1st rifle... .308 or 30-06

[Mulliga]

It's getting to be like that. A .270 will bring down an elk with proper shot placement, as will a .308.

Let's face it: guns last a long time, and gun companies have to keep selling guns to make money - thus, bigger and deadlier and faster cartridges that kick and cost more.

That said, I'd still go with the .30-06. They make plenty of shootable rifles (about 8 lbs with scope and ammo) in .30-06, and if lugging 8 lbs around strikes fear into your heart, wait'll you get your hands on a Garand or a CETME!

I'll never buy a Ruger firearm, though, due to that horrible part he played in the 10-round limit in the AWB. Just like I'll never buy a S&W, no matter how good their .22 target pistols are.

 

[artherd]

Both are FANTASTIC calibres.

In this kind of situation, the biggest question may be, what do your friends have? (so you can share ammo if you ever want/HAVE to...)

The .308 and .30-06 with the same bullet have about a 100fps difference.

However, the .30-06 does have some other cool things that .308 does not readily afford the civillian. Namely, Remington Accelerators (a saboted .223 round in a .30-06 case at ~4500fps!) and M2 AP mil surplus armour piercing ammunition. Hey, you never know.

Surplus ammo can be found for both, but .308 is more common now. Price difference is close to negligible if you hunt hard enough for .30-06.

Both calibres have served the US and other militaries for around 50 years. There is *verry* little worng with either one.

 

[Nestor]

It aslo depends on what actions you want.

Comm Bolt gun (savage, Rem,Win) NO diff between the two for the most part.

Comm. Semi (browning, Springfield etc.) Little Diff


Surplus Bolt - Spring Field 1903/M1917 .30-06


Surplus Semi (Fal,G3,Cetme) 7.62 Nato. / 308 Win



I dont recommend "coverted" to .308 simi like the French 49/56, I have one in the orignal chambering and have had no problems but other tried the .308 convert with MIXED results



Side note. IF you are a lefty and want a .308 rifle then the Savage 99 is one of the best options. Lever action.

 

[Moparmike]

Lemme see. First rifle, umm, I would have to recommend a .700 Nitro Express, or a .50 BMG with the recoil compensator removed.

Be a man. Peer pressure.