what caliber would have recoil/power to a .303

So, this thread again....

I use a BRNO ZG-47 in 30-06. I was never really that horny about the caliber but the rifle itself is a work of art. If you can stumble across something like i did, get it. If not, I would suggest a new Winchester/Ruger/Tikka/Sako in .308. It all depends on how much cash you are willing to spend. Got 2k? Get the Sako. Got 1k? Then you're more of a Ruger kind of guy. I've owned a few 308's and would never hesitate taking one out to kill anything in N.A. Whatever you do, Get good optics. Good luck.
 
...okay so what do you call a cartridge that offers only disadvantages compared to its nearest competitors? Just look at the numbers. The cartridge loses to the 270 in everything including recoil. It loses to the 30'06 in everything except recoil. It loses...it's a losing cartridge.

The title of this thread is 'what caliber would have recoil/power to a .303'

That's not actually a question. I don't know if he means EQUAL to a 303 - if he does then the answer is NONE.

If he means equal or less recoil and the same or more power then the best answer is actually 270. It offers less recoil and more speed, energy to the target, and less drop than the 308.
 
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Such a lucky man with a wife consenting to buy a new rifle.
This wife should be on the verge of taking up shooting.
With that in mind do your own research as it will all come down to what you are comfortable with. You will find mentors within the firearms community. There are also other that will manipulate you until they have unloaded some piece of junk.
My first hunting rifle was a .30-06 and it is still a "go to" rifle. I have used and owned many .308's. Both have plus/minus values. Go into any ammunition sales facility and see what they carry in both calibres. As to the .300 Savage - it may not be stocked.
That being said, my signature will be left open and you can make your own decision because I certainly can't make up my own. One gun leads to another and there are few in the shooting community that are truly "one gun owners".
 
Idcurrie said:
308 loses to the 270 while providing heavier recoil and it also loses to the 30'06 while only providing 1lb less recoil. It's a loser cartridge.
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Laugh2

Lol, where are you getting your kool aid, because I want some. Realistically, all three cartridges are appropriate for all North American big game under the same conditions. Any advantage the 30-06 and .270 have in muzzle energy and velocity are marginal at best, come at the expense of a heavier long action rifle compared to a slightly lighter short action rifle (up to 1/2lb, depending on the rifle), and won't make any difference in your ability to take big game. Each cartridge has it's own slight advantage.

.270 - Less recoil than .308, best long range ballistics, but smaller wound channel
.308 - Lighter more handy rifle, slightly less recoil and slightly inferior ballistics to 30-06
30-06 - Heavier recoil and rifle, slightly harder hitting than .308

But really, as I said earlier, all of these cartridges are in the same class in terms of being able to take big game. Saying that .308 is a "loser" cartridge is just stupid. The ballistic advantage for the 30-06 over .308 is marginal, and at the expense of more recoil and a heavier rifle.
 
Why does every thread on here turn into a side debate that has nothing to do with why the thread was started, this guy wants a rifle that closely compares to his .303, he doesnt want to watch a bunch of grown adults argue like per-schoolers over something stupid like 200fps, or a 1/2lb heavier rifle. . . sometimes it seams pointless for people to even ask questions on here. . . . as for the question that was asked, i would check out the new ruger in .303 or even look for a parker hale .303 since your use to shooting the .303 and know what it can do, those are both good options. . . unless a new caliber is a must. . .
 
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horseman2 said:
Such a lucky man with a wife consenting to buy a new rifle.
This wife should be on the verge of taking up shooting.
With that in mind do your own research as it will all come down to what you are comfortable with. You will find mentors within the firearms community. There are also other that will manipulate you until they have unloaded some piece of junk.
My first hunting rifle was a .30-06 and it is still a "go to" rifle. I have used and owned many .308's. Both have plus/minus values. Go into any ammunition sales facility and see what they carry in both calibres. As to the .300 Savage - it may not be stocked.
That being said, my signature will be left open and you can make your own decision because I certainly can't make up my own. One gun leads to another and there are few in the shooting community that are truly "one gun owners".
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She definitely isn't on the verge. So far I've bought a browning xbolt medallion edition 270WSM and this browning semi 22....i have no idea what it is, but roughly $700 lol and I didn't buy'em for me. Next year she wants a maxus chrismas.
 
