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I just made a trade with a buddy for a 25-06. I’ve always wanted a rifle in that caliber, and finally got around to it. My 30 year old 270 will go into retirement in the back of the safe. The 25-06, will handle all my hunting from antelope down, now for a new rifle for deer and larger. 350 yards is my max range. Will be hunting Mule Deer, Hogs, Aoudad, and Elk. 24 inch barrel, not a light weight rifle, but light enough that an old guy can carry it up the mountain. I have a Leupold 2.5x8 ready to mount on the gun, and will likely load Accubond bullets. Now the same old question....7mm RM or 30-06? Pros & cons? I really could use some opinions. Thx | ||
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That's an interesting question as both 7mm RM and 30-06 will kill elk which is the largest animal you say you intend to hunt. I really like the 30-06. The only 7mms I currently have are 7mm-08s for a similar application to your 25-06. For any larger game, I use either the 30-06 or 338 WM depending on where I am hunting in Alaska. The article in the link below goes over the obvious differences between the two cartridges and gives the nod to the 7mm RM. It really comes down to personal preference. https://www.snipercountry.com/7mm-rem-mag-vs-30-06/ | |||
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If I was shooting at Elk over three hundred yards I would always choose the 7mm Mag. | |||
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Save yourself some money, take that 270 out of retirement and use 160 gr. Nosler partitions in it..Between the two you mentioned Id opt for the 30-06 and 200 gr. Accubonds. Ive shot a lot of elk with the 270 and 30-06..The 7 mag IMO is neither fish nor fowl..If I were going beyond the 270 or 30-06 I go with a .338 Win. for elk. Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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In my opinion which doesn't carry much weight the 7 mag offers nothing over the 30/06. Considering the extra powder burned and muzzle blast I'd stay with the 30/06. My current loads in the '06 push the 165 grain bullet over 3000 fps, many 7 mags struggle with that and at the cost of more powder. The 7 mag hype is bigger than the cartridges actual performance however it is a great cartridge for taking game. | |||
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after shooting my 25-06 for a number of years at deer on down to rock chucks I started seeing the appeal of the 270. that prompted me to buy a 30-06. here is the list. furthest deer... 25-06. nicest racked deer.. 30-06 [most symmetrical over 25"s] biggest deer in terms of sheer mass, antler length and body size.. 257 Roberts. most deer.. 7X57 Ackley. I think the 25-06 is catching up though. | |||
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The smallest round I have used on Antelope & Deer is the 25-06. And I use it the most. Great round for these two animals IMO. I am however, from Colorado, and I shoot ‘out west’ so maybe it’s not needed for back east hunting at shorter distances. I do not know as I have never hunted back east. Of your two choices, I’d pick the 30-06, and I own both a 30-06 and a 7mmRM. I took my 7mmRM last year to Zambia and shot a Puku. Great round. But it was my light rifle of a three-rifle battery. If I needed something bigger, I also had a 35 Whelen and 404Jeffery. And for me, that is why I’d choose the 30-06. The highest weight factory ammo I can buy (I do not reload) for the 7mm is 175 gr. The highest I can buy in 30-06 is 220 gr. When I hunt elk, I do not haul a three-rifle battery into the mountains like I do in Africa. So for me, a 25-06 and 30-06 covers a lot of ground, bullet weight wise. Not saying a 175 gr. 7mm wouldn’t take an elk, as my wife has proven with her 7mmRM. I just like wider options in bullet weights. Then again, if it were me, I’d use the 25-06 for Antelope and Deer, and either a 338-06, 338WM, or 35 Whelen for anything bigger. Just my choice. I have many rifles and different calibers. Ask (10) hunters and you’ll get (10) different answers... By the way, I like your choice in scopes. The Leupold 2.5-8 is all I put on my rifles anymore.   | |||
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I have a 7mm mag, and two 30,06s The 7 mag has a small advantage if you are shooting way out past your 350 yard range. Look at some ballistic tables, i have a pre 64 06, 24 inch barrel, that Gives 3010 with a warm hand load, my 22 inch 06 Will likely squirt that same bullet out at 2980 or so. My 7mag is just at 3100 with a 140 grain bullet. But my 22 inch 06 is much lighter and no animal will know the difference. I need to work up some 165 gr 06 stuff... | |||
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Folks play some tricky games with ballistic charts..When you add the words all things equal the charts change dramatically.. Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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Easy question: 7mm Rem Mag. Why? Because if you need something more than that, you need something way more than a 30-06. The 06 is a compromise for most every purpose. (I didn't say it wasn't useful so ease off on the hate mail) After the 7mm, the next step is a 338 at least. That is the way I do it. | |||
