Best all around hunting rifle?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Although I completely understand the original statement, I respectfully disagree. If we are talking about 'hunting' elk and not 'shooting' elk from a great distance, the 308 and 30-06 are equally effective. The 30-06 has a very slight edge with 180 grain bullets...but not enough to notice. If you are too far for a 308, then you are too far for a 30-06 as well.

We don't need all the calibers/cartridges that we have. We only have them for one reason...companies need to make a profit. If people really knew they could hunt everything in the world with a 30-30, 30-06 and a 45/70, we would not sell as many guns.

Take your pick...it doesn't matter to me. But when people start saying that a 308 is marginal for moose or elk, that is when I must speak up and say 'balderdash'.
 
PIGMAN said:
The .308 is a really bad choice for moose and really not very good for elk either.
Click to expand...

You should ask some people who hunt Elk about that... .243 is not uncommon among women and young people, especially those with an aversion to recoil.

.308 is plenty enough for Elk, PLENTY. It's not even close to being marginal.

Even on moose, as long as you're not taking "racking" shots, a good "normal" broadside shot at a reasonable distance, it's still plenty enough gun.
 
One more for the 7 mag

To echo a previous post, if I had to choose I would take my 7mm magnum over my 30.06. There is nothing wrong with a properly equipped 30.06 but for me the 7mm's long range capability wins me over. Larger game animals aren't always in your lap when your hunting. Just my .02.
 
.308 is limited to bullet size where as a 30-06 has a much greater range, therefore a lot more versatility.

This wasn't an argument about why one round shouldn't be used for X game, but rather if the original poster had a choice what rifle should he go with that is inherently capable, by different state laws, and such to hunt any game in North America.

The answer, 30-06 with its wide range of bullet weights and versatility.
 
HunterGuy said:
.308 is limited to bullet size where as a 30-06 has a much greater range, therefore a lot more versatility.

This wasn't an argument about why one round shouldn't be used for X game, but rather if the original poster had a choice what rifle should he go with that is inherently capable, by different state laws, and such to hunt any game in North America.

The answer, 30-06 with its wide range of bullet weights and versatility.
Click to expand...


Interesting.

So, a .30-06 can fire a 110gr Hornady RN at 3,513fps from a 24" barrel, the .308 can do 3,434fps, 3,014ft/lbs and 2,880, respectively.

.30-06, 150gr Hornady RN, 3,102fps, .308 same bullet, 3,029fps, 3,204ft/lbs and 3,055 ft/lbs.

.30-06, 200gr Sierra Matchking, 2,673fps, .308, 2,576fps, 3,173ft/lbs, 2,947ft/lbs

So, the .308 is 95.5%, 95.34% and 92.8% as powerful as a .30-06 firing the exact same bullet but one of them is "marginal" and less versatile than the other?
 
30-06 can go heavier than 200 grains so your leaving out a good deal of its versatility compared to a .308.

I'm done debating over it, especially when you are only telling half truths.
 
Half truths?

Please.

Virtually every mention of the .30-06 in this thread that mentions bullet weight specifically suggests a 180gr bullet.


Anyway, 250gr bullet, .308, 2,293fps, 2,919ft/lbs.

.30-06, same bullet, 2,482fps, 3,420ft/lbs.

So, the .308 would be a measly 85% of the .30-06 with a bullet 50-80gr bigger than virtually anyone would use in either gun.

Sometimes I'm amazed at the discussions we can't have without calling people liars.:rolleyes:
 
I'd get a tried and true Rem 700 customized with surgeon barrel, etc etc in .270 Win with a Bell and Carlson stock topped with 4.5-14x44 Zeiss Conquest Optics. Can take elk and moose with it. Bears too as long as you shoot it a couple times.

If its the only rifle I'll ever be able to own then I am spending all the money I got because if that's the case there is something very wrong. Money has little meaning to me at that point in the game.
 
A lot of people seem to like the 30-06. I happen to think it's a great cartridge. I have 3 rifles that shoot it. One is my M1 Garand. But I also noticed that many who seem to like the 30-06, aren't looking at the "Reality" of a scenario that you could ONLY HAVE ONE. You're probably looking at it from WHERE YOU LIVE.

