What caliber would you buy?

Your going to get a ton of answers. My go to for big game is the 30.06.

I agree with 30 and 7mm for the calibers, but would pick different chambers if hunting in the TN/NC area. The Nosler chambers you mention are expensive and hard to find. I’d probably go with 30-06, 308 or 7RM.

If he’s going to reload, I’d consider a 280 or 280 AI.

Rpod86 said:

My vote is 28 or 30 nosler

Click to expand...

Those sound like a lot of horse power for mostly deer and bear with an occasional elk hunt. I'd recommend something less, maybe a 308 or similar.

If 30 Nosler is in the mix then maybe consider the 300 PRC.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/300-prc-or-30-nosler.868175/

I'd say .308 normally but with elk and bear in the mix, a .30-06 will be preferred for a wider range.

The only downside of using one gun for everything is the constant re-zeroing of different bullets unless you stick with one size.

If he is not going to reload he is not going to shoot it much. How does he like recoil? Me, I would probably suggest a .308 or 30-06 and shoot 150 grain bullets.

There is no way you will ever think you made a mistake by choosing a .308 or .30-06 for the hunting you describe. I would never advise anyone to pick the .28 or .30 Nosler as a first rifle that will use factory ammo.

I'll throw another recommendation in the hat for .30-06.

I’m with the 30.06 group for one caliber for all big game .

1. .30-06


2. 7mm Rem Mag








3. .300 Win Mag


In that order. I started with .30-06
8 years later, moved up 7 mag. Used it for 30+ years. Several deer 350-500 yards.
Sold it and bought a .260

Use .260 and .30-06 now.

Biggest difference, I reload for all of them.

Not being a reloader puts #2 and #3, way down the list.

.308, 30-06, 7mm Rem Mag.

I’d even go with a .338 Win Mag before either of the Nosler rounds mentioned.

If it was me, one gun, factory ammo, it would be the 7mm. But all of my big game hunting is in the West where the potential for 500 yard shots exist.

Back east I would recommend the 30-06 because of the potential for a future elk hunt.

30-06 isn’t a flashy choice, but it’s been getting it done for a long, long time.

IF I wanted a rifle for mostly deer, 500 and under with an occasional elk, and I didn't reload I'd probably go with a 30-06 or .308. Honestly for deer out to 500 a magnum isn't required, any of the .308 or 30-06 basic cartridges will work well and handle an occasional elk at sane distances. They'll also be easier on the shoulder and wallet. Flat shooting magnums work well for western spot and stalk, especially when there's wind involved, but how much of those conditions exist in TN?

IF I HAD to have a magnum "something" to keep up with the Jones's, I'd probably get a 300WSM. IF I wanted a long action, I'd probably stick with 300Win Mag cause ammo isn't horribly expensive and can be found. There's a few smart guys around that swear that the 7mm Rem Mag is about as versatile cartridge as there is.

Unsure of what the OPs friends disposable income is, but for most folks not reloading and owning a 28 or 30 Nosler or 300 RUM is a recipe for not shooting much. They all cost serious $$ for factory ammo.

I am another riding the 30-06 bandwagon. For some reason 30-06 ammo isn't exactly on the plentiful side around here where .308 is. Back when I started hunting the mighty mulie 30-06, and 270 ruled the roost with 30-06 a big majority.

30-06

Ammo is relatively everywhere and relatively cheap. Can still be had for a dollar or so a round where .243 and such are higher. Of course 308 can be had cheaper, but thats usually just plinking ammo.

For versatility and availability in factory ammo I'd vote for the 30-06 as well.

30.06

A .30-06 would serve the man well.

First pick: 270
Second: 308
Third: 280 or 7-08

I wish the .280 were more popular. I'm going to second the .30-06 as an easy, do-all answer. The 2 rounds you mention are far too much for the average Joe who is not a huge gun guy/recreational shooter to realize any practical utility from. They are proprietary Nosler rounds, ammunition will be expensive and hard to obtain even in good times with limited options for loads.

I'd throw 7mm-08 and .270 Win out there as strong options also, especially if he's a smaller framed shooter. Modern premium bullets have made those cartridges much more Elk capable, and a casual shooter will likely shoot them better due to lesser recoil. If he's dead set on a magnum round, you could do worse than the time tested and much more common .300 WM, .300 WSM or 7mmRM, but IMHO all are overkill in the deer or black bear woods.

From your original description, this person is new to hunting. Later you mentioned some ranges around 500 yds. Taking into consideration the I dont want to reload portion my suggestion is a reasonable cartridge. 270, 308, 3006, all capable for the intended use. The cost in practice ammunition to be able to reliability hit 500 yd targets from hunting positions would preclude me from spending a bunch on some other than a readily obtainable cartridge.

308, 30-06 are hard to go wrong with

280rem/AI, 7mm-08 would be a little better ballistically, but ammo is a little more complicated (but not prohibitively hard) to find in enough quantity to hunt with.

7mm Rem Mag is the easy button. 300wm/wsm are great options, but more recoil than you need to accomplish the task at hand.

Of course if he likes your 284win, that's a good option as well. If he's currently pleased with that level of performance, I don't see why you'd change it up.

30-06 or .308 would be my preference because I have rifles in both.