which is a better rifle?

[Protocol]

I have an opportunity to purchase either a 110 in 7mm-08 or a 111 in 30-06. My question is which firearm is considered the better components, newer or just anyones overall opinion from experience with these rifles. Both firearms are the same price $399 which includes scope and bipod. Both firearms are used and in great shape.

[wbm]

30-06 is better for availability of ammunition and capability of shooting heavy bullets.

One other consideration might be that in the 30-06 you have a long action. If you decide to change barrels in the future, the long action gives a broader range of calibers to go with.

[yobuck]

You can buy hammers in lots of different weights for hammering nails.
If you hit the wrong nail, the lighter one will hurt less than the heavier ones, sorta like recoil.
The 7/08 will be friendlier to shoot but wont drive big nails like an 06 or a heavier hammer.
For that price you should buy both if you can swing them.

[Protocol]

The 30-06 is long action

[Protocol]

I hear what your saying. I am not that familiar with the 7mm-08 and ammo availability and cost is always a consideration these days.

[olddav]

Unless you have a physical limitation (injury) or you are recoil sensitive buy the 30-06. Ammo is everywhere with varying bullet weights and price ranges.

[yobuck]

I hear what your saying. I am not that familiar with the 7mm-08 and ammo availability and cost is always a consideration these days.

The 7/08 is a 308 case with a 7mm bullet. Same as a 280 is an 06 case with a 7mm bullet.
If your simply going to use the gun to hunt deer sized animals or varmits id personally opt for the 7/08.
If on the other hand you might want to play around using the action for a gun build, the 06 long action might be a better choice.
The 7/08 would also be a better choice to pass along to a young person as a starter gun.

[jonbearman]

According to the original post they are both long actions. If you handload then the 7-08 is much easier to shoot , recoil wise. They are very accurate unless it is a wore out barrel. The 30-06 will kill anything on our continent so it is the better choice for hunting animals that can hunt you.

[flyingfrog509]

7-08 typically shoots 120 or 140 grain bullets with a recoil of about 12.1-12.6 pounds out of an 8 pound gun with a max point blank range of about 287 or 285 yards
30-06 typically shoots 150-180 grain bullets with a recoil of about 17.5-20 pounds out of an 8 pound gun with a max point blank range of about 287 to 269 yards.

Max point blank range = bullet never goes more than 3" above the bore and where it hits 3" below the bore. (read: put the cross hairs on the deer sized animal and shoot)

If your going for any larger animals like Elk or Moose the 30-06 is going to serve you better typically. However if your recoil shy at all the 30-06 will have you flinching
in no time. 7-08 ammo is going to cost more and will be harder to find at wal-mart or the such. Check for availability in your area. Personally if I could get ammo I'd
lean towards the 7-08 since I mostly only deer hunt and the milder recoil allows for taking shots from unusual positions better (like left handed or twisted 1/2 around)

Try to find someone to let you shoot the two different calibers if you can, that will help you decide. Good luck.

[Protocol]

Thanks everyone for the great input, it appears I will be adding the 30-06 to my savage collection.

[flylo]

I like the 7mm-08 & own both. Look at the long range ballistics it adds about 400yds before going subsonic compared to 308. Btw it's the same action as the 308 but the BC of a 7mm is much better than 30 caliber. Plenty of ammo available now & in the future as many more fans than ever before.

[Robinhood]

If they truly are both long actions I would be in for the 708. 30-06 barrels are cheap to add to the collection. Very few dear canavoid the death by 7mm if it is loaded correctly. Seen them DRT at 200. I've seen lots of meat lost by a 180 gr 30-06. I have seen American Whitetail Hornady for 20 bucks on sale recently. Buy as much as you can, it is good stuff.