Choosing caliber if you're going with one rifle only

L

lawnboy

New member
I'm going to buy a bolt action rifle. I'm going to buy only one rifle. I am not a hunter, but am mildly interested in hunting and if the opportunity to hunt arises would jump at it (I'm 43 years old and have never hunted so basically someone is going to have to say to me "hey, I'm going hunting for xxxx. Wanna come?). Commonly hunted game in my area would include Whitetail/mule deer, elk, coyote, black bear. I'm mostly buying the rifle just to have one. It'll get shot, and maybe actually in the field.

I am not new to firearms. I own and regularly shoot several (mostly pistols and .22). I've owned everything from AK to Remington 700 in tactical trim at some point (I no longer have most of these. Sold for cash years ago). I was taught to shoot initially by US military and have been at it off and on since.

I'm looking at and trying to get opportunity to fire bolt action rifles from TC, Ruger, Remington, Winchester and Savage.

But my real question is caliber. If you were forced to go with just one rifle in just one caliber for use against game from coyote to elk which caliber would you choose? My research has led me to narrow the list to 3 so far
  • .308 Win
  • 7mm-08
  • 30-06

These are commonly available, reasonably priced with a wide variety of loads available commercially (I do not and probably will not ever reload), and all the rifles I'm considering can be had in all 3 calibers.

If you had to pick one of the 3 and only one of these 3 which would it be? Why?
 
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funny you should say that. I actually have an old, un-fireable Sears/Ted Williams .270. It belonged to my grandfather and I rescued it from the corner of an aunt's garage a few years ago where it had been since my grandfather died in the mid 1980's. I say it is un-fireable because it was rusty as heck when I found it. I could barely get a cleaning rod down the bore. But I keep it for sentimental reasons. And decoration.
 
Technically what you are wondering about are chamberings for the rifles; which cartridge to use.

Arguments can be made for any of them. All three listed will do the job. There are resources to view the different "specs/aspects" of the factory cartridge; search online.

Also consider if you are looking for serious paper punching (tight groups/benchrest - these rifles can weigh considerably more than say a sheep hunting rifle) or a "climb every mountain/The Von Trapps headed over the Alps" type rifle.

Depending on where you might be hunting, flat fields that seemingly go on forever or dense brush, you might consider practical shooting distances as a variable; both for cartridge and rifle.

Personally, tend to be concerned with application of the rifle before I start splitting hairs over the cartridge. Perhaps you could give us a bit more info.

And I am sure that others will chime in about your options.

Regardless, getting a new rifle is always a good thing!
 
I'd go with the 30-06, since you have Elk and Bear on your list of possible hunting interests. That'd give you all the same bullet options that the 308 has, but more grunt behind the bullet.
 
Technically what you are wondering about are chamberings for the rifles; which cartridge to use.

Arguments can be made for any of them. All three listed will do the job. There are resources to view the different "specs/aspects" of the factory cartridge; search online.
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Yes, that is exactly what I'm looking at. I've researched all 3 online. They all seem to be relatively flat shooting with the 7mm-08 the flattest. Ammo for .308 would be least costly. 30-06 generally speaking would have the most recoil-7mm-08 the least. All are classed as suitable for the common game in my area. I'm looking for opinion on which is the best generalist cartridge and why.

Also consider if you are looking for serious paper punching (tight groups/benchrest - these rifles can weigh considerably more than say a sheep hunting rifle) or a "climb every mountain/The Von Trapps headed over the Alps" type rifle.
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The great majority of my shooting will be at paper, but I'd like the rifle to be capable of work in the field. So I'm definitely looking at hunting trim, not target or tactical. My general addiction to personal comfort probably precludes the hardship involved in sheep hunting. One of the rifles I've tried that I like a lot is the TC Venture. I fired it in .308. The rifle I buy will be off the shelf and relatively inexpensive. Made by a well known manufacturer. I mention the Venture strictly because it is representative of the class of rifle I'm looking at. My research shows me that in this class of rifles using factory loads there is not much to pick between the accurracy of these 3 rounds, which is why I've narrowed it to them.

Depending on where you might be hunting, flat fields that seemingly go on forever or dense brush, you might consider practical shooting distances as a variable; both for cartridge and rifle.

