Let’s hear everyone’s opinions on the caliber choice for a all around rifle

[Pathfinder76]

30-06 or 7mm Remington Magnum. Whether you handload or not.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by Positrac

Everyone knows the 6.5 Creedmoor in the hands of a Power Engineer is the most dangerous combo out there…

That’s confidential info leakage....


30-06 pushing a 165 gr pill if I had to pick one but thankfully I don’t.

[1886]

Think I will stick with my 300 Rum. Maybe not as good as a 6.5 creed but will do for me.

[Salavee]

I found that I need just three rto cover all the bases .. a 35 Whelen Ai, a 280 Rem Ai and a .20 Tactical .

[Athabasca1]

30-06 in that ultra lightweight rifle.

[Mulehahn]

I am curious as to why anyone would recommend the 30-06 over the 308 if the longest shots are going to 450yds. The only real advantage that 30-06 has over the 308 is heavy bullets but if this is a light weight sheep gun you are not going to be shooting there heavy weights anyways. The 280AI would be a great choice but the 308 seems to fit the needs the listed better to me.

[REMINGTON JIM]

Originally Posted by summit151

hey everyone, i currently have a older 30-06 which i have been using on elk/moose around home. Shots have all been under 450 yards and currently have a lightweight 7mm-08 for my mountain sheep hunting rifle ( haven’t shot a sheep yet with it). Very light weight and compact with a 20” barrel,

i have been contemplating getting a larger caliber but a lightweight rifle still and using a muzzle break. I sheep hunt in a very high grizzly density area so i am always worried with the 7mm-08 if it would be enough to stop a charging grizzly.

I am considering getting a savage 110 ultralight in either the 300 wsm or a 280ai. The 6.5 prc seems a little to light for elk and moose? Hoping to have just one all around hunting rifle and still keeping it really light


sent from my iphone using tapatalk

280ai . Rj

[Salavee]

Originally Posted by Mulehahn

I am curious as to why anyone would recommend the 30-06 over the 308 if the longest shots are going to 450yds. The only real advantage that 30-06 has over the 308 is heavy bullets but if this is a light weight sheep gun you are not going to be shooting there heavy weights anyways. The 280AI would be a great choice but the 308 seems to fit the needs the listed better to me.

Nothing wrong with a .308 Win but the 30-06 has every ballistic advantage to >450 yds when it comes to velocity, trajectory, bullet weight choice and retained energy. If the additionl 1/2" less bolt throw is the most important factor, then the .308 wins..I never did understand why there is a contorvesy between the 30-06 and the .308 Win.

As a Sheep only cartridge, there are better cartridge choices than either, IMHO.. .the 280 Ai or 7mm/08 being just a couple.

[teledogs]

Since you wanted everyone's opinion...

Of the cartridges listed I would probably go 30.06. The weight saving between that and a short action is minimal and you are familiar with the round and performance. My second choice would be .308.

My absolute first choice in this price range would be get a used Finlight and forget about Savage. My 2 cents.

[bsmitty27]

For what you want the 30-06 does it as good as any.

I love my 7x57, and my 7x64 basically 7mm08 and 280. But I dont worry about Bears where I hunt.

Uness your taking game past 450 I dont see the reason for the magnums.

Break it down to caliber, bullet weight and velocity. Then pick your cartridge.

But really any moderate 6.5, 7mm, 30 cal will work, and the animal will never know the difference.

[sns2]

Originally Posted by Pathfinder76

30-06 or 7mm Remington Magnum. Whether you handload or not.

See above

[sns2]

Originally Posted by teledogs

Since you wanted everyone's opinion...

Of the cartridges listed I would probably go 30.06. The weight saving between that and a short action is minimal and you are familiar with the round and performance. My second choice would be .308.

My absolute first choice in this price range would be get a used Finlight and forget about Savage. My 2 cents.

100% agree. Strong agree. Kimber also.

[Ken3134]

Originally Posted by fordtruckin

Had a goat hunter shoot a charging sow griz 4 years ago.He walked away she didn’t. What saved him was he had nerves of steel and ensured his shot counted vs shooting wildly from the hip. Guy was still shaking and crying 3 hours later when I caught up to him.

In reality unless you want a new gun it’s hard to beat a 308 3006 300wm 300wsm etc… for an all around rifle. Personally I use a 308 with 165gr accubonds for everything. Plenty of griz in my country and I’ve never felt under gunned.

X2 have a Sako A7 in 308, it's loaded withe 165 accubonds and I use it for everything as well.

[Salavee]

Interesting Thread

It appears that Cartridge choices are all over the board as could be expected.. and bullet placement is paramount to a clean kill. All good to this point, But sooner or later reality sets in. Considering the Flak I will,no doubt, be receiving, I have a few observations ithat I have acncumulated over the year,s that I will share.
First off is regarding shooting .Like some others on here I have done my share , at both shooting ranges and in the field.. I have yet to see the average shooter shooting sub MOA, or even MOA at any range and at any time and at any distance in tha past 60 or so years. Some can do it regularily, sure, but not the vast majority. What I witness at the ranges tranlates to the field with the field being even worsre ,as most of the shooters seldom. if ever,. even frequent a Range.

Good to very good shot placement ,as it applies to the field is out the window for most. given all the variances that can occur in that scenario... "Nuff said. on that point.

