7x64 or .30-06

[Grumpy gumpy]

There seems to be a rather "us centric " response to the question which whilst interesting is slightly less than useless in regards to the laws in the OP's country. In my opinion I’d not bother with either of those two, unless you really want one of them, then I would pick the 7x64, get rid of the 270, and see if you can get permits for other barrels. Then save for a large game rifle for your African hunt
Gumpy

 

[mgstucson]

Each of us must apply responses here to what is feasible in our own country, economic circumstance, and other pertinent circumstances, legal and otherwise. You may be unaware but there is very little "centricity" in the "US" as far as hunting and firearms laws. All 50 states are independent as far as their hunting laws and firearms laws. What is legal in one state may get you 5 to 10 years in prison in the adjacent state. It would be slightly less than useless for anyone posting here to expect anyone else posting here to know all that about any other poster here. OP asked a question about relative merits of different calibers, not UK gun laws. There is probably a more than useless reason for that. I am sure he is capable of using what fits, and disregarding the rest, as we all do.

Cheers mate.

 

[steve white]

The 7X64 is too close to your 270 to matter much. The '06 is heavier and more versatile. But if I lived in your country and was "authorized" (sad) to buy another rifle, I would sure as hell buy one! But why not keep what you have, and if you are limited to one more rifle, make it a 375? Then you are really covering all bases, all the way up to Lord Derby's eland.

Hard to advise when I don't know the totality of what you are facing with governmental controls. I live in Texas, after all....

 

[grand veneur]

As someone familiar with the cartridge 270 Winchester and in particular the cartridge 7x64, I would like to point out that, despite their similar caliber, they are two completely different cartridges. The 270 Winchester was designed primarily to utilize lighter bullets, especially the 130gr bullet, for shooting lighter game species at longer ranges. In contrast, the 7x64 was designed as a 7mm cartridge for shooting somewhat heavier game under European hunting conditions, meaning above all in forest environments. Accordingly, Brenneke designed the cartridge 7x64 with the 175gr TIG bullet, and the barrel twist rate is significantly faster than that of one for a cartridge 270 Winchester. Of course, over the years, a various factory loads were offered for both cartridges, so that in many cases these are nearly comparable. However, within the 7mm caliber class, the 7x64 offers significantly more possibility when it comes to shoot heavier game species.

 

[Journey]

My vote based on the cartridges you already own, i would go with the common 1:10 twist 3006.

Does "authorized" mean approval from your wife or govt?

Not a European hunter, but sounds like you have red/roe deer covered so going up in power would give you more utility for africa but ammo gets spendy, recoil goes up, ect,ect.

If I was in your shoes I woukd look at 300 win mag, 338 win mag, 338 federal and 9.3x64

Happy hunting

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

Each of us must apply responses here to what is feasible in our own country, economic circumstance, and other pertinent circumstances, legal and otherwise. You may be unaware but there is very little "centricity" in the "US" as far as hunting and firearms laws. All 50 states are independent as far as their hunting laws and firearms laws. What is legal in one state may get you 5 to 10 years in prison in the adjacent state. It would be slightly less than useless for anyone posting here to expect anyone else posting here to know all that about any other poster here. OP asked a question about relative merits of different calibers, not UK gun laws. There is probably a more than useless reason for that. I am sure he is capable of using what fits, and disregarding the rest, as we all do.

Cheers mate.

You seem to have missed the point, the original poster has stated re impositions on him, and people have said to get firearms he hasn’t been given permission for, he needs to have justification for every rifle re power levels and calibre, and yes, I am aware of the weird laws in the US
Gumpy

 

[Miletic]

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.

Hi Slim,
7x64 is an excellent caliber. Excellent grain trajectory, super penetration and very little recoil.
Even if the question is Sauer 202, there is nothing to think about.

 

[mgstucson]

You seem to have missed the point, the original poster has stated re impositions on him, and people have said to get firearms he hasn’t been given permission for, he needs to have justification for every rifle re power levels and calibre, and yes, I am aware of the weird laws in the US
Gumpy

If he got permission for the one, can he not by similar process gain permission for another? And if he is going to hunt such divergent species as English roe deer and African eland, should he not consider it? Since he has a few years before his next African hunt, is it not possible? What have I missed?

If 30-06 is the most powerful he can ever own (the OP did NOT state this), there doesn't really seem to be much question as to which he should buy if he is going to hunt animals like eland where even the 30-06 might be marginal. For really large game, the 30-06 is as much better than the 7x64. as the 7x64 is better than the 270.

As they say in my country re to engine pistons, but the same is true for rifle bullets:

"There is no replacement for displacement."

 

[dogcat1]

Either... Both are excellent.
Do not over think this.
For me, I would pick the .30-06 as I know that caliber very well. I like 165gr TSX bullets for all plains game including eland.

 

[Muskox]

Use the Barnes TSX bullets. They are great for anything the 30.06 can harvest. It's an all copper bullet. The only problem is that you will need to reload. I don't know if you can but a commercial version.

They are available loaded in factory ammo from several sources in Europe. Barnes Euro Lead Free being the primary source, but I think some of the Eastern European companies are also loading it.

 

[Muskox]

If he got permission for the one, can he not by similar process gain permission for another? And if he is going to hunt such divergent species as English roe deer and African eland, should he not consider it? Since he has a few years before his next African hunt, is it not possible? What have I missed?

If 30-06 is the most powerful he can ever own (the OP did NOT state this), there doesn't really seem to be much question as to which he should buy if he is going to hunt animals like eland where even the 30-06 might be marginal. For really large game, the 30-06 is as much better than the 7x64. as the 7x64 is better than the 270.

As they say in my country re to engine pistons, but the same is true for rifle bullets:

"There is no replacement for displacement."

No he can not.

He is limited to need.

Need has to be proven, and duplicate rifles of near peer calibers are normally not allowed.

 

[Ryan]

Given the restrictions my nod goes to the 30-06. My first two hunts were on a farm with the owners. They had eland and the first owner used a 30-06 for putting meat in the freezer in the off season. I believe he was an old school 180 grain Nosler Partition guy. Anyway if you are going "unleaded" factory I'd use either the 168 or 180 grain Barnes TTSX in their VOR-TX ammo. Those two are hitting more like 180-200 grain copper/lead bullets. I used the 168s for my two trips to Namibia and the penetration and performance was great. I had a shot at a zebra quartering to me that I broke the leading leg and it still penetrated through the entire vital cavity diagonally and lodged in the far hide. For eland I would not take that shot but I would either a broadside or quartering slightly away. The latter would be my preference, aiming at the far front leg so it penetrated the vitals and possibly breaks that leg. The other important thing to me is only taking a shot at a calm animal this size. If it doesn't drop at the shot a calm animal that doesn't know what's happening is liable to be confused and give you time for a second shot. An alert animal has some adrenaline already going and will probably bolt. My one and only eland was shot with a rental 300 win Mag using 180 gr Sierra Grand Slam bullets. I actually did take the shot on a calm quartering away animal. And it didn't bolt. It wobbled and laid down and I put an insurance shot in it.

 

[mgstucson]

No he can not.

He is limited to need.

Need has to be proven, and duplicate rifles of near peer calibers are normally not allowed.

I beg to differ, he has already proven he can do it 3 times by owning 2 calibers which are near peers already and already obtained permisson for the 3rd.

I am sure he is a reasonable and capable gent who can and will get permission for what he wants.

 

[Xpraetor]

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.

You have received a LOT of advice and all of it is well intentioned & good advice.
As for your dilemma, not sure the "Pandora's Box" of opinions has helped or hindered, but there is 1 caveat that was mentioned by those who live on you side of the pond - restrictions to *non-lead projectiles* & that is significant. As a born & bred in the USA, I can heartily agree with the, "buy a .30-06 Sprg" cheerleaders, as it literally is the true USA versatility caliber. From 55grn Accelerators & 110grn varmint all the way upto 200grn & everything in-between. The .30-06 Sprg is the main rifle I personally carry 80% of the time.

Despite, my bias, there still is that "caveat" *non-lead projectiles* ..... it would seem to me, based on what I know about the .270 Win - which you already own - and the 7x64 that you are considering to purchase, there was advice given to sell the .270 Win , replace it with the Sauer 202 in 7x64. As you know it is capable of being changed out for other calibers (provided there is availability), and that will still leave you with an ability to purchase another rifle in the future better suited for your Africa pursuit. There is even the possibility of having some money left over to start that "savings" for your Safari.

Not an expert, just another opinion, but I do know is you are in a good dilemma

 

[Muskox]

The 2nd hand market in Europe sucks right now. Trade or selling a rifle to fund a new weapon is not likely a good option.