Personally, tend to be concerned with application of the rifle before I start splitting hairs over the cartridge. Perhaps you could give us a bit more info.
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I live in WA. West half of state is heavily forested. East half is anything from heavy forest to open forest to near desert. Mountainous to flat as a pancake. Which is why I'm looking at generalist cartridges. This rifle could be used for Whitetail in heavy forest, mule deer or elk in open forested foothills or coyotes out to 400yds.

Regardless, getting a new rifle is always a good thing!
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Nothing puts the bounce in my step like a new gun! Hell, I even get excited over a new gun case! Or holster:)
 
if I could only have one bolt action it would be a .30-06 for sure. after that either a .270 or .308. savage is my brand of choice because the represent a good value but they're all good brands.
 
Either caliber would do the job. Of the three, I'd be hard-pressed to make the choice.

The great majority of my shooting will be at paper, but I'd like the rifle to be capable of work in the field. So I'm definitely looking at hunting trim, not target or tactical.
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If you're looking for a hunting rifle, get something in the 7-8 lb range. The longer you carry it, the heavier it will get, but you need some weight to soak up recoil. With the addition of a scope, you'll be in the 8-9 pound range which is a good weight for a hunting rifle.

The brand is up to you. They all make fine hunting rifles. I've owned all the brands you list and have been happy with them all. I'm primarily a Savage guy now, but my favorite rifle is a Remington 700, and one of these days I'll find a clean used Winchester Model 70 at the right price, and it will follow me home.

Good luck on your quest, and good luck only buying one rifle. They're addictive.
 
If you didn't have Elk on the list I'd say .260, 6.5 swede or .243 with the last one topping the list just because off ammo and component availability. But since you included Elk you're looking at .260, 6.5 swede or 7mm-08. Anything larger/more powerful isn't needed and would be a hindrance for hunting rodents and predators.

LK
 
30-06

No brainer for me. I would choose 30-06. Just as powerful and accurate as a .308. The cartridge allows for using the same match grade bullets and more powder than the .308. The large size allows for more freedom in bullet length and seating.

If I had to have only one rifle, it would have to be a .22LR. I'd love to find a good Winchester 52 or scope my Remington 511. Ammo is cheap, easy to practice with, and it will take enough types of game to keep me fed.
 
For a one-rifle situation there are several good choices and you named three of them. However, if you want to be equipped to hunt just about anything in North America, the .30-06 is the obvious choice. It will offer the widest selection and availability of ammo.

In rifles there are lots of good choices. I'm partial to Remington 700 and the Browning BLR.
 
I love the 30-06; I have a couple. But this topic comes up a lot, and my answer is always the same. 1 rifle; 1 caliber; for hunting any animal in the entire united states:

7mm Remington Magnum.

A lot of people tend to only see hunting as the "Big 3". Deer, Elk, and Moose. Well, where I live, there's 300+ yard antelope, goat, sheep, etc... I'll take the 7mm Remington Magnum over the 30-06 for these any day of the week.

Some say the 30-06 has the wider range of bullet weights. Well guess what? You don't need that many different bullet weights. 7mm mag have more than enough weight ranges. But in reality, you don't need more than the 140 grains for the light stuff; 160's for the medium stuff; and the 170+ for the heavier stuff. And just like a 30-06, 7mm mag ammo can be found everywhere. Even Kmart and Walmart. Retail wise, it's just as available as 30-06.

Nothing wrong with the 30-06. But once I start pushing the 300 yard mark, I want my 7mm magnum. I can take moose and bear with it, and I can plink prairie dogs. I can take the short deer or elk shot; or the long range antelope or big horn sheep. The only thing the 30-06 has over the 7mm magnum, is that it's an older caliber and has a military reputation. But in a bolt action for practical use, the 30-06 doesn't edge out the 7mm mag in any way at all.

If we were comparing the 30-06 to difficult calibers to purchase; I'd give the 30-06 the nod. But in today's world, the 7mm magnum is just as available as the 30-06. There is no place; even the little country store like we have a lot of in Wyoming, that doesn't have 7mm magnum ammo. Throw the emotions away as far as what you grew up on, or your grandpa, or the military, etc... The 7mm mag can be used on ANYTHING in all of north america, and the range is better than the 30-06.

Now; there are some people that aren't the best marksman, so they rely on the 200+ grain bullet to take down their animal. If this is you, then get the 30-06 and go for it. If you can actually hit what you aim at, then the 7mm magnum will allow you those other opportunities. I have more rifles and calibers than I can count. If I had to get rid of all hunting rifles except one, I'd keep my 7mm mag. I'd get rid of my 308, 30-06, 300 win, 270, 243, and 30-378.
 
