.303 or .308?

308 would be easier to stockpile ammo for and such however there is little wrong with the 303. it is a great round that is great out to and exceeding 300 yards. 308 is just flatter shooting and has a lot more rifles chambered in it.
 
Selling the SMLE Sporter isn't an option...that's always going to be Papaw's gun. I'm just deciding whether my money is better spent on a new gun or more ammo & components for the one I have now. I already have a bolt-action .22lr (Romanian understudy for the SMLE) and plan to get a 10-22 eventually.

Nothing against the AR rifles, but I never cared for them. If I'm going to carry a rifle, I tend to prefer bolt- & lever-action rifles. Just old-fashioned, I guess....
 
The .303 is a good round and since it is your grandfather's gun, it should stay in your collection. Reloading for it is best option for ammo.

However, it would be unwise to not have a "popular" caliber rifle for scenarios of a survival nature. A bolt action is fine for hunting but IMHO refusing to use an auto-loading rifle for a defensive scenario is not a great idea.

In the past 100 years of combat, volume has beaten accuracy in almost every case. Reflect on every major conflict and pick which rifle you would want to be issued. The majority of times, it will me the rifle with the higher
ROF. The only exceptions to the rule would be if one had a more powerful round or better reliability than the one with a higher ROF.

My picks (and most other people):
WWI: Enfield rifle
WWII: Garand
Korea:Garand
Vietnam: M-14 (or the AK-47)

Most US wars beyond that rely less on small arms squad on squad conflict but even still...

Desert Storm: M-16A2 or AKM
Afganistan War: M-4 Carbine or AKM
Iraq War: M-4 Carbine or AKM

Basically, a bolt action rifle would not be the first choice of any general infantryman since WWI.
 
In regards to which caliber, it depends on your geographic theatre.

5.56NATO is available everywhere in the lower 48 states.
.30-06 is popular in rural areas and still affordable.
.308 can be found in most places but is expensive.
7.62x39R is the most widely used cartridge globally.
 
EdInk: I appreciate the input....but I don't plan to engage any military forces anytime soon. And most criminals and game animals respond quite adequately to a single hit from a .303Brit or .308Win.

I'm looking at ammo availability right now. If I get into a combat situation, my plans will change a bit....
 
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