[SSN Vet]

My only center fire rifle is a .30-30 Marlin, which I set up with a Williams peep sight. I enjoy shooting it a lot and it does pretty well at 100 yds and I do not plan on putting a scope on this rifle.

I've just gotten into re-loading and am re-loading my first batch of .30-30. Mostly economical plinkers with Berry's plated bullets, but I also got a box of150 gr. jacketed Speers to work up an accurate load.

I'm thinking that if I really want to get into longer range target shooting and load development for accuracy, it's going to be on a different rifle, fitted with a good scope.

So here's my question.....

If you were going to buy a bolt action rifle and scope for this purpose, and the rifle was most likely going to be the only bolt action you'll own for a very long time...what caliber would you get?

The longest range at the rod & gun club where I shoot is 200 yd. and a reality check makes me doubt I'll shoot at longer ranges very often.

The calibre should be one that is fun to load for, with lot's of bullet selection and load data.

Economy is a consideration, but I'll realistically be reloading hundreds and not thousandes of rounds, so it's not a huge concern.

I'm thinking .308 is a good answer but would like to hear the thoughts of others.

[USSR]

I'm thinking .308 is a good answer but would like to hear the thoughts of others.

Everybody should have a .308.:)

Don

[ReloaderFred]

The .308 would be a good choice, along with the 30-06. For a platform, you can't beat the prices and accuracy out of the box on the new Savages, with the Accu-Trigger. The trigger looks funny, but it's a really good one.

I have to admit I don't own any of the newer Savages, but I know several people who do, and they are accurate rifles. I've shot the Accu-Trigger, and it's light and crisp.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[win308]

You can't find surplus .308 anywhere for less than 35 cents a round these days....even then it isn't boxer primed. I would have seconded the .308 idea......... if cheap ammo was available.

If you move right now, .30-06 military ball ammo has made a comeback of sorts, at 25 cents a round. I would FIRST stockpile as much surplus ammo as you can afford. LC ammo has excellent brass for reloading, and the Greek isn't too bad either. Then save up and buy the rifle.

When you consider the cost of new commercial brass is 25 cents a round, then loaded 30-06 ammo at that price is a great deal. I would fill up the storage room with as much ammo as you can swing and worry about the rifle later.
(Then I would get a nice used Model 70 winchester)

[DogBonz]

If it is only for target use, and rarely over 200 yards, I would look at the .223. Much lower recoil (probably nonexistant in a heavy bolt gun), and will be much cheaper to shoot. At 200 yards it may even be more accurate than a 308.

For paper at 200 yards there are a lot of calibers that would work well. I would think about glass more than caliber at that range.

[Grumulkin]

In my opinion, your best choices for 200 yard target shooting are (sticking with commonly available cartridges of course):

22-250 Rem.

243 Win.

260 Rem.

7mm/08 Rem.

7mm Rem. Mag.

308 Win.

You'll fine the best bullet selection in the .224, .284 (7mm) and .308 diameters. All of the above are also suitable for game the size of small varmints up to deer if that interests you.

[The Bushmaster]

.30-06 would fit your requirements. Not the cheapest, but close. More bullet weights, designs, styles and composition of any rifle out there. More proven load data then most other calibres...And easy to load...On the right platform one of the most accurite rounds "universily" available...:)

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

This is an easy question. In a modern bolt action gun with modern steels, the 30.06 can be loaded to significantly higher (more full case) than with older bolt actions of previous eras. You also have newer powders that fill the case much better, also increasing the accuracy of the round to .308 levels. The reason .308's have been more accurate is not filling the case with power, thereby getting a slightly less efficient burn in 30.06 than .308. But with modern powders, you can fill the case and match the accuracy if you so choose.

The 30.06 can do anything the .308 can do and more. You can load up a hotter round in a modern bolt gun that'll outshoot a .308 caliber gun and you can download the round using modern powders and still match the .308's best accuracy. The best thing is, your brass isn't worked as hard overall, because the 30.06 is a much lower pressure round than the 30.06.

Ultimately, of all the "high power" calibers, the 30.06 is perhaps the most versatile out there. You can beat it in some areas with some guns, but none of those calibers can offer the overall versatility of the 30.06. And that's why it's been around so long. It's an extremely good round and is extremely versatile to go along with it.

In addition, you can walk into about any store, any where in the United States and buy ammo for the 30.06 rifle. It is as common as fleas on a dog's back in the hot Georgia sun.