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Thank you for all of your opinions. I also live in Colorado,and understand the need for longer shots to be successful. I have killed a couple of elk with my 270, using 150 gr Partitions. I’ve used the 270 for a lot of years, and feel the need for new and better, for lack of better words... I’ve thought of getting a nicer 270 and never looking back, but that seems a little foolish. My heart leans toward a 30-06. Never owned one, and I think it’s about time. I’ve never shot an animal at over 250 yards, but I do want to be prepared if that is the only shot I get. It seems like there is a price to be paid with the 7MM to get marginal ballistic gains over the 270, where the 30-06 seems a more efficient choice, shooting a bigger bullet, with less powder and muzzle blast. But I know both are great rounds. That is why I’m asking for opinions from others..... to get their take on which caliber is a better option. | |||
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Agree! Or just shoot 150g Partitions at 2900 fps out of it. It's an elk killer for sure. Regards, Chuck "There's a saying in prize fighting, everyone's got a plan until they get hit" Michael Douglas "The Ghost And The Darkness" | |||
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First, the 270 flat out works on elk. You might as well choose on platform and economics because there isn’t much to argue between the 270, 7mm RM, and 30-06 for what you want it to do. I am back from a long Hiatus... or whatever. Take care. smallfry | |||
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Get the 30-06 and handload it up to its potential. The only thing the 7mag has going for it is a little flatter trajectory. I am generally not one who likes to push beyond publish max loads but 30-06 is the one exception I make. Remember, SAAIMI specs limit the 30-06 to ~60K PSI where the 270 is at 65K. My point being it's not as if Rem/Win/Sav/Ruger etc say oh this action is for a 30-06 we are only going to make it to withstand 60K PSI and similarly an ammo company doesn't say this piece of brass is going to be a 30-06 let's make it weaker than this piece that is going to be a 270 win. You should be able to achieve low 2800s with a 180 gr in a 24 inch 30-06 and that is going to be plenty flat for anything inside of 400 yards. Mike Legistine actu quod scripsi? Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.  What I have learned on AR, since 2001: 1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken. 2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps. 3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges. 4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down. 5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine. 6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle. 7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions. 8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA. 9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not. 10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact. 11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores. 12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence. 13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances. | |||
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 06  roger Old age is a high price to pay for maturity!!! Some never pay and some pay and never reap the reward. Wisdom comes with age! Sometimes age comes alone.. | |||
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And what part do you think a 280AI plays in this discussion? | |||
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An even better choice than the 30-06, IMHO. Especially if you handload. Mike Legistine actu quod scripsi? Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue. What I have learned on AR, since 2001: 1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken. 2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps. 3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges. 4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down. 5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine. 6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle. 7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions. 8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA. 9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not. 10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact. 11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores. 12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence. 13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances. | |||
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To me, it plays the biggest part as I love my 280 AI and just recently added a 6.5 X 280 AI to the stable. I'll take those over most light to mid-sized rounds because of what they do for ME but I also realize that the cartridge and/or the platform isn't for everyone. The 280 AI is set up for out-to-mid-ranges of 600 yards or so and the 6.5 x 280 AI is set up for something longer. Yes I know, they're still just a tool and not worth a hill of beans in the hands of the unskilled. I'd better add this: If you're limiting yourself to 350 yards then almost anything will do for deer but I do like a larger pill for elk....like a 200 grain 30 cal pushed at about 3100 fps. Zeke | |||