Next is cartridge choice. This is where i really come unstuck. With the miriad of choices and marketing hype out there today it's no wonder. The idea of matching caliber and bullet weight to game mass appears to be obsolete.Seems that the modern method is to shoot the lightest cartride,with the lightest recoil that can be found and make it work well on anything, regardless of size. Thinking perfect shot placement and excellent bullet construction will make up the difference. Well, No it won't. This same rationalization with a Caliber 30-40 thou larger will make a
the big difference ..with a much bigger hole.. however, this probably wouldn't be a good option.on a Mtn Ultra light weight rifle. The rifle should have a weight and profile that tames the cartridge's inherent recoil. Easy enogh to do. So is learning to manage recoil.

.

[MountainTi]

Originally Posted by roper1

Hands down the 300WM my favorite

Pretty close with you on that one, but if I had to pick one it would be the 300wby. Just that little bit extra, and another cartridge that's been around a long time and quite common. Been packing one for 30 years now

[outofbounds]

Based on my prefered hunting method and locations my choice for rifle and caliber is the Winchester Model '71 348, topped with a peep.
I do own bolt rifles in 7mm Mag, 300 RUM and 7mm-08 with Leopold and Zeiss scopes. Hunt, bear, elk and moose primarily and more often than not have the '71 in hand.

[REMINGTON JIM]

Another DERAIL again Op asked cartridge choice between 280AI and 300 WSM. Not any others LOL RJ

[roper1]

Originally Posted by MountainTi

Pretty close with you on that one, but if I had to pick one it would be the 300wby. Just that little bit extra, and another cartridge that's been around a long time and quite common. Been packing one for 30 years now

Can't fault the logic or the caliber. Bought my son a used one. ( Off Marky - Mark, small world ) 2-3 WT, a Muley, 3 Elk, 2 moose, & he's tagged up again this year!!

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by REMINGTON JIM

Another DERAIL again Op asked cartridge choice between 280AI and 300 WSM. Not any others LOL RJ

A three response thread is boring.

[Smokinyotes]

Out of the 2 choices I would get the 280ai. If light weight is a must I would get a weatherby backcountry 2.0 like Mark suggested. The 6.5 RPM is an impressive cartridge. I just wish they were made in a left hand.

[marky_mark]

Originally Posted by roper1

Can't fault the logic or the caliber. Bought my son a used one. ( Off Marky - Mark, small world ) 2-3 WT, a Muley, 3 Elk, 2 moose, & he's tagged up again this year!!

Was that the vanguard back country ?

[6.5 shooter]

Your 7mm08 is fine, load a 145 gr. bullet and be done.

[brewster29]

Originally Posted by 6.5 shooter

Your 7mm08 is fine, load a 145 gr. bullet and be done.

Load a Barnes 145 LRX. It will penetrate most anything... There, fixed it for you.

[catnthehat]

One of our AO members has been using a Winchester Featherweight in 708 for many years, in fact IIRC it came from 6.5shooter !
This rifle has killed upwards to 30 animals including moose and elk as well as deer.
The bullet used is a 140TTSX.
Cat

[Ryanpktaxiderm]

Originally Posted by fordtruckin

Had a goat hunter shoot a charging sow griz 4 years ago.He walked away she didn’t. What saved him was he had nerves of steel and ensured his shot counted vs shooting wildly from the hip. Guy was still shaking and crying 3 hours later when I caught up to him.

In reality unless you want a new gun it’s hard to beat a 308 3006 300wm 300wsm etc… for an all around rifle. Personally I use a 308 with 165gr accubonds for everything. Plenty of griz in my country and I’ve never felt under gunned.

What caliber btw? that would be a terrifying experience especially solo.. nerves of steel to get a well aimed shot off in the time its charging.. have watched several videos of charges they cover ground scary fast

[roper1]

Originally Posted by marky_mark

Was that the vanguard back country ?

No, it was the Accumark. My son met your GF @ Cabelas I think. I was buying it for myself, but I gave it to him when he moved north where there's lots of rain in the fall. I'm still shooting my 300WM. You never did give me a trader rating.

[marky_mark]

Originally Posted by roper1

No, it was the Accumark. My son met your GF @ Cabelas I think. I was buying it for myself, but I gave it to him when he moved north where there's lots of rain in the fall. I'm still shooting my 300WM. You never did give me a trader rating.

Ahhh that one!
Now I remember!
Lol oops

[roper1]

Originally Posted by marky_mark

Ahhh that one!
Now I remember!
Lol oops

Hehe. He's loving the rifle still today. We're having elk roast tomorrow night.

[marky_mark]

Originally Posted by roper1

Hehe. He's loving the rifle still today. We're having elk roast tomorrow night.

Fantastic!

[MountainTi]

Originally Posted by Salavee

Next is cartridge choice. This is where i really come unstuck. With the miriad of choices and marketing hype out there today it's no wonder. The idea of matching caliber and bullet weight to game mass appears to be obsolete.Seems that the modern method is to shoot the lightest cartride,with the lightest recoil that can be found and make it work well on anything, regardless of size. Thinking perfect shot placement and excellent bullet construction will make up the difference. Well, No it won't. This same rationalization with a Caliber 30-40 thou larger will make a
the big difference ..with a much bigger hole.. however, this probably wouldn't be a good option.on a Mtn Ultra light weight rifle. The rifle should have a weight and profile that tames the cartridge's inherent recoil. Easy enogh to do. So is learning to manage recoil.

.

Agreed. Shoot a quality bullet and shoot it fast
#speedkills