Another dad gum rifle caliber question.

[TexanSam]

So guys, if you couldn't tell, I'm a cheapskate to an extent. I drive a truck that is about the same age and has just as many problems as the girls I hang around at my college. I always try to make things last forever and avoid replacing things. Therefore when I buy something I try to get something that's versatile and built well enough for just about anything it could encounter. (this way I can afford more important things like sheep apps and road trips lol)

So here's my situation, I own a 30-30 and a ruger 223 that takes care of just about anything I come across in the lone star state, but this year I drew my first rifle elk tag for the Gila National forest. I know that I'm going to need a rifle with a little more range than the 30-30, but here's my dilemma: I have a brother that is also getting into western hunting, who, as a resident of southern Alberta, constantly ask if I want to join him on hunts either below the border in Montana, or with him on hunts that are legal for me to hunt with him. That being said, a big thing on our bucket list is a spring bear hunt, as well as someday getting to shoot a moose in some way, shape or form.

With all that being said, I want this to be the last rifle I buy, so I figured the rifle I was going to get would be a 300 win Mag no doubt, but after researching the price of ammo and the alleged recoil they have, I was wondering if something a little more user friendly could fit the bill for all that. Say maybe something such as a 308, 30-06, or a 7mm-08.

I know that these questions get out of hand and annoying, but if someone could write an article on what ones "real honest goals" are and how that comes into play with picking a caliber, that would sure help some of the confusion.

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[6mm Remington]

Lots of cartridges that would fit your needs to include the 300 Winchester. Here are just a few that I really like.

280 Remington or 280 AI. Using a 140 to 160 gr. Accubond or Partition is a great cartridge with mild recoil and good ballistics. I shot my largest 6 point bull with my 280 Remington at about 250 yards. Two shots and he was down. No longer have the .280 Remington but I shoot a 280 Ackley Improved now. I really like that one.

30-06 : Whats not to like. A good 165 gr. Accubond or Partition and this will handle anything on your list. I love my 30-06. I took an antelope buck at 500 yards with that cartridge and load. If you don't reload factory ammo can be found everywhere and every manufacturer makes a 30-06.

300 WSM: I really like the Winchester 300 short magnum. My son has one and it's a sweet cartridge. Recoil is about like my 30-06 but the ballistics crowd the 300 Winchester.

Of course there is nothing wrong with the cartridge you first mentioned. The 300 Winchster is a great all around cartridge.

 

[N2TRKYS]

I would buy a 30-06 and not look back.

 

[backcountry_hunter]

I would buy a 30-06 and not look back.

this.... I'm a huge 300wsm fan but for a one lifetime do-all rifle a good 06 will do it all. Ammo companies will continue to push it into the 300 range...

good for antelope to brown bears. I'm sure you can make the argument that certain other calibers do certain things best.... but the "ought six" does everything well.

 

[Murdy]

And if cost of ammo is a factor, you're not going to find anything in the class that is cheaper than the -06 (.308 would probably be right about there though).

 

[Huntindog45]

I love the 300 wsm. It has similar or better ballistics than the 300 WM and can handle any size game animal in north America and less recoil than the 300 WM. There are a lot of less expensive options for the rifle too.

 

[VernAK]

30-06......period!

 

[rileybassman]

I would buy a 30-06 and not look back.

This - Absolutely. Can handle all the hunting you want, all the critters you want.

 

[couesbitten]

This - Absolutely. Can handle all the hunting you want, all the critters you want.

And because it's so common, you can buy the ammo in any store, in any town.

 

[16Bore]

Hats off for being practical! Everyone who recommends the 30-06 knows that they should have never gone down the rabbit hole with all the other stuff or are already smart enough to know it covers it all.


A man with a solid '06 will get it all done.

Just a matter of finding the rig that talks to you.

 

[TexanSam]

Hats off for being practical! Everyone who recommends the 30-06 knows that they should have never gone down the rabbit hole with all the other stuff or are already smart enough to know it covers it all.


A man with a solid '06 will get it all done.

Just a matter of finding the rig that talks to you.

Well that Kimber mountain is whispering sweet nothings in my ear, but I have a feeling that she's just trying to reach for my wallet

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[backcountry_hunter]

Well that Kimber mountain is whispering sweet nothings in my ear, but I have a feeling that she's just trying to reach for my wallet

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if you're at this price point I'd look at a Barrett fieldcraft for less than a mtn ascent. I'm a longtime kimber fan but the one fieldcraft I've handled was impressive.

 

[16Bore]

If you think about all the BS you'll bypass by going straight to what you want, it's a bargain.

Trust me on that one. And don't bother with reloading, plenty of good stuff.

Rinella's doing it with an off the rack 270. Just saying man....

 

[NDGuy]

Tikka T3X Lite or Ultralite in -06. Get some Talley rings and a Vortex scope and you are set.

 

[duckhunter175]

If your criteria truly is any animal in N. America or at least the lower 48 I wouldn't shy away from the 300wm. Put a brake on the rifle if you find it to be unpleasant but it will give you a wide range of readily available quality ammo and more than enough umph.

Ammo is also a good bit cheaper than 300wsm.

Otherwise-- 30-06 for all around ammo price/availability.

 

[Shooter19802003]

30-06 or 308. Both pretty close to one another and both have a wide variety of ammo availability and won't beat you up. I personally would never put a break on a hunting rifle. Either you or your partner will go deaf. Rifles are a personal thing though. Good luck. Just buy the one you want. If you add up all the money spent going from one rifle to another and the loss taken.....cheaper to just buy the one you want first and be happy.....vs trading later at a loss to get what you should have the first time.

 

[16Bore]

Find a 308, 30-06, and 300 WM load that share the same bullet and look at the numbers. You'll see what you're really getting for the effort between the three.

 

[Shooter19802003]

Burn a lot more powder, increase in recoil to gain another 100 or so fps from one to the other.....give or take.

 

[ReddingArcher]

30-06 or 300 wm will do it all. I dont think you can go wrong with a tikka in either caliber for the money. My 300 wm is an amazing shooter and while it does have some recoil it isnt bad really. I may put a brake on it down the road but it certainly doesnt need it. Good luck with whatever you decide to get and post up some pictures!!

 

[elkguide]

In the right hands and under the right conditions, any modern day rifle cartridge will do the job.

I've never been able to hunt under those conditions and while I have a lot of rifles in a lot of different cartridges, when I am heading off on a hunt I always have either as my main rifle or my back up rifle a .300 Win Mag. A little more recoil for more down range energy. I like my .300 WSM but still fall back on the old Win Mag as my go to caliber.