I can’t decide on a new hunting caliber

Personally I think each of those rifles has a strong suite, and things that recommend them.
If you wanted a superlight rifle, then the Kimber would get the go ahead.
Want solid out of the box performance, with a more refined stock than any besides maybe the Xbolt? Tikka, dont care which you pick there isnt enough difference to matter.
Want cheap, accurate, and upgradeable? Savage, any configuration you like.
Want cheap, accurate, and good quality without paying for refinement, as well as being very receptive to elbow grease? Ruger American.

Again Id suggest simply buying what feels best, and what fits your idea of what you want to do with the rifle. IMO, all are good rifles, and id happily own all of them if given....

I purchase a Mossberg Patriot in .308 last year before hunting season started. Took 2 deer first season out. Nice rifle and accurate.

907SunDevil said:

Thank you everybody for your suggestions. I am a pretty young hunter - only 26 years old. I really appreciate all the feedback from people with more experience. I think i'm leaning more toward the 30-06 after reading all the responses. Any recommendations on rifles? There are a few 30-06s in town for reasonable prices - Tikka T3x Lite Stainless, Tikka T3x Superlite, Savage 110 Storm, Ruger American, Browning X Bolt Stainless Stalker, Kimber Hunter

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Any of the rifles you picked will be adequate for your use; my money would go to either the Browning or Kimber. However, I'd caution you that picking one of the lighter options in an '06 will mean the recoil will be quite stiff. That might not be as important to you now, but 20 years down the road it might be. Just something to consider. Then again, you currently have a .338 and that will kick a lot harder than the old '06, so the point may be moot.

Mac

Lightweight for what you mentioned, I would look at a Model 7 Remington in either 7-08 or 308; put a compact fixed power and you'll have lightweight than can handle the critters you mentioned

I like a two rifle set

"big" (technically medium) bore lever action - for walking
Bolt action for sitting on open long shots

I really enjoy my Browning 71 in 348
However it is much a reloaders caliber.

If I was in Alaska I would have:
1.) Scope gun Browning A bolt in 30-06 , 300wsm, or 325wsm
2.) Lever action Browning Model 71 in 348win or rebarreled to 450 Alaskan, 475 Turnbull, or 50 Alaskan (I don't know much about these calibers)

Importantly as much gun/recoil as I can handle and shoot proficiently.

Depends on what you want to do with the gun and if you reload.

I don't know if Alaskans consider the 348win enough gun for up there......do you know? They should it's pretty darn close to the heavy 200gr and 220gr 30-06 ballistics inside 200yds.

I REALLY like my Sako A7 30-06. It’s like a refined Tikka with a better action/magazine and much nicer stock.

Note the sizable elk rub in the picture;

I would recommend a Winchester model 70 featherweight chambered in .270 Winchester, with a 130 grain Nosler partition at 3,000 fps or so with a 3 inch high at 100 yards sight in, you'll be right as rain for deer, goat, and elk out to 400 yards. In case of an encounter with bear, a 150 grain Nosler partition at 2,900 fps would preform well.

(Yes, I've been bitten by the O'Connor bug)

Looks like the 30.06 is the popular recommendation. I might throw in another option, a .257 Weatherby Mag. It is considerably more money, but wow, what a rifle! My brother has one that I wish he would sell to me. His rifle will stop anything it hits and does so with authority. But, of your two choices, I would pick the 7mm.

I have a 4 30-06 rifles and have never taken a deer in that caliber. My .270 is my go to with my 300wsm a very close second. If I were looking at the ought six for hunting I would definitely check out the 300wsm.

Oh and a Winchester model 70 is hard to beat. I like Weatherby as well. Of course I am an eastern deer hunter so I am not lugging them up and down mountains. Have fun choosing your new rifle.

907SunDevil said:

I’m having a hard time choosing a new caliber. I live on Kodiak Island in Alaska. Currently, I own 2 rifles.. the first one is a Browning X Bolt Hells Canyon Long Range in 6.5 Creedmoor. I use this for precision shooting at the range and also for deer. My other rifle is a Ruger M77 Hawkeye All weather in 338 win mag. This is my elk/bear rifle (moose too if I go to the main land). I’m looking for a lightweight rifle that I can use for deer, mountain goat and elk. I’ve been looking a lot at the 30-06 and 7mm rem mag. Any suggestions?

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Very happy with the FN/Winchester M70 EW/SS in .270 WCF w/ 150 gr. ammo... but they also chamber it in good ole .30-06.


~ 8-1/4 lbs scoped.




GR

Check out the all around rifle battery thread lots of good choices