7x64 or .30-06

[Slim01]

I live and mainly hunt in the UK for roe deer and red deer. I've also hunted plains game in Namibia and plan to do so again within the next few years. I currently own two Tikka T3X's; a 6.5x55 and a 270win, and am authorised to own a .30-06.
I've seen a Sauer 202 for sale in 7x64 and am tempted to buy this rather than a .30-06. My think is that although similar in many ways to a .270win, it will enable be to use heavier bullets for Eland etc. This was originally going to be the role of the .30-06.
I'd welcome your thoughts on which would be most suitable.

 

[R eight]

If you reload then go with whatever takes you smile. If you’re shooting factory ammunition then go with the 30/06.

 

[DieJager]

I have shot both and there is almost no difference. The 7x64 has a better BC and a better penetration on paper.

Both do their job. My main go to rifle is Heym in 7x64 with the RWS classic ID. If both the ammo is good available my choice would be the 7x64 but that is just me being chauvinistic.

 

[CBH Australia]

I think R eight nailed it.

My wife has 7x64 because I like the 7mm as a calibre.

I started a thread named anything but a .308 to ask what would people buy for a dedicated hunting rifle if .308 wasn’t an option.

One thing that keeps coming up is .30-06, probably because of all the American members but it does seem to be popular.

 

[Nhoro]

Nothing wrong with either, they are pretty similar. I think the 30-06 may hit a little harder especially if you use 220 gr bullets. Eland is a bit big for both calibers in my opinion, I would prefer a 300 win mag.

 

[grand veneur]

I live and mainly hunt in the UK for roe deer and red deer. I've also hunted plains game in Namibia and plan to do so again within the next few years. I currently own two Tikka T3X's; a 6.5x55 and a 270win, and am authorised to own a .30-06.
I've seen a Sauer 202 for sale in 7x64 and am tempted to buy this rather than a .30-06. My think is that although similar in many ways to a .270win, it will enable be to use heavier bullets for Eland etc. This was originally going to be the role of the .30-06.
I'd welcome your thoughts on which would be most suitable.

Given the rifles you already own, I would lean towards a rifle caliber 30-06, especially because you also intend to hunt in Africa with it.

By the way, if there are strict regulations regarding the number of firearms which is allowed to own in your country, why not choose a larger caliber?

You are well-equipped for hunting in Western Europe with the other two cartridges, but even with the cartridge 30-06 and the heaviest bullets of this caliber class, you would be somewhat limited in Africa.

 

[HuntingEnthusiast]

I live and mainly hunt in the UK for roe deer and red deer. I've also hunted plains game in Namibia and plan to do so again within the next few years. I currently own two Tikka T3X's; a 6.5x55 and a 270win, and am authorised to own a .30-06.
I've seen a Sauer 202 for sale in 7x64 and am tempted to buy this rather than a .30-06. My think is that although similar in many ways to a .270win, it will enable be to use heavier bullets for Eland etc. This was originally going to be the role of the .30-06.
I'd welcome your thoughts on which would be most suitable.

The .30-06 or the 7x64 is very similar to the calibers you already own. I would recommend choosing a significantly more powerful caliber as your third one — especially for hunting in Africa or the USA. You might want to consider a 9.3x62 or a .338 Winchester Magnum. Keep in mind that an eland can weigh up to 900 kg; that’s where the .30-06 and 7x64 quickly reach their limits.

 

[grand veneur]

The .30-06 or the 7x64 is very similar to the calibers you already own. I would recommend choosing a significantly more powerful caliber as your third one — especially for hunting in Africa or the USA. You might want to consider a 9.3x62 or a .338 Winchester Magnum. Keep in mind that an eland can weigh up to 900 kg; that’s where the .30-06 and 7x64 quickly reach their limits.

Since Africa is in the background, I even considered the cartridge 375 H&H Magnum.

 

[Russ16]

Everyone should own a 30-06.

 

[HuntingEnthusiast]

Since Africa is in the background, I even considered the cartridge 375 H&H Magnum.

Yes, I understand that very well. The .375 H&H Magnum is also one of my favorite calibers. I have hunted in Africa with both the 9.3x62 and the .375. And I didn't notice any difference in their effectiveness. Admittedly, the .375 is the more fascinating cartridge, but the 9.3x62 is more affordable and even better suited for use in Europe.

 

[txtrout75218]

I would also suggest considering something bigger such as a 35 Whelen, need to get Bob here @Bob Nelson 35Whelen.

In all seriousness, I agree with @grand veneur and would consider something with greater diameter, such as a 358 or 9.3 based cartridge. A 270 and 35/9.3 Africa travel combo would cover just about anything outside of DG, and only because of government regulations in some African countries more than science.

