The Most Dangerous Game

Friendly_Fire said:
As a soon to be hunter I find it hard to choose the right caliber for me. I've somewhat narrowed it down to either .308 or 30-06, but I'm still not 100% that's adequate. That's why I'm asking you folks :) Caliber will help me choose a good bolt action rifle (or maybe even a semi?). Sako 85 would be the dream, but more realistically Tikka T3x, Winchester 70, Ruger M77 (Hawkeye?), Mauser M18 or maybe a Weatherby. Time will tell. For optics I have no idea, don't know much about them (Vortex and Leopold seem to get a lot of love).

Here are the specs:

I want to hunt moose and maybe deer
Mid 30's, 5 foot 9 inches, around 180 pounds AKA: Manlet
Not an experienced shooter, so something cheap to shoot is a bonus
Clear cuts on my woodlot are are around 300 yards long and 100 yards wide, so farthest theoretical shot is 300 yards give or take
Will shoot factory ammo for a while, might get into reloading eventually


I'd like some insights/suggestions but I'd also like to know what you guys hunt moose/elk with.
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CLICKBAIT!!

30-06

T3X,

Browning X-bolt

Win model 70

Sako 85


Thats the order I would look at them. Nothing against the Sako 85, that might be on the top of many peoples list, just have a read about them ejecting shells into scopes, and either denting them or bouncing back into the action.
 
Tikka T3X or Mauser M18 in .308 or 30.06 and Leupold VX-1 2-7 x33 ($260) and your are done.

However, if you like traditional wood and blue the CZ 557 carbine in .308 is on sale at an ON dealer for $799. I'm twice your age and more vertically challenged and it fits me like a glove. A bargain and every bit as accurate as the others too.
 
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Buy a 22lr with the same action as your centerfire, scope also if possible. Cheaper to practise with and the neighbours won’t get as annoyed. Give your form and muscle memory a head start.
 
cody c said:
CLICKBAIT!!

30-06

T3X,

Browning X-bolt

Win model 70

Sako 85


Thats the order I would look at them. Nothing against the Sako 85, that might be on the top of many peoples list, just have a read about them ejecting shells into scopes, and either denting them or bouncing back into the action.
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It's true. Had an 85 black bear. It did exactly that. The rubbery stock finish on it got beat to crap and peeled way too quickly as well. Eff that. Definitely not worth the $ imho.

Not sure if their medium length actions are also afflicted. I believe he short actions are fine.
 
Eagleye said:
Weatherby Vanguard in 30-06, with a Leupold VX III 2.5-8 on top.
Best combo for the money out there, IMHO. As has been mentioned,
in factory loadings, the 30-06 has little advantage over the 308, but
if and when you start reloading for it, the '06 has a distinct advantage,
particularly with bullets from 180 grains up. Dave.
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Ditto also. Impossible to beat that combo for the $. I would only add "or .308, or .270 Win."

As above, sold my Sako and a few years later picked up a Vanguard on impulse to see what Howa was all about. Very glad I did. It's as good a rifle as the Sako which cost more than 3x as much. As well made, as if not more accurate, and it doesn't fling cases into the scope. In fact, put into a B&C stock and with a VX 3i 2.5-8x36 (must be something in the water about that scope) the total cost was still $400 under the Sako alone.
 
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Hard to beat that.

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Thank you for all the comments. Bait definitely paid off :p Especially like the comments on Sako, my wallet thanks you.

Still on the fence about the .308 vs 30-06 conundrum since I'd like to get into reloading eventually, but at least I'm closer to making my mind up.

I'll look more closely at Cooper, CZ, Weatherby, Howa and maybe Blaser (in case I win the lottery). I'm a sucker for wood so I'll be looking at those more. Still undecided on SS vs blued though.

I'll keep you guys posted. Thanks again.
 
Another vote for the T3x CTR 308. I practice with mine out to 900yds and keep shots on deer mostly below 400m. Not too heavy for off-hand shots. One of very few factory rifles with proven mil spec magazine. Just a fun rifle that groups well with almost any factory ammo.
edi
 
30:06 will do the job all day and every day.
It will be easier to get factroy ammo and just about anyplace across Canada.
If you reload, forget what I just mentioned and go with 308.
Weatherby Vangaurd or Remington700 or Winchester mod. 70 are three to look at.
Buy used via the EE for your first gun and grow from there.
Always a better return on investment if the first one doesn’t fit your bill or expectations.
But a Leupold scope with low bases and rings as they are know to be a very good deal and made with real steel and not aluminum like some weaver bases and rings.
Welcome to the show that never ends step inside, step inside ....
Rob
Someone mentioned click bait, how about a Browning A-boltII...
 