I would second the 6.5 Swede but the 30-06 is probably more appropriate for the game mentioned. Not to mention since you won't be reloading, ammo is going to be a whole lot easier to find for a 30-06 than for the 6.5x55. 7mm Rem Mag would be a good choice also, I have a friend that uses one for Whitetails (a bit overkill in my opinion but it works for him) and it seems like a pretty decent cartridge for any big game.

Stu
 
O6 will do the job, as will a 7x57. If using 'one gun' you will need to reload and spend a lot of time at the range.

I suggest you go out and buy two rifles that are identical. I have for example a Rem Model 7 in 222 and another in 350 rem mag. They 'feel' identical and it assists me moving from one to another.
 
There is no one do all rifle, you are going to have to make compromises.

This rifle could be used for Whitetail in heavy forest, mule deer or elk in open forested foothills or coyotes out to 400yds.
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Plan A - Two Savage Axis http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/models/ rifles one in .243 and one in 30-06. About the same cost as one TC or Remington. You could use the 30-06 for small critters but there won't be enough of them to eat or stuff. Good for long range and large animals with the right bullets. .243 great caliber for bullets from 65 grains to 107 grain, will do excellent out to 600 yards and better. I use the Hornady 105 A-max only in mine (not a hunting round, you want a HP or SP for hunting) will take anything from prairie dogs to small deer without a doubt. For larger animals the 30-06 will do the job with heavier bullets 150 grain to 180 grain.

Plan B - Get a Savage 270 Winchester with AccurTrigger. Best gun out there.


Jim
 
I've been messing with centerfires for just over sixty years, now. My legs told me to go with a Rem 700 Ti, which in 7mm08 weighs 6.5 pounds, scope and all.

For a tad over 30 years, I toted a Weatherby Mark V in .30-'06; 26" barrel. It was a noticeable weight on my shoulder after a dozen or so miles in a day's walking hunt. But, hey, up until ten years ago I felt all healthy! :)

One thing about taking up handloading: A thirty caliber then becomes useful for anything from squirrels on up. And paper-punching is a bunch cheaper, per shot. It doesn't take a lot of target shooting to pay for the gear, and it lasts forever. And you can work up loads with lead gas-checks, which makes it even cheaper.

For rifles with 22" barrels, the .308 equals the '06 in performance. Only when you get up to the 180-grain bullets or heavier will that barrel length let the '06 pull ahead. The extra four inches on my '06 made a 300 ft/sec difference all the way up the line--but most of my hunting is in wide-open country.

Just some points to ponder...
 
From your list I would have to pick the 06' for the larger and heavier bullets for the larger game.I actually have all 3 cartridges plus a few more,my favorite cartridge is the 7mm rem mag which is not on your list.If the rifle was going to spend more time on the range I would look at the 308 or even the less recoiling 7mm-08,all three you have on your list will get the job done hunting or target shooting
 
I've been having a similar reflection as of late, thinking what kind of deer rifle I want. I live in a shotgun zone, so I've never needed a rifle until I got an invite to a different zone's deer camp. Anyways, alot of this is valuable information on this thread. I had narrowed my choices down to three, just like you with the .308 and .30-06. My other choice was a .25-06. I ruled out the quarter bore as I want to go west some day and want a little more leeway with a .30. I like the idea of a shorter action and the .308, but I have decided to go the route of a .30-06. I have a Stevens 200 in .223 and am going to have a matching rifle in .30-06. I am familiar and comfortable shooting this rifle, so all I have to get used to is a longer action. That is my thoughts on my choice, hope it gave some insight to your decision. Good luck!
 
I hunt in Washington and my first choice is the 30-06 for most of my hunting. It does the job well and won't blow giant holes in game animals that destroy meat like the 7mm mag with less recoil/pain. Where you put the bullet matters more than anything so practice alot. If you feel you need more pep then use Hornady Superformance ammo. Every weight bullet is loaded to velocities that are close to 300 mag performance. Basically with the right loads you will never feel under or over gunned with the 30-06. Plus many of the scopes with ballistic drop compensator reticles are calibrated to match the 30-06 150 grain load. It makes hitting the target at 400 yards much easier.:)
 
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