Stepping up from 30-06

I'm a big believer in 7rem mag, but it sounds like what is going to be more important to you is proper fit. I would recommend trying out as many different rifles as you have access to, and selecting the one that feels the best and us within your budget. After that decision is made, see what calibers it is offered in and pick anything that you already mentioned because they'll all do the job.
 
If you want flatter, 7mm rem mag or 300win mag will get you that. The real question is do you want to step up in recoil? If you'd rather not, the Rem Mag is the answer. If you don't mind a bit more recoil it's hard to argue a 30cal magnum, even if they are a bit Fuddy.
 
Mds694 said:
So I’ve had an itch for a new hunting rifle. Primarily whitetails but moose and elk as well. Currently use my grandfathers a-bolt 30-06. Where I shoot I can’t imagine anything presenting over 300 yards. And to that end, I wouldn’t be comfortable shooting anything farther at this point anyways. I’ve looked into several calibres, magnums, short magnums, etc. My biggest hope was for something that shoots flatter but still hits just as hard. Now correct me if I’m wrong but as far as I can tell, there really isn’t anything that fits the bill. Closest I can come up with would be 7mm rm, 270 wsm, or 300 win. And even then it doesn’t seem to make a significant difference in the field. Thoughts?
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Your .30-06 Sprg is as powerful rifle you can get next to the magnums. If you want another rifle,I say go bigger. .338WinMag comes to mind because it's enough for anything North America has. Oh,did I mention I'm a big fan of Ruger M77? Good luck with your quest.
 
The .30-06 is the quintessential do-everything gun, but if you wanna step up go to the .300 WM. A more noticeable step up would be the .338 WM which has very similar trajectories to the .30-06 when using 250 grainers in the .338 and 180 grainers in the .30-06. Split that difference with one of the crazy .300's like a .300 RUM and 200 grain bullets.
 
Royzo said:
How about a 35 Whelen!!!!
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The problem with that suggestion is the OP specifically stated flatter shooting as a reason to change up from the 3006.

In all honestly, I think the OP already mentioned some of the most common rounds to do what he wants - 7mm rem mag, 300 win mag, 270 win short mag would all be plenty capable of taking moose out to 300 yards, and would all shoot flatter than the 3006. Of course there are all sorts of other 7mm and 30cal magnums around that would also do the job, such as the 7mm STW or WSM and the 300 Weatherby, ect... Not much in the way of 27 cal choices though, WSM and Weatherby are about it (other than the standard 270 winchester of course)
 
My go-to rifle for most hunting is a real Fudd gun. Stainless Savage 116 in 300WM with a Leupold VX-3 3.5-10x40 scope on it. I handload for it but it isn't necessary. It shoots factory Federal Premium 180gr Accubonds into honest 1" 5-shot groups. That round will work great on just about anything North America has to offer. A bit overpowered for deer, just right for moose or elk, and a bit underpowered for grizzly bears and bison. For an Elmer Fudd one-rifle-arsenal it's not bad. Recoil is ok until you get into the 200+ gr rounds. Those kick quite a bit.

Then again, a 30-06 works, too. I doubt you would kill any more animals with a 300WM or 7mmRM than with a 30-06. In my entire life I've only shot one animal at more than 400 yards. Unless a person goes looking for long shots they don't happen often.
 
Mds694 said:
So I’ve had an itch for a new hunting rifle. Primarily whitetails but moose and elk as well. Currently use my grandfathers a-bolt 30-06. Where I shoot I can’t imagine anything presenting over 300 yards. And to that end, I wouldn’t be comfortable shooting anything farther at this point anyways. I’ve looked into several calibres, magnums, short magnums, etc. My biggest hope was for something that shoots flatter but still hits just as hard. Now correct me if I’m wrong but as far as I can tell, there really isn’t anything that fits the bill. Closest I can come up with would be 7mm rm, 270 wsm, or 300 win. And even then it doesn’t seem to make a significant difference in the field. Thoughts?
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If your current rifle shoots well it is everything you need. A good rifle in 3006 with good glass will do everything.
 
Mds694 said:
So I’ve had an itch for a new hunting rifle. Primarily whitetails but moose and elk as well. Currently use my grandfathers a-bolt 30-06. Where I shoot I can’t imagine anything presenting over 300 yards. And to that end, I wouldn’t be comfortable shooting anything farther at this point anyways. I’ve looked into several calibres, magnums, short magnums, etc. My biggest hope was for something that shoots flatter but still hits just as hard. Now correct me if I’m wrong but as far as I can tell, there really isn’t anything that fits the bill. Closest I can come up with would be 7mm rm, 270 wsm, or 300 win. And even then it doesn’t seem to make a significant difference in the field. Thoughts?
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Like many have said you already have this figured out I think you just want the fellas here to confirm your thoughts on the matter. I have shot a M-70 in 30-06 since the early 70's. I have used 165 Gr Nosler partions on moose and deer without issue. You don't hand load so 180's will do everything you want. 30-06 ammo is available almost anywhere and cheap in comparison to the fancier calibres. Like yourself many years back I wanted a new rifle just because. I bought a Kimber 8400 Classic Select mainly because the new M-70's at the time were next to impossible to find, but I stayed with the 30-06 chambering. When the M-70's became available I got one in Super Grade, again in 30-06. I also have M-70's in 375 H&H and 300 H&H. They don't kill anything any better than the 30-06 I just wanted those two chambering's. Longest shot I did with the 30-06 was in the 400 yardish range off hand out of a canoe. Hit her twice out of 6 shots. The 165 gr Noslers performed well, dead moose. You really don't "need" anything bigger or fancier than the 30-06, Now if you "want" something different that's a different story again. !
 
Mds694 said:
So I’ve had an itch for a new hunting rifle. Primarily whitetails but moose and elk as well. Currently use my grandfathers a-bolt 30-06. Where I shoot I can’t imagine anything presenting over 300 yards.
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Why not leave the 30-06 for moose and elk and buy a smaller bore for flatter shooting deer? Something like a 25-06, 243 or 260. Smaller bores are funner to shoot and usually get used more. I learned that from my 257Roberts.
 
I already commented earlier that I believe your 30-06 meets your needs. If you are itching to spend some money then spend it on exceptional binoculars. They will make a more significant contribution to your hunting.

I was in the exact situation you find yourself in. My first rifle is a 30-06 that I still have. I had the same requirements as you and decided on a 7mm rem. Because it is really quite similar to the '06 I went with a Remington 700 Sendero just to be a bit different. I have since inherited the exact rifle as my '06 in a 7mm rem. I also have a .243 Winchester. I have yet to harvest any animal under any circumstance that i couldn't have done with my '06.

Binoculars are a different story. Since getting my Leica's I can absolutely tell you I am seeing game I never saw before.
 
Well I'll throw in my two cents, for close to 20 years I shot the 30-06 exclusively. I currently own and have hunted with countless other calibers smaller and much larger including the likes of the .270wsm, 7mm msg and .300 RUM. They are all fun to shoot, but I shot more animals with that 30-06 than I have with all the others combined. The caliber is very capable, and what's more important is being comfortable and confident with that caliber.
 
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