Should I get a 30-06, 280 or 308. (needs to kill every thing from squirrels, to elk:)

You ain't gonna have a whole lot to chose from for $325. Suggest you save up some more $$$ and broaden your field.

Don

Not sure why .45 Colt and .45-70 are in the same poll option. While .45-70 can be downloaded to .45 Colt levels, .45 Colt cannot be uploaded to the same arena as .45-70. Similarly, I don't think .30-30 is very well comparable to .30-06 or .308.

For your stated range and application, I would think you couldn't go wrong with .30-06 or .308. With your stated price range, you might take a look at the H&R Handi Rifles. They are single shot break actions that are a solid bang for the buck (pun intended).

I don't see .280 Rem in your poll If it were me and I wanted to be different I'd get a .280 Rem. It is a great rifle cartridge capable of doing all that you outlined. IMHO the .280 Rem is a true riflemans cartridge and deserves a lot more press than it gets.

7.62x54R! Covers all your requirements and you'll have plenty of money left over!

For my style, the 280 would be my hands down choice,
Your mileage may vary.

7.62x54R! Covers all your requirements and you'll have plenty of money left over!

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Another solid suggestion.

That's easy... .30-06 all the way..It's a cheap, accurate and efficient round that you can find on any ammo shelf, anywhere in the world.

They can be loaded in so many different configurations, its astounding.

(just don't expect much to be left of the squirrels, lol)

H&R Rifles are really nice and solidly built. If you're looking for an inexpensive bolt gun, look at the Mossberg's or the Marlins. Regardless of what the masses say, they are both reliable and comfortable to shoot. I love my Mossberg 100 ATR in .30-06.

You might look for a 7MM Remington Mag. Elk at 300 yards takes a little doing. A 300 Magnum wouldn't be bad either. You can then suggest to your brother that his weak little .270 is, as Elmer Kieth said, "a good coyote rifle."

I would look at used rifles. Find one that fits right and suits your style first, then worry about caliber.

This is a no brainer, better to have too much than not enough. Can't shoot squirrels anymore, too cute, unless they were doing damage to home or property, still would trap them, they are very funny to watch, mu wife had her own crew of them that used yo wait till she got home from work. Then the boss squirrel would hand out the nuts to the 4 or 5 others every day, he was like the godfather .Once a giant lizzard got over my wall and started to dig up the squirrels nuts, man it was so funny, they came out and attacked him from all sides, finally he just had enough and split. I can't shoot anything that looks that cute. "Unless it really pissed me off" lol. Plus I don't see anyone eating them unless it's in "Justified"

How much shooting do you do? a 300 MAGNUM? or a 300 savage?. The Magnum 300s have a pretty sharp recoil, they are generally harder to shoot well then something in the standard class. They are also more expensive to feed.
I have one and really like it, but i dont use it very often as its overpowered for any of the hunting i do. Id say the .280, .308, or 06s would be the best choice.

LoonWulf said:

How much shooting do you do? a 300 MAGNUM? or a 300 savage?. The Magnum 300s have a pretty sharp recoil, they are generally harder to shoot well then something in the standard class. They are also more expensive to feed.
I have one and really like it, but i dont use it very often as its overpowered for any of the hunting i do. Id say the .280, .308, or 06s would be the best choice.

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i agree

You might be able to find a decent Savage Axis or Stevens rifle for that much. Plus Cabelas has 0% financing for 12 months on Savage guns right now. But don't forget money for a scope! I'd hope you don't plan on shooting a .300WM at 300yds with iron sights (if it has any). Don't skimp on the scope, either. You can get really nice scopes for the money around the $150-$250 range. Look at Nikon, Redfield, Leupold, and higher-end Bushnell scopes. (There are other good brands, too.)

If you just want an all-around, inexpensive rifle for hunting, plinking, and target shooting, a Mosin-Nagant can't really be beat. For $100 you'll have a rifle that can do what you want, doesn't require a scope (has iron sights), that's cheap to feed, simple to strip and clean, and is rugged.

I don't see .280 Rem in your poll If it were me and I wanted to be different I'd get a .280 Rem. It is a great rifle cartridge capable of doing all that you outlined. IMHO the .280 Rem is a true riflemans cartridge and deserves a lot more press than it gets.

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I share your love of the .280, however there is only one option that I know of in his price range and that's the NEF Handi Rifle. Not that it's a bad one, it's not. My own .280 is in a Handi Rifle and I would love it if it weren't so picky.
With that budget, I'd go with one of the budget bolt actions, such as Savage Axis, Marlin XL series, Stevens or Mossberg in .30-06.
Be sure and check the pawn shops for used stuff. You may be surprised at what you find.

Clay Harvey wrote a chapter in Popular Sporting Rifle Cartriges. (I'm aware of the negatives of Clay Harvey, but he can spin a yarn, and in my opinion was a well thought out chapter) and he came to the conclusion the 30-06 was the best all around North American Cartrige from Varmit to Elk. Truth is any of the 3 calibers 30-06, .308. or .280 will be fine calibers for your one gun do everything rifleman. You won't be able to go wrong. Most important thing is proper bullet selection, and placing the bullet where it needs to be. The heaviest North American game has been taken even at long distances with each caliber when the proper bullet has been properly placed. The real question comes down to, do you have the ability to pass up the shots you aren't capable of making?

The Savage 111 can be had in .30-06 for less than $375. What really depends is if you can find it in stock. It's about 30 days until many gun seasons open, and buying the bolt gun you want gets brisk, if not problematic.

.30 06 is all one needs .

I would almost venture to say all of these are too big for Squirrel hunting. Unless you're really damn good with headshots and have good optics.

I'd agree. You don't take an elk gun squirrel hunting and you don't take a squirrel gun elk hunting, in my opinion.

they all seem a little light for the squirrel, shal i recomend the 50 bmg?

sounds like you're looking for a "survival rifle" to me. Not sure what they cost where you're at, but around here they are expensive, but will do anything you want them to... an over and under rifle/shotgun combo. It's hard to find it in anything larger than a .22 magnum, but they are available.

Other than that, I don't think you're going to find something capable of taking squirrels and rabbits (and still being able to find some meat) along with elk and deer.

Maybe go the route of getting an old sporterized mauser and a cheap .22 or shotgun? Sadly for those of us who want a gun to "do it all" our options are limited.

Austin97 said:

I need a good gun for no more than $325 that can kill every thing up to elk at 300 yards My dad has a 30-30 and 30-06 that i love, my little bro has a 270 thats cool. Yet, i want something different that won't clean out the wallet, cant decide what to get!! (recoil not really an issue)

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Squirrel to elk, with one gun? That's a bit like playing golf with only a 9 iron. Sure, it can be done, but it's not optimal. I'd say get a 22 for squirrels, and a 30-06 for the bigger critters.

Why did you seperate the 300 from the 30 cal options. If you hand load you can down load the 300 to near 30-30 performance but you cant get 300 performance from a 30-30 quite as easily.
Check out Buds Guns last I looked the Savage axis packages werent that far over your price limit and BTW 30-06 will do the job even so a 55 grain Accelerator is still a bit much for squirrels. Ive never hunted elk but from what I read 30-06 is adequate if you use a heavy enough chunk of lead or copper or any combination of the two.
Best
T