My new plains game travel setup is a 7-08 and a 35 Whelen. Mostly because we have several 708s and the 35 since I already have one. If I didn't already have the 35W I'd go 9.3x62 with you being in Europe.

If you want to ever hunt DG, then make the jump to 375 to avoid having to get another permission slip later. And I like the 9.3 over the 375.

And I have a preference for 7mm cartridges, but there is always the aspects of practically, or rules on what you can have/use..

 

[farmer_john]

I live and mainly hunt in the UK for roe deer and red deer. I've also hunted plains game in Namibia and plan to do so again within the next few years. I currently own two Tikka T3X's; a 6.5x55 and a 270win, and am authorised to own a .30-06.
I've seen a Sauer 202 for sale in 7x64 and am tempted to buy this rather than a .30-06. My think is that although similar in many ways to a .270win, it will enable be to use heavier bullets for Eland etc. This was originally going to be the role of the .30-06.
I'd welcome your thoughts on which would be most suitable.

Ive never shot the 7x64.
But i went with the 3006 because if you reload on the upper end. Your in the low end of the 300wm and if you load it lighter your in the 308 territory.

 

[grand veneur]

Yes, I understand that very well. The .375 H&H Magnum is also one of my favorite calibers. I have hunted in Africa with both the 9.3x62 and the .375. And I didn't notice any difference in their effectiveness. Admittedly, the .375 is the more fascinating cartridge, but the 9.3x62 is more affordable and even better suited for use in Europe.

In this case I am leaning more towards to one of my favorite, the cartridge 9,3x64 Brenneke, also very good suited for use in Europe, and perfect for Africa. But be careful, the hunting tradition on the British islands is not to use large calibers for hunting.

 

[JG26Irish_2]

The .30-06 or the 7x64 is very similar to the calibers you already own. I would recommend choosing a significantly more powerful caliber as your third one — especially for hunting in Africa or the USA. You might want to consider a 9.3x62 or a .338 Winchester Magnum. Keep in mind that an eland can weigh up to 900 kg; that’s where the .30-06 and 7x64 quickly reach their limits.

I do agree with this comment but to the OP if your only options are the 7mm or the 30-06, I would go with the 30-06 and use the 180g bonded bullets or the TTSX monos for Eland. My PH regularly has his clients take Eland with his loaner 308 using Hornaday SST ammo. I used a 308 of my own with 180g Fed Fusion ammo for my first PG hunt and it dropped every animal with one shot. 30-06 is going to do the same only better. Being in Britain, try to get your hands on an older Husqvarna Swedish Mauser from the 50's or 60's in either caliber. They are some of the most accurate factory rifles every produced. I have one in 30-06 that will place three shots on steel at 400y from a bench that I can cover with one hand. Still if I was going for Eland, I would rather use my 338wm. It hits harder.

180g Fed Fusion Bonded - three shots at 400y from bench

 

[grand veneur]

In this case, I would also tend to choose the cartridge 30-06, but if there is a law limiting the number of firearms you can own, you have to think carefully about which one to pick. If hunting in Africa is also an option, it would make more sense to buy right away something better suited for that.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

The 7mm is close to your 270, but the 30-06 is pretty close too. The 30-06 will shove heavy bullets around faster. You can get almost the same speed with a 200 grain bullet from the 30-06 as you can with a 175 from 7x64. That is not an insignificant difference.

 

[grand veneur]

It is therefore difficult to make a neutral judgment. Many cartridges of calibers that are not too far apart deliver the same performance.

 

[shark_za]

The ability to take bullets heavier than 180gr swings it in favour of the 30-06.
You have long plains covered with the 270 so set the 30-06 up with 220gr and make it a dedicated close range gun.

 

[mauser98]

In your case, already having a 6.5x55 and 270 win on hand, I'd choose the 30-06 and enjoy heavy for cal bullets.

 

[Hififile324]

I live and mainly hunt in the UK for roe deer and red deer. I've also hunted plains game in Namibia and plan to do so again within the next few years. I currently own two Tikka T3X's; a 6.5x55 and a 270win, and am authorised to own a .30-06.
I've seen a Sauer 202 for sale in 7x64 and am tempted to buy this rather than a .30-06. My think is that although similar in many ways to a .270win, it will enable be to use heavier bullets for Eland etc. This was originally going to be the role of the .30-06.
I'd welcome your thoughts on which would be most suitable.

I would handle both rifles and compare them for handling qualities including bolt run, trigger, speed of shoulder mount, overall fit for you. If you have the opportunity to shoot both, pick the better shooter. Both cartridges are very capable for your needs.

The .30-06 will allow for worldwide ammo availability, greater selection of reloading components, lower cost on both (here in the USA).

The '06 will allow you to load 200 and 220 grain bullets which gives it real big game ability.