Best do-it-all hunting caliber

[pete dobinson]

Come on Pete ! you don't need a 300 win mag for black tails ! lol RJ

If I could only get an elk draw over here then maybe a 7mag or a 300mag but probably won't happen in my lifetime. I black tail hunt lots but use a 284win or 270win. I do have other rifle's but the 270 works for me and I don't like packing a heavy gun. I hunt the mainland every year as well. BTW I have a 300 and a 308norma mag

 

[Kelly Timoffee]

When Survivorman Les Stroud was doing his first episode in the Arctic, the local Inuit insisted he take a rifle to defend himself from polar bears. They gave him a .243.

That's what they gave him.

Probably didn't want him around their area.

 

[medvedqc]

Right, my point is if a .308 is trusted to deal with polar bears (and 3006 as someone pointed out) then do we really need to go into super magnums as a do it all round?

we have few members ;iving among polar bears and never seen them using small calibers ...

myself wandering only among grizzlies im using a 9.3x62 or a 375 ruger ... far from me to a 30-06 or 308 but that is just me ...

 

[SHELL SHUCKER]

The topic at hand in this thread is a fair question - that is asked on a regular basis here on CGN. If fact it would be unusual if a new shooter didn't ask this age old question related to which do-it-all gun should I get...? Now the key to answering this question is "advice to a new shooter". And my advice is get something that has real manageable recoil. And the answer to that is a 30-30. It's is a practical caliber and has plenty of punch to knock deer down from in close to 150 yards with open sights. It's light to carry and can be set-up with open sights or a scope on some models. The ammo is always accessible, it's reliable, and in time, is predictable in it's ability to take down deer size game. It can be sighted in with open sights at 50 yards and the range can extend out from there. A new shooter wants his animals to be close as he\she lacks the experience in seeing the results of shooting an animal and doesn't want to miss.

So sight in with hearing protection as it makes the sound of the shot easier on the ears. And This can prevent a flinch from happening. Test different types of ammo for accuracy. Get good at this caliber and recoil level and learn to hunt proficiency. And learn how to skin and gut deer - then you can move up in caliber. This will give the best of all situations for a beginner where experience will open the doors to other possibilities.

This be true enough and for many folks, the 30-30 is plenty capable of dumping any big game critter we can offer up. The key thing being of course, a well placed shot on a critter that be unaware of yer presence.(Both before the shot & a little while after.)

I've always encouraged new hunters to get into handloading to get the most out of their shooting experiences & to lower costs. New shooters really like to shoot the 30-30 using cast boolit loads at reduced pressure & velocity as they are so pleasant to shoot & folks can get well dialed in to their rifle after a few hundred rounds from both the range & afield on pest critters & deer at sensible distances. I prefer under 100 yds meself. All of my 30-30's wear receiver peeps to get a good sight picture.

Folks wanting more reach on game can go the 6.5 Swede route which be a super cartridge to use most all game game with both factory & handloads. Mild recoil
in a light bolt rifle. A bunch less blood shot meat with these chamberings than the many of high speed rounds being touted & used over the years.

My motto being, "Don't shoot beyond yer capabilities or loads when meat is on the menu."

 

[CheesyBalls]

Don't be a cheap ass and get more than one firearm

 

[pounder]

I have carried everything from 30-06 to .458 Lott , I never really felt undergunned with the 30-06. It sure is nicer to carry than my Brno 602 in 458 Lott.

 

[TT1900]

Don't be a cheap ass and get more than one firearm

Couldn't even get a dozen posts in without being a D-bag.

Life must be hard between your attitude, poor reading comprehension, and inability to do basic arithmetic. The OP said he's also got a shotgun. 1+1=2.....just in case you were stumped.

There is nothing wrong with only owning one firearm if that's all you have need of. Additionally, for some, that one firearm may come with a five or six figure price-tag; hardly cheap. Personally, I would rather have three or four nice firearms than two dozen entry level ones. Only wished I had learned that a little earlier.

 

[SHELL SHUCKER]

Don't be a cheap ass and get more than one firearm

 

[Sir Plus]

270 for anything in Québec.

 

[Ardent]

There is nothing wrong with only owning one firearm if that's all you have need of. Additionally, for some, that one firearm may come with a five or six figure price-tag; hardly cheap. Personally, I would rather have three or four nice firearms than two dozen entry level ones. Only wished I had learned that a little earlier.

True enough, I have a half dozen rifles left and that’s about triple what I actually need. The quality is trending up, and the quantity down, and it’s a very satisfying direction. There’s a periphery of cheaper guns that I cycle in and out for amusement and hand loading fun, but the core group could probably be comfortably whittled down to two or three and I likely will.

