Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Paul on August 24, 2010 at 10:36pm

I don't own one, but 7mm Rem Mag seems to be a great round. Great range, great power (but not too much), and great ballistics. You can go from varmint and medium game to bear, and maybe even moose.

Permalink Reply by LShieldes on August 25, 2010 at 9:55am

Heard that as well.

For me, it was .270 for an all around caliber that could be used on most everything in Texas. Heck, if I get another rifle(why is it when you buy one, you want 3 more), it will probably be a 30-30 lever, something to have fun with the hogs(not a fan of the AR's, wouldn't mind a mini30 though)

Permalink Reply by Ron Daly on September 7, 2010 at 1:47am

I'd go with a .308 and spend some extra coin on reloading equipment.Projectile construction and shot placement is what kills,not the headstamp on the shell casing.. The .300 win mag is going to do nothing more then burn 20% more powder and create more recoil then the 30/06 and .308 and there isn't a game animal out there that will know the difference between any of them.

Another option is the 7-08 remington.Pick one up in a M700 mountain rifle and kill anything in north america.With less recoil and better ballistics then the .30cals. Regardless, you need to reload whatever you end up buying..

Permalink Reply by Robert on October 25, 2010 at 1:42am

I shoot a .308. Great for almost all game in North America. Lots of brands to choose from with different types of bullets and weights: 150gr, 165gr, and even 180gr. 165gr and seem to shoot the best. Bench shooters use the 168gr.

Permalink Reply by Karl Helweg on June 22, 2011 at 5:39pm

Apparently the suggestion for an Alaska State Gun (other than "Yes") is: pre-1964 Winchester Model 70 caliber .30-06 caliber rifle.

 

http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/alaskas-state-gun-all-em

 

While the .30-06 is big enough to hunt just about anything I also worry about what is hunting me. http://www.adn.com/bearattacks/

Permalink Reply by Cody, D. on June 10, 2012 at 9:35am

for my hunting trips in north east Texas were i grew up, not much more than a 30-30 was ever needed, due to the heavily wooded areas and the chances of having to make a "long shot" wasn't really a problem, i have use a .270 for a few right a-ways Ive hunted... but i would have to say that there really isn't a best all around caliber, it depends to me on a few factors.

what tyep of game will you be hunting.

how far of a shot will you possibly be making.

will the round "chew" up the hide or meat if a short than expected shot is made.

i think the 30-06 would be the most versatile, but again it depends on the person and the game they will be hunting.

hope this helps-

-cody d.-

Permalink Reply by True on December 5, 2012 at 12:56pm

The 30-30 has taken more large game on this continent than any other caliber. Before going "new gun" you might consider experimenting with different ammunition to get the most from your existing weapon with which you have great familiarity. There are modern ballistic projectiles now available from Hornady that will extend the reach and efficacy vs a traditional round nose 30-30 bullet.

By way of example:

A 150gr RN at 300y will have a 30" holdover from a 100yd zero and deliver 1276fps and 542ft-lb of thump

Their 160gr ballistic tip has a 12" holdover from a 100yd zero and delivers 1699fps and 1025ft-lb of thump at the same distance.

Now this is not to say you ought to go out and switch to this stuff, it might be horribly inaccurate in your gun. More so, what I'm saying is that it might behoove you to do some experimentation with alternative commercially available loads with better ballistics or, if you've the opportunity, to experiment with hand-loads using more modern projectiles.

That aside, the 30-06 vs .308 debate is nearly as fractious as 9mm vs .45 as a defensive round. You could fill a good sized data-center with the content that exists on the web discussing the merits of either. There is much that is debatable in favor of both but there are two absolute truths: There is more variety of commercial loads available in 30-06 and the .308 is a shorter cartridge which allows a shorter action on the rifle itself.