I like the 30-06, but it is NOT going to take a Ram Sheep or mountain goat at 400 or more yards. And unless you're reloading your own, it's probably going to be too much for very small animals. Again; you might not think you'll ever go after a mountain goat, sheep, or anything at 400+ yards. That's fine. But that wasn't the OP's question. When I think "ALL ROUNDS HUNTING", I have to think any possible hunt. At least in North America. When you get outside of the 7mm magnum or possibly 300 win magnum, you are either TOO MUCH GUN for some things or TOO LITTLE GUN for other things. The 30-06 is not good for those really long shots. Just me trying to answer the OP's question.
 
Well thats alot of ground to cover & alot of lbs.but I sure do like REM 7600 IN 270win. Might not be the best way up north but it will raise sand in the south:D
 
Something chambered for .358 Winchester. It is one of the most unpopular but best cartridges ever made. Read up on it when you get the chance.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/358Win_mystery.htm

http://www.gunandgame.com/forums/powder-keg/89440-358-winchester-true-hunters-cartridge.html

http://www.gunsandammo.com/content/the-great-358

I believe that the only rifle currently commercially produced for this cartridge is the Browning BLR. (Note one of the above articles lists a Ruger M77 Hawkeye but a check of Ruger's site does not indicate it is available in the 358 Win.) As for the Browning BLR, it is great rifle. The BLR, in a great cartridge ike the 358 Win, some nice glass of your choosing and a hunting you could go ready for any North American big-game species.

All the best,
Glenn B
 
Last edited:
best gun?

For what game you describe, I would take my trusty Blaser R-93 in 7mm mag.
Awesome caliber for these animals. Very accurate too.
 
For the rifle it would either be Weatherby Vanguard or T/C Venture (both with 24" barrel. The caliber would be either 30-06 or 270 Win. The 06 would be loaded with 150 gr bullets for the smaller stuff and 180 gr for the elk/moose size stuff and the 270 would be shooting 130 gr for smaller and 140 gr for the larger. Both would be loaded with premium bonded bullets for the larger game.
 
Well this is a road that's fun to go down every year or month whatever comes first. Like most of us I'm always looking for this answer. You cannot second guess the 06 as the one... until you toss around these ideas and try the rifles

Marlin 1895 45/70 big enough for anything especially in the pucker brush and alder/willow tangles where you might need to swing a barrel in AK. By the way its short light, handy and quick to shoot. Limitation is long range shots.

Go to gun is a mauser style bolt 30-06.. If it doesn't do it probably doesn't need to get done. Except in AK where it's only a starting point.

3.08?? I've got the most expensive rifle I've ever bought on order in this caliber and I think its like an 06, if it doesn't do it it probably doesn't need to be done. In particular I would never load a 220 in 06 and I doubt i'd ever load a 200. Rarely would you try those weights in a .308 because it doesn't need to get done. Once you work 168 and down the 06 isn't much difference unless you lengthen the tube.

Now for the answer: .338 Win Mag. Still works good in a short tube and you can go from 180 to 250 on bullets. This is a flat shooting, hard hitting, long range, short range anything in North America rifle and every one knows it. The rifle must be a controlled round feed with a field strippable bolt. Win pre 64 is the type. I've got mine, a rare SS left handed Win 70 classic.

Of course i've got the others too but what I'm missing is those twenty somethings. Maybe they're the answer? More research is required I'll get back to you in a couple of months
 
Last edited:
I like the 30-06, but it is NOT going to take a Ram Sheep or mountain goat at 400 or more yards.
Click to expand...

Facts:

150 grain 30/06 at 3,000 fps with 200 yard sight in and BC of 415 (Hornady Innerbond) will be -20.13" at 400 yards and still be going 2,143fps.

154 grain 7mm Mag at 3,000 fps with 200 yard sight in and BC of 530 (Hornady Innerbond) will be -18.71" at 400 yards and still going 2,294.

Figures are similar for different bullet weights.

What sheep is going to know the difference in 2" of drop and 151 fps.

These figures are from the newest Hornady and Barnes loading manuals.

Bill
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top