 

[paintearthmike]

Another strong vote for the 30-06. Shoots a wide range of bullet weights well, so one can always find one appropriate to what you want to shoot, and if you're shooting loaded ammo, probably has the greatest selection from which to choose.
And the recoil is easily tolerable by even the novice shooter. (I know, because that's what I started with many years ago; and my Ruger .06 is still my go-to gun.)

 

[philthygeezer]

I would pick the .30-06 for the variety of loadings.

 

[Boomer]

At one time I would have voted the .30/06 as the king of the versatile centerfire rifle cartridges. This may still be true if we consider only factory ammunition, but true versatility is a byproduct of handloading. When handloaded, any cartridge can be made more versatile than the limitations imposed by its factory ammunition suggest. A cartridge can be loaded down to accomplish less, but it cannot safely be loaded beyond performance limitation its design. So is a .30/06 more versatile than a .300 magnum? That would be a tough argument to support, unless we consider the limitations of the individual shooter. Even then we must accept a .300 has greater versatility, its just that the full extent of that versatility cannot be exploited by everyone, particularly when fired in a light weight, hunting rifle without a muzzle brake. Today's crop of hunters frequently find factory .30/06 can be too much of a good thing when fired in light weight rifles, and a heavy handload, worked up for a specific rifle can produce a bit more on top of that.

Because cartridge versatility is closely tied to cartridge performance, if we wish to establish the greatest cartridge versatility, we must consider the cartridge with the largest powder capacity, the biggest bore diameter, providing the flattest trajectory, that is supported by the broadest range of bullet designs and weights. Given these parameters, there is an argument to be made that the big case .375s, when handloaded, are the most versatile hunting cartridges available. Handloads for these cartridges, provide small game to elephant performance, combined with the flat trajectories typical of a .300 magnum.

But a cartridge does not stand alone. If your rifle weighs 12 pounds, even though you shoot it well, it may not be as useful as one that weighs 6, particularly on long treks, when climate and topography become difficult. A 6 pound rifle, chambered for a mild mannered cartridge with a 6.5 to .30 caliber bore diameter, should provide sufficient versatility to take the range of game commonly encountered. It can be carried and fired effectively, under difficult conditions, even by those who might not have a high tolerance to recoil. Thus a better balance is reached than considering versatility alone.

 

[woodlotowner]

Well said, Boomer.

 

[Jim l]

Even though I don’t use mine much anymore I would still say the 30.06 is pretty hard to beat. Great variety of bullet weights and they are available everywhere

 

[Freyr_255]

I live in BC and would like to get started close to home. But I wouldn't turn down an invitation to another province or country if one were to be offered to me. So I am looking for a versatile cartridge that can handle anything from deer to bear (bison would be nice, but probably need a much stronger round I'm guessing) from 100 yards to say 600 maybe even further. Just looking to make one purchase that can keep me going until I can afford to have a short range deer gun, a long range deer gun, an ULTRA long range deer gun, etc.

308/30-06/270 etc. will handle BC. If you want coastal grizzly, 300 win or 375h&h. If you want bison I'd recommend 300 win or better. Frankly, if you're fine with the recoil of 300 win just go for it and enjoy. Imho it's the best all around for north america, but personally like the 375 h&h as my all around rifle. I don't recommend it unless you've fired one though.

If you're looking at 600 I'd say get a 300win. But as I said, make sure you're not recoil sensitive and will develop a flinch. That's the biggest detriment to going for a Magnum cartridge.

 

[philthygeezer]

At one time I would have voted the .30/06 as the king of the versatile centerfire rifle cartridges. This may still be true if we consider only factory ammunition, but true versatility is a byproduct of handloading. When handloaded, any cartridge can be made more versatile than the limitations imposed by its factory ammunition suggest. A cartridge can be loaded down to accomplish less, but it cannot safely be loaded beyond performance limitation its design. So is a .30/06 more versatile than a .300 magnum? That would be a tough argument to support, unless we consider the limitations of the individual shooter. Even then we must accept a .300 has greater versatility, its just that the full extent of that versatility cannot be exploited by everyone, particularly when fired in a light weight, hunting rifle without a muzzle brake. Today's crop of hunters frequently find factory .30/06 can be too much of a good thing when fired in light weight rifles, and a heavy handload, worked up for a specific rifle can produce a bit more on top of that.

