches less drop at 500 yards for the 7 mag. That's nothing! With either one you have to hold high at 500 yards. With the 30-06 you hold 7 inches higher! Big deal! 99% of hunters should never attempt a shot that far anyway. At 400 yards it's a measly 4 inch advantage to the 7 mag. Again, big deal!

It's a good thing to have confidence in your rifle, but don't think that having a 7 mag gives you any advantage over someone with a 30-06. What one will do the other will do the same, no better, no worse.

[C-Money]

Wastickslinger, point being, not that much of an advantage between the two. The 7mm rem mag was the first popular cartridge to carry the "magnum'' name and that magnum word in its name is probably one of the big reasons it bacme so very popular from its start in the early 1960's. With a minimal advantage over the 30-06, the word "magnum", and mans quest for new, bigger and better things it was a hit! I can remember the first time as a kid I saw a 7mm rem mag shell. I was probably 5 or 6 six years old, my uncle used a 7mm mag ( with great success). I remember saying how big the case was compared to what Dad shot, (30-06). I did not realize a big case sometimes dose not add up to a big advantage in the field. I feel the word magnum is more properly used when speaking of the Weatherby and Remington ultra mags, as there is a clear advantage. I dont want to shoot that far to make the WBY and RUM advantage work for me, and I dont want the recoil, so I, my self will just stick to a 30-06, or my .270win.

[birdwacker]

Energy means squat! A 22-250 and a big slow 45-70 have the same muzzle energy if faced by a charging grizzly which one would you rather have? Speed does not= penetration as a 45-70 with a 420gr hardcast at1600fps will go thru a  buffaloe stem to stern can you do that with a 7mm or 06. that being said a lot of older wiser pros are now realizing that with todays bullets like tsx magnums aren't necessary anymore. Thiers nothing in the lower 48 that can't be killed by a 7-08 or 308 and if you need to shoot beyond 400 yds a 25-06 or 270 is plenty flat IMHO.More hunters would be better served with a less recoiling gun as they are easier to shoot better .That being said if you are happy with your magnum blaster so you can snipe elk at 600yds more power to ya I would much rather cut the distance down were I could reliably kill my animal I think we owe them that. That show on tv best of the west were they make extremely long shots probably edits out the gut shot ones or the ones that just get a leg blown off.

[WDFW-SUX]

Ive decide im keeping all of my hunting loads to about 2800-2900 fps..  thats 160 gr in the 7mm rem mag and 225 in the 338 win mag.. Lets me have great accuracy to 400+ and a very manageable amount of drop to compensate for

Im done shooting stuff at hypersonic speeds.

[coachcw]

I rather get hit by a guy 160, instead of a guy 300lbs . The 06 is overrated, if a guy shoots a ton and can drop the shot into a coffee cup at any yardage or angle then the 06 is fine . But the avearge guy dosn't shot enough to do that. The 7mm is flater and hits harder so the margin for error is in the shooter favor . but I still say 300wsm in the t3.

[FC]

This argument makes me laugh, the way guys talk up using a magnum cartridge as the end all be all...You guys do realize that probably more deer and elk have been killed with a 30-30 than anything else right?

Talking up a mag cartridge as something better for a guy who isn't as good of a shot?!?!?! Are you really serious? You want an easy to shoot, non-flinch inducing gun for someone who doesn't shoot much...The old idea of "I'm not that good of a shot so I need a OMGWTFBBQ MAGNUM just in case I only hit Bambi's toe cause' it will skin and quarter him on the spot anyway" is completely retarded.

btw I use MAGNUM condoms 

[bobcat]

The 30-06 is PERFECT for the inexperienced AND the most experienced shooters out there. The great thing about it is it will do anything the 7 Mag does, and all with less recoil. What's not to like about that?