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which 280 AI? the real one [of 4] or the one Remington got saami to agree to. if it's the last one you might as well just use the regular 280 and move on with your day. if it's any of the others you gain case life and little else over the regular one. I'm a huge fan of PO's case designs in the right context and place. the 0-6 family of cases isn't it. PO his self would tell you that if you ever asked him. | |||
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Go ahead and get yourself a .300 Win Mag. I have a Tikka Lite, and after I put on a better recoil pad, it makes for a really light, hard shooting, accurate rifle with very manageable recoil. I really love the .270 Win, but if your light rifle is the 25-06, go ahead and get something with a bigger "power" jump. If you will ever want to go after moose or big, black bears, maybe a .338 Win is the answer, but weight and recoil, really go up with that caliber. BH63 Hunting buff is better than sex! | |||
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You could use the 2 bits ought six for your deer and goats. Your 270 for elk and deer and goats. Your .340 Weatherby for elk across the canyon, elk in the woods, deer, antelope, chucks, bears (black or Alaskan brown), mooses, meeses, cats, cougers, wolves, yotes, etc. It is maybe the peak of versatility at the end of manageable recoil. Not a plinker, but no detached retinas either. | |||
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I know the .338 is the better elk caliber, but damned if I can see it form the large number of elk and big game Ive shot with it and the .30/06..So much so that I only hunt with the 30-06, 270, 7x57, 257 Ackley these days. If I were to go on a trophy bull hunt with a guide and outfitter, Id opt for the .338 for no particular reason, insurance I suppose,but for my yearly meat elk hunts and deer hunts I'll take the 270 and 06 everytime... The 7 mag is neither fish nor fowl, it shows me nothing but a big bang from a heavy long rifle..and no different than a .270 balistically. compare them form a few handloading books. Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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The 7mm Rem Mag is a great cartridge for guys who don’t own a chronograph. ______________________________ "Truth is the daughter of time." Francis Bacon | |||
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I had the 30-06 early in life, then the 7mm Rem Mag. I could not tell any difference on game except the 7mm Mag rifle was heavier to tote! ha. I tell guys that if they already own either one and want to move up, then the 300 WM with 180 Barnes or 338 WM & 185/210 is the way to go. Now that we have great powders and refinements in bullets...a 30-06/130 (or the 300WM/130 too)Barnes or 338WM/160 Barnes is a couple of flat shooters in their own right. | |||
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I've never had good luck with the 7mm RM in any of the several I have owned in making them shoot the way they should. Also, factory loaded 7mm RM is typically somewhat underloaded and usually generates less energy than .30-06 factory loads. After decades of experience I would recommend the .30-06 every time over the 7mm RM. | |||
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If it aint broke, don't fix it. I can't think of a thing the 25-06 does that the .270 wont do better. Maybe there is a need for change after 30 years of using the .270. Perhaps we have a new group of animals that didn't read Jack O'Connor, but they read the internet so it now takes a 25-06, but not a .270. Then again, what does the .270 do that the 30-06 doesn't do better. I know the answer. It gave Jack O'Connor something different from the other guys to write about. Truth known, 30-06 was probably really Jack's favorite. Whatever you use, put a bullet in an animals heart lung or liver and close to that spot, have a sharp knife, the fun is over and work begins. | |||
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Not to wish you an untimely death but I hope you get to ask him before I do! AI is not the end-all for all cartridges but if you think there's no improvement then you need a better chronograph. I shot a 280 Rem for many many years and it's awesome. The 280 AI is just slightly awesome(r)....as in within 50 fps of most 7mm Rem mags. Shoot more, type less! Zeke | |||
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/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." Winston Churchill | |||
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Just get a 300 win mag and be done with it | |||
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Yes by all means get a .300 mag, just think for only half again as much powder, you can beat a 30-06 by a couple hundred feet. The animal wont know the difference, but your shoulder and ear drums will. Everyone knows the 30-06 is anemic but they still insist on carrying them. They'll probably quit when the new found fad wears off. | |||
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