There is nothing in North America that will not fall to a 308 , buy a rifle that feels good and points naturally ( wear your hunting coat when trying them out ) and buy a good quality scope it might cost more than the rifle but that is okay as you can use it on your next rifle , Kimber hunter , Winchester mod 70 and ruger make good rifles at a fair price considering the quality is top notch , tikkas are a great deal and very slick and accurate but have a 2 position safety which is a drawback in my opinion . If you buy any of these you can upgrade almost anything and your first rifle might be your keeper
 
Friendly_Fire said:
Still on the fence about the .308 vs 30-06 conundrum since I'd like to get into reloading eventually, but at least I'm closer to making my mind up.
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There's no conundrum. No animal will live on and no wallet will know the difference between the two, whether factory or hand loads. Buy a .308, .30-06, .270, 7mm-08... whatever, they all do about the same thing and any preference is really shaving the ice cube. You're talking like a 5% difference overall in the decision about which rifle/calibre/scope to buy. Factory ammo costs are the same except maybe 7-08, and the only difference reloading is a few grains more or less powder. Nothing really to choose between all the cartridges in that class.

I would highly recommend NOT buying used for a first rifle - knowing what questions to ask, how to evaluate condition, etc etc are more likely to be done confidently when you have some mileage under your belt. When awesome rifles go for around $500, you'd have to be on a real budget to need to buy used.

That said, also nothing wrong with the .303 you have. You'd be a lot better off spending $1000 on ammo shooting that than buying a $1000 rifle and scope combo. I would hunt with an old sporterized .303 for moose and deer out to 200 yards in a heartbeat. Indeed, the older I get the more I like old fudd rifles like the ones I grew up with. It's not the arrow, it's the Indian as the probably offensive nowadays saying goes.

Just effing buy one and shoot it lots, that's the real trick.
 
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I chose .308 over 30.06 because of ammunition availability and choices. There just seems to be more out there for a .308 than there is for a 30.06 plus if I really wanted, I could buy 7.62X51 surplus ammo and use it in my .308
They are otherwise just as capable as one another.
 
Gatehouse said:
Any of those rifles in .308 are more than adequate for your purposes. 308 is a better choice as you can buy bulk practice ammo. The 3006 works fine but offers no real world advantage on game, especially with factory ammo.

It's all about a good bullet in the right place, so more important than cartridge choice is practice, and 308 practice ammo is less expensive.
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308 is a tiny bit cheaper to reload too, as it burns less powder than the '06. Many 308's do not shoot the 180 grain bullets well though. But that's OK, because the 165 grain bullets shoot flatter anyway, and kill moose just as dead.
 
Eagleye said:
Weatherby Vanguard in 30-06, with a Leupold VX III 2.5-8 on top.
Best combo for the money out there, IMHO. As has been mentioned,
in factory loadings, the 30-06 has little advantage over the 308, but
if and when you start reloading for it, the '06 has a distinct advantage,
particularly with bullets from 180 grains up. Dave.
Click to expand...

What he said , and handle a few to see what fits you best .
 
What would be the ideal barrel length for heavier bullets in .308 and 30-06 respectively? I read somewhere that 20' would be sufficient for .308 but that seems a bit short...
 
Depends how much you prioritize weight and compactness vs velocity, but 20-22" for .308 and 22-24" for .30-06, if you want a general answer as to what the "standard" barrel lengths are. There's no absolute ideal, it all depends on what you need. Very broadly speaking, rifles with barrels under 20" are specialized carbines, and non magnum rifles with barrels over 24" are specialized for long range. You can't go wrong with 20 or 22" in .308 and 24" in .30-06.
 
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Been looking at rifles for a good long while now and I'm having trouble making my mind up. For now I'm really digging the CZ 557 Ranger/Range Rifle, seems like it would make for a great "do it all" rifle. That being said, the search continues...
 
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