Which round for Ontario big game?

Since you've already decided on the BAR, you may as well get the '06. The gun is going to weigh and handle the same, so you might as well get the bit of extra speed with heavier bullets.
 
If you are hunting deer the rifle season is at best 2 weeks. If you decide you want to hunt moose then you need to factor that into your decision regarding calibre. If this is your first rifle and you think it may be your last 308 or 3006 are your realistic choices for Ontario. If the terrain is heavily forested as it is where I hunt deer and moose, then something lighter that swings better and faster is preferred. I use a Model 7 in 308. Go to your local gun store and handle a bunch of rifles for fit, weight and comfort. Then buy the one that offers it in one of these two calibres. Either way you won't be disappointed.
 
Ftaview said:
I have 2 box's of ammo, one for deer, and one for moose, I purchased 4 years ago, and still have plenty of ammo left for many more years....

Typically your only going to put down one moose, and maybe 2 deer, so a box of 20 for each game will last you a long time.....
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I'd recommend for a new hunter to shoot his/her sporting arms more than that. Even a two or three boxes per yr in the off season will confirm the scope, build confidence and help the hunter to know what to expect at different [esp. longer] ranges. Shooting a box every 5 years is not good advice.

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The 30-06 is never a mistake................PS I've shot truckloads of WT and mulies with the .338 Win mag over the years and it ruins less meat than the "deer" calibers.....Besides who eats lungs? The .338 doesnt kill moose any quicker than a .270 or 6.5x55......................Harold
 
At the ranges you are talking, the ballistic differences are pretty much meaningless. The biggest difference between the two is action length - but looking on the Browning site, it looks like both the 308 and 30-06 are listed at the same overall length. Do they really use the same action for both short and long? If there is a difference between the SA and LA guns, and if you can appreciate it when handling the gun, that is a bigger difference than that ballistic difference between the two cartridges.

Having dressed and butchered animals shot with both .308 and .30-06 from different angles, I'd say there is more difference within cartridges depending on shooting angle and bullet construction than there is difference between the cartridges with respect to meat damage. Both will create quite a bit of damage on a shoulder shot, for example.

RG

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they are both the same if you reload but the 30-06 will let you have heavier bullets (200 or so) in factory ammo. that being said a 180 308 id more than suficient for any ontario game out to 300 yards or so. Another thing to consider is most short action 308's are a little lighter than the 30-06 counter parts and you spend ALOT more time carrying a hunting rifle than shooting

OH yea my bear, deer, moose gun is a Browning BLR in .308
 
Max-4 said:
Hey guys, I am going to be buying a brand new Browning BAR Safari in the next few months. I want to target whitetail deer, moose and black bear in southern to central Ontario. The areas where I hunt are usually hardwoods or thick bush which very rarely allow for a shot over 100 yards. However I would like the ability to shoot 200 or so across a swamp or farm field if need be.

This will be my only big game hunting rifle and I have it narrowed down to the .308 or 30-06. I know you guys are shaking your heads that I started another .308 vs 30-06 thread but I really don't know which one I want.

I was thinking the 30-06 might be overkill on a whitetail at about 40 yards but then again it would be really nice for a bull moose. The .308 might fit the bill nicely for deer but would it be enough to anchor a 1000 pound bull moose at 200 yards?

I don't reload at the moment and would be buying factory ammo off the shelf. I am in a real toss up and am starting to feel like which ever one I choose I will wish I had the other in a few years.

If you could only have one round for hunting these game in Ontario which would you pick and why? Thanks
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I've shot lots of game with 30-06, no experience with 308, but I do have a couple of 308 offspring in the gun cabinet: 243, and now a 7mm-08. My suggestion would be if you had pals that could let you shoot several calibers of theirs and form a bit of an opinion as to which caliber feels the best. Spend plenty of time researching your optimum caliber (ballistics, recoil etc), then zone in on what would be the best action for you. After that pick a couple of manufacturers that will fit your budget. I would suggest that you have a good look at Thompson Centers as they have great value for the money spent imo. I would say that you could take any game in BC (minus the big bears), with a 7mm on up with proper placement and bullet selection.
 
I know of an excellent belguim bar in 30-06 with beauty engravings mounted with a 4x fixed scope for $800 identical to the one I shoot. I love them and recoil is extremely mild with my 30-06 bar. Both cals are great and you can't go wrong with either. If you want a classic get the one that I know of or similar. I live in Essex County if you care to look at it, its a great gun in really dam good to excellent condition with very, very minor wear.

Steve
 
My advise it not to worry about which caliber you want. Look for a rifle you like in one of those calibers. When you find the rifle that you like at a price you like buy it. If they have the rifle in both calibers sitting on the shelf then you have a choice to make. Either caliber will serve you well.
 
.308

Drops any Ontario big game in its tracks further then 99% of hunters can shoot accurately, cheap ammo available everywhere, short action, and easy to find FMJ for plinking.

I own both a 3006 and 308 and would take the 308 if I had to pick one, easily.
 
Which ever caliber you decide on remember a couple of things critical to success........proper shot placement and coreect bullet construction. Just about any caliber from .25 up will do the job if you do your part and are comfortable shooting it. Just be patient, take your time and choose what feels right.
 
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