Trying to figure out what caliber to start with. Opinions?

guido said:
Any magnum ........ would be the wrong choice.
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I agree with the above post except for one and get the warm underwear first. I have to agree that 30/06 is the very best, versatile, non-magnum cartridge not only for North America but much of the world. Would it be my first or second choice for large nasty beasts? No. There are much better (powerful) cartridges available for a dedicated dangerous game rifle. But the 30/06 with the proper bullet will handle anything in the western hemisphere. As long as you do your part and keep the range within reason.
oldguner said:
7mm rem mag, would be my do all caliber
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That would be my magnum exception.
 
I'm seeing bush, west coat, and beginner. That sort
of leads to 30-06 and stainless, and stainless points to
bolt guns which isn't a bad thing anyway. I'd look for a
Stainless Winchester, Remington or Vanguard. That's my beginner,
West coast, factoryload, reasonable recoil, affordable pick.

For a one gun, do everything, chuckle at expense and laugh out loud at recoil,
Scale mountains in the rain when you're not paddling a canoe or
Using it for a walking stick or crutch gun I'd say a Kimber Montana in 300 Win or WSM , or even 338 Win.
 
The OP is really not saying what he is after, where, and expected shot distances. BC has every type of hunting terrain, including wide open desert.

When asked for a "one gun" as a first and only, my four calibers would be 270, 7 mag, 30-06, and 300 win mag. If its true wet coast or Van Isl, then add a "bush" gun like a lever in 30-30.
 
Factory ammo is everywhere in both cartridges. But fit will make the difference in a great rifle or just a good gun. Try lots of guns and remember most bolt action guns have very good hunting accuracy out of the box. If the difference between a great fitting gun and an OK gun is only a couple hundred $ then save a little longer (more KD :) ) it will be worth it in the long run. You will keep it for years.
 
So anyone of the calibres recommended will work fine...but suggest you also try as many rifles as you can to see which you like shooting, carrying. I have several .270w rifles and some are just really nice to shoot and have less recoil than a 308... otoh one of them has felt recoil (to me) similar to any. 308 .... rifle fit makes a difference. And will make your first hunting rifle a lot more pleasureable.
 
another vote for 30-06. Ammo is plentiful, no ammo is cheap but you can easily reload 30-06. Once you start reloading you will have an insane range of bullet weights available. Some people actually reload light weight bullets and use it for coyote. Always been curious to try this

Also every brand affordable and overpriced makes a bolt gun in 30-06
 
Due to its availability of bulk and precision cartridges the venerable .308 is ideal. Yes the 30-06 is a superior round however it is larger which requires a larger firearm and no bulk supply like the .308.

You will and can not go wrong with the .308 as a starting cartridge.
 
hometownhero said:
7mm-08 if not that 280ai
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No way. Factory ammo is hard to find, and pricey when you do. Horrible choices for a beginner.

OP, you are going to want something that's cheap to feed, and ammo that's easy to find. 308 and 30 06 both fit this bill. Personally, i went 270 and i am glad i did. When the 308 and 3006 dry up mid-hunting season there always seems to be a box of 270 left.
 
Kelly Timoffee said:
Just using it for comparative purposes only, the word magnum is meaningless.
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There were a few recommendations for "magnum" cartridges as a good starting "caliber". I can't think of one "magnum" cartridge as good for this purpose. So, "magnum" does have a meaning in this situation. Otherwise, i agree with you.
30-06 would be the ideal cartridge for what the o.p. is looking for.
 
30-06 or 308 are likely the best choices, with 270 close behind. Although I've never owned or shot a .270, I would take one in a heartbeat. Try to avoid hard to find cartridge chamberings for a first rifle. I see .308 and 30-06 ammo is still available at reasonable prices, especially if you don't think you will need the super duper stuff.

I reload for nearly all my rifles, so store bought ammo is usually some nice old Dominion stuff I've found at gun shows. For example, this weekend at the Churchbridge show, I scored three full boxes of 7x57 Imperial for $25 a box Probably never have the heart to fire any of it off, but seeing as I would be the one paying for it, I get to choose! :p
 
I'm not going to give you any advice on what cartridge to get, you already have plenty. What I will say though is, You would be better off buying a good quality used bolt action rifle than to buy a new Ruger American or the like. Get a used m700 remington, Winchester m70 or Ruger 77. Get an all steel rifle instead of all this plastic crap. If you buy something cheaply made you will be replacing it down the road anyway.
 
Can't argue with a .30-06 bolt action for all of the reasons given. Pretty much the universal cartridge and rifle.

But, if you don't see yourself hunting anything larger than deer, and at 150 yards maximum, then a .30-30 Marlin 336C would be my choice.

Ammo equally available as .30-06 anywhere.

Look for an older used Glenfield Plain-Jane at a gun show or wherever.
 
Another vote for the 30-06. Boring but very effective. Once you get more into guns and hunting, you'll find yourself with different guns and more obscure calibers, but still reaching for the '06 when it counts. It's just a well balanced caliber that really has no flaws.
 
Thanks all. Looks like 30-06 is the majority choice. I was looking at a Henry lever action but people keep saying bolt is the way to go for accuracy so I'll be taking a look at some Remington and Winchesters shortly. Friend also suggested a Savage as a good entry point. I usually like to buy a more expensive item once so I don't have to replace quickly but I hear good things about Savages out of the.box.
 
30-06 or 308. 308 has more options, ammo wise as you can still get 7.62 x 51 in bulk. Never did figure out the shoot / no shoot rule on that. 308 is a nice round to shoot, 30-06 a touch brisker.
Not championing my pet caliber either, got 'em both...but in milsurp platforms. So it's more about the platform than the round.
 
Since you don't mind spending a bit on something that will last I would suggest a Winchester model 70 in 30-06, the new ones are great.
 
To me, the 308 was the hands-down winner. '06 ballistics in a shorter case. However, with the new bullets available, not sure it would still be my top choice. 7-08 is basically the same cartridge, but a little less recoil (although recoil from the 308 is negligible). Another superb caliber making a big comeback is the 6.5 X 55. I think I would make that my top all-round for anything but critters that want to eat me. In that case, I'd go with something that sends an ounce of lead or so their way, not a 30 cal.

That being said, there are no bad choices. In the old days, ammo availability was an issue, but nowadays, you can get some in a day or 2 by courier, so it's not really an issue anymore.
 
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