What 2 hunting rifles if that was all you could?

darryl,

I also wouldn't put a break on your pop's 06, a really nice recoil pad installed by a good gunsmith would be my choice. After that some lower recoil ammo, factory or hand loaded should give you what you want. Sorry about your dad, you will be proud of his 30-06 every time you use it, I cherish everyone of my dad's guns he left me.
 
45/70 and 6.5 grendle... man I never thought those would be my main choices. thankfully I live in america and I get the painful task of having to pick between 22lr, 9mm, 223, 243, 6.5 grendel, 6.5 japanese, 6.5 swede, 7.62x39, 303 brit, 7.7 japanese, 30-06, 300 weatherby mag, 8x56R, and 12 gauge.... it was easier when all I had was 22LR and 243, but much less effective for big game and not nearly as fun to play around with.
 
A lot of well meaning advice here, even if somewhat misguided at times. It seems to me, that all the realistic possibilities revolve around keeping your Dad's 30-'06, primarily, and eliminating redundancy, making substitutions with consideration of your shoulder. I stand by the advice I previously gave as being free of personal bias: Being more of a Winchester guy, I just recommended a Remington 700, a rifle I respect, but might never own. The point being to match your Father's rifle exactly, except for caliber and recoil. Then, if you find yourself in a hunt that jusifies the power of the 30-06, it will feel the same as your 243 that you usually use and practice with. I prefer a 270 over 30-'06, but only slightly, with all else being equal. In your case, the preference is your Dad's rifle. Since all other options revolve around that rifle as the only constant, eliminate the in-between calibers and go with a 243 Winchester, or, as I said before, a 6mm Remington, which should only be preferred if you are a reloader.
Next thing you know, somebody's likely to say, "You need to get a 45-70!".
Forget the 7mm08; any load here that comes close to a 270 Winchester will also recoil like a 270. It cannot be otherwise.
The 260 could be a good compromise, but you already have the 30-'06. Eliminate the compromise.
Remember,your gonna be a two-rifle-guy; not a one-rifle-guy.
 
Told you so.........

Just in the time it took me to compose my previous post, there have been several over-zealous posts, including a recommendation on the 45-70!
 
Pick 2

I've got 38 cf rifles. Biggest 375H&H and 45/70 down to 22 Hornet and 25/20.
If I had to keep 2 to use it would be Win 70. 30/06 and Custom 98 Mauser in
243 Win. If it was not for practical use I would keep a couple of my old Win.
lever actions.
30/06 will handle anything in North America with proper bullet. 243 will do the
job on white tail and varmints.
Don't put break on your Rem 700, these older models already have following
because of new "crapp" Rem. is putting out. Shoot lighter bullet not lighter
load.
 
First, I am sorry for your loss.

After reading you post and the responses, either I have misunderstood the question or several other people have. As I understand, you will be replacing your .270 XL7 with your father's Rem 700 in 30-06 for understandable reasons. Your decision to replace the .270 is based on the lack of difference in the .270 and 30-06 AND the fact that you want a (2nd) centerfield cartridge capably of taking deer with a lower recoil so you can shoot more without as much cumulative effect on your shoulder in an afternoon at the range. You have asked if the .243 would be a good second caliber.

If I understood correctly, I would say that the .243 would be an excellent pairing with the 30-06. I have a Savage that I love for its accuracy and low recoil and as many here will attest the .243 is an excellent cartridge for white tail deer.
 
First, I am sorry for your loss.

After reading you post and the responses, either I have misunderstood the question or several other people have. As I understand, you will be replacing your .270 XL7 with your father's Rem 700 in 30-06 for understandable reasons. Your decision to replace the .270 is based on the lack of difference in the .270 and 30-06 AND the fact that you want a (2nd) centerfield cartridge capably of taking deer with a lower recoil so you can shoot more without as much cumulative effect on your shoulder in an afternoon at the range. You have asked if the .243 would be a good second caliber.

If I understood correctly, I would say that the .243 would be an excellent pairing with the 30-06. I have a Savage that I love for its accuracy and low recoil and as many here will attest the .243 is an excellent cartridge for white tail deer.
Click to expand...

Thanks. You hit the nail on the head. Where in NC? I am in Wilmington.
 
Based entirely in paper performance, I'd say probably .22lr and 7mm Mauser. It may not be the best, but I've always wanted a Mauser cartridge, and it has a very impressive history as a hunting round in a wide variety of ranges. Could be loaded up or down.
 
You've been given great advise about getting a new, softer recoil pad for the Rem 700, .30-06. If you've never shot a 700, you may notice that the recoil is well-managed by stock design. However, shooting any larger cartridge rifles from the bench begs getting a PAST recoil pad that can be worn inside a jacket while sighting-in, shooting from a bench. Get the magnum model. You won't believe the difference.

Shooting in the field, especially offhand, recoil is buffered by the body, as it pushes your upper body, instead of punching it as it's more or less anchored at the bench. (For that reason, it's also not a good idea to shoot a high-powered rifle when sitting against a tree.)

I've re-discovered the .243 Win, mainly because we have grandchildren that are now hunting. However, the cartridge, shooting modern bullets, is a much stronger round than originally thought. Today's great bullets make it a really good deer cartridge for deer out to 300 yards and up to nearly 200 lbs., but shot placement is paramount.

I also believe you should get the rifle in Rem 700, similar to your dads.
 
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