What caliber would you buy?

kalielkslayer said:

You can’t even find dove loads or 22LR in California Walmarts, just saying.

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California requires a back ground check and fee for a .22 short !


the point is just go to your local stores snd see what you could get if you have to without special ordering. Probably find 30-06 and .308 before any others , usually 7mm Remington to. Pretty much every other caliber is a crap shoot what you will find.

I live in the reddest county in California. Our Walmart doesn’t carry ammunition. That was the basis for my comment.

California still allows you to purchase primers, powder, projectiles and brass online.

And I live an hour from Reno so if i need 22 LR, it’s an hour away. But I don’t.

My name isn’t going into a database for ammunition purchases, period!

I know my online purchases open me up for further review. But IMHO, less so than paying $1 for a background check for ammo.

I could be wrong. Bit nobody, even my wife, knows what components I have.

I bought 100 Nosler .284 168 grain LR Accubonds today in Reno, paid cash. What I have, what I load, is no bodies business except the guys at the range I share load data with.

I still think the 30-06 is the best caliber for the scenario the post asked about.

Distance at which he will be shooting? What manner of bear, black or brown? East or west of the Mississippi?

The tried and true .300 Win Mag. he may have to go to if the elk to be taken is at distance or if the elk is a big boy. That caliber is a bit on the large size for deer or black bear. If he is running up on big brown bears, then the .300 Mag could be too light.
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9x56MS said:

A guy buying his first rifle wouldn’t be able to see a deer 500 yards away let alone shoot at it and hit it.

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Plenty of folks out hunting that can't judge the difference in 250 vs 500 yards.

illinoisburt said:

That does not sound right. I would generally expect a target setup like this to tip the scales around 15 pounds loaded. Remington tactical chassis 84475 bare rifle with 24" tube should be 12-1/4 pounds. Most long range scopes over 12x/50mm run a bit over 2 pounds. Add bipod, slings and other odds/ends probably closer to 17 pounds all in. Not exactly a svelte stalker though will make a great long range starter.

* Heavy with a factory brake, it won't kick much.

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I have zero interest in a 30cal magnum in the single digit pound weight range. Might not be terrible with a good break or suppressor, but not pleasant exactly either.

This thread is turning into a favorite. I tune in at least twice a day for the latest developments and can pretty much guarantee that the new rifle will shoot 1/4" groups with Walmart ammo - especially after the muzzel break gets tuned.

Recommend adding a BOG tripod to his shopping list.

Doesn’t want to reload. Wants to hunt deer and maybe elk.

KISS answer: .308 or 6.5CM

Wide selection of both rifles and ammo. Easy to shoot. Accurate.

30.06 is another excellent answer, but recoil is much more for little gain IMO.

Buzznrose said:

Doesn’t want to reload. Wants to hunt deer and maybe elk.

KISS answer: .308 or 6.5CM

Wide selection of both rifles and ammo. Easy to shoot. Accurate.

30.06 is another excellent answer, but recoil is much more for little gain IMO.

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Todays reality is there are many many adequate answers, but then you need to look at ammo availability…7MM-08 or .257 Robert’s would easily do the job but finding rounds can be the issue.

9x56MS said:

A guy buying his first rifle wouldn’t be able to see a deer 500 yards away let alone shoot at it and hit it.

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New to hunting does not mean new to shooting, especially today where recreational target shooting is more popular than hunting.

.308 Winchester /30-06

br549arkie said:

Plenty of folks out hunting that can't judge the difference in 250 vs 500 yards.

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But it’s 2022, almost 2023, so even a 6 year old with a laser rangefinder can tell exactly the difference between 500 and 495yrds…

Varminterror said:

But it’s 2022, almost 2023, so even a 6 year old with a laser rangefinder can tell exactly the difference between 500 and 495yrds…

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That's me for sure. That's why I carry my rangefinder. I do most of my hunting in the forest and a deer at 100 yards looks like it's quite far away. On the other hand, I set up a blind on a soybean field this weekend and 120 yards looked awfully close.

Offfhand said:

The .280 Rem. is possibly the most overlooked caliber on the menu and current rifle selections are scarce to almost non-existant. Which is sad because it is a superb all-purpose caliber that has served me well from Alaskia to Africa. This NUL .280 is a do-anything, go-anywhere hunting rifle and weighs only 6 lbs even with it's relativley hefty 3-10 Swarovski scope. Thery are still being made and my first recommendation to anyone searching for a lifetime all-purpose hunting rifle. The .280 is also a great choice for non-handloaders because of wide choices of outstanding factory ammo. View attachment 1118780 View attachment 1118781 View attachment 1118782

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Yes nobody disputes the capability and accuracy of the 280. You also see a popularity of the 280 AI in many circles. Excellent rounds. It is just the fact that 30-06 is what Grandpa uses, and 270 is what Uncle uses. But now that is fading due to the Creekmore and the PRCs. Even the WSMs are fading out. But I suspect the 280 will hang around. Especially for the true Westerners.

Fine Figure of a Man said:

Has anyone ever gone deer hunting, ran out of ammo before filling their tag(s) and then went to Wal-Mart to buy more?

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Said no one ever. Two or three rounds is usually enough. Most I ever used in one season is 7 rounds because I got spooked by a 5 point buck that I walked up on within spiting distance. He had me and lived to tell the tale.

I doubt very much there is any ammo available in more weights, types, etc. Then 3006. Every kind of load imagineable is available for it. If it is possible to launch from a 30 cal, the 3006 has done it. Including armor peircing & grenades. You wont find better dangerous game loads then that.

@Rpod86, a lot of guys like the .300 Win Mag. I don't. But even I'd shoot one a couple of times a year. My preferred cartridge for a general purpose hunting rifle is 7mm-08, or .280AI if I want a bit more punch. At the end of the day, the choice is personal. Once your buddy gets everything together, we will want a picture and a range report.

It might be fading in popularity but 270 WSM is a heck of a deer round. Big thud. They go down.

I can't say the .300 Win Mag is an objectively bad choice! Overkill for deer but if bear and elk are in the mix why not? Ammo is a bit more expensive but not rare or hard to find at all. I hope he enjoys the new rifle.

30-06