One rifle?

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I`d pick the 30 06 because .308 disappeared from store shelves around here during the last shortage. Also 243 was hard to get.
 
The .308 is ballistically the same as a .30-06 except for the case length and about 100 fps with like bullet weights.
"...ammo we can't buy at Wal-Mart..." Really good criteria anywhere. Look at what they carry and buy one. Think .24, .25. .26 or .27 calibre.
 
jdduffy said:
30-06 is a no brainer,if you only want one rifle.
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I mostly agree with this but the OP is specific and eliminates both 243 and 30 06. Personally I would rule out the 308 also. It's too close to the 30 06 to include unless ammo availability was the driving factor.

If not, I've always fancied the 260 Remington as a good tweener cartridge. Never understood why it hasn't caught on better than it has.
 
Small deer and hogs.....a lot of those have fallen to old 30-30.
If you like lever guns, which I'm partial to, ammo is usually to be found and not a bank breaker.
Several companies have taken to making them since Winchester stopped making American made model 94,s.
Henry makes a real nice looking lever gun.
 
sappyg said:
Personally I would rule out the 308 also. It's too close to the 30 06 to include unless ammo availability was the driving factor.
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Which it is, based on the OP...
Eliminating calibers with ammo we can't buy at Walmart (think excellent cals like 6.5x55 or .257 Bob), you are left with 7mm-08, .308, .270 Win and precious little else.
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I really don't understand the .260 Rem recommendations based on the info given. Sure it's a solid choice, but then so are the two calibers the OP specifically said he's ruling out based on ammo availability. When have you ever seen .260 Rem at WalMart?

If you're gonna break the mold, at least provide a reason why.
 
If 30 06 recoil is undesireable, then he won't be happy with 308 or 270. 7mm-08 seems to bring recoil down noticeably and still deliver ample Class 2 power.
 
ExAgoradzo said:
What would you recommend, even if that is going with another caliber and going online to buy the ammo?

He knows guns, but not hunting. Around here we have pigs and small blacktail deer.

Thanks,
Greg
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From the Op...

Not really breaking the mold suggesting the 260 at all. The door was opened to ammo purchase options. With that, and the intended use, why not make that pick? The 260 has it all... Mild recoil. Range. Short action in a light handy package. Not so much over bored like the 243 it should be a sweet shooter for a lifetime and then some. Brass would be easy to make from 308 if needed and bullet selection ( maybe not great) is good enough even if not so ready available as the 06/ 308
 
As an owner and hunter with the 6.5x55 I understand that it would serve these purposes adequately, but it just isn't for sale here. The gun shop that had some ($45 a box) went out of business (I liked the guy and bought stuff from him now and again, but way too expensive...)

I also own a .30-06 but hunt with the .270 (again does everything around here for 1000's of miles).

The .30-30 is an idea I hadn't considered...there is a small selection of ammo around here: not nearly so much as the .308 or .270, but as much as the 7mm-08 (which isn't much). Ultimately it will be Rob's decision, but I like that there's a lot here to give him to think about...

Thanks again...
Greg
 
If the sole question is ammo availability, the "old standbys" '06, 308, 270, 243, or 30-30 will probably be the best bet. "versatility"? More loads? Poppycock! STANDARDIZE! Pick ONE load, LEARN it in your rifle. Comes TEOTWAWKI, the time for ballistic proctology is gone!:cool:

The "exotics", 7X57 Mauser, 6.5 X 55 Swede, 7-08, .260, 25-06, 257 Roberts, 35 Whelen will be harder or impossible to find. Brass and bullets will (have) become as hen's teeth. :what:

The answer to most of the problem is reloading: The .308 is the parent cartridge for the 7mm-08, .260, .243, and probably some I have forgotten. The 30-06 can provide .270, 25-06, and 338-06 brass.

Considering the 30-30 was THE high-powered cartridge of the 1800s, and depending upon residence, few of us will ever be called on to dispatch Grizzly bears or feral Brahma bulls, so...the .243 makes a lot of sense, as does the more-versatile .308, which can be called upon to dispatch even those two... if a tall, sturdy tree is close at hand.

But...for those who have one or more of the "exotics", "putting some supplies by" gradually, as they can be found, makes a lot of sense.:)
 
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When have you ever seen .260 Rem at WalMart?
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Sorry, I didn't run to Walmart to check their ammo availability before I posted. :rolleyes:

I don't see the reason for this stipulation anyway. It's too easy to order online.
 
I was faced with the same problem as you once. I settled on the
.338 Winchester Magnum. It will kill anything in North America
without much problems. When you shoot a deer with it, it gets
killed extra dead. So what?

Zeke
 
I recommend in this order, the .308, 7-08, 270 Win. But all fine cartridges.
 
I chose the Ruger Scout 6829 in .308 as my "one rifle." Still debating optics/sights, but i feel with that, the options are open.

.308, mainly for the availability.
 
With those choices I'd probably go .308. Long barrel life, easy to find ammo at relatively reasonable prices (not inexpensive, though) and a good all around performer. And tell him IF he hasn't learned his lesson and doesn't have ammo "when the next shortage hits" he doesn't deserve any ammo. :)

My only .308 (CZ 550).
550Sightron6-24_2_zpsa9645c28.jpg
 
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