As others have said, the sectional densities of the .284 bullets are alittle better than the .308 in similar weights.

From owning 2 30-06s and 2 7 mags, I can say that the 7s give a considerable advantage. When loading "Hot" loads for my 06s I get around 2900 fps w/ the 165s and when loading warm charges under 160s in the 7 mags, I get 3100 fps. I would say that 200 fps w/ a bullet of better SD and a trajectory 3-4" flatter at 400 yards is a pretty good advantage for the 7mag. The 30-06 is a Good cart but, it doesn't hold a candle to the Mags in performance. I have killed about the same amount of animals w/ each cart. and the 7 mag will definitely hit em' harder. To each his own.

Good Luck!

Reloader

Yada Yada Yada I've owned and shot both , you would need to shoot pretty far to get any signfigant differance out of either , with like bullets & designs . My opinion , not enough to matter .

I prefer to compare bullets based on sectional density too...and the closest SD for the .308 165 grain load you mention is NOT the 160 grain 7mm, its the 140 grain...and now look at the velocity difference!

I do agree, that when you look at killing power, which factors in velocity, bore diameter, and bullet weight, there isn't much one can do that the other can't...at reasonable ranges.

IMHO, of course!

Knowing my pen name is tj3006, its obvious I am a bit biased. I recently bought my first rifle chamberd for the 7mm Rem mag, Checking out all my loading manuals, it looks like there is very little difference between the 2 as far as big game hunting goes.Hand loads only Im' not talking factory ammo here. Using 160 grain 7mms and 165 grain 30 calibers, Example, Barnes newest manual shows a top velocity of 3000 with the 160 gran X flat base .284 and the 30,06 165 grain flat base gives 2980, The BCs are 508 for 7mm and 458 for the 30 cal. Zeroed at 200 the 7 drops just under 19 inches at 400 and has 1844 lbs of energy at 400 yards . while the 06 drops a half inch moore and gives up 64 lbs in energy at 400 yards, the nosler book does give a little bigger edge to the 7 mag, but still only 110 fps. My point being if you have an 06 and want more power the7 mag is only a baby step up, If yu want more power get a 300 win or an STW. I know lots of you probably have 7 mags loads that knock these loads aside and thats what I hope to do too, But as far as the loads in the manuals go, any shot taken at game with the 7 mag could be taken with the 30,06 and your results would be about the same...tj3006

Agreed. Nothing wrong with either round but I don't think there is a frogs hair difference between them in performance on game.

Jeff

Your entire thesis is based on published reloading manuals and the figures they offer. As we all know, the data found in manuals is not generally truthful.



(I have done comparisons between the data listed in several manuals and the data I actually recorded at the range. Very seldom is there any agreement. To see the differences, go to http://stevespages.com/table1.html )



What you have also failed to consider in your "comparison" is the sectional density differences between similar bullet weights in .284 and .308. Although I have no great reliance on the published B.C. data produced by the manufacturers, I do believe that the S.D. is an important factor when selecting a bullet, for a specific purpose.



I shoot Sierra 168 grain HPBT bullets in both my 7mm Remington Magnum and in my .30-06 Springfield. The real velocity (at 15' from the muzzle) for the most consistantly accurate loads is 2943 FPS for the 7mm Magnum and 2801 FPS for the .30-06. (Granted, these are not maximum loads, they are the most accurate. Since a missed animal is not impressed by the speed of the bullet as it flys by, I always load for the tightest 200-yard group.)



Diam Wgt Type S.D. B.C. M.Vel

.284 168 HPBT .298 .636 2,943

.308 168 HPBT .253 .475 2,801



Several formulae to remember:

Bullet Drop (inches) = 193 x (time of flight)�

Kinetic Energy = ((Bullet wgt/225218) x Velocity)�/2

Energy Transfer = Kinetic Energy x Caliber