30.06 OR 7mm-08.. HELP!

Tabacco Brook

Tabacco Brook

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I am going out tomorrow to buy a new X-Bolt Stainless Stalker but I can't make up my mind which caliber,...7mm-08 or the old tried and trusted 30.06. I have an A-Bolt Medallion in 30.06 and I would trust my life to that rifle,....ammunition for the 06 is cheap and found most anywhere, and it's a real killer.
As for the 7-08,...I don't have much experience with it,..but I like the idea of the short action and light recoil in a little bit shorter gun, and I'm sure it would probly suit my needs just fine, and variety is the spice of life,.. but ammunition is more costly and kinda hard to find in my neck of the woods.
The rifle will be used for whitetail deer and black bears,..any where from 30 to 200 yards.
So can someone please help me make up my mind? lol. My wife says I suffer from OCD,...I think she is right.
 
Seeing as you already have an -06, might as well go for the 7-08. I've had a 7-08 in the safe since the 80's....its a great caliber and I'm always surprised on how deadly it is on game! :)
 
If you have an aught-6 in the locker then go for the 7-08, they are one heck of a deer rifle and should handle a black bear no problem if you put the bullet somewhere important... As for ammo... Try to get your hands on a few boxes of the Hornady American white tail stuff, cheapest 7-08 factory ammo I have seen yet and loaded with the 139gr interlock...

The lil 7 is no slouch, it carrys a lot of authority in a small package with far less recoil then the 30-06...
 
Variety is the spice.... but if you shoot a fair bit, ammo availability is something to keep in mind. I have both '06 and 7mm-08, both are great calibres. If you already have the '06 and want a short action, then I vote 308. My Browning x-bolt in 308 was the most accurate rifle I've ever owned. All your cleaning gear will be the same, ammo is more available (and more varied).

Either would be great though, and congrats in a new rifle!.
 
I would get the 7-08, recoil is a joke and the weight saving is little, but noticeable. My '06 is grumpy as it doesn't come out any more. Availability for ammo is not bad just buy a few boxes at a time when you find your brand preference.
YMMV
 
I'd think twice about the xbolt if you love the abolt. I found the abolt stock suits me much better. I'd look for an abolt instead.
But if you think the xbolt is just as good the 7-08 is an excellent choice.
 
Tabacco Brook said:
I am going out tomorrow to buy a new X-Bolt Stainless Stalker but I can't make up my mind which caliber,...7mm-08 or the old tried and trusted 30.06. I have an A-Bolt Medallion in 30.06 and I would trust my life to that rifle,....ammunition for the 06 is cheap and found most anywhere, and it's a real killer.
As for the 7-08,...I don't have much experience with it,..but I like the idea of the short action and light recoil in a little bit shorter gun, and I'm sure it would probly suit my needs just fine, and variety is the spice of life,.. but ammunition is more costly and kinda hard to find in my neck of the woods.
The rifle will be used for whitetail deer and black bears,..any where from 30 to 200 yards.
So can someone please help me make up my mind? lol. My wife says I suffer from OCD,...I think she is right.
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Depends what kind of shooter you are.
 
7-08

I bought my X bolt Stalker in 7-08 this past summer and has seen more rounds through it than I anticipated. A real pleasure to shoot and MOA with the Fusion box ammo. Handloads are even tighter. Great gun and caliber combo.
 
Go and check out some ballistics of 140-150gr projectiles in both, you will be pleasantly surprised. :)

That 7mm bullet is pretty slippery and keeps a fair bit gusto down range.

7mm-08 Remington, Remington AccuTip Boat Tail, 140gr

B B .30-06 Springfield, Remington AccuTip Boat Tail, 150gr
Range Drop
(inches) Velocity Energy Wind drift
(inches) Time
(milliseconds)
A B A B A B A B A B
0 -1.4938 -1.4939 2860 2910 2542 2820 0.0000 0.0000 0 0
50 -0.1787 -0.1890 2764 2797 2374 2605 0.0000 0.0000 54 53
100 -0.0018 0.0038 2671 2687 2217 2404 0.0000 0.0000 109 108
150 -1.0441 -1.0084 2579 2579 2067 2215 0.0000 0.0000 166 165
200 -3.3939 -3.3281 2489 2474 1926 2038 0.0000 0.0000 225 224
250 -7.1471 -7.0688 2401 2372 1792 1874 0.0000 0.0000 287 286
300 -12.4084 -12.3559 2315 2271 1666 1717 0.0000 0.0000 350 351
350 -19.2925 -19.3290 2230 2174 1546 1574 0.0000 0.0000 416 418
400 -27.9248 -28.1431 2148 2078 1434 1438 0.0000 0.0000 485 489
450 -38.4425 -38.9713 2067 1985 1328 1312 0.0000 0.0000 556 563
500 -50.9967 -52.0065 1987 1895 1227 1196 0.0000 0.0000 630 640
- See more at: http://gundata.org/ballistic-calculator/#sthash.hxUdc1Qv.dpuf

I dunno but that little guy surpasses the big guy when you stretch it out , and with a lighter bullet, just two loads I picked that are kind of parallel performers,hunted with it for years , and if you handload you can really make it shine.
 
I would get the 7-08, I picked one up for my daughter to hunt with but ever since I started shooting it I don't wanna give it back to her. great calibre
 
Honestly I would suggest buying the 30-06. But forget browning. Go with a tikka t3 and a limbsaver recoil pad. Then later on buy a reloading press and all the gear that goes with it.

Then buy the 7-08 and some reloading dies.
 
I am in Nova Scotia and had many .06's and got tired of the ruined meat and the ugly recoil. I switched to the 7mm-08 about 6 years ago and love it. It is a pleasure to shoot and great for anything we have here. I have lots of ammo and it is getting more common all the time.

Go for it.

Wayne
 
hawk-i said:
Seeing as you already have an -06, might as well go for the 7-08. I've had a 7-08 in the safe since the 80's....its a great caliber and I'm always surprised on how deadly it is on game! :)
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This! I would add a calibre you don't already own. I have walked into my local canadian tire and seen a good amount of 7mm and looked at empty shelfs where the 30-06 is. Not sure where you live, but I believe Lequilles has a decent amount
 
I love my 7mm-08's. I have parked my 30-06 and most of my 308's. You won't be disappointed in your new X-bolt 7mm-08. My youngest son has just that and loves it.
 
7mm-08 for the win.


2 in my house. Ammo can be a bit tricky to find but not impossible. Years ago when out and found then bought 10 x boxes of 140gr fusion, good to go. Still add a box here and there when I see it at the local stores. Wife has knocked down 2 moose with hers, no complaints; in fact that's what I find myself using more and more.
 
GMC403 said:
Variety is the spice.... but if you shoot a fair bit, ammo availability is something to keep in mind. I have both '06 and 7mm-08, both are great calibres. If you already have the '06 and want a short action, then I vote 308. My Browning x-bolt in 308 was the most accurate rifle I've ever owned. All your cleaning gear will be the same, ammo is more available (and more varied).

Either would be great though, and congrats in a new rifle!.
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06 and 7-08 are great but I also have a thing with 308. Short action, good mix of loadings, and yes accurate as hell.
 
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