.308 Winchester is a great stand-in for the .303, a bit more downrange pop, easy on the shoulder and wallet. You can argue all day about coefficients and sectional densities but bottom line is it'll do just fine in just about any situation.

That said, I still prefer .30-06 because it's just better.
 
As the waters of this thread have already been muddied.... I'm sick of hearing 'get good glass' ya maybe if you can't shoot or spend your life in the office. I was born and raised in the bush, and now work and carry a rifle in the bush. After ten years of packing 'scoped' rifles I am a happy iron sight convert and will carry one any day over a scope and sadly can match my scopes for MOA accuracy to 300yds. But who cares about MOA accuracy-unless you're a shooter and not a hunter. (Sorry guys and girls) Just my 2 cents.
 
lledwod said:
As the waters of this thread have already been muddied.... I'm sick of hearing 'get good glass' ya maybe if you can't shoot or spend your life in the office. I was born and raised in the bush, and now work and carry a rifle in the bush. After ten years of packing 'scoped' rifles I am a happy iron sight convert and will carry one any day over a scope and sadly can match my scopes for MOA accuracy to 300yds. But who cares about MOA accuracy-unless you're a shooter and not a hunter. (Sorry guys and girls) Just my 2 cents.
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Try those iron sights at 300yds in the 1st 5min and last 5min of legal shooting time and see how they compare to a good quality scope!

That being said there are definite advantages to irons. Biggest being the firearm is much nicer to carry.

Anyways, back to the original post.
 
TDC said:
30-06 offers no advantage over .308 with nothing but increased recoil and costs. 7x57 isn't nearly as popular as .308.

TDC
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You forgot rifle weight, bolt length, and mag capacity.

EDIT: If you dislike a scope on your hunting rifle, I suggest you get tritium on the irons. It's very hard to see the sights in low light. Remember the bush is darker in the evening and sometimes you can see the deer but the irons are just downright impossible to line up.
 
Just to add my $0.02 on common caliber choices.

.308
7.62x54R
30-06
270
280
8x57

If you like milisurp stuff get a mosin in 7.62x54 or a mauser in 8x57.

If you want to hunt larger things like bison get the 30-06 as it's a bit more powerful(at least here it's the legal requirement for bison).

If you want he best all around cartridge for everything up to moose get the 270. Some would argue 280 but ammo is more common for the 270.

Ammunition availability for 30-06, 308, and 270 are pretty similar.

For open sights and not expensive you're going to pretty much have to get a milisurp. Best choice would be a Husky 1600 from tradex in 30-06. Cheap choice is a mosin in 7.62. Could also get a mauser in 8x57. I personally don't buy anything without opensights and I'll tell you right now it's bloody hard. If you want to go single shot most come with open sights.

A final option is a mauser in 6.5x55. Slightly less powerful but a great cartridge for most/all thin skinned game.
 
lledwod said:
After ten years of packing 'scoped' rifles I am a happy iron sight convert and will carry one any day over a scope and sadly can match my scopes for MOA accuracy to 300yds. But who cares about MOA accuracy-unless you're a shooter and not a hunter. (Sorry guys and girls) Just my 2 cents.
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I doubt that any irons can match a scope at 300yds for the type of precision needed for those shots. You may beleive otherwise, but you'd be alone in that.

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SuperCub said:
I doubt that any irons can match a scope at 300yds for the type of precision needed for those shots. You may beleive otherwise, but you'd be alone in that.

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I absolutely agree with Supercub on this one. I love shooting open sights at the big gongs at 300 yards, just to get better. But, even with a benchrest, it is a miserable time to shoot the 8" ones at 300 yards. With my scope, same round, same gong, same range....I can nail it every time. That my friend will be the difference between a quick and humane kill and dinner on my plate in the winter to a wounding or worse.

To the rest of the post ovrec Wow, talk about the ramparts going up and the lines of battle being drawn. Lets go out the range. I'll bring my two 30-06's, two 308's, a 243, my 257 Weatherby and my 8mm mauser. You bring your .303 and we'll have fun.

In the end, I betcha you will like my Weatherby bush gun in 308, if you like your 303.

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