[Sniper X]

I vote either 5.56 or 7.62nato, cheap to shoot, fun, and accurate.

[SSN Vet]

I was also seriously considering .30-06.....

If I'm not mistaken, you can shoot a heavier bullet out of the .30-06, and that would give good performance if I ever found a place to shoot really long ranges.

There seems to be a LOT more second hand rifles out there in .30-06 than .308 and I think the chances of finding one that was fired less than ten times a year are pretty good.

I do realize that poly stocks, bedded-fluted-heavy barrels are all the cat's meow with varmit/long range types......I'm looking for that combination that gives me very good accuracy (world class competition not required), a fun time re-loading and has that magic "feel good" aspect to it.

I'm a sucker for pretty Walnut and nice blue.....a Remington 700CDL would be on my short list if I thought I could afford it (which I can't).

If I bought a new rifle, a Savage would be more my price range......budgeting ~$200 for glass.

Although I'd love to do it.....the chances of me actually doing any hunting at these longer ranges is pretty darn slim. None the less, both the .308 or .30-06 would keep that option open form me.

Is the long action vs. short action any big deal on bolt guns?

Is the .30-06 to long to reload on my Lee classic cast turret press?

[IDriveB5]

SSN, I have been thinking about this kind of this and have pretty much decided on the .30-06, for mainly the reasons that DaveInFloweryBranchGA stated. And hell, I just think the .30-06 is cool as all get-out.

Being another sucker for walnut and blue, I think your rifle choice is great. Would love to find a Rem700 in .30-06 with iron sights....

Yes you can reload .30-06 on your Lee Classic. I believe you caneven reload .50BMG if you disable the auto-indexing.

[Jim Watson]

I am strictly a recreational target shooter and have no need for bear bumper firewall uber mushroom loads. I have both .30-06 and .308 bolt action rifles and can say there is no practical difference I have seen at ranges to 1000 yards. I am now working mostly in .308*, just put a new barrel and glass bedded my Savage .308.

If you shoot mostly to 200 yards, (or even 600) you could do even better with a .223* HANDLOADED. Like I said, I am a target shooter and the availability of Slobbovian surplus ammunition makes no difference to me. The best I can buy or handload is no better than what I need to do well.

*Does not appear to appy to you, but I shoot F-T/R where only those calibers are allowed.

If you are looking second hand and .30-06 is what you see, get a .30-06, it will not likely disappoint, although it is no longer at the leading edge of match calibers.

[win308]

I had a Savage 110 with a plastic stock...in 30-06. It was too light and kicked like a mule. I didn't really see great accuracy out of that gun either. That will be my last and only Savage.

On the other hand, I have always had good accuracy with the Model 70 Winchester....thus my recommendation to stick with the Model 70.

[db_tanker]

30-06 would be a good choice.

watch your barrel twist and you should be able to lob out the 220 gr. RN's as well as most other bullets...plus I have heard that it is a fun gun to play with as far as cast bullet loads goes...


Get a Savage and later on, when you get more savvy to the ins and outs of stuff, you can rebarrel it to dang near anything, seeing as how its long action and with a .473 bolt face...quite a few possibilities...plus you can swap out the bolt faces, as well....but leave that for later...

D

[DWARREN123]

There so many good lower recoil cartridges;
7X57mm
6.5X55mm
260 REM
308 WIN
the 35's
and so on.
I think a good accurate rifle is more important than the caliber.

[duck911]

Wow, lots of great choices and these guys have covered most of them.

The .308 would be a great choice for what you're looking for.

I am a HUGE .270 fan.

It flies fast and flat, and hits hard if you ever want to hunt.

Probably couldn't go wrong with either.

But boy do I love my .270. I think it's about as perfect a caliber as possible.

--Duck911

[SSN Vet]

here's what I'm thinking now...

a Stevens 200 in .30-06! Most reports indicate it's pretty darn accurate (~MOA) and that should more than challenge my skills for some time. And I can pick one up for ~$250, which will allow me to put ~$250 into decent glass and rings.

I can upgrade the stock some day if I'm enjoying it a lot and I have a friend who can help me with the trigger (no Accu-trigger on the Stevens).

My one concern is the kick as I've read some posts that say the light stock makes for an unpleasant experience. So I need to decide if I'm "man enough" for .30-06 in such a light package.

How will the .30-06 in a 22" barrel compare to 170 gr core locks in my .30-30? or 1-1/8 oz. trap loads in a 12 ga.?