Because cartridge versatility is closely tied to cartridge performance, if we wish to establish the greatest cartridge versatility, we must consider the cartridge with the largest powder capacity, the biggest bore diameter, providing the flattest trajectory, that is supported by the broadest range of bullet designs and weights. Given these parameters, there is an argument to be made that the big case .375s, when handloaded, are the most versatile hunting cartridges available. Handloads for these cartridges, provide small game to elephant performance, combined with the flat trajectories typical of a .300 magnum.

But a cartridge does not stand alone. If your rifle weighs 12 pounds, even though you shoot it well, it may not be as useful as one that weighs 6, particularly on long treks, when climate and topography become difficult. A 6 pound rifle, chambered for a mild mannered cartridge with a 6.5 to .30 caliber bore diameter, should provide sufficient versatility to take the range of game commonly encountered. It can be carried and fired effectively, under difficult conditions, even by those who might not have a high tolerance to recoil. Thus a better balance is reached than considering versatility alone.

This is where I settled on the .30-06 in a 7.5 pound rig, for me. IMO it's not too heavy to cart around, it isn't so light that recoil is a huge issue. I had a Remington Model 7 in .308 and I thought that was a little too short, a little too light. I like the point about a milder cartridge in a lighter rifle being a better overall fit.

I really, really like the .375 H&H to shoot, but the rifles tend to be longer and heavier. I prefer more of a push to a sharp snap with recoil, and I think the cartridges I named have that character. The other thought with .30 cal was I can share bullets between .308 and .30-06, then load anything from .30-30 power with the flat nose solids to 158 grain target bullets to 220 grain Noslers for heavy stuff.

I did a poll on here once about max ranges big game were shot at, and something like 90% of all the game was taken inside of 225 yards. I think someone with a 7.5 pound .308 or 7mm-08 would be able to practice enough to get very comfortable and proficient with their rifle. I think that would count for way more than extra power in hunting, since a .308 Win is still pretty flat at 200 yards. The .270 Win with 130 grain loads is famous for its combination of effectiveness and friendly recoil as well, especially in an eight pound rig. Using a rest whenever possible is also something I would do.

Try a few and pick the stuff you like. Sold my .243 Win, .257 Roberts and 7mm-08 Win thinking that the .308 would be fine. Others love those cartridges along with the 6.5x55, 8mm Mauser or the 9.3x62mm, and I may be missing out. Who am I to disagree on the fit?

 

[mikeyb]

In general, I agree with the .30-06. It really is a solid all-rounder. I wouldn't hesitate to use it to chase a bear in thick bush with 220's or reach across the prairies on a whitetail with some 150's.

The .308 is more of the same, but you will need to be a bit more conscious of range. Not hugely different but the '06 offers up a little more all around. I'm also a fan of the .270 and .280 for everything below "big bear" territory. With premium bullets they will drop moose and elk no problem. I'm sure the bonded 156gr .270 loads from Sako would hammer a big bear as well but like a bit more heft and frontal area.

It's important to try them out though, especially if you are thinking of a .300 Win Mag or WSM - they are not usually very easy on the shoulder. Especially for a beginner shooter. My tolerance for recoil after 25 years of shooting is .30-06 or 7mm RemMag and getting 40 or 50 rounds off the bench in a session. But with a .300 Mag, I'll notice the flinch pretty quickly. I now own nothing bigger than a .30-06.

Also consider range - 300 yards/meters is a long way out there for most hunting shots and I hunt on farmland. I don't need anything more powerful to take game at that range. And the bears I do hunt are over bait barrels so ranges are measured in feet.

Just a few thoughts worth considering on the cartridge side of things. For rifles, any reputable brand's main lineup will be good and since many are long-actions only, that furthers the case for an '06-based cartridge.

The only way you'd get me shooting another .300 Mag is either a super classy .300 H&H or something with a muzzle brake on a long barrel like an X-Bolt (and I'm not a fan of brakes)

 

[Techball]

I’m a fan of the 280, great deer cartridge and can load her heavier with a partition for elk and moose with confidence. Just have to hand load unfortunately.

 

[Isobar1999]

If you want a rifle you can grab and go hunt anything out there in BC then get something in 30-06. You can get a rifle and useable scope for under a grand. A couple boxes of ammunition ranging from 150 to 180 grains and you’re good to go. Handloading is obviously not going to be something you’ll be doing right away , or ever if you even do, there’s nothing you’re gonna hunt in BC in an average season that won’t die from a well placed round of factory 30-06 ammunition.
All this “great bears” and “Alaska hunting” talk is irrelevant, if the day comes that youre going coastal brown hunting in Alaska then by that time you’ll have enough shooting experience to know what you need anyway.