30-06 vs 7mm Rem Mag: Full Review & Comparison Guide

Two of the most popular cartridges for medium to big game animals are the 30-06 Springfield and the 7mm Remington Magnum. 

Both of these cartridges are EXCELLENT choices for hunting, as proven by their popularity with most hunters across the United States.

While both of these deliver great hunting performance, which cartridge is best for you?

Let me take you through the advantages and disadvantages of each of these cartridges.

Overview of the 30-06 Springfield

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Specifications:

• Parent case: .30-03 Springfield
• Primer type: Large rifle
• Bullet diameter: 7.8 mm
• Base diameter: 12.0 mm
• Land diameter: 7.6 mm
• Neck diameter: 8.6 mm
• Shoulder diameter: 11.2 mm
• Rim diameter: 12.0 mm
• Rim thickness: 1.2 mm
• Case length: 2.494 in
• Overall length: 3.34 in
• Case capacity: 68 gr
• Rifling twist: 1-10″
• Maximum pressure (C.I.P.): 58,740 psi
• Maximum pressure (SAAMI): 60,190 psi
• Maximum CUP: 50,000CUP

History of the 30-06 Springfield

Not wanting to fall behind in terms of bolt action rifle and cartridge technology, the US military started developing a new cartridge to replace the inferior 30-40 Krag in 1901.

While heavier bullets were preferred at the time, American generals noted that multiple European militaries were using high-velocity Spitzer projectiles in their bolt-action rifles.

Adapting to this observation, the US Military created a similar design.

This new design had a Spitzer flat-based 150-grain bullet with a muzzle velocity of 2,700 fps and 2,429 ft-lbs of muzzle energy. 

This new design was the 30-06 Springfield, also known as the 3006 Springfield or simply as the 30-06.

The “30” in its name refers to the bullet caliber, while the “06” refers to its year of adoption.

The terminal ballistics and long range offered by the 30-06 impressed big game hunters, myself incuded!

They allowed me to shoot as I pleased without worrying about recoil impulse.

Now, it is the de facto hunting cartridge and the most popular of all centerfire rifle cartridges.

Its most popular bullet weights are between 150 – 180 gr. with the most popular loading being the 180-grain bullet.

Popular 30-06 Rounds

These are just some of the different bullets for the 30-06 that can be found in most major retail stores:

• .30-06 Federal Vital-Shok 165gr
• .30-06 Hornady GMX 150gr
• .30-06 Federal American Eagle FMJ 150gr
• .30-06 Nosler AccuBond 200gr
• .30-06 Federal Gold Medal 168gr

Overview of the 7mm Rem Mag

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Specifications:

• Parent case: .375 H&H Magnum
• Primer type: Large rifle magnum
• Bullet diameter: 7.2 mm
• Land diameter: 7.0 mm
• Shoulder diameter: 12.5 mm
• Base diameter: 13.0 mm
• Rim diameter: 13.5 mm
• Case length: 2.5 in
• Overall length: 3.29 in
• Case capacity: 82 gr
• Rifling twist: 1/9 to 1/10″
• Maximum pressure (C.I.P.): 62,366 psi
• Maximum pressure (SAAMI): 61,000 psi
• Maximum CUP: 52,000 CUP

History of the 7mm Remington Magnum

The 7mm Rem Mag was developed in the years after World War II, which could be considered a renaissance period for centerfire rifle cartridges. 

Winchester modified its 375 H&H Magnum cartridge for its new line of belted magnum cartridges, which included the 264, 338, and 458 Winchester Magnums.

Remington eventually caught wind of this and decided to join in on the belted magnum game with the 7mm Remington Magnum.

The 7mm Remington Magnum, a.k.a the 7mm Rem Mag, 7mm Mag, or 7mm RM, was made by necking down the 375 H&H Magnum case for 0.284” diameter bullets.