Haven't really went hunting since I was a kid borrowing my grandfather's 30-30 and looking into getting into it this upcoming fall. Looking for a rifle and calibre recommendation for a rifle that I could hunt both whitetail and moose with. I'm kind of partial to lever actions, but definitely not against a bolt action either. Most hunting would be done in Nova Scotia, with some trips to Cape Breton, NB, and Newfoundland in the future for moose. Also looking for recommendations on scopes. Not very well versed in the hunting segment of firearms. Any advice appreciated!
Deer + Moose rifle recommendation
- Thread starter seamus
- Start date
All you need is a 30-06 shooting a 180 grains Nosler partition. An alternative is Barnes TTSX in 165 or 168 grains. A 2-7x33 or a 3-9x40 Leupold (around $450 these days) would be more than enough, or a Nikon if you can still find one. Sight in to hit 3 inches high at 100 yards and you are good to go up to 260-270 yards even for a grizzly. I have a Browning BAR semi auto that shoots sub moa with those 180 grains partition at 2800 fps.
TheNatural21
CGN Regular
- Location
- Fort Nelson, BC
If you're thinking lever action I assume you don't plan on any longer distance shots. In that case, 308 would be perfect. Lots of rifles chambered for them, ammo is easy to find, performs well on game at reasonable ranges, not terribly expensive to shoot and recoil is reasonable. 30-06 would also do the trick
Most 30-06 owners would be surprised by how little difference in performance the 30-06 offers over the .308.
They are almost ballistic twins in bullet weights up to 165 gr. 100 fps difference.
for Bullets heavier than 165 30-06 has about 150 fps edge.
i live in moose country. i don't know too many guys shooting more than 180's for moose. 180grain bullet is more than enough, in my opinion. in fact the biggest moose ive seen was taken with a 7mm/08 and 140 grain bullet. 200's are unnecessary in most situations.
Gets interesting when they one up it to a 300 Win Mag 180 grn bullets topped with a 3-9 x 40 Leupold
Rob
The most boring, unimaginative, unknowing conversation ever, and mostly had over a glass of Johnnie Walker to boot.
Pass a 7mm...
R.
Unless the one gun owner says I want to reload so I can inexpensively plink and practice with my one gun hunting rifle.
Then somebody would pipe up and ask why you would feel at a disadvantage if you chose a .358 Winchester or 35 Whelen and looked at all the jacketed and cast .35 caliber pistol bullets out there that sell by the 500/1000 for a dime apiece.
Gets interesting when they one up it to a 300 Win Mag 180 grn bullets topped with a 3-9 x 40 Leupold
Rob
This is true, but usually if someone has to ask a question as the OP did, they are generally a low experience shooter who may find a 300 magnum a bit much for recoil and too expensive for practice.
From my research, 30/06 firearms have a lower chamber pressure tolerance than .308 meaning it doesn't pack as much umph. Odd given the casing size but makes sense, realizing when these cartridges were developed.
You prolly right on a couple of point SC, but I was having a bit of fun (tongue in cheek), but also enticing the OP to do a little research of his own .
A soft cushy recoil pad on the end on my A-bolt softened the kick from that hockey puck of a pad they had installed oem.
As for the concerns of meat damage a well placed shot with a heavier bullet will not damage any more meat that a soft point bullet of a lesser caliber or weight.
Rob
I shoot mostly pistols and rifles in 9mm, 5.56 and 762x39 within a 100 yards so I'm definitely not experienced whatsoever in longer range shooting in bigger calibre's, other than the C6 and .50 cal when I was in the army, but that's a different kind of shooting. I suppose a bolt action is probably better overall since I could get some longer range effectiveness out of it? I think I'd probably lean towards a .308
From what I recall, SAAMI says maximum pressure for the 30/06 is 60,000 psi, versus the .308 being 62,000. Doing the math in my head, that looks like only about a 3% increase of working pressure. The 30/06 has a case capacity about 25% greater than the .308 - again going on memory, and of course case capacity varies between manufacturers, lots, etc.
All that said; unless my memory is really out of kilter, an extra 3% of working pressure doesn't overtake an advantage of 25% of greater case capacity. But I don't think the difference will make any difference in a significant way for